Any idea what type of body shape you have?

Love your body or not?

If you like your body shape you are either male or a very unusual female! 

However, whether you like your body or not, if you understand what your current shape and proportions are and know a few style guidelines for your shape you are well on your way to looking your best.

Consider wearing flattering clothes with your best colours that you are most comfortable with and you'll feel fabulous and impress everyone you meet.

Changing Shape

BUT Of course understanding your current shape doesn't rule out changing your shape through diet and exercise or, more drastically, through plastic surgery.  The idea is to make the most of whatever shape you are now.

If you do change shape by more than 5.5cm (2 inches) then you should re-assess your body shape and ensure your clothing choices still flatter your current shape.

Understand your body shape

Identify your body shape from the pictures and descriptions below.

 

To do this assessment stand in front of a full length mirror. 

A long straight object such as a long ruler or a broom handle will also be useful to work out whether your hip-line is narrower, wider, or the same width as your bust-line. 

The easiest way to see this is to hold the ruler under your arm pit and rest it on your hip. 

     HOURGLASS

     This is known as the perfect body shape. You have an hourglass figure if...

• Your full hip-line and your full bust-line are the same width and your waist is well defined
• You most likely have a balanced body vertical body shape

     INVERTED TRIANGLE

     This is the second best female shape. You have this body shape if...

• You have a proportionally large bust, or you have broad shoulders, or both
• You have narrow hips with a well defined waist
• You most likely are a long legged vertical body shape with proportionally slim legs
• You may also have a flat bottom

   TRIANGLE OR PEAR

   The triangle body type is often also referred to as pear-shaped. 

   You have this shape if...

• Your full bust-line is proportionally narrower than your full hip-line and you have a well defined waist
• You typically have narrow shoulders
• You most likely have a balanced body or short legged vertical body shape
• Your thighs are typically full
• You may also have a full rounded bottom

   RECTANGLE

   
   You have a rectangle body if...

• Your full bust-line and full hip-line are about the same width and you have little waist definition
• Your legs and arms will typically be proportionally slender
• You have a small to medium bust
• You most likely have a balanced body or long legged vertical body shape
• You may also have a flat bottom
• You may have had an hourglass figure when you were younger or slimmer
• You may look shorter and heavier than you really are

   DIAMOND

   
   This body shape is also known as an apple shape. 

   You have this body shape if... 

• Your waist is undefined 
• You have a large, high stomach 
• You may have "love handles" 
• You may also have a full bottom or a flat bottom

 OVAL

 This body shape is also often referred to as an apple shape.

 You have an oval horizontal body if...

• You have the overall appearance of being round especially around the waist-line
• Your waistline is undefined
• You have a large, low stomach
• You may have "love handles"
• Your hips are wide
• Your upper thighs are full
• You may also have a full bottom or a flat bottom