Knowing your body type is the first step towards dressing to flatter your figure and feeling confident in your clothes. Understanding your body shape helps you choose styles that accentuate your best features and minimize areas you might be less confident about. But how do you determine your body type? This guide breaks down the primary steps to help you learn how to know what your body type is.
Understanding the Common Body Types
Before we dive into the steps, let's familiarize ourselves with the most common body types:
- Rectangle: This body type is characterized by relatively straight lines, with similar measurements across the shoulders, waist, and hips. There's little to no waist definition.
- Triangle/Pear: This shape has narrower shoulders than hips, with a fuller lower body.
- Inverted Triangle: This is the opposite of the pear shape, with broader shoulders and narrower hips.
- Hourglass: This body type is defined by a well-defined waist, with balanced measurements across the shoulders and hips.
- Round/Apple: This shape tends to have a fuller midsection, with weight concentrated around the stomach area.
These are general guidelines; body types can vary, and many individuals fall somewhere between categories or possess unique combinations of features.
Primary Steps to Determine Your Body Type
Now, let's get to the practical steps you can take to identify your body type:
1. Gather Your Measurements
This is the most crucial step. You'll need a flexible tape measure and a mirror. Take the following measurements:
- Shoulders: Measure across your back at the widest point of your shoulder blades.
- Bust: Measure around the fullest part of your bust, keeping the tape measure level.
- Waist: Measure around your natural waistline, which is typically the narrowest part of your torso.
- Hips: Measure around the fullest part of your hips, keeping the tape measure level.
Record your measurements accurately. It’s helpful to write them down.
2. Analyze Your Measurements
Once you have your measurements, compare them. Look for the following:
- Are your shoulders, waist, and hips approximately the same measurement? If so, you likely have a rectangle body type.
- Are your hips significantly larger than your shoulders? This points to a triangle/pear shape.
- Are your shoulders significantly larger than your hips? This suggests an inverted triangle body type.
- Are your shoulders and hips roughly equal, with a significantly smaller waist? This is characteristic of an hourglass figure.
- Is your waist measurement significantly larger than your shoulders and hips? This points to a round/apple shape.
3. Consider Your Overall Shape
Measurements provide a quantitative analysis, but don't forget the qualitative observation! Look at yourself in the mirror. Where does your body naturally hold weight? How does your clothing tend to fit? Consider your overall silhouette. This visual assessment, combined with your measurements, will provide a clearer picture.
4. Don't Stress the Labels!
Remember, these are simply guidelines to help you understand your body shape and choose clothing that enhances your features. Body types are fluid, and your shape might shift slightly over time. The most important thing is to feel comfortable and confident in your own skin.
Beyond the Basics: Refining Your Understanding
While understanding the basic body types is helpful, remember that there are variations and combinations. Many women don't perfectly fit into one specific category. The key is to use this information to inform your clothing choices and accentuate your best assets. Experiment with different styles to discover what truly flatters your unique shape and personal style.
By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to understanding your body type and utilizing this knowledge to confidently choose clothing that makes you feel amazing!
