Making sense of body types
December 17th, 2007Thank you for last week’s informative comments on Trinny & Susannah’s twelve body shape definitions. Overall, I’m left with the impression that people find them a little confusing. Perhaps the simpler approach of sticking to five simple categories is more effective after all.
Here are some additional thoughts on using body types to maximize your style quotient:
- Don’t expect an exact match: Instead of boxing a person into one category, I prefer to suggest that they tend towards a particular body type. It is impossible to create a small set of shapes that matches all of our unique bodies, but a few rudimentary generalizations can be made to create rough guidelines.
- Use the definitions as a starting point…: Even if you’re unsure about your exact body type, chances are high that you will at least tend towards one of my five categories. This makes for a good starting point. Once you understand the basics of what’s recommended for this shape, you can zone in on the specifics and concentrate on which cuts and fits look best.
- ...but focus on your unique body: Whether you have a short or long neck, a large or small bust, a short or long waist and a flat or full tummy will all play a role. In the end it’s all about figuring out what looks best on your body rather than categorizing your body shape. Nicole’s comment sums this up perfectly.
- Use multiple categories if necessary: Some people find similarities with more than one category. For example, you may tend towards an hourglass but your slightly fuller thighs have you also following some of the rules for the pretty pear. Note that some types are not compatible: you can’t be a mixture of the pretty pear and the inverted triangle because these shapes are completely opposite.
- Rules are made to be broken: You might find that you can break some of your body type rules because you have a stronger feature that lets you “get away with it”. Again, body type is a starting point, but your unique body has the final word.
I enjoyed The Body Shape Bible because it addresses real women with real bodies. I don’t personally find Trinny and Susannah’s nomenclature offensive, but I can understand how some people might feel this way (after all, no-one likes thinking of themselves as a “brick”). The overall tone of what they are saying about ALL women’s bodies is positive and in no way harmful to any body image.
December 17th, 2007 at 9:55 am
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.
December 17th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
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.
December 17th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
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.
December 17th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
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!!!
December 17th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
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.
December 28th, 2007 at 8:46 am
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.