Get to Know Your Body Type and Take Advantage of Your Wardrobe. You probably know what it’s like to plan your entire outfit for an outing or event, only to find out when the time comes that it doesn’t fit the way you thought it would, and you have to change it all last minute.

 

Maybe you’re bloated that day, and a particular piece of clothing doesn’t fit the way it did on another day. Or, often, it’s because we buy clothes without measuring them or trying them on, and they don’t fit properly.

 

To avoid frustration and, importantly, to stop wasting your money buying clothes that don’t flatter you, it is important to know your body type to get the most out of your closet and choose wisely when shopping.

 

It is important to understand and be aware that there are several body types with different characteristics and that each one is special and unique. Knowing your body type gives you the power to enhance your natural looks and highlight your best areas.

 

If you still don’t know your body type, read on to find out.

 

Women’s body types

 

 

We will talk about the types of female bodies that exist and their characteristics so that you can begin to identify them in yourself and find out which category you fall in.

 

Inverted triangle

 

People with this body type differ in proportion between the upper half of their body (back/shoulders) and the lower half. They tend to have a wider back and pronounced shoulders, with narrow hips and legs. This figure is usually associated with athleticism, and it is easy for people with this body type to define their muscles.

 

Hourglass

 

People with this figure have an equal proportion between the shoulders and hips, as well as a defined waist and, often, pronounced buttocks and breasts. This body type is well balanced, and the legs will also typically be proportional to the rest of the body.

 

Pear or triangle

 

This body type is the opposite of the inverted triangle, with pronounced hips and narrow shoulders. This figure tends to have a prominent bottom, wide thighs, and small breasts.

 

Rectangular

People with a rectangular body shape have equal proportions in the chest, back, shoulders, and lower hips and legs. This figure tends to have an undefined waist, breast, and buttocks.

 

This body type is also associated with athletic profiles and defined figures.

 

Apple or oval

 

This body type usually has a pronounced abdomen, with little definition at the waist, thin shoulders, arms, and legs, and usually a large bust.

 

Steps to identify your body type

 

Now that you understand the different body types, let’s go step by step to measure each part of the body properly:

 

Shoulders

 

You are going to measure the width between one shoulder and the other.

 

Chest

 

To measure here, pass the tape measure behind your back and join it in front over your chest, putting pressure on it without modifying its natural shape.

 

Waist

 

Here, you will measure your waist all the way around the middle at its narrowest part.

 

Hips

 

Here you are going to place the tape measure around the widest part to measure it. Now that you have your measurements, you can proceed to verify the following:

 

• If the largest measurement you took is the hips, your figure is either the pear or triangle type.

• On the other hand, if the width measurements of your shoulders and back are wider than the rest of your body, you have an inverted triangle

• If there is a similarity in measurements between shoulders and hips, then your body is hourglass-shaped.

• When your waist measurement is higher than your shoulders and hips, you likely have an apple or oval figure.

• And finally, when your shoulders and hips have similar measurements, the difference with the waist being 10 cm or less, your body type is

 

How to dress according to your body type

 

 

Now that you’ve figured out your body type, let’s learn how to make the most of it and show off each feature and characteristic in the best way.

 

Pear or triangle

 

The target: Disguising the lower part and highlighting the upper part

 

For this body type, clothes should be used to achieve a visual balance between the upper and lower halves of your body, so you should try to divert attention to the shoulders and back.

 

What kind of clothes to wear:

 

• Tops or shirts in vibrant colors or prints.
• V-neck shirts, tops, or t-shirts.
• Jackets cut at the waist.
• Ruffled garments or vaporous fabrics (shirts).
• Jeans, pants, and skirts with a medium or straight cut.
• Dark colors for the lower half.
• Flared dresses.

 

What kind of clothes to avoid:

 

• Low-cut or hip-length, tight-fitting jeans and pants.
• Light colors or prints in pants or skirts.
• Large or very flashy belts or accessories.

• Low flexibility fabrics for the lower part.
• Pencil skirts or dresses.

 

Inverted triangle

 

The target: Disguise the upper part and highlight the hips

 

As the objective states, the aim is to divert attention away from the upper shoulders and guide it to the lower hips, so we should wear garments that create symmetry for the whole figure.

 

What kind of clothes to wear:

 

• Dark-colored garments for the upper part.
• Light colors for the lower part.
• Straight-cut pants, wide or bell bottoms.
• Skirts and pants with prints, pleats, ruffles or voluminous fabrics, bright colors, and sequins.

 

What kind of clothes to avoid:

 

• Light colors and prints for the upper part.
• Flounces, draping, or clothing with volume in the upper areas.
• Bolero jackets or blazers.
• Shoulder pads on shirts and blazers or jackets.

 

Apple or oval

 

The target: remove weight from the mid-body area and slim the figure.

 

As we have already seen, this type of figure accumulates more body weight in the middle area of the body or abdomen, so to balance it, we should seek to reduce the volume there visually.

 

What kind of clothes to wear:

 

• Dresses.
• Blazers with shoulder pads.
• V-neck shirts or top
• Wrap dresses.
• Bolero jackets or jackets cut to the waist area.
• Shirts that have subtle waist adjustment.
• Straight cut and plain skirts and pants.

• Platform shoes.
• Cargo pants.

 

What kind of clothes to avoid:

 

• Accessories in the waist area include wide belts, scarves, and chains.
• Very tight or baggy clothing.
• Pleated garments.
• Horizontal line patterns.
• Wide belts.

 

Hourglass

 

The target: highlight a single body part.

 

We mentioned that the hourglass figure is a privileged body type because it is completely proportional. However, it is a curvy body type, so it’s best to highlight a specific area, especially when you do not have a lot of height.

 

What kind of clothes to wear:

 

• V-cut necklace.
• Garments that accentuate your waist.
• Dresses or pencil skirts cross-dress, or skirts with ruching.
• Pants or jeans that fit tightly at the bottom.
• Straight-cut pants.

 

What kind of clothes to avoid:

 

• Fully printed pieces.
• Clothing that is too short or reaches the thickest part of the legs.
• Many layers of clothing hide your figure.
• Very loose-fitting garments that do not show off your figure.

 

Rectangular

 

The target: create fake curves

 

This body type is completely symmetrical; without a waist or curves, you should seek to create volume and define the waist.

 

What kind of clothes to wear:

 

• Belts in the middle that highlight the waist.
• A-line and pleated dresses and skirts.
• Pants with pleats.
• Shirts or jackets with shoulder pads.
• Jackets cut at the waist or bolero.

What kind of clothes to avoid:

 

• Straight-cut pieces that do not hug the waist.
• Square cuts.
• Tight-fitting garments.

 

Remember that your body type is just as beautiful and valuable as any other type. Hopefully, this guide will help you get the most out of your figure and your closet so that you will no longer be overwhelmed with not knowing what to wear. And with this new knowledge, we hope that we’ve helped spark your imagination and inspired your inner fashionista.