Table of Contents
5 SIMPLE WAYS TO KNOW YOUR BODY TYPE: you must know them
Rectangle
Inverted
Hourglass
Apple
Pear
HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR BODY TYPE?
1 Wear a camisole and underwear or remove your garments. It helps to have little to no clothing on when taking measurements. If you can, remove your underwear and put on something light and form-fitting, such as a tank top and leggings. [1]
You could also find it useful to take your measurements while looking in the mirror. This will assist you evaluate if you’re properly positioned the measuring tape.
2 Take a measurement around the widest portion of your chest. Take all measurements in inches or centimeters with a soft, flexible measuring tape. Wrap the measuring tape over the widest section of your bust, which is typically the area of your chest where your nipples are. Keep the measuring tape snug around your chest, but not so snug that it squeezes your breasts or chest. Check and record the measurement. [2]
Some people include their shoulder measurement when identifying their body type, but this is optional. You may be an inverted triangle if your shoulders are wider than your breast, waist, and hips. [3] Take a measurement around your shoulders to see if you are. [4]
3 Locate and measure the smallest region of your waist. This is normally 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) above your belly button and right below your ribs. Wrap the measuring tape around this area of your body and measure it in inches or centimeters. [5]
Check that the measuring tape is not too tightly wound. Make sure it’s snug, but you can still fit one finger between the measuring tape and your skin.
4 Identify and measure the broadest region of your hips. This is normally at the crotch level. At this stage, wrap the measuring tape around your hips and record the measurement in inches or millimeters. [6]
Part2
Identifying the Shape of Your Body
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Compare the 3 measurements to determine which is the largest and smallest. Rank your bust, hip, and waist measurements from largest to smallest to help you visualize the shape of your body.However, if the difference between 2 measurements is 1 in (2.5 cm) or less, consider them equal.[7]
- For example, if your bust was 34 in (86 cm), your waist was 38 in (97 cm), and your hips were 48 in (120 cm), then your hips were the largest and your bust was the smallest measurement.
- You may have a couple of measurements that are very close or even equal. Note this as well since it will affect your body type. For example, if your bust was 38 in (97 cm) and your hips were 39 in (99 cm), but your waist was 42 in (110 cm), then your bust and hips are about equal and your waist is the largest measurement.
Tip: You might even notice a distinct silhouette in the mirror while taking your measurements. Consider what shape might fit easily over your chest, waist, and hips when you face yourself in the mirror.
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2Identify yourself as a pear-shape if your bust and waist are smaller than your hips. If your hips are the largest of the 3 measurements, and your bust and waist are equal in size or if your bust is smaller than your waist, you’re a pear shape. This is also known as a triangle shape and it’s a very common body type.[8]
- For example, if your bust is 32 in (81 cm), your waist is 34 in (86 cm), and your hips are 40 in (100 cm), then you’re a pear shape.
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3 See if you’re an inverted triangle if your bust is larger than your waist and hips. This shape is the opposite of the pear or triangle shape. In an inverted triangle, the chest and/or shoulders are wider than the waist and hips. This is a common body type for athletic men and women, but some people may naturally have this body type.[9]- For example, if your bust is 40 in (100 cm), your waist is 36 in (91 cm), and your hips are 35 in (89 cm), then you’re an inverted triangle shape.
4Call yourself a square if your bust, waist, and hips are all about the same size. If there’s no more than a 2 in (5.1 cm) difference between your bust, waist, and hips, then you’re likely a square shape. This is a common shape for people who are athletic and for young girls. However, some people naturally have this shape.[10]
- For example, if your bust is 36 in (91 cm), your waist is 35 in (89 cm), and your hips are 37 in (94 cm), then you’re a square shape.
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5
Know that you’re apple shaped if your waist is wider than your bust and hips. If your waist is 2 in (5.1 cm) larger than your hips and bust, you may be an apple shape. Some people with apple-shaped bodies have slim hips and slender legs as well. If you’re a woman, you might also have a full bust.[11]
- For example, if your bust is 42 in (110 cm), your waist is 48 in (120 cm), and your hips are 40 in (100 cm), then you’re an apple shape.
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Identify yourself as an hourglass if your waist is smaller than your bust and hips. Hourglass shapes usually have bust and hip measurements that are about the same size, and their waist measurement is noticeably smaller than the bust and hip. This creates a noticeable curving silhouette going from the bust to the waist and hips.[12]
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7Draw a shape that represents your measurements if you’re unsure. If you’re having trouble determining your shape, try creating a scaled down drawing of your silhouette. Draw 3 parallel lines on a piece of paper that are each 1/10th of the size of your measurements. Space them so that the lines are each 2 in (5.1 cm) apart. Then, connect the edges of the lines to see what shape they create.
- For example, if your measurements were 32 in (81 cm), 36 in (91 cm), and 44 in (110 cm), then your lines would be 3.2 in (8.1 cm), 3.6 in (9.1 cm), and 4.4 in (11 cm). Connecting the ends of these 3 lines creates a pear or triangle shape.
Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat should I wear if my chest is bigger than my lower body?
Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.In this case, your goal is going to be to give your lower body more volume. So, you might wear baggier jeans, large skirts, or bigger shoes to give your lower body a bigger visual impact.
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QuestionHow can I figure out my body shape if I don’t have a measuring tape?Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
Look in a mirror and try to visualize your body in two halves, split at the waist. You can generally get a pretty good sense for what your body shape is based on the balance between the top and bottom half of your body.
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QuestionHow can I use my height and weight to determine my body shape and size?
Community AnswerYou can’t. It depends on how your weight is proportioned. One 5’6″ 140lbs girl might be an hourglass, while another could be an apple. -
QuestionI have an hourglass figure. What bathing suit will look best on me?
Community AnswerA two piece with high-waisted bottoms would accentuate curves and conceal any problem areas around the tummy, if you have any. -
QuestionWhat should I do if I have an hourglass shape except for my bust?
Community AnswerYou have a pear body type, not an hourglass shape. The pear body type has a smaller bust. -
QuestionWhat type of clothing should I wear to make my waist look smaller if I am a triangle body shape?Community AnswerCover your shoulders, wear a cinched waist (whether it be from ties, bows, belts, or the cut of the shirt), and wear peplum-style, patterned, or brightly colored skirts or pants. Combined with a darker top, this accentuates your hips along with the cinched waist, giving a more hourglass-looking silhouette.
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QuestionHow can I get more of an hourglass figure?Community AnswerYou could do exercises to make your stomach flatter and your waist smaller, but you can’t really change your hips or bust without surgery. It is probably best to be happy with the body you have.
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QuestionAre there different body shapes for men?Community AnswerYes! Most men do not gain weight in the hips, butt, bust, or thighs primarily. Most men have rectangle, apple, or inverted triangle body shapes because they tend to gain weight in the middle. Also, measurements differ in men. For example a woman with the measurements of 35-33-36 (bust, waist, and hips) would be considered an apple but a man with those measurements would be more on the pear side.
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QuestionI gather weight in my thighs, stomach and arms. What shape am I?
Community AnswerMost likely a rectangle or banana if you gain weight proportionally in your upper, middle, and lower body equally (sometimes a little more in the middle). It also depends on if you butt is round vs flat and if your hips are straight vs curvy -
QuestionIf I am nine years old and my body is like a rectangle or banana, will it change as I grow older?
Tips
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Bodies come in all shapes and sizes, so keep in mind that you might not fit perfectly within 1 shape category. For example, you may have the bust and hips of a pear shape with a slightly bigger waist measurement.
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If you’re a tween or a teenager, your body shape might change in the future. For example, you may have a rectangle shape until you start to develop more curves.
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Ask an expert if you still are not sure what your body shape is. Find a tailor or a boutique that has a sizing specialist. They may be able to help you figure out your shape.
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Be happy with your body. This is so clichè but so true! Love the way your body is and be proud of it!
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References
- ↑https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djuJdzUV4QA&feature=youtu.be&t=20
- ↑https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djuJdzUV4QA&feature=youtu.be&t=37
- ↑http://www.oprah.com/style/whats-your-body-shape/all
- ↑https://www.whowhatwear.com/how-to-find-body-shape-calculator/slide2
- ↑https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djuJdzUV4QA&feature=youtu.be&t=47
- ↑https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djuJdzUV4QA&feature=youtu.be&t=56
- ↑http://www.oprah.com/style/whats-your-body-shape/all
- ↑https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djuJdzUV4QA&feature=youtu.be&t=90
- ↑https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djuJdzUV4QA&feature=youtu.be&t=120
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