May 22nd, 2006
Charlize Theron, Naomi Campbell, Nicole Kidman, Renee Zellwegger and Michelle Williams are amongst the most famous “inverted triangles”. You have broad shoulders, narrow hips, slender limbs, a straight waist, flat bottom and varying bust line. You are a rare breed and the least common body type found amongst women – the “pretty pear” being the most common female body type. It is interesting that it was your unique body type that was chosen to represent clothing best on the catwalk from about the 1960’s onwards. Twiggy started off this trend! Despite the fact that you are easy to dress – you’ll still want to think about how clothing affects your shape. Defining your waist and softening your shoulders is what you’ll need to think about most.
Defining your waist and softening your shoulders:
- Look for tops in soft drapey material and avoid stiff fabrics without stretch.
- Tailored shirts, V-neck wrap tops, and knitted tops with soft U-necklines will help define your waist.
- Select knitwear, tops and jackets with waist belts, ties and ribbons to give you shape.
- Layering knitwear or jackets with something soft and feminine underneath will also offer you definition where you need it.
- Keeping your cardigans unbuttoned will soften your shoulders. Tops with soft sleeve treatment like raglans, dropped shoulder points and shoulder slits will also do the trick. Soft collarless tunics are a must for your body type.
- You can wear any jacket length as long as it’s fitted to your waist. Keep the lapels small and consider collarless styles to narrow your shoulders.
- Avoid high halter necks, puffed/gathered sleeves, boat necks, epaulettes and strappy tops. They will exaggerate the width of your shoulders.
- Shift dresses, bias cuts and tunic dresses are best. Soft dresses with V-neck ruffle detail will also work.
Wearing it all at the bottom:
- Your narrow hips and slim legs give you tremendous choice when it comes to pants – you can wear it all. You look particularly good in boot cut jeans and cargo pocket pants.
- Choose skirts that add bit of shape and curve to your body. Knee length skirts with contoured waistbands, patch pockets on the front or back are good. Full circle, tiered, pleated, bias and gathered skirts are also excellent.
- Avoid pencil skirts if you are fairly busty – they will emphasize your broad shoulders make you look top heavy.
If there is anyone that can wear this season’s high fashion “skinny pant” and tailored short shorts – it’s you!
19 Replies
Posted on Monday, May 22nd, 2006 at 6:04 am
[...] Wear clothes best suited to your body type – whether you are a pear, apple, rectangle, hourglass or inverted triangle, refresh your memory on which shapes are best for you before you make your Spring shopping list. [...]
Posted on February 13th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
[...] Maxi – ankle-length day dresses are back after falling off the fashion radar for 15 years. This length is best on statuesque inverted triangles who won’t look like they’re drowning in all that fabric. [...]
Posted on March 26th, 2007 at 7:41 am
Dark colored tops are great for the inverted triangle.
Posted on April 10th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
Along with a dark top high waisted white jeans are superb and make our legs go on for ever.
Posted on April 10th, 2007 at 11:19 pm
[...] As an inverted triangle, you are a rare breed (less then 1% of the female population). Your broad, square shoulders, narrow hips, straight waist and slim limbs give you plenty of options when it comes to dresses, but you’ll still need to think about how they affect your body. You’ll want to wear dress silhouettes that soften the line of your shoulders and create curvature from the hips down. [...]
Posted on June 4th, 2007 at 5:52 am
I’m a 6′ inverted triangle. If I’m in the 1% group, no wonder manufactures find no profit in making clothes for us. Any advice?
Posted on August 29th, 2007 at 10:36 am
ive been wondering what body type i belong…now i know! rare breed..thats why i really want to seek advice from you..is it ok for me to wear skinny jeans?and what about tops i could wear with a skinny jeans…?thanks so much for the advice!the Lod bless you and happy new year…
Posted on December 28th, 2007 at 6:58 am
It’s fine for you to wear skinny jeans Rea, but if you are top heavy you’ll need to balance out your silhouette appropriately with lower necklines and tunic tops and jackets that accentuate your waistline.
Posted on December 29th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
I had to ask my husband to help determine which body type I am, inverted triangle–I am that clueless! I’m thrilled about this site! Thank you!
Posted on January 9th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
hi anGie thanks for the advice…thanks for this site….it really helps!
Posted on February 8th, 2008 at 6:31 am
As an inverted triangle myself, i know the perils of finding shirts that don’t accentuate the shoulders..
this site has really helped me, and although i wish there was some way i could slim down my shoulders i know there is not…this is all i got!
thanks. 
Posted on March 12th, 2008 at 2:40 am
Avoid turtlenecks and high buttoned shirts. Since i have big shoulders and a medium bust it makes me look bulky.
Posted on March 18th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Vannie, how do you wear high-waisted jeans??
I thank God slim below-the-navel pants are back in style as I have suffered forever from pants and skirts with tight waists and baggy hips/thighs.
Posted on April 23rd, 2008 at 10:45 am
Thank you so much for your help. However, I am an even more rare breed. I have this exact body type ( med-large bust size) but I played soccer my whole life. SO I have a short torso (hight waist), wide rib cage/shoulders and large bicep/triceps, small butt, no hips, but very muscular and long legs ( both thighs and calfs)
If I wear knee length skirts my calfs look like cankels, and they appear slimmer and longer when I show my thighs… What does this do to change my dressing style? I have always worn the flare legs, and wide pants, with low hip huggers and large side pockets… but with skirts, and dresses I have a hard time. ( I am prettly slender, and fluctuate between a 5-7 in jeans size, but up to 14 sometimes in dresses to zip up over my rib cage!)
I also have a hard time finding shirts cut for this style…
Thanks a bunch!
Posted on June 16th, 2008 at 12:01 am
I am a super busty inverted triangle and though I love the idea of a tunic, because of my large bust and rib cage, I just look like a circus tent with that kind of style. I wear a 38 DDD bra and have a 32 inch waist, 36 inch hips, and am completely bottomless. any suggestions? especially for swim suits or dresses. (all the separates are getting old) Anyone know of a shop or clothing line that directs it’s focus on super busty but small(er) waisted women??
thanks for any input
Posted on June 29th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Hi girls! May I recommend looking at my new store BUSTYQUE.com. Awsome styles strictly for us busty gals!Pay special attention to my FIT page for some enlightening info! I offer 30% off for youlookfab posters! Be sure to tell me! I also take any and all input to apply new ideas to my designs. Lea
Posted on February 9th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
hi.. an inverted triangle n an apple..r they the same thing? n in this website, its stated tt a tiered skirt is an excellent choice for the inverted triangle. bt i read in another website tt tiered skirts dun wk well 4 this shape. chk out the website below 2 see what i mean..
http://www.splendicity.com/art.....selection/
pls enlighten me on which to believe.. thx((:
♥sheila
Posted on July 12th, 2009 at 12:01 am
ok…i am confused…on the page that explains what an inverted triangle is supposed to wear…it said no to halters, and to strapless, and then on the dresses for inverted triangles it says yes to both of them…going as far as to say that v-neck halter dresses are a perfect solution.
Here are the addresses to the two places where it seems to conflict. Please tell me if there is a distinction I am missing. Thanks. 
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http://youlookfab.com/2006/05/.....-triangle/
http://youlookfab.com/2007/06/.....triangles/
Posted on July 26th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Hi All! I’m a busty 36DDD inverted triangle. I’ve given up wearing dresses (size 8/10 petite bottom). It’s soooo difficult to find shirts, jackets, t-shirts that fit! Could you share some websites that cater to us?
Posted on March 9th, 2010 at 8:53 am
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