Although I laid out some basic guidelines on how to dress after 40, I feel that it’s even more important that you dress for your body shape. I feel that you can ignore some of the guidelines mentioned there, so long as you know your strengths and dress according to your body type.
This is the first in a series of articles on how to dress for your body shape. First of all we need to determine what your body shape is.
So let’s have a look at 5 basic female body shapes.
There are several ways to define your body shape. The most basic way to do it is to determine if you are either a
- Hourglass
- Inverted triangle
- Pear (also called triangle or spoon)
- Rectangle (also called ruler or banana)
- Apple (also called cone or downwards triangle)
You can split these main categories in sub categories to further customize your body shape, but let’s keep it simple for now.
Check this video or continue reading below.
How do you find out which one you are?
Characteristics of thehourglass:
- Well defined (narrow) waist
- Hip and bust tend to be almost the same and quite big
Charateristics of the inverted rectangle are:
- Shoulders are wider than the hip
- Bust tends to be proportionally large
- Hips are small
Characteristics of therectangleare:
- No defined waist
- The hips tend to have a similar width as the shoulders
- You do not have a lot of curves
- Your bust tends to be small or average
Sylvia
Characteristics of the pear:
- The hips are wider than the shoulder
- Fat tends to accumulated on the hips and buttocks
Characteristics of the apple
- No defined waist
- Weight tends to form on the stomach
- Average bust size
Body shape calculator: Determining your body shape with measurements
If you know the measurements of your bust, waist and hips you can also use this online calculator which will give you a general idea.
Please note that we are all different and the 5 mentioned shapes above are just the 5 basic shapes.
For example when I changed my bust size with just 1 cm, I got different results. But we are all leaning towards one of these basic shapes and only few of us will be exactly one of these.
In my case I’m lingering between a pear and a rectangle. My hips are wider than my bust and my waist is not so defined. But if I add 1 cm to my bust in the calculator above, I’m defined as a rectangle, because my bust and hip size are quite similar.
How to measure yourself
Of course, if you are going to figure out your body shape using the calculator above, you will need to measure yourself.
So, how do you do that accurately?
Shoulders – measure from the top of one shoulder all the way around
Bust – measure the fullest part of your bust. Make sure to hold the tape measure tight but not so taut that you squash your bust so your get a smaller measurement than you should.
Waist – measure around the smallest part of your waist, usually just above your belly button.
Hips – start at one hip and wrap the tape measure all the way around at the widest part.
You may need someone to help you to get accurate measurements.
Your body shape may change
All this may well change in the future as many women over 40 get a completely different body shape once they go through (peri)menopause, so in that case the style of clothes you chose may have to change as well.
It may be that you put on some weight around your middle so you end up moving towards an apple shape.
In this case, you are likely to find that the guidelines for your original body shape considered alongside the guidelines for the apple shape could help.
I hope that you got a clearer idea what body type you are?
Finding your body shape can be revolutionary to the way you dress
It can be all too easy to compare yourself to a friend or celebrity.
However, determining your own body shape can really help you to dress for YOU, without trying to emulate anyone else.
Don’t forget your vertical body shape
Now that you have discovered which of the main body types you are, have you thought about your other proportions.
Everyone also has a unique vertical body type. This is the proportion of your leg length, or the lower half of your body, in comparison to your torso. Using these measurements in conjunction with your body type will help you to find the most flattering looks for you.
If you like to kickstart your style right now, you may like to download our Find Your Style guide. This will get you on the right style track in no time!
For more information on how to dress for your particular body type you can also read my articles:
- How to dress a pear shape body type
- How to dress the apple shape body type
- How to dress the rectangle shape body type
- How to dress for the inverted triangle shape
- How to dress for the hourglass shape
- How to determine your vertical body type
Enjoyed this article on how to determine your body shape? Share it on Pinterest!
Written by Sylvia
Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.
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31 Comments
Emily Clarkon December 27, 2014 at 12:35 am
Hi, my body shape is rectangular, what should I wear to make my waist look slender than rest of my body.
Sylviaon December 28, 2014 at 12:42 am
Best tips for rectangle can be found at: https://40plusstyle.com/how-to-dress-the-rectangle-body-shape/ What could work well if you want to emphasize the waist is to choose skirts in an aline shape and fitted tops on top. All my best tips for the rectangle body type can be found at: https://40plusstyle.com/how-to-dress-the-rectangle-body-shape/
Rebeccaon September 14, 2014 at 5:48 am
Hi, my body shape didn’t show Up also. I tried multiple times. My measurements are 96, 72, 95 cm.
Sylviaon September 14, 2014 at 10:29 am
You are most likely an hourglass Rebecca.
karen wilsonon August 23, 2014 at 5:29 am
Hi. I am 37 years old 5 foot tall and i have an inverted shape with a large belly. What tops are best. My bust size is 40 H and my bottoms are size 12/14. What tops are best for me that reduce my bust and hide my belly?
Sylviaon August 23, 2014 at 2:32 pm
Hi Karen. Please refer to these 2 articles: https://40plusstyle.com/how-to-hide-your-belly/ and https://40plusstyle.com/how-to-dress-when-you-have-a-large-bust/
Jennieon July 24, 2014 at 7:44 pm
hi, I just wanted to comment on the image of the body types, I find it a tad insulting that the apple shape is illustrated in a over weight state while the other body-types are in a more leaner state. I understand that it helps to understand the difference between the body types but you could at least have made all of them extreme or over weight. Some people have the apple shape without being over weight and a lot of people with the other body-types are over weight as well! I mean on the illustration the apple-body have even bigger thighs than the triangle-body! And that usually never is the case. Now the apple-body have rather skinny arms and legs because the weight tend to get to the midsection. But if you look at the illustration the calves, arms, neck are bigger and even the knees! the apple-girl even has a different, more laid back and ashamed pose. I mean that is just not right! It gives the impression that all the other body-types are different ways of a seductive body to love and be confident about but the apple is kind of the sad, less-beautiful and unattractive type.
Now I don’t know if you simply borrowed the illustration I simply wanted to express my opinion in the matter and hope to get a respond of your thoughts in return!
Sylviaon July 25, 2014 at 3:14 am
Hi Jennie. The illustration is from the My Private Stylist programme. I have another illustration in my book that I have created myself and will look at replacing the image with that one soon as I do understand your concerns.
Marshaon August 23, 2014 at 8:29 am
I agree with Jennie, I am 49 and every part of my body is as small if not smaller than a lot of teenagers today except for my belly getting bigger and sticking out. I am 5’1 and weigh 120 so I am not over weight just big belly so what would I be?
- See AlsoHow Heavy Should My Dog Be?
Sylviaon August 23, 2014 at 2:29 pm
It really depends on the other measurements of your body. Just use the calculator mentioned above. You may well be an apple as they are certainly not always overweight. You may also find my article on how to hide your belly interesting https://40plusstyle.com/how-to-hide-your-belly/
Preciouson June 11, 2014 at 4:37 am
please where do i fall in with a statistics of 32-26-34
Sylviaon June 11, 2014 at 10:47 am
According to the calculator that I have mentioned above in the article you would be an apple.
Yvonne Ndukweon June 9, 2014 at 1:52 am
please i would like to know what body shape i fall in 32-26-36
Sylviaon June 9, 2014 at 10:49 am
From these measurements it looks like your most dominant shape is pear
Staceyon February 17, 2014 at 12:36 am
A concise and easy to follow guide … thanks for this!
Sylviaon February 17, 2014 at 7:28 am
You are very welcome Stacey. Hope you enjoy the rest of the site too!
Antionette Blakeon February 13, 2014 at 6:08 am
As I age, I am becoming more and more apple shaped!
Lauraon January 15, 2014 at 2:36 pm
why does the apple have her hands behind her back and look ugly ?????? i know its the dreaded shape but thanks for making every apple fell ugly
Sylviaon January 15, 2014 at 3:45 pm
I did not create the drawing and am not sure why she is drawn a different way. I do not agree that she looks ugly though. Every body is beautiful!
Don October 10, 2013 at 2:43 pm
Meh I’m still really confused can you please help me?
Well my bust is 40 inches
Waist 31 inches
Hips 42 inchesSylviaon October 12, 2013 at 11:49 am
You are most likely an hourglass, but have a read through the descriptions and see what best describes you. You may have a combination of 2 types as all bodies are different of course..
Courtney Stewarton January 9, 2013 at 10:34 pm
I’m a pear. Good thing I like pears! My legs aren’t heavy but I definitely do tend to gain weight in my butt and thighs and I have narrow shoulders. I probably need to read up on what not to wear for my body type as I have some asymetrical dresses that never look quite right on me.
Ritaon December 19, 2012 at 9:13 am
I just tried the online calculator and the results said “Sorry, your body is not in the 4 shapes we calculate”. I’ve always known I was a bit odd! LOL!
Sylviaon December 19, 2012 at 8:11 pm
How strange! Most of us lean towards one of these categories. It’s never completely correct though as we all have different shapes. Did you try it more than once and got the same result?
Angelaon November 18, 2012 at 9:44 am
I have a weird body type. Can you help me out 47-43-50. Obviously plus size and would seem to be banana or rectangle. However I have a small ribcage that gives me a shape like hourglass when you look front on.. But tiny shoulders. A hot mess…lol. What do you think I am?!!
Sylviaon November 18, 2012 at 2:07 pm
Your measurements suggest a rectangle shape, but as you mention every body is different. However, never refer to yourself as weird or a hot mess. Every body is unique and beautiful! Perhaps experiment with the guidelines of rectangle and hourglass and see what looks best. Also, you can check out some guidelines on how to dress for narrow shoulders
celesteon September 22, 2012 at 12:14 am
Just read it! Thanks Sylvia! I
celesteon September 21, 2012 at 1:09 am
Hi Sylvia! I have an hourglass body type but I am quite short (1,56 – 53 kgs). What is your advice when it comes to how short women should dress?
Thanks!Sylviaon September 21, 2012 at 10:15 am
Hi Celeste. I actually wrote a whole article about this: How to dress when you are short or petite
Tracy (The Wardrobe Wanderer)on January 1, 2012 at 4:57 am
It looks as though I’m closest to the rectangle, although after losing a lot of weight recently, I have a bit more of a waist. Fun stuff – thank you for sharing!
Sylviaon January 4, 2012 at 3:45 am
Most people are a combination of 2 different types. Some ‘systems’ even identify 12 body types. I intend to write more about body types, so stay tuned!
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