I have read several books and magazine articles on body types, but to be honest, I am still confused. While many women are clearly a pear, or hourglass, or inverted triangle, a lot us don't find our shapes. Am I a "tulip" or a "lily"?
The most helpful info came from Doris Pooser. She wrote a book published in 1997 called Always in Style which is probably out of print. She classified women as Sharp-straight, Soft-straight, and on through the continuim through Soft-Curves and Curvey. Well, I don't have the book, but there were six variations. I came out a Soft-Straight. I am tall with a narrow bone structure, but I do have breasts. I used to have a small waist, too, but lately I can't find it.
All the "hints" and do's and don'ts in most books and articles are useless. If I wear the wrong clothes I look pear-shaped.
Does anyone else find these books and articles at all helpful?
Quite honestly, all those "to do" books and articles just confuse me even more. I usually figure out my body shape fast, but then there's so many other factors that change the advice I need to follow...I've since stopped reading them and started trying on everything in stores to get an idea of what really works for me. I think that while those guidelines are meant well, I think that they can only account for so much and that only you can know what really works on you.
That said, I'm an hourglass. My curves are more evident if I stand on profile since my chest is large and I have a J Lo butt going on, but I'm not terribly hippy nor is my waist really defined. But I'm also petite and my bone structure is most defintely not delicate.
As fa as I undersood, I am a "rectangle" or something like that: kinda of athletic build, with no real waist, but large shoulders and strong muscles. I cannot classify myself as a triangle b/c I also have hips. But the suggestions they give for that body tipe don't work, b/c I also have breasts !
So I do like Lilykind: esp for tops, I try eveithing and buy like 1 out of 10 things I tried. For pants, I think I have figured what works for me.
I really think it's much better keep trying on clothes and find what makes you feel "you" and beautiful (it happened lately with a skirt I bought in Toronto. Boy, I love that skirt!) and not worry about classifications.
Beside, Maven: looking at your outfit in stylethread it looks to me you have pretty much a good grip on what makes you look beautiful!
I can never figure out my body type either. I think I have really broad shoulders, but other than that.....I really dont think anyone would look at me and say pear or apple or inverted triangle!! Ectomorph, endomorph, mighty morphing Power Ranger.......What I would really like to know is if I am long or short waisted. Do you determine this from a measurement of some sort, or just by the fact that the "low rise" Express flares I am wearing right now feel like they are under my armpits. But that could be all in my head.....
I don't think I fit into a "body type" either. I am slender and 5'3, but I also have D cups, so I can't wear size small everything. I wouldn't call myself hourglass, but I can wear a lot of styles meant for hourglass figures. And I have long legs, but I am not tall! Not complaining, just agreeing that the type molds are tough to figure out.
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"Go either very cheap or very expensive. It's the middle ground that is fashion nowhere." ~ Karl Lagerfeld
I'm an hourglass amazon. My proportions are a very well defined hourglass... which can be accentuated or hid by clothes and but quite when I'm in a bathingsuit. I'm an amazon because I'm tall (5'10.5"), have long limbs and torso, and strong but not overly muscular. I like my shape because there aren't many types of clothes I can't wear... of course my personal preferences limit what I actually wear.
Lilykind wrote: Quite honestly, all those "to do" books and articles just confuse me even more. I usually figure out my body shape fast, but then there's so many other factors that change the advice I need to follow...I've since stopped reading them and started trying on everything in stores to get an idea of what really works for me. I think that while those guidelines are meant well, I think that they can only account for so much and that only you can know what really works on you. That said, I'm an hourglass. My curves are more evident if I stand on profile since my chest is large and I have a J Lo butt going on, but I'm not terribly hippy nor is my waist really defined. But I'm also petite and my bone structure is most defintely not delicate.
Yay, someone else who is petite, with curves! I hate reading those stupid magazine things....it always seems that when they say "curvy" what they really mean is fat. I have boobs, and definite booty, but I'm also petite, but not delicate petite. I've given up on their advice. It's impossible to apply the advice for "curvy," "petite," "busty," etc, all to one body.
I'm the most unproportionate thing on the planet. I cannot buy full length anything without alterations.
I'd call myself hourglass, if I had to call it anything.
I'm short (5'1"), petite, thin with slight tummy, full butt, huge chest.
When I was coat shopping a few years ago, I went from the small end of the rack on down to the large end. The small ones fit in the arms, but couldn't be buttoned. The regulars had too long of sleeves, and pulled at the buttons, and the plus sized fit my chest, were super long in the arms, and swam around my waist. That's why I bought the only one that fit that I liked, and why I spent 4 times more than I had planned on.
Honestly, I'm not too sure. I have some of the characteristics of an ectomorph (a ruler) in that I don't have wide hips or too much waist definition, but I also have the characteristics of a mesomorph (hourglass) in that my measurement around my chest and my hips is similar (and I definitely have boobs and a butt) and I build muscle mass quickly (used to have a six pack and didn't have to work too hard to get it, right now, I have a 4 pack and I also have muscular legs).
So, I'm not really sure what the hell body type categorie I really am. I don't have huge problems buying dresses b/c I'm the same size on top and bottom (usually; once in a while I'm a size bigger on the bottom). My biggest problem when it comes to clothing fitting is my muscular thighs. So irritating sometimes.
i guess i am pear-shaped, although i hate that term because it sounds like you suddenly have this enormous butt from out of nowhere! anyway, i am 5'6, slender but a little curvy, and on the softer side. i try to eat healthy and get exercise but i am just average in terms of physical fitness. when i gain weight it tends to go in my thighs/butt region, although lately my boobs have gotten a little bigger.
I've never been able to figure it out either. Right now I look ruler-shaped, but I only gain weight in one place (middle), so if I put on a lot of weight, I think I'd look "apple" shaped. *Shrugs*
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"We live in an age where unnecessary things are our only necessities." --Oscar Wilde
ask a woman that you trust what your body shape is. i find that when i look in the mirror i see some thing totaly different then what other people see. i am extremely fine boned and delicate and feminim but when i look in the mirror i see a boyshape.
I think I'm an hourglass, booty maximus and big boobs, but I have a short waist, but ridiculously long legs, but only 5'5", but I'm very curvy, yet my wrists, hands, ankles and feet are small and skinny. I don't get it. For clothing I have to try on everything, since nothing is a sure thing for me.
I think this question depends on how in shape you are and if you are truly what your body should be. Like right now I am definitely not what my body "should" be. Naturally I am slightly atheltic but also a little curvy. For an Asain girl, I got a JLo booty and small B cup boobs. I'm generally too broad w/ arms and legs a little too long for petite, but I always need alterations on regular length pants.
I build muscle easily and have a natural waist - but now I am so out of shape and overweight for myself. My sister and I say we are "Britney types", there are Fat Britney days and skinny Britney days. :P
honestly I don't know. I have very small bone structure, I'm not curvy, but I don't think I'm a "ruler" because I don't think I build muscle easily and I do have some waist definition. I'm definitely not an hourglass because I don't have the big boobs & butt, but I am pretty balanced proportionally, with said waist definition. is it possible there are some "types" that they've missed?
I guess I"m a pear or an hourglass (though not a very curvy one) because i have a small waist and go out more for chest/hips. but my Butt isn't very big (sadly), just my thighs. Weird.