Most of you will know the classic body shapes; hourglass, rectangle, triangle and pear shaped. But how do you know what body shape you are? Determining which of the four categories you fall into is as simple as three measurements.
- Measure around your shoulders no more than three inches below the point. You might need a friend to help you with this.
- Measure around your waist.
- Measure around your hips, at the widest part.
Your body shape is determined by the relationship between the measurements.
TRIANGLE: Your shoulders are more than 5% larger than your hips.
PEAR SHAPED: You hips are more than 5% larger than your shoulders.
HOURGLASS: You shoulder and hip measurement are within 5% of each other and your waist is at least 25% less than the larger of the other two.
RECTANGLE: You shoulder and hip measurement are within 5% of each other and you waist is less than 25% less than the larger of the other two.
To calculate the percentage difference take the difference and divide by the largest measurement and multiply by 100. For instance if your shoulders are 38 inches, waist 30 inches and hips 40 inches then the difference between shoulders and hips is 2, divide by 40 times 100 or 5%. The difference between waist and hips is 10, divided by 40, times 100 equals 25%. Therefore the body shape is hourglass.
Body Shape Is More Than Just Proportion
Don’t get too caught up in working out the figures exactly, unless of course you want to, because these four basic categories are just a starting point. In his book The Science of Sexy
Why go to so much trouble? There are different considerations for each body type. For instance if you’re petite then you’ll need to stay away from anything overly frilly or cluttered as it will have a tendency to make you look like a giant doll whereas if you’re slender design elements are a good idea as they can add interest to your frame.
Ummm…So What Body Shape Am I?
The thing to remember about these body shapes is that they have no meaning other than discussing clothes. They have no purpose other than to give generic examples of what is likely to fit and flatter a body with similar characteristics. You are the shape you are. If you’re anything like me it’s unlikely that you’ll fit exactly into any particular pigeon hole just because someone came up with a formula. This is why I’ve not given exact criteria for height and weight and the resulting category that puts you in, although Bayou goes into great detail in his book The Science of Sexy
From the calculations above I am a pear shape, medium height, full figured women. But it turns out my breasts are so large that ain’t nobody looking at my shoulders so in other respects I’m an hourglass shape. It could all get very confusing were I not to keep in mind that these are simple guidelines and at the end of the day I buy the clothes and put the outfits together and so long as I end up feeling fabulous it doesn’t particularly matter if I stuck religiously to the outlines given.
So tell me, what body shape are you? And how do you feel about that?
LISA
About Lisa
Hi Donna
What do you mean that your hips and butt are a different size – where are you measuring your hips and where your butt? You have broad shoulders which I would guess usually makes an impact on your outfits and what your wear. Combined with that you seem to have quite the booty with a little waist. I’d be tempted to say triangle with a big bottom, but the truth is really in what sort of clothing issues you have. Is it your shoulders that seem widest? Or do you find you’re fairly proportionate?
LISA
Hi Lisa, thanks for the reply! I measured my hips (mid point between my belly button and the top of my leg??) and the widest point of my bottom?? That help?! Thanx
Thanks for the comment Lisa, can you point out some of the changes that i need to do in my wardrobe. In my wardrobe i only got jeans and T-shirt and all of my T-shirt are very loose because i don’t want to show up my bust too much. I am 20 this year and I’m a bit chubby. Thanks a lot.
Hey Donna
That does help. If your widest point is at the top of your leg then most likely you’re a pear shape with broad shoulders. You could possibly even be an hourglass. I’ve said it a hundred times but this body shape business is really arbitrary. What issues do you have with clothes? If you have issues with balance that will help you define. If you have issues with you mid section then work on creating a waist. It’s really a question of finding a solution for the issue.
LISA
Hi Eliza
You really need to decide what part of yourself you can highlight and which you want to avoid. For some people it’s a simple decision: like me. I have a big bust and it can either look completely slutty or like I’ve swallowed a couple melons and it makes me very uncomfortable if I don’t get it just right. So most of my outfits are focussed around minimizing my bust and drawing attention to my face. I’m very pretty plus I prefer people look me in the eye that the boobs.
You need to decide the same: Do you love your legs? Do you like to cover up your legs? Decide where you want the focus to be. Let me know.
LISA
Hi Lisa,
Clothes are always a problem! Jeans are a nightmare, when I try them on, they fit at the leg, too big at the waist. If I try a smaller size, they fit at the waist but far too tight on the leg! And all clothes in general I find to be shapeless, dont fit right, simple have no idea what suits me. Any suggestions? That would be a massive help!
Thanx
Thanks a lot Lisa, Of everything I would rather other people to focused on my face rather my busts. Thanks a lot
Hi Donna – the issues you have with jeans are very common for an hourglass. I’d love to say that there’s a remedy but sadly not. Your best bet is to get those that fit your hips and legs well and tailor the waist.
You need to start working with your waist. It will make you clothes seem a lot less shapeless. Look for a fitted jacket that nips in at the waist. It should be in a fabric that suits your lifestyle – ie if you’re a casual person a denim jacket, if you work in an office a black jacket, if you work somewhere funkier a funky jacket, but whatever it should end just on your hip bone and highlight your waist. Try sweaters that cinch in your waist. Look for fitted tops. Try an empire waisted top.
The best way to make changes to your style is slowly and surely. Start with your shoes and add a nice jacket. Then find a skirt or pants that really makes you look fabulous and mix it up with different tops and shoes.
Hope that is helpful.
LISA
Thanks Lisa for your help, very helpful indeed! Will get to work asap!
Hi Lisa!
I’m somewhat confused with the different types of body shape, particularly when it comes to measuring the top of the body. You see, some guidelines tell me to measure my top around the shoulders and some around the bust, and for me this makes a huge difference. My shoulders are about 41 inches, bust and hips 36, waist 28. So, if the three latter measurements are considered, I’m quite proportionate, but if shoulders are considered, I’m a clear triangle. I tried looking at the Trinny and Susannah guidelines and felt I might be a cello, but the suggestions for clothes I didn’t like at all. I have a bit of extra around the middle, and I’m not very firm around there, so empire waists tend to squeeze my hips and tummy into a huge lump, which I definitely don’t want.
Of the triangle categories of Trinny and Susannah I found the goblet to most resemble my body, but it still doesn’t seem quite right, considering my bust is no bigger than my hips and my legs aren’t very long.
Now, I’ve found that one of the best pieces of clothing for me is a long, small-sized tank top that’s stretchy enough for my breasts and keeps my not-so-firm middle in some sort of shape. Fitted shirts, corset-shaped shirts and corsets over tops also tend to look great because I like to accentuate my waist compared to my breasts. I am, however, looking for new ideas and other ways to dress according to my body shape, but I can’t seem to be able to categorise myself at all to get a hint of the direction I should be going to.
Perhaps you’d be able to give me a nudge?
Thanks!
Jenni
Hi Jenni
Re bust or shoulder measurement: you measure hips and shoulders because from the back that is what you see. You do from the front as well however the bust is generally smaller.
Re Trinny & Susannah shapes: I think you’re most likely a Cello or Goblet or a combination of both. Have a look at Hourglass and Brick as well because they all have similar ideas about highlighting the waist.
Re clothing: the idea of body shape is to give you, as you say, a nudge in the right direction with choosing clothes. The thing is that you already are quite clear about what clothes you do or don’t like. I think in some ways you’ve already gone past what defining your body shape can help you with and you’re at a spot where you’re wanting to experiment with your style a little more.
What changes are you looking to make? Do you have an image of what you want to achieve?
LISA
Hi!
My measurements are a bit confusing:
My shoulders, 41
My bust, 37
My, waist 30( sometimes 31)
My hips, 42.3
What shape am I?
Hi Pam
You’re a little bit bigger on the bottom but not so much as to make that much difference. I’d say an hourglass with this definition.
LISA
Hey Lisa,
I’m struggling to identify my body shape, since my dimensions say one thing (that I’m a pear), but when I look in a mirror I think differently (hourglass). So I thought I’d ask what you think!
My shoulders are 35″
Bust 32″
Waist 23″
Hips 34.5 – 35″
I’m really small, by the way, something like 4’11″.
Hey Boo
You’re proportionate through the shoulders with a waist more than 25% less than your hips – you’re an hourglass by this definition. You measure around your shoulders not your bust because you don’t see your bust from the back but your shoulders are most definitely there.
LISA
Hi Lisa, well done for this!
You have the first article I have read that recommends measuring the shoulders rather than the chest. According to all the others I am an hourglass because my chest measurement is strictly that of my hips, but my shoulder add over 5 inches to the deal. With your formula I am a triangle (or inverted triangle, rather), and that is much closer to the way I and everyone else perceive me.
Thank you for making sense
Hi Ginny.
You’re welcome. It made sense to me because I always felt bottom heavy. My breasts are large but my shoulders are tiny so this definition really helped. Plus from the back, you don’t see breasts.
LISA
I have a large butt, broad shoulders, small waist, small chest, skinny legs, small ankles and wrists. What is my body shape?
Hi A
I’m not altogether sure to tell the truth. My best guess would be a pear shape.
LISA
Hi Lisa,
I always find a problem when buying clothes because my shoulders are really wide and it would really help if I could just walk into a store and tell them my body shape so that they can tailor my needs..
I’m 5’7″
Shoulders: 41
Bust: 37 (34B)
Waist: 28
Hips: 42
This isn’t hindering my life in any way, I’m just curious..
Thanks.
Hi Nikki
Your shoulders and hips are almost porportionate. You just have a tiny waist going on which makes it seem like your shoulders are really wide. I’d say from your measurements an hourglass.
LISA
Hi Lisa!
um, I am not sure what my body shape is, i am 5″7′…
My shoulders are 40 inches,
my bust is only 33″
waist is 27″
and hips are 40″.
I dont think that i have huge thighs they are 23 inches at the widest part, if that helps.
please what shape am I ??
Thank you!
Hi Monique
Well your shoulders and hips are proportionate. You have a defined waist. I’d say an hourglass, apart from the fact your bust is much smaller than normal. But it is possible to be an hourglass and not be big busted. The main thing for you is to keep the proportion by highlighting your waist.
LISA
Hi
I thought i had the answer and now I am so confused – Help!
Shoulders 42
Bust 38
Waist 31
Hip 41
Thigh 41
And I’m really tall – 5’11″
Thanks
AJ
Hi AJ
I would say, given this definition, you seem like an hourglass. In the definition of Trinny and Susannah probably a Vase.
LISA
Hi ! I’m having so much trouble with this,
I’ve taken every conceivable body shape quiz. I keep getting hourglass but that doesn’t make sense because I have a tummy (?)
I also have a huge butt but my hips are actually pretty narrow, I don’t have those wider womanly hips but maybe my big butt is throwing the measurements off and I’m getting hourglass when I put in my measurements, I do have a big bust
Now I’m thinking, ok so maybe I’m an apple, ie top heavy, but my waist isn’t so extremely undefined. I do have a so -called defined waist but I do not have a flat tummy, political correctness aside, I have a gut, if I lost weight my waist would have more definition With my college weight gain, I’ve lost some waist definition. But when I do gain weight it goes to my tummy. I also have some sizable thighs, lol I’m definitely not a pear though.
shoulders 42
bust 37
waist 31
hips 39
height around 5’5
Also am I long legged or propotionate?
leg length from hips to ankles 36
torso length up to shoulder 22
Thanks for your help!
Hi K
From the definition you’ve commented on you’d be a triangle or inverted triangle. I know that’s not particularly helpful given your issues.
A couple of things to clear up. 1) an hourglass will most definitely have a tummy and 2) defining your body shape only has one purpose, helping you find clothes. Sometimes the best way to find guidance is to look at the clothing issues you’re having.
LISA
im 36-28-36 … most of the quizes i took say im a pear but one of them says im an hourglass.. i think im hourglass because i have the same measurements of hips n bust n there is more than 6in difference between hips and waist measurement.. what do you think?
Hi Mano
With this quiz you’d be an hourglass.
LISA
Hi. For this waist measurement where are you supposed to measure? Around the belly button or the slimmest part of your torso? Different people say different things and the measurements are quite different for me so …
Thank you!
Donna, I have the same problem! Growing up my jeans would fall down because they were too tight in the thigh and too loose in the waist. I used lots of belts. At the end of the day, my hip bones would be bruised because of the pressure from the belt to keep my jeans up. That is all solved now. My favorite pair of jeans is by levis signature curve. There is the BOLD curve, demi curve, and the slight curve, and come in high waist, mid rise, and low rise. My perfect pair is the bold, high waist. You should try them out. I wish they had stretch, curvy jeans years ago!
hi i think i’m a rectangle but i’m not sure
my shoulders are 37 1/2”
bust 34” (38 B)
waist 26”
hips are 36”
and i’m 5’9”
Hi Divina
I’d agree rectangle.
LISA
Like many others on here, I have struggled to figure out what shape I resemble. I think I am an hourglass.
Height: 5’5″
Shoulders: 38
Bust: 36 (bra size 30-32 E-F depending on where it is made – my favourite bra is a 32F by Zabu brand)
Waist: 27
Hips:38
I tend to gain weight in my bum, hips, thighs, face, and arms most noticeably. A little on my chest. I am fairly slim. Dresses are usually my go-to item, but they have to be similar at the top and bottom (e.g. no patterned bottom, plain top).
Hi Kayla
I agree, hourglass. Although – do you have long sweeping waist and good legs? If so, being slender you’re more likely to be a vase.
LISA
Hi! I’m so glad to find this site. I have tried to find out which bodyshape I have.. But i’m confused. I thought of Bell or pear, bur I really don’t know. I used to see my selv as a petite, without shapes, but the last years I have gaind weight. Around 8 inches. And my problem are belllyfat. It looks like I’m pregnant. (And thights, but that doesn’t bother me that much) I find it diffrent to buy clothes. I’m glad if you can give me some advise.
Height: 5’2
Shoulders: 37
Bust: 33
Waist: 28
Hips
Hi! I’m so glad to find this site. I have tried to find out which bodyshape I have.. But I’m confused. I thought of Bell or pear, but I really don’t know. I used to see my selv as a petite, without shapes, but the last years I have gaind weight. Around 8 inches. And my problem are belllyfat. It looks like I’m pregnant. (And thights, but that doesn’t bother me that much) I find it diffrent to buy clothes. I’m glad if you can give me some advise.
Height: 5’2
Shoulders: 37
Bust: 33
Waist: 28
Hips: 40
Hi Vidgis
I would say you’re a brick with leanings toward apple. Have a look at the suggestions for both and then just go out and try some stuff on. Even things that you normally wouldn’t try on. Look at the shape of the clothes. Note what looks good and what doesn’t. If you’re anything like me you’ll find that a lot of the time you think everything looks hideous:)
But not everything does. There will be things that work and the idea is to keep trying until you find them and then stick with them. If you can dress everyday and feel good it will have a lot of impact on your confidence.
Good luck.
LISA