The 12 Shapes Of Trinny and Susannah

Hi Krystal

I’m glad that you’ve found your niche. Unfortunately you’ll probably find that you could fit into more than one. We just come in so many varieties.

LISA

Hi Maria

If you want to highlight your breasts and conceal your stomach then go for an empire waisted top / dress. An empire waist sits just underneath your breasts and then falls loosely from there basically hugging the breasts and skimming everything else.

Otherwise opt for more structured tops, like a stiff cotton blouse that’s going to skim your curves but not cling.

You’ve got the right idea – highlight what you like, minimise what your don’t.

Thanks for commenting.

LISA

Hey Laura

From your measurements you are an inverted triangle. In fact you’re an inverted triangle with curvy hips.

A lot of us will fit into more than one category. For instance I’m a pear shape, and traditionally pear shaped women have small breasts. But I have big breasts. In fact I look more like an hourglass. But then I have all the same struggles with finding clothes to fit my bottom half that all pear shaped women have. So I’m a pear shaped woman with big breasts. I take the things that work for pear shaped women and the things that work for big breasted women and try to find what works for me.

I think you’re going to be the same. Take the things that work for those with broad shoulders and the things that work for those with an hourglass shape and find out what works for you.

Lisa

Hi Anna

It’s totally possible to be a cross between two different shapes, although usually one more predominant than the other.

I’ve just done a post about what to wear for a pear here

LISA

Hey Kat

With your top go for scoop neck or v-neck. Anything higher is just plain going to make it look like you swallowed a couple of melons. I’m also a G cup and you just need to get those babies out there. If you don’t like showing clevage go for layering. Higher neckline underneath with open neckline on top. I often do this with a tank top and then a button blouse over top, usually open to below my breasts because they can’t contain my rack anyway.

Play up your waist it’s your best feature. Go for knits, t-shirts anything that will mould your shape. It’s there and you just have to use it. Go for plain and let it sort of wrinkle up on your tummy as this will disguise any lumps and bumps. Jackets go for something that fits your waist and sits on the hip bone.

For pants go for wide leg to contain your thighs. Flat front always to disguise your stomach. Don’t get pants that have pockets on the hips – they will gape and make your hips look wider. Do get them slightly to long and wear with heels – it will make you look taller. If your lower half is smaller than upper half then darker on the back.

Choose sturdy heels and avoid stilletos. If you’re short then look for kitten (small) heels. It will give you height and still look ok.

Plain, plain, plain. Start with blocks of colour – eg a darker pair of pants with a coloured top, or vice versa if your top is bigger. As you get better at knowing what works for you then move into patterns.

Skirts, especially fitted around the middle and then to a fluted hem at knee line are good. Try a skirt, and / or a dress, with tights underneath. Not pantyhose actual footless tights. You may find it more comfortable and more you. Make the tights ankle length and a darker colour and pair them with a nice flat. It will look stylish and be comfortable.

Finally if you’re anything like me an empire waist will just flat out not work for you. An empire waist is a top / dress that sits just below your bust. Except they never expect anyone to have large breasts so the waist actually sits more like the nipple line. It’s not a good look. Avoid like the plague.

Must have – a decent fitting bra. Get your breast hiked up and looking good and it will make all the difference with your clothes.

Also – wear clothes that fit. That’s your shape. Find something you like and embrace it. Wearing baggy clothes makes you look bigger. Wearing tight clothes is just flat out uncomfortable. Basically, if you feel comfortable to start off with then whatever you’re wearing is likely to look better anyway because you’re relaxed.

LISA

Hi Yasmeen

I think you’d be a column.

Lisa

Hey Zara

If you have saddlebags, or think you do, then you’re a pear. Or at least you have some elements of a pear – enough to look at the tips and then pick and choose what works for your unique shape.

Wide leg, flat front pants are your best bet. They will elongate your legs which gives the impression that your legs are longer than they are and the wide leg will fit your thighs but confuse the eye as to where the widest part really is.

LISA

Hi Joccoaa

Let me ask you a question – what difference does it make? Will knowing what body shape you are make things suddenly easier? What if I told you the whole body shape “field” only came about to give people an idea of what items will suit them and what will not. It’s only an idea though. And it’s only for those who don’t have much of an idea of what suits them and what doesn’t.

On this site there are two definitions of body shape. Trinny and Susannah’s 12 shapes and another that goes from measurements (shoulder, waist and hips). I can’t answer your question and “categorise” you as I simply don’t have enough information for either definition.

Besides all that it seems to me your issue is finding tops that fit and flatter your top half. It’s an ongoing problem for women with big breasts, big breasts here being a category of large cup size. Work with fabrics that will give more drape and cling to outline your shape. Stay away from high necked tops, instead opening up your chest and throat to take the accent off your breasts. Play up other parts of your body, which you already do with your legs by wearing skinny jeans.

The only really concrete lesson that comes from knowing your body shape is that not every style of clothing is going to suit every woman. Find what works for you and stick with it.

LISA

I’d suggest you know exactly what suits you and what doesn’t.

Hey Melissa

How’s your waist? You’d be a Cello or a Brick pretty much, just with smaller breasts, depending on your waist.

Have a look at some of the ideas for bigger in the middle or hourglass.

LISA

Hey Voodoo

I replied to your email. I look forward to hearing from you.

LISA

Hey Lynette

You’re an apple. You’re stomach dictates how you dress.

Firstly, get a good bra – you have large breasts and this is essential. Second, dress wise, its actually probably going to be really hard to find a dress that works for you. Seperates will be a better idea. I have the same problem. Your best bets are dresses with empire waists or a fitted, ruched bodice with a flowing skirt underneath.

LISA

Hi Starfire

You seem to have a pretty good handle on what works for you and what doesn’t. I’d have a look at Vase as well as Hourglass and maybe Skittle and Cello as well because of the leg issues.

With your tops do you use layering? Layering a vneck over a higher neck gives the same illusion of opening up your chest at the same time as still giving you the skin coverage. Its something I use all the time because I have large breasts and don’t like to show lots of cleavage.

Re short legs: If wearing long pants and maxi skirts make you feel more comfortable what’s the issue? I say be comfortable. If you do want to try shorter skirts look for one that finishes just below your knees which is the narrowest part of your leg, possibly in an a-line or tulip shape. Pair it with heels that closely match your skin tone to make your legs look longer.

Thanks for commenting,
LISA