Comments on: Making sense of body types http://www.youlookfab.com/2007/12/17/making-sense-of-body-types/ Free advice from a fashion pro Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:52:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Sarah http://www.youlookfab.com/2007/12/17/making-sense-of-body-types/#comment-9317 Sarah Fri, 28 Dec 2007 15:46:45 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2007/12/17/making-sense-of-body-types/#comment-9317 Hey Angie, I love this site and I'm looking for some help. I'm completely confused about my body type. Basically, I don't think I fit into any of the categories I've ever heard. I'm 5'2'', 102 pounds, and short-waisted with long legs. I have an inhumanly small bust, a flat butt, and a puffy stomach. My measurements are constantly fluctuating, but they are something like 32.5-25.5-33.5. When I gain weight it all goes to my stomach and then gradually some of it redistributes. I think I know pretty well what looks good on me, but nothing fits me well unless it comes from the junior department. Any advice would be helpful. Hey Angie, I love this site and I’m looking for some help. I’m completely confused about my body type. Basically, I don’t think I fit into any of the categories I’ve ever heard. I’m 5′2”, 102 pounds, and short-waisted with long legs. I have an inhumanly small bust, a flat butt, and a puffy stomach. My measurements are constantly fluctuating, but they are something like 32.5-25.5-33.5. When I gain weight it all goes to my stomach and then gradually some of it redistributes. I think I know pretty well what looks good on me, but nothing fits me well unless it comes from the junior department. Any advice would be helpful.

]]> By: Maya http://www.youlookfab.com/2007/12/17/making-sense-of-body-types/#comment-8429 Maya Tue, 18 Dec 2007 02:53:41 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2007/12/17/making-sense-of-body-types/#comment-8429 This was a helpful clarification. Given what you say, I think I lean more towards an hourglass than a pear despite the measurements. I find that I can easily go from looking top-heavy to bottom-heavy depending what I wear, and I'm constantly battling to look balanced, which is the main challenge with hourglass types. I don't seem to recall reading about those who are top-heavy but don't have a tummy. Stacey and Clinton seem to be the only two to cover that body type. This was a helpful clarification. Given what you say, I think I lean more towards an hourglass than a pear despite the measurements. I find that I can easily go from looking top-heavy to bottom-heavy depending what I wear, and I’m constantly battling to look balanced, which is the main challenge with hourglass types.

I don’t seem to recall reading about those who are top-heavy but don’t have a tummy. Stacey and Clinton seem to be the only two to cover that body type.

]]> By: Tanya http://www.youlookfab.com/2007/12/17/making-sense-of-body-types/#comment-8398 Tanya Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:05:33 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2007/12/17/making-sense-of-body-types/#comment-8398 Hi Angie, I'd first like to say how much I like your site& advice. You're my number one fashion resource! I am also one who greatly benefits from this body type discussion, since I was never quite able to determine mine. I do know that I'm somewhere between a pear and hourglass, but not which is the primary type. I'm 5'6", 110 lb, 33-25-37. I have a smallish chest (32 bearly B), very small and defined waist, and quite curvy hips. Actually, the majority of the curves are the lower hips/upper tighs, and I do have noticable saddle bags. My shoulders tough are straight and defined (so called hanger shoulders), and equall width as my hips. I am also long waisted (long torso, long arms, long neck) and have short legs (31" inseam with flats). So while now it makes sense that I'm somewhere between these two types, would I primarily be hourglass with small chest (hourglass primary, pear secondary) or pear with whide shoulders (pear primary)? None of T&S body types seems to quite fit me. Thanks!!! Hi Angie,
I’d first like to say how much I like your site& advice. You’re my number one fashion resource!
I am also one who greatly benefits from this body type discussion, since I was never quite able to determine mine. I do know that I’m somewhere between a pear and hourglass, but not which is the primary type.
I’m 5′6″, 110 lb, 33-25-37. I have a smallish chest (32 bearly B), very small and defined waist, and quite curvy hips. Actually, the majority of the curves are the lower hips/upper tighs, and I do have noticable saddle bags. My shoulders tough are straight and defined (so called hanger shoulders), and equall width as my hips.
I am also long waisted (long torso, long arms, long neck) and have short legs (31″ inseam with flats).
So while now it makes sense that I’m somewhere between these two types, would I primarily be hourglass with small chest (hourglass primary, pear secondary) or pear with whide shoulders (pear primary)? None of T&S body types seems to quite fit me. Thanks!!!

]]> By: angie http://www.youlookfab.com/2007/12/17/making-sense-of-body-types/#comment-8384 angie Mon, 17 Dec 2007 21:59:21 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2007/12/17/making-sense-of-body-types/#comment-8384 You have validated the point that I was trying to make perfectly Marlene - thank you. And it's interesting that you mention Kendall Farr Cathy, as she is my favourite author on the subject of fashion, style and body typing, which is why her book appears first on the RHS of this site. You have validated the point that I was trying to make perfectly Marlene - thank you.

And it’s interesting that you mention Kendall Farr Cathy, as she is my favourite author on the subject of fashion, style and body typing, which is why her book appears first on the RHS of this site.

]]> By: cathy http://www.youlookfab.com/2007/12/17/making-sense-of-body-types/#comment-8379 cathy Mon, 17 Dec 2007 21:23:18 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2007/12/17/making-sense-of-body-types/#comment-8379 My only gripe about the body type thing is, I have read about it in other books (most notably The Pocket Stylist by Kendall Farr) and am getting a little bit tired of the whole Trinny and Susannah thing. I get it: they think American women dress badly and need "help". I feel they are a couple of condescending media whores whose fifteen minutes are mostly up. Sorry to be so down on this but come on, where did these two come from anyway? But to get back on topic, I am a petite hourglass and rely on Kendall's advice for several years to decide what to wear. It helps but no theory is perfect. My only gripe about the body type thing is, I have read about it in other books (most notably The Pocket Stylist by Kendall Farr) and am getting a little bit tired of the whole Trinny and Susannah thing. I get it: they think American women dress badly and need “help”. I feel they are a couple of condescending media whores whose fifteen minutes are mostly up. Sorry to be so down on this but come on, where did these two come from anyway? But to get back on topic, I am a petite hourglass and rely on Kendall’s advice for several years to decide what to wear. It helps but no theory is perfect.

]]> By: Marlene http://www.youlookfab.com/2007/12/17/making-sense-of-body-types/#comment-8349 Marlene Mon, 17 Dec 2007 16:55:21 +0000 http://www.youlookfab.com/2007/12/17/making-sense-of-body-types/#comment-8349 Since I figured out what general "shape" my body is, I have had a much easier getting dressed and feeling pulled together. I have been using these catagories as GUIDELINES only. I think one way to figure out what category you fall into is to determine what part of the body tends to get bigger when you gain weight. My tendency to gain weight on my rear and thighs leads me to look at the pear category. This overall grouping is great BUT I have other figure features I need to work with as well...short neck, short torso, short arms, long legs. So having these categories broken down even further is great. Not all pears are shaped alike. Since I figured out what general “shape” my body is, I have had a much easier getting dressed and feeling pulled together. I have been using these catagories as GUIDELINES only. I think one way to figure out what category you fall into is to determine what part of the body tends to get bigger when you gain weight. My tendency to gain weight on my rear and thighs leads me to look at the pear category.

This overall grouping is great BUT I have other figure features I need to work with as well…short neck, short torso, short arms, long legs. So having these categories broken down even further is great. Not all pears are shaped alike.

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