How To Know Your Body Shape And Dress Better

It can be frustrating when your new outfits don’t fit. We get it. That’s why we understand the value of dressing for your particular body shape to feel comfortable and confident anytime. But what’s your body shape? Could you possibly belong to two different body-shape categories? Have you been shopping all wrong these while?

Here’s a foolproof technique that helps you find your real shape and embrace your silhouette, rather than work against it.

Don’t have a measuring tape near you? Take our quiz to find your body shape!

Step 1: Measure Yourself

To dress your body right, you have to know your body. Don’t just guess or rely on mirrors (mirrors can be deceiving!). Grab a measuring tape and a friend to help you, because it’s very difficult to measure some parts of yourself and get it right. The more accurate you are now, the better you’ll look later.

Learn How To Measure Yourself To Find Your Body Shape and Get The Right Fit, Everytime

Shoulders: Measure from the tip of one shoulder all the way around you–like a shawl. The measuring tape should be high up around your shoulders so it almost slips off. This is the widest circumference of your shoulders

Bust: Tighten the measuring tape across the fullest part of your bust and around your back. Don’t pull the tape so taut that things start to squish!

Waist: Measure the smallest part of your natural waist, just above the belly button.

Hips: Start at one hip (below the hip bone) and wrap the tape measure around the largest part of your butt.

Now that you’ve measured yourself (shoulders, bust, waist and hips), use those numbers to help determine your silhouette shape.

Step 2: Find Your Shape

Now that you have your measurements, you can use those numbers to determine your body shape! Keep in mind that no matter your size, you can have any of the below five body shapes; it’s more about how your weight–whatever it may be–is distributed.

Style Theory app users should input your measurements into your Style Profile to get the most out of the Size Recommendations and Fit Score features (download the app, go to Profile > Style Profile to update your measurements)

*For some, your body type may fit into more than one category when you use your shoulders’ measurements versus your bust measurements. These are for those with especially narrow or broad shoulders and especially big or small busts. It’s important to use both measurements and consider both body shapes when shopping.

Body Shape 1: Pear or Triangle

Pear Body Shape: Your hips are wider than your shoulders

As a rule of thumb, your hip measurement is more than 5% bigger than your shoulder or bust measurements. For example, if your shoulders measure 91 cm/36 inches, your hips are 95.885cm/37.75 inches or larger.

What looks great on you: Fit-and-flare dresses

Body Shape 2: Strawberry or Inverted Triangle

Strawberry Body Shape: Your shoulders or bust are larger than your hips

You are a strawberry or inverted triangle body shape if your shoulder or bust measurement is more than 5% bigger than your hip measurement. For example, if your shoulders are 91 cm/36 inches and your hips are 89 cm/34.25 inches or smaller.

What looks great on you: Defined waist fitted jackets, flared bottom styles

Why: The illusion of lower-body curves from flare styles help balance out broad shoulders

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Body Shape 3: Banana or Rectangle

Banana Body Shape: Your shoulders, bust and hips are around the same size, with no defined waistline.

Your shoulder, bust and hip measurements are within 5% of each other. Your waist is less than 25% smaller than your shoulder or bust measurements. For example, if your shoulders measure 91 cm/36 inches, your waist will be around 68.58 cm/27 inches.

Body Shape 4: Double Cherry or Hourglass

Cherry Body Shape: Your shoulders, bust and hips are around the same size, with a defined waistline.

Your shoulder and hip measurements are within 5% of each other. Your waist is at least 25% smaller than your shoulder, hip and bust measurements. For example, if your shoulders and hips measure 91 cm/36 inches, your waist is 68.58 cm/27 inches or smaller.

Body Shape 5: Apple

Apple Body Shape: Your shoulders and bust are larger than your hips, with an undefined waistline.

You’re similar to a strawberry or inverted triangle body shape, though your upper body tends to put on weight first. Your shoulder or bust measurement is more than 5% bigger than your hip measurement. For example, if your shoulders are 91 cm/36 inches and your hips are 89 cm/34.25 inches or smaller.

Step 3: Dress For Your Body Shape

Now that you know your body shape, use that to make smart purchases or rent new outfits that flatter your silhouette and fit you right at the same time.

TIPS:

• Note your measurements down in your phone for easy shopping
• Add your measurements to your Style Theory app for size recommendations (download the app, go to Profile > Style Profile to update your measurements)
• Learn what to wear and remember what to avoid–the latter’s list is shorter!
• Read reviews and ratings on outfits you like and see what other users think of that particular style and cut

You don’t have to play it safe anymore! Expand your wardrobe beyond your comfort styles now that you know you can explore more styles that work for your body shape in the Infinite Wardrobe that comes without the commitment!