Our clothes can make or break our confidence. It’s very easy to feel insecure if you end up wearing something that doesn’t suit you. But there’s no need to feel bad because there’s a good chance that the clothes weren’t designed for your body shape!

Wearing the right clothes for your body type is very important. It’ll help you look and feel great in any outfit you wear. In this post, you’ll get a better understanding of body shapes, how to determine what your shape is, and how to dress for it!

5 Types of Body Shapes

Bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and every one is unique. Each body has a shape that makes identifying prominent features easier. It can also help you find clothes that are more suited to it.

Female bodies have been historically described in broad categories of shapes, such as:

•  Hourglass - slimmest at the waist with wide hips and bust
•  Pear - narrow at the shoulders and progressively broader towards the hips
•  Straight - shoulders, waist, and hips may be equally broad
•  Inverted triangle - broad shoulders and narrow hips
•  Spoon - like the pear body shape, but with curvier hips and narrower shoulders

They may sound weird, but we promise you that each of these makes a lot of sense!

How To Determine Your Body Shape

Once you know what your body type is, you can find clothes that flatter you more easily!

To determine your body shape, you’ll need a tape measure and paper to write your measurements down.

Measure the following areas:

•  Shoulder - hold the measuring tape at the tip of one shoulder. Drag it straight around the body, across the other shoulder, and back to the tip of the first. Make sure you stand straight and don’t slouch.
•  Bust - place the tape at the fullest part of the bust, then wrap it around the body until the tape meets at the beginning. Don’t tighten it too much or squish your breasts when you do so.
•  Waist - hold the tape above the belly button, below the ribs, at the slimmest part of the waist, and wrap it around your body. Ensure that you’re not slouching or pulling your stomach in.
•  Hips - measure the circumference of the fullest part of your lower body by placing the tape at one side of the tip. Hold it across the rear of the body towards the other hip before bringing it back to the starting point. Keep the tape level and taut, but don’t pull hard too hard and squash the buttocks.

When measuring, maintain a natural posture. Don’t slouch or stick your chest out and don’t hold your stomach in either.

Also remember that while the tape measure has to be level and held securely, you shouldn’t be tightening it too much or you’ll squash your body.

Once you’ve written down these measurements, you can determine your body shape and find the right style for it!

Here’s how to determine your body shape:

•  If your waist, shoulders, and bust have smaller measurements than your hips, you’re a pear shape.
•  If your waist is narrower than your bust, shoulders, and hips, you’re an hourglass.
•  If your waist, hips, and bust are roughly the same (give or take 2 inches or so), you have a straight body type.
•  If your shoulders have the widest measurement, followed by your bust with roughly the same hip and waist circumference, you’re an inverted triangle.
•  If your bust and shoulders are smaller than your hips and waist by 2 inches or more, you have a spoon body shape. 

Best Styles for Each Body Type

Once you’ve measured yourself, you can find out which area of your body is broader or narrower to identify your body type.

We’ve covered some important aspects of picking clothes that flatter your particular body shape.

Pear Body Type

If you have a pear body type, your waist will be wider than your butt and your hips will be fuller and broader than your shoulders.

Also known as a triangle body shape, pear body types look great in plunging V-necks, cowl necks, scoop necks, and dramatic sleeves like bell sleeves. Structured and fitted tops are also great for drawing attention to the waist and adding definition to the shoulders.

When it comes to jackets, A-line and princess cut jackets that reach the waist are ideal while outerwear should be mid-thigh length.

For skirts and dresses, A-lines are a great option while boot cut or flare denim jeans are also ideal for balancing the proportions.

Hourglass Body Type

Hourglass body types have well-defined waists, with roughly even bust and hip measurements. Generally described as curvy, you probably have a fuller bust, hips, and thighs.

Hourglass figures look amazing in wrap tops, form-fitting jersey knits, and peplum tops. V-necks, round necks, and boat necks are also ideal.

Structured, tailored silhouettes look extremely flattering. You can also enjoy a range of different sleeves, or just go sleeveless!

Fitted blazers, bomber jackets, and other layers with cropped silhouettes are good for layering. Avoid boxy styles.

You can also enjoy all kinds of dresses and different hemlines so go all out and channel your inner Marilyn Monroe!

Straight Body Type

Straight body types are also described as rectangular in shape with almost the same measurements at the hips and shoulders.

With a straight body type, the key is to create the illusion of curves and draw attention to your well-defined shoulders. Scoop and round necklines, racerbacks, halter necks, or strapless tops are ideal.

You can also enjoy different styles of dresses so it mainly comes down to what you want to emphasize. A shorter hemline will show off your legs while a strapless or plunging neckline will play up your bust.

A thin belt is worth investing in as it will help you create an attractive waistline.

Also, remember to balance the silhouette. Pair well-fitting pants with loose blouses and vice versa.

Inverted Triangle Body Shape

Broad shoulders, narrow hips, and a generally well-proportioned appearance define this body shape.

Opt for flowy tunics, boyfriend button-ups, V-necks, breezy A-lines, and generally all kinds of comfortable, flowy tops. You can also wear more structured fabric to add definition to the arms.

The best part about this body type is all kinds of sleeves enhance and flatter the silhouette.

For layers, jackets that reach the hips or upper thighs are ideal. Outerwear such as knee-length trench coats or A-line coats is also a great option.

Skinny jeans and well-fitting pants are extremely flattering on triangles. Strapless dresses, A-lines, and knee-length skirts also look great on this body type.

Spoon Body Shape

Balance spoon body shapes can with clothes that emphasize the arms and shoulders.

Highlighting the upper body and neckline is a great way to flatter the curves of a spoon body shape without overwhelming them.

Strapless, off-shoulder tops, cowl necks, boat becks, scooped necks, bell sleeves, and empire waists are some of the key things to look for.

For jeans, boyfriend jeans, straight legs, boot cuts, and flared fits are all ideal as are flowy pants.

As far as dresses go, princess cut, empire waist, and strapless dresses with a baby-doll or mid-thigh length are ideal. A-line cuts and tulip skirts are also very flattering.

Dress Well but Don’t Forget the Person Underneath

When you’re figuring out your personal style, keep your body shape in mind and pick your outfits accordingly. Acknowledging your body type and dressing for it will help you flatter your best assets.

Now that you know your body type, you can dress in clothes that are more flattering on you!

Regardless of your body shape, never underestimate the importance of what lies beneath. The way we’re shaped and how we dress may affect our outward appearance but our character and how we conduct ourselves as people is what really matters.

So, develop your personal style and know which clothes look best on you but don’t forget to work on the kind of person you want to be.