So, um… do I have a short waist or a long waist? And how do I tell?
Good question. Thank you to Voodoo for asking it.
I did a quick search online and there seems to be a lot of consensus that a short waist is matched with long legs and long waist with short legs. But I don’t agree with that. I definitely have a short waist and also short legs with a long body in between. My daughter has long legs and a long waist.
I should say, I think my daughter has a long waist as I understand Trinny and Susannah define it. Which is what exactly?
Its all in where your waist sits, or doesn’t for that matter. Your waistline is the narrowest part or your torso. For some women it’s clearly defined and for others it isn’t. Lets look at that first.
UNDEFINED WAIST
If your waist is not defined you’ll have more of and up and down look through your middle. There may or may not be an actual waist line but either way it’s not particularly dramatic.
If you have an undefined waist you may have issues with feeling shapeless. When you try things on you feel boxy through the middle.
In Trinny and Susannah 12 shapes if you have an undefined waist you’re likely to be either a Brick or a Column. If your widest part is your stomach, you’re an Apple.
LONG WAIST
A long waist by contrast is defined but more of a long gentle sweep. The curve is definitely there but its gentle and elongated through the whole of your torso, sort of like taking a long sweeping curve in your car.
If you have a long waist you may have issues with clothing riding too low on your frame. Or equally you may find it difficult to find clothes that mould your waist.
In Trinny and Susannah’s 12 shapes if you have a long waist you could be a Vase or a Pear.
SHORT WAIST
And finally the short waist. If a long waist is a sweeping curve a short waist is a dangerous curve. There’s no mistaking a short waist; it’s there, it’s seriously curvy and it’s, well … short. It’s also likely to be higher and did I mention short. If you have a short waist you’re more likely to have wider hips.
If you have a short waist you may experience skirts riding up and swallowing your middle. You may also find that clothes swamp your middle and make it disappear since the difference between your waist and hips and breasts is so defined.
In Trinny and Susannah’s 12 shapes you’re likely to be an Hourglass a Bell, or to a lesser extent a Skittle.
So there you have it. I hope it’s helpful. And remember, it’s only important if you’re having difficulty finding clothes that flatter you.
Still not sure which Trinny and Susannah body shape you are? Take the body shape quiz.
