What body shape am I and how can I dress to suit my body?

Discussion of aspects of health related to beauty, and fashion.

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  1. Stir fried Giblets's Avatar
    • Adored and Respected Member
    • Location: North East
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    What body shape am I and how can I dress to suit my body?
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    These are some older photos.

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    These are some more recent photos.

    I honestly don't know what my shape is, I've googled most the body shape calculators 2 said I was hourglass (haha yeah right!), one said I'm a banana/rectangle and another said my shape was 'unavailable'. My measurements are 34.5 inch bust, 29 waist, 36 hips. I thought maybe I was more like a banana/rectangle but a lot of the fashion advice for those shapes are to draw attention/accentuate the hips. In my opinion my hips and butt definitely don't need more focus because they're quite big in proportion to the rest of my body.

    I want to eventually buy some new clothes because I've went from a size 14 to maybe a 12/10 so my jeans keep sliding down to near my ankles if I don't wear a belt (which are need of some extra holes putting in - yay for weight loss! )

    So if anyone has any advice on what clothes might suit my body I'd really appreciate your input. Because I'm totally lost when it comes to fashion.
  2. Jennie1987's Avatar
    • TSR Demigod
    • Location: N.Somerset
    • Posts: 5,700
    Re: What body shape am I and how can I dress to suit my body?
    (Original post by Stir fried Giblets)
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    These are some older photos.

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    These are some more recent photos.

    I honestly don't know what my shape is, I've googled most the body shape calculators 2 said I was hourglass (haha yeah right!), one said I'm a banana/rectangle and another said my shape was 'unavailable'. My measurements are 34.5 inch bust, 29 waist, 36 hips. I thought maybe I was more like a banana/rectangle but a lot of the fashion advice for those shapes are to draw attention/accentuate the hips. In my opinion my hips and butt definitely don't need more focus because they're quite big in proportion to the rest of my body.

    I want to eventually buy some new clothes because I've went from a size 14 to maybe a 12/10 so my jeans keep sliding down to near my ankles if I don't wear a belt (which are need of some extra holes putting in - yay for weight loss! )

    So if anyone has any advice on what clothes might suit my body I'd really appreciate your input. Because I'm totally lost when it comes to fashion.
    Id agree youre an hourglass given measurements and photos because your waist is small in proportion to your bust and hips which are about the same as each other. BUT if youre like me and feel that even though there is all that YOU know your hips/thighs/butt/all of the above are bigger - youre a pear because you want to play down your bottom half which means you have to eccentuate your top half and your waist so empire lines are best for you. And another way is to have a longer top so the change to bottoms is below your hips but not below your bum or resting on your stomach (though the latter is possible as long as its just that tad longer than the hem of the top being at your belly button). OOOO just realised last bit is how youre dressing in the pic :grin:

    I disagree with the Topshop belted cardigan and poss the TNFC Dress but this is about right
    http://www.channel4.com/4beauty/styl...or-pear-shapes
    I disagree with the fourth unless you love the curvy look emphasised quite a bit what with the slashed arms making you all curves
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    layering an open cardi/hoodie/blazer with a simple vest and bootleg jeans (or skinny if you can rock it) goes well too
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    Dressier ideas, some the waist looks a little too low but mostly emprie/wrap bust which are good
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    Here you can see scoop/vnecks help balance out bottom halves and if its higher neck adding a necklace or choosing an a-line dress helps as your legs looking narrower and the fitted top both draw the eye inward help to hide your curves but show off your thinner parts lol even though youre curvy by having the line jut out on the skirt.
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    Buyable looks - http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/t...igan_245619017
    http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/t...hirt_257851761 - pencil skirt/slim bootcut jeans (or straight/skinny if you can get away with it) with the shirt half open and a vest top underneath or a very thin long sleeve t if you have slim arms.
    http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/s...azer_258883360


    May not work for you but options - http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/j...cket_260593909
    http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/j...cket_258062101
    http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/j...cket_254943130
    Like but may be too low waisted - http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/d...ress_258034849
    http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/d...ress_258678301

    Pooping money? - http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/j...cket_248623706

    Yes fitted can be your friend - http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/d...ress_261371901
    http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/d...ress_257299039
    Put a thick band belt under the bust - http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/d...ress_256573701
    Like this belt, edgy - http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/a...belt_257104603
    Amaze but edgy and obvs not for everyone - http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/d...ress_261699741
    Last edited by Jennie1987; 14-07-2012 at 21:22.
  3. Chrisateen's Avatar
    • Vengeful, Imperial Overlord of The Student Room
    • Location: London
    • Posts: 3,932
    Re: What body shape am I and how can I dress to suit my body?
    I agree that you are definitely a hourglass. Your bust and hip measurements are quite similar and you have a small waist compared to the rest of your body.
  4. LiLix's Avatar
    • Junior Member
    • Posts: 55
    Hourglass
  5. eelnais's Avatar
    • Adored and Respected Member
    • Posts: 520
    Re: What body shape am I and how can I dress to suit my body?
    Not an hourglass really - you'd have to be 36-26-36 or 34-24-34 etc. Why not go into a clothing shop and ask an assistant?
  6. sweeter than a cherry pie's Avatar
    • Overlord in Training
    • Location: London
    • Posts: 2,094
    Re: What body shape am I and how can I dress to suit my body?
    I disagree that you're an hourglass - as eelnais said, your waist should be 10 or more inches smaller than your bust/hips to give you an hourglass figure. Based on your measurements and the fourth picture of your body in profile, I'd say you're a pear shape. But honestly, I'm not sure that knowing your body shape is terribly helpful when clothes shopping - it's not as if clothes are cut and labelled according to your body shape - it's all just based on clothing size, and leg length. Just try different cuts and styles on and see what flatters you; I'd guess bootcut jeans and not skinnies, and fitted tops which flatter your waist, which does look quite trim.
  7. Chrisateen's Avatar
    • Vengeful, Imperial Overlord of The Student Room
    • Location: London
    • Posts: 3,932
    Re: What body shape am I and how can I dress to suit my body?
    (Original post by sweeter than a cherry pie)
    I disagree that you're an hourglass - as eelnais said, your waist should be 10 or more inches smaller than your bust/hips to give you an hourglass figure. Based on your measurements and the fourth picture of your body in profile, I'd say you're a pear shape. But honestly, I'm not sure that knowing your body shape is terribly helpful when clothes shopping - it's not as if clothes are cut and labelled according to your body shape - it's all just based on clothing size, and leg length. Just try different cuts and styles on and see what flatters you; I'd guess bootcut jeans and not skinnies, and fitted tops which flatter your waist, which does look quite trim.
    I don't think she is pear shaped. If so her hips would me much wider in comparison to her bust. However her bust measurements is very similar to her hip measurement. For example I am pear and my bust is nearly 5 inches smaller than my hips and when I was bigger my bust was about 8 inches smaller.
  8. peasandqueues's Avatar
    • Junior Member
    • Posts: 64
    Re: What body shape am I and how can I dress to suit my body?
    Although you may technically be an hour glass, you might feel and appear more pear shaped because your shoulders are quite narrow (a good thing! don't want broad, masculine shoulders) in comparison to your hips, and your boobs are in good proportion. so my advice:

    - take advantage of halterneck tops and v-necks
    - you could wear slim-fitting blazers to 'balance' you out
    - skater skirts/dresses should be your best friend; basically anything fitted on top then teamed with a loose flowy silhouette on the hips.. asos have a wide selection.


    - stay away from hareem pants
    - stay away from cropped or 7/8th trousers


    If I were you I would be going for skirts 90% of the time, it looks like you probably have nice calves. Don't know how tall you are but if under 5'8 then this may be particularly applicable, or may not, but for me at least I know (standing at 5'3) that trousers, especially of the cropped and hareem variety, have the capacity to make me look stumpy.
  9. Stir fried Giblets's Avatar
    • Adored and Respected Member
    • Location: North East
    • Posts: 567
    Re: What body shape am I and how can I dress to suit my body?
    (Original post by sweeter than a cherry pie)
    But honestly, I'm not sure that knowing your body shape is terribly helpful when clothes shopping - it's not as if clothes are cut and labelled according to your body shape - it's all just based on clothing size, and leg length. Just try different cuts and styles on and see what flatters you; I'd guess bootcut jeans and not skinnies, and fitted tops which flatter your waist, which does look quite trim.
    Thanks for the advice. I hate clothes shopping with a passion so I was hoping there'd be certain styles that suit certain body shapes. Ideally I'd want to go into a shop, buy stuff, go home and the majority of the stuff look good on me when I try them on. It's daft but me and buying clothes don't mix - I've had the same wardrobe for at least 2 years :P I need an epic makeover.


    (Original post by Chrisateen)
    I don't think she is pear shaped. If so her hips would me much wider in comparison to her bust. However her bust measurements is very similar to her hip measurement. For example I am pear and my bust is nearly 5 inches smaller than my hips and when I was bigger my bust was about 8 inches smaller.
    I don't think I'm pear-shaped either but I don't mind dressing like a pear because I hate my body from below the bust (especially my stomach!)

    (Original post by peasandqueues)
    Although you may technically be an hour glass, you might feel and appear more pear shaped because your shoulders are quite narrow (a good thing! don't want broad, masculine shoulders) in comparison to your hips, and your boobs are in good proportion. so my advice:

    - take advantage of halterneck tops and v-necks
    - you could wear slim-fitting blazers to 'balance' you out
    - skater skirts/dresses should be your best friend; basically anything fitted on top then teamed with a loose flowy silhouette on the hips.. asos have a wide selection.


    - stay away from hareem pants
    - stay away from cropped or 7/8th trousers


    If I were you I would be going for skirts 90% of the time, it looks like you probably have nice calves. Don't know how tall you are but if under 5'8 then this may be particularly applicable, or may not, but for me at least I know (standing at 5'3) that trousers, especially of the cropped and hareem variety, have the capacity to make me look stumpy.
    Good advice I've made a list of all the general stuff 'pear-shapes' 'should' wear like bootcut jeans, ruffley tops, empire/A lined dresses or summat? The last time I wore a skirt was.... 2010 and the only reason I did it was because I was cosplaying haha! I get scared wearing dresses and skirts because I'm not comfortable with my body but I might have to brave it eventually. I'll check out Asos thank you. Oh and I'm 5'2
  10. sweeter than a cherry pie's Avatar
    • Overlord in Training
    • Location: London
    • Posts: 2,094
    Re: What body shape am I and how can I dress to suit my body?
    (Original post by Chrisateen)
    I don't think she is pear shaped. If so her hips would me much wider in comparison to her bust. However her bust measurements is very similar to her hip measurement. For example I am pear and my bust is nearly 5 inches smaller than my hips and when I was bigger my bust was about 8 inches smaller.
    Yes, but as I said, I thought that from seeing her in profile she looks like a pear shape - as her measurements don't point to a specific shape, I decided to base my judgement on how she actually looks. And I concluded that she has a lovely curvy bum, which does appear more generous than her top half. Hence calling her a pear shape.

    But, as I said in my OP, I really don't think knowing your body shape is all that vital in buying clothes.
  11. ♥ ♥ ♥'s Avatar
    • Banned
    • Posts: 1,010
    Re: What body shape am I and how can I dress to suit my body?
    IMO, you look like a pear shape, like myself.

    To flatter your body shape, you need to emphasise your slim waist, by wearing tighter clothing, and then balancing your bottom half out too. In dresses, halter neck dresses should balance your physique, with a waist clinch, to flatter your slim areas, and flatten the bust and bum a bit

    Hope this helped
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