We’ve no doubt all heard about the different body types and body shapes out there – but what does it mean, really?
While there’s definitely nothing wrong in dressing whichever way makes you feel most comfortable, if you truly want to enhance your appearance and flatter your figure, there’s a lot to be said for understanding your body shape.
But working our your body shape can be confusing. From pear and apple, to rectangle, inverted triangle and hourglass, trying to determine which of these main categories your body falls into isn’t as straight forward as it may seem.
Enter, the body shape calculator. As the name implies, handy tools like this one can be used to determine your body shape, and they contain guides for what type of clothing to wear according to your physique.
If you’re keen to learn more about how to dress for your shape keep reading!
The Factor of Body Shape
Designers have identified four main factors for figuring out body shape. It is the ratio of these factors which determines the body shape of women.
- Shoulders
- Bust
- Waist
- Hips
The Common Body Shapes
These factors above, will always be in different ratios for the different body types. For example, if you have heavier hips and shoulders and a thinner belly shape, the body type calculator indicates you have an hourglass body shape.
Those who are heavier around the middle are considered to have a pear-shaped body.
If you have almost equal shoulder and butt areas, then body figure calculator says you have a rectangular body shape.
The common body shapes figured out by the body shape calculator are as follows:
- Pear and Apple
- Rectangle
- Inverted Triangle
- Hourglass
Identify your Body Shape
Of course, you can just use a body shape calculator to identify your body shape! But if you’d like to work it out by eye, then the following might be helpful:
Pear and Apple Shapes
Pear and Apple shaped women usually have heavier butts and bellies. Using the ratios of shoulder to hips, the body shape calculator will indicate if you have a heavier upper body compared to the lower body.
Rectangle Shape Body
Rectangular-shaped women usually have equal shoulders and hips, but these parts are not extended to a certain extent. If this is your body type you may want to wear clothing that accentuates your waist to give it more of a curvy appearance.
Inverted Triangle
The inverted triangular body shape usually has a wider shoulder to hips ratio. This gives a more athletic look, because the hips to shoulders are not equal in proportion.
Hourglass Body Shape
If you have a more curvy figure in the butt and shoulder area but a thinner belly area, you will have an hourglass body shape. Such women usually have heavier chest and butt area when compared to rectangular body shapes.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to dress for your figure and want to enhance your assets, then understanding your body shape can be really helpful. Not only will it help you look and feel better in clothing it will help you know what to shop for so you don’t end up with a wardrobe full of nothing to wear again!