Have you ever found it amusing that we, as women, often compare our female body shapes to fruits like apples or to objects like rulers? I certainly do! At the same time, using these comparisons can help us understand common shapes as we work to determine our body measurements.
So, why would you want to discover your body’s measurements? The answer is simple: it allows you to dress in a way that is more flattering and highlights your best features.
Preciecly what this article is all about!
There are many different body shapes, and no two people are exactly alike, as life itself is unique. Women often recognize a few common body types, including hourglass, apple, ruler, pear, and inverted triangle. If you’ve never taken the time to identify your body type or if you’d like a refresher, grab a measuring tape, and let’s get started!
1st Disclaimer
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Before we move on, please know that all bodies are beautiful just they way that they are. I’m not saying or suggesting that one body shape is better or more attractive than the other. As women we need to stick together and celebrate our differences. Talking to you, cutie!
Also, of you are curious about what swimsuit you should wear this summer that is ideal with your personal body shape, check out my last article, 29 Awesome Feminine Swimsuits For All Body types, HERE: https://afemininelife.com/feminine-swimsuits-for-all-body-types/
Female Body Shapes: The Breakdown
The Hourglass
One of the most well-known and sought-after body types is the hourglass shape. This shape is characterized by a balanced bust and hips, with a smaller waist that is approximately 7 to 10 inches smaller than both the bust and hips. For example, an hourglass figure might have a bust measurement of 35 inches, hips measuring 36 inches, and a waist measuring 25 inches.
Do you recognize the name of these celebrity women with hourglass shapes? Scarlett Johannsen is a petite hourglass. Kate Winslet. Dita Von Teese. Brigitte Bardot. Salma Hayek, just to name a few.
An hourglass shape is actually the most rare among women, with only about 10% of all women being one, including yours truly.
Let’s get personal real quick.
These are my measurements…
I have a bust of 35, waist of 25, and hips of 36. Though, because I’m also petite (at 5 foot 2.5 inches and weigh between 120-125 pounds), one may not guess that I’m an hourglass shape. Also, because I am a petite hourglass, it doesn’t take much to change my shape slightly. What I’m talking about is, if I’m focusing on lower body only exercises, I often look more pear. Or, if I’m doing a lot of yoga or upper body strength workouts, I can start to appear more inverted triangle shape. Furthermore, I have such a short waist, that when I’m not exercising as a way to enhance my curves (glutes, breasts, shoulders) I lose muscle mass, fat, and drop the weight really fast. Essentially, I turn into a ruler! So it goes to show you that you can change your natural body composition to a degree (usually through weightlifting or other fitness).
What an Hourglass shaped woman should wear:
- High waisted, or tight fitting trousers and skirts will flatter your curves
- vertical stripes (make you look taller and slimmer)
- fitted shirts with vertical zipper
- fitted T-shirt
- fitted wrap shirt
- peplum shirt
- Belted waist
- Peplum dress
- paneled waist dress
- Bias dress
- a wrap dress (usually they are cinched in at the waist)
- high waisted Straight leg jeans
- high waisted skinny jeans
- wrap coat
- trench coat
*Bonus: Wear your hair medium to long to keep attention on your face, and not chest and hips.
Best exercise for hourglass female body shapes are:
- weight training lower and upper body to stay strong and keep the percentage of body fat down.
- Also, keep your core strong with planks & bridges
Avoid: big ruffles or access material on your bottom or top halves that make you even bigger in those areas. Avoid extra bulk at waist, instead accentuate your tiny waist!
Apple
The apple body shape is a very common shape for women. If your waist and shoulders are wider than your hips, (often have a fuller bust as well) you could have an apple shaped body. You will have a less defined waist. To know for sure, measure your waist at its smaller points and your hips at their biggest. Now, divide your waist measurements by your hips. If your ratio is 0.8 higher, you are most likely an apple shape.
Some well known actresses that have an apple shaped body are: Catherine Zeta Jones. Drew Barrymore. Kate Upton. Angelina Jolie and Oprah Winfrey.
What to wear as an apple female body shapes:
- V-necks (draws eyes to best assets but also created less bulk in the area)
- opt for A-line fitting clothing.
- floaty tunics
- Favor relaxed fitting clothing (nothing tight or clingy or you’ll appear to have rolls or spare tires)
- For jeans, stick to clean lines and dark colors and slight flare to bottom to balance your shape. You can wear high rise to create an illusion of a waist
- straight leg trouser
- Wide leg pants to balance upper body
Avoid:
- Shoulder baring shirts
- halter necks
- tight dresses or shirts, it’ll only make your stomach appear bigger
- tops, jackets or blazers that are cropped or short will make you look big in the middle
- No belts or accessories around your middle
- low rise jeans
- tight fitted pants or leggings (they can make legs look smaller but belly look bigger)
Bonus:
Hair should be cut in softer outlines and not blunt styles, especially if shoulder length.
How to exercise your apple female body shapes: Go for steady state cardio of any kind, 45 minutes a session if you can, add in yoga or Pilates for flexibility. These exercise will improve core strength, flexibility, and posture, which is important for an apple shaped body.
Pear Female Body Shapes
Wider hips than Bust with a defined Waist. To know for sure, you will need to measure your hip, waist and bust measurements. Your hips should be wider than your bust and shoulders. When measuring your bust, measure at your fullest part, around your nipples and don’t press hard or you will flatten out your breasts and receive inaccurate measurements. Furthermore, when measuring your waist, start around your most barrow spot on your waist. Likewise when measuring your hips or butt, put the tape over your largest area.
Actresses who have a pear shape are: Jennifer Lopez. Jennifer Love Hewitt. Alicia Keys. Rihanna and Shakira, just to name a handful, but of course there are many more.
What to Wear for Your pear female body shapes:
- Crop tops (show off waist and upper body)
- fitted shirts to emphasize the waist
- tops with patterns or details for upper body focusing
- off the shoulder tops to show off beautiful, lean upper body
- A-line skirts cerate balance
- flared skirts create balance
- For jeans or pants aim for straight or boot cut to create long, balanced lines
- Trousers in muted colors with wide cut
- wrap dresses cinch the waist, highlight smaller upper body and balance lower body
- empire waist gown elongates the waist/torso
- vertical lines on top, Or corset tops to highlight and elongate the torso
- opts for dark denim pants
- Aim for well fitted tops, not too baggy or your whole body will appear larger
- Shirt cuts: V-neck, boat, square, cowl, turtle.
Avoid:
- tops that cover the waist line
- light colored jeans
- leggings (highlight larger bottom half and can make look even bigger
- skinny jeans, also highlights bottom half of body
- tight pants or skirts
- mermaid cut dresses is not ideal if you wish for balance and not drawing attention to hips/butt
Bonus:
The best hair styles for pear shaped women would be cuts that add volume and width to your face/head. Go with lots of layers. Side swept bangs. Deep side parts. Soft waves or curls. Try a shag or short shag. If you have a strong jawline, go for styles that emphasize your jaw as this will bring the focus to your face and upper body and not your lower body. AVOID: pixie cuts, center part and sleek straight styles.
How to Exercise your pear female body shapes: Pear shaped women often lose weight in their stomach first which can accentuate your bottom curves. Go for exercises that target hips, bottom and thighs so you larger lower half stays strong and visible fat is reduced. opt for a balanced workout routine of low intensity cardio, strength training and yoga/Pilates for flexibility, specifically in lower body.
Ruler/Rectangle Female body Shapes
A ruler or rectangle body sounds like it sounds; from head to toe, you are one shape and size. When your body has a ruler shape, you may feel less curvy and might not know where to draw attention. Additionally, a ruler body type typically has a similar-sized bust, hips, waist, and shoulders.
Of course we have the list of actresses like Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Garner, Natalie Portman, Cameron Diaz, and Anushka Sharma have ruler or rectangle-shaped bodies. Even without the coveted hourglass figure, they are some of the most attractive and beautiful women. Just because you don’t have a full bust or the iconic J-Lo booty doesn’t mean you don’t have plenty to offer.
One of the perks of having a rectangle-shaped body is that you can pull off a tiny, skimpy bikini and look fantastic! And now that I mention it, I can’t help but think of that song, “She wore an itsy bitsy, teeny weeny, yellow polka dot bikini…” Does anyone know who sings it or where it originated?
Sorry, I get a little distracted from time to time. Let’s get back on track.
What to Wear if You Have a Ruler Female Body Shapes:
- Clothes that make you appear to have a waist
- dresses with defined waistline
- Shirts with defined waistlines
- fit and flare dresses
- empire dresses
- A-line dresses
- flowy off the shoulder tops
- ruffled tops
- peplum tops
- wrap style tops and dresses
- high waisted pants
- high waisted skirts
- skinny jeans
- midi skirts
- skirts with flare create more shape
- belted shirts or dresses (make a waist)
- wear similar colors on top and bottom or balanced body shape
- paper bag pants
- flare or boot cut pants to add curves
AVOID:
- straight cut clothing
- sack dresses
- shapeless clothing
- Boxy clothing
- straight cut jeans
- leggings
- skinny jeans
- low waisted pants
- high neck tops (make your upper body look broad)
- too tight clothing accentuates the lack of curves
- crop tops (accentuates straight waistline)
- baggy clothes
Bonus:
Aim for hairstyles that add body and curves to your overall silhouette. Cuts with layers and side swept bangs. Wavy or curly styles to break up the straight lines.
How to Exercise with a ruler female body shapes: Focus on exercises that build muscle and intentionally add curves and definition to your body. Exercises like squats, lunges, hip thrusts, over head press…etc.. Include moderate cardio often if you are overweight, but you will likely lose evenly if you are a true rule shaped woman. Focus on larger muscle groups versus smaller ones, otherwise you might look the same, just bigger and more muscular. Don’t forget to work your core with planks and ab exercises.
Inverted Triangle Body Shape
What does an inverted triangle body look like? An inverted triangle shape features broader shoulders and busts than the waist and hips. To determine if you have this body type, start by measuring your shoulders or bust. Next, measure your hips. Then, divide your shoulder or bust measurement by your hip measurement. You may have an inverted triangle body shape if your shoulders are wider than your hips. This physique is often sought after and is commonly referred to as a swimmer’s physique, indicating a strong athletic build.
Several well-known celebrities, including Demi Moore, Naomi Campbell, Renee Zellweger, Uma Thurman, and Maisie Williams, possess inverted triangle body shapes!
What to wear for your Inverted Triangle Female Body Shape:
- Focus on clothes that adds volume to your lower body and minimize the width or bulk of your shoulders.
- A-line skirts
- flared pants
- wide-leg trousers
- peplum tops
- V-neck shirts
- V-neck dresses
- dresses with defined waistlines
- shirts with defined waistlines
- scoop neck tops
- U-neck tops
- Asymmetrical necklines
- dark colored plain tops
- blouses with butterfly sleeves
- kimono sleeves
- tank tops with wide straps
- Palazzo pants
- wide legged jeans
- skirts with ruffles
- skirts with pleats
- fit and flare dresses
- light weight fabric
AVOID:
- avoid drawing attention to your shoulders
- avoid details on your shoulders
- avoid patters on your upperbody
- wide neck line
- large shoulder details like ruffles
- horizontal stripes
- tight fitted tops (make shoulders appear bigger)
- skinny jeans
- heavy fabric that add volume to the top
Bonus: how to wear your hair if you are an inverted triangle.
Choose Haircuts that do not had too much volume around your shoulders. Go for a bob, or A-line haircut. Layered bobs, or soft long layers will suit your body shape nicely.
How to exercise as an inverted triangle female body shape: You’ll want to build your lower body and glutes. Place a moderate focus on arms/shoulders. If you are a swimmer, you will continue to have the very sought after inverted triangle shape and that’s super cool! If you are a former swimmer, or not a swimmer and no longer wish to accentuate your broad shoulders, then focus on weight lifting for your lower body to create balance.
That’s a wrap. I hope you have enjoyed this article and that you now know what body shape you have. I can’t wait to read your comments, so please drop them below if you have anything you’d like to add.
XoXo, Britt Gal
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