How to Determine One's Body Shape

Once you determine your body shape, you will know what clothes to wear and which ones to stay away from, because not all styles of clothes are made for all body types. A common mistake women make is wearing the wrong clothes for their body shape. Here's how learn your body shape before you go shopping.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Know the basic body shapes for both men and women. They are pear, hourglass, apple and ruler.

2. Determine if you are an hourglass. If your upper and lower body is relatively equal in size and your waist tapers in, you have an hourglass shape.

3. Check to see if you are pear-shaped. Bodies with smaller chests, arms stomach and waists with larger hips, thighs and buttocks are pear-shaped. Choose clothing that minimizes your lower body such as dark pants and emphasize your upper body such as tops with bright prints.

4. Find out if you're an apple. People with a larger stomach and chest and smaller hips, thighs and buttocks are apple-shaped. Choose clothes that elongate your upper body such as V-neck shirts and sweaters, and pants that emphasize your lower body such as those with pinstripes.

5. See if you're a ruler. Bodies that are generally the same size from head to toe and are often described as "waifish" are rulers. People with ruler-shaped bodies generally look good in all types of clothing, but women with this body shape should wear tops with feminine detailing such as lace and ruffles to avoid looking boyish.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider a combination of shapes for your body. Some people don't fall exactly into one category of body shape so consider them all when determining your shape.
• Stay out of the Juniors department at the store if your body shape is anything but a ruler. This department is meant for young girls and not full-grown women. This clothing will not fit your body properly.

Who Can Help:

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Resources

• Learn more about dressing certain body shapes.