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 Salma
I’d say a rectangle.
LISA
Hey I’m barley 13 and i already have an hourglass figure … but no i dont have big boobs yet -_- haha
Lisa,
I’m confused. A lot of the calculating figure websites I’ve been to are saying I’m an hourglass or rectangle. I have a feeling I’m more of a rectangle but my bust is playing games with me. A lot of people say the rectangle figures tend to have a boy like body so I’m not sure about myself. My measurements are:
Bust: 36″ (I’m a 34C)
Waist: 27″
Hips: 35″
Height: 5’3″
Weight: 120 LBS
Oh, I forgot to mention my shoulder measurements which is 35.5″.
Hi Kay
From this definition you’re a rectangle.
LISA
Hi Lisa, am kinda confused on what my shape is, i would think it’s an Hourglass from the results i got when i calculated…but some other websites say that I’m a triangle due to my broad shoulders. I do hope that you would be able to help me figure out which one i am, thanks
My measurements are:
}
Shoulders: 39″ { yeah i have really broad shoulders
Waist: 28″
Hips: 37″
Hi Lisa, am kinda confused on what my shape is, i would think it’s an Hourglass from the results i got when i calculated…but some other websites say that I’m a triangle, hope you would be able to tell me which one i am, thanks
My measurements are:
}
Height: 5’2
Shoulders: 39″ { yeah i have really broad shoulders
Bust: 34
Waist: 28″
Hips: 37″
Hi Syrliana
I’d agree triangle – you’ve broad shoulders. Take a look at the Trinny & Susannah body shapes for more specific definitions.
LISA
I think I am an hourglass, but I don’t really know, these are my measurements, and I was measured by several people for costumes and dresses recently, so I know they are accurate:
Height: 5’2″
Shoulders: 36
Bust: 34(D cup)
Waist: 26
Hips: 37
Thighs: 21
Weight:120
What shape do you think I am?
Hi Stella
From those measurements I’d say an hourglass.
LISA
K i dont know what shape am I. Some sites say hourglass, some say rectangle and I just dont know. My measurements are
15” shoulders
32” bust
24” hips
34” waist
5’3” height
19” thighs
108lbs
yh i am very petite I know
Hi Ali Boo
You shoulder measurement isn’t accurate.
LISA
k my shoulder is 35” around
k my shoulder is 35” around
waist – 24”
hips – 34”
Hi AliBoo
Your other measurements were: 5” shoulders
32” bust
24” hips
34” waist
5’3” height
19” thighs
Assuming you got the hips and waist mixed up I’d say you’re a hourglass with leanings towards triangle.
LISA
am i an hourglass
bust 41” (bra size 34 h)
waist 29”
hips 45”
i mean hips 44”
Hi Alex
Measure around your shoulders not your bust and compare with waist and hips.
LISA
Hi Lisa! First off, thanks for writing this article – it’s helped to clear some things up. (:
I was wondering if you could give me the verdict on my shape? I’m teetering between straight and hourglass, and just can’t make the decision.
Shoulder: 40.5
Waist: 31
Hips: 40
Height: 5’2.5″
I’m a little overweight right now too haha. Working on it though. (;
Can anyone tell me my shape?
Shoulders: 44
Bust: 43
Waist 35
Hips 44
I did a bunch of different measurements just out of curiosity….
I am 24 years old, 5ft 2in, my weight fluctuates between 145 & 155lbs (I have a 19 month old) I used to weight between 125 & 135…
My shoulders are what looks like between 42-44in around but like 16in across the front of my chest from shoulder to shoulder…
just before my bust is 36in…bust 40in…just below bust 34in
above belly button 31/32in…waist 32/33in
top of hips 38in…larger part of hips 42/43in…lower of hips 40in
top of thigh 26in…lower thigh 22in
upper arm 12in…elbow 2.5-3in (from bone to bone, not all the way around)….wrist 6.5in
neck 14in…head 22/23in…face 8in wide 10in long (across nose)
Hi Lisa,
I’m a lil lost on whether I’m a pear or hourglass in shape
Shoulders:45
Bust: 41, 34E
Waist: 32
Hips:45
Height: 5’2″
I’m really confused about my shape. Most websites tell me I’m a pear, one or two have said rectangle, and 3 have said hourglass. My measurements…
38″ shoulders
34″ bust
29″ waist
38″ hips
What am I?!?
hello i think im a hourglass but im not sure .. could you help ?
heres my measurements :
shoulders: 45
waist:34
Bust:39 (34 B)
Hips:44
inside leg:31
height : 5ft 9
Hi Gem,
Yes you’re an hourglass.
LISA
Hi BaylielC
You’re sort of between a rectangle and an hourglass, depending on how defined your waist is. Don’t know what the Pear is about sorry.
Hi Dionne
Your shoulders and hips are equal so definitely not a Pear. I’d say an hourglass.
Hi Danielle
Not sure what you’re asking me. You seem fairly proportionate from your measurements, so I guess an hourglass.
Hi Greta
An hourglass.
Hi Katrina
I’d say an hourglass.
Finally! Some expert advice :}
I’ve been quite puzzled by my measurements for the longest of time. All online “quizzes” and calculators tell me that I must be a pear, but I quite doubt that.
Visually, I have quite broad shoulders and tend to carry weight round my middle. Here is a (terrible) picture: http://i43.tinypic.com/30iuxd0.jpg
And my measurements…
Shoulders: 32
Bust: 30
Waist: 24
Hips: 36
Thank you so much!
You rock xo
Hi Veronique
From your measurements you sound like a pear but visually you look fairly proportionate to me. What sort of issues are you having with clothes? If there’s no issue then it doesn’t matter.
Hi, I just had a baby, my 5th 3 wks ago. I use to measure (pre pregnancy) 36/24/37 and now I’m a 37/29/38… What shape am I? I use to think hourglass, but my booty is wide and flatter if I don’t exercise but my bust is huge and my waist has always been tiny. I always thought hourglasses had to have a more rounder bottom. I’m confused
Oh, also I forgot to add, I’m 5’1 and 123 lbs, usually 105 lbs. My shoulders measure 37 inches as well. I am 36 c cup, well d now that I’m nursing. Could I be a pear? Can those shapes have flatter and wider bottoms. My bottom can get very slim and rounder when I workout.
Hi Lisa!
Yes, visually it’s more of an hourglass.
The problem with clothes is my upper half. Whilst I may ‘look’ balanced from the front, and maintain a small waist – the same goes for the bust. My biggest challenge is downplaying my stomach, due to lack of bust to visually put things in “proportion”. I suppose, a “Monroe” body, minus the rack! (She was a 36-24-37) :}
How I envy you Veronique.
A smaller rack gives you so much more options with tops. Particularly with higher necklines and different sorts of tops. This is a good thing. It gives your more option to play with different looks.
Hi Breonna
Wow 5 babies. I’m impressed. Body shape is really about finding clothes that work for you. The best place to start then is to focus on what issues you’re having.