May 20th, 2010
The statuesque inverted triangle is last on the list as I refresh the body type guidelines for 2010. If you’re still unsure of your body type or the concept of body types in general, read this post for background information.
Two important points before I begin:
- These are only guidelines: Don’t get too hung up on following the information here in the strictest sense. But we all have to start somewhere in order to dress in flattering ensemble combinations and getting your head around the guidelines is a great starting point. Once you have a firm grasp of the guidelines, you can bend them in clever ways and still look fab. That’s the challenging and fun part.
- There are 5 simple archetypes: My philosophy is to define a few simple body types and then be flexible when working with them. No, you are probably not exactly an inverted triangle, but you might be an hourglass, rectangle or apple with a broad shoulders or very strong shoulder line. Either way, it’s all about choosing and applying the relevant sections across the various body type guidelines to help dress your unique body.
You’re an inverted triangle when you have broad shoulders, narrow hips and relatively slender limbs. Some inverted triangle body types have a straight waist and a flat-ish bottom, whereas others have a defined waist line and curvier bottom. Bust size can vary.
Despite the fact that you are easy to dress, you’ll still want to think about how clothing affects your shape. Even though broad shoulders come in many forms (some shoulders are broader and more square than others), softening the shoulder line is what you’ll need to think about most.
Defining your waist and creating curvature both on top and on the bottom is the flop proof way to go. The fact that volume is fashionable makes surrendering the waistline a third interesting twist because you wear volume around the mid-section really well, especially if you’re small busted and straight-waisted. The contours of waist-less styles glide over the straight lines of your body and effortlessly drape off your strong shoulder line.
Softening your shoulders
- Wear the best possible bra to create curves in all the right places. There’s nothing like the right bra to lift an outfit.
- Soft, drapey, weighty fabrications are your best friend for both tops and dresses because they de-emphasize the shoulder line and skim over your frame. Stay away from overly rigid fabrications unless they are immaculately tailored and have a bit of stretch.
- You look amazing in a perfectly tailored button down shirt with waist definition. Keep the shirt collar open and layer under a soft cami to draw the eye towards the waist line.
- Keeping your cardigans V-neck and unbuttoned will soften the shoulder line. Tops with soft sleeve treatment like raglans, dropped shoulder points and shoulder slits will also do the trick.
- Avoid shoulder details like epaulettes, tight armholes and overly puffy sleeves as they create extra shoulder width.
- Extended shoulder pad detailing, which is hip and trendy right now, is not your best look so stay away.
- Don’t give up on ruched sleeves all together though. Make sure that the shoulder seam is cut deep past the shoulder closer towards the neck. This shortens the shoulder line to compensate for the shoulder extension that is achieved with the effect of the ruching.
- Some boat necks and halter necks are tricky because they can visually extend the shoulder line. Proceed with caution.
- Bold horizontal lines have a widening effect so if you’re going to wear horizontal stripes, keep them subtle and monochromatic.
- For sleeveless dressing keep the shoulder strap wide rather than spaghetti style. Wider straps effectively shorten the length of the shoulder.
- Keep the lapels on jackets and coats small or mid size and relatively refined as oversized collars and lapels tend to make shoulders look broader.
- You were made for soft collarless dressing! Go to town with this silhouette.
- Keep knitwear fine gauge and avoid chunky stitch fabrications.
- Shirts, jackets, tops, blouses, jackets, coats and dresses with vertical seaming are ideal. Think princess seaming, pin tucks, front ruching detailing, side paneling and top stitching. Also, the vertical line that is created in front of the body by keeping a tailored jacket open, is slimming and flattering.
- I love a broad shouldered lass in strapless tops and dresses. You were made for the look so give it a go if you haven’t done so already.
Defining your waist
- If you have a small chest and long neck, choose higher necklines. Crew, turtle, polo, shirt and mandarin are perfect for you. Choose tops with bust ruffles, ruching, breast pocket detail, front panel detail and pleating. Wrap tops are also good and button down shirts are your friend. You can wear lower necklines too, just make sure that you layer with a cami to balance out the depth of the plunge.
- The following necklines are flop proof with a fuller bust and/or shorter neck: V-necks, scoop necks, open shirt collars and cowls. Rule of thumb is to keep the top relatively simple, smooth and low scooped. You can wear tops with ruffles, pleating and funky detailing, but you need to be careful with their placement. Wrap tops and mock wraps are your friend because they create a V on the neckline and tailor the midriff.
- The length of your tops should either catch you just below your hipbone or a few inches above crotch point when you wear jeans or pants.
- You can sport the leggings look with the right dress or tunic because this vibe is about the dress and not the leggings.
- Layering knitwear or jackets with something soft and feminine underneath will also offer extra definition.
- You can wear most lengths and styles of structured jackets if they are adequately nipped in at the waist for shape.
- Keep the stance low to create balance between the waist and shoulder line.
- Belted jackets, trenches and coats are especially good as they offer even more structure.
- Form fitting sheath dresses and bias cut dresses worn at (or just above) the knee are fabulous options. Soft dresses with V-neck ruffle detail, A-lines, wrap dresses, fit-and- flares and shirt dresses will also work. Make sure that your dresses don’t taper in too much at the side seams as this can make your bottom half look disproportionately small.
- If you can get your head around wearing belts, go for it. They add a flattering curve to your straight waist, or further define a curved waist. Blousoning a blouse with a belt can add a bit of shape too.
Surrendering the waistline
- If you are an inverted triangle with a straight-waist and regular sized or small bust, you naturally wear voluminous clothing well because angular bodies flatter straight styles. It’s a question of whether you’d prefer to add curves to your straight body by defining the waistline, or to allow clothing to hang even straighter by wearing the right boxy styles. You can do both and in my opinion both silhouettes look equally great.
- If you’re an inverted triangle with a defined waist and fuller bust, you can still wear waist-less dresses and tops. If the styles are gently A-line in silhouette, structured in the shoulders with a scooped neckline, fairly short in length, and in soft drapy fabrics, chances are high that they will work. A word of warning though: voluminous silhouettes look wide from the side even when they are cut well. So you have to be at peace with that. Obviously, you’ll look narrower in a waist defining silhouette, but it’s fun, carefree and liberating to surrender the waistline from time to time. And when you do, you’ll simply draw attention to other parts of lovely you.
- You can wear boyfriend jackets, boyfriend shirts and sack dresses if you keep the neckline and stances low and the shoulders structured. Pair the look with sleeker bottoms. If you have a short leg line, add heels and you’re good to go.
Creating curvature at the bottom
- Your narrow hips and slim legs give you tremendous choice when it comes to pants, shorts and cropped styles – you can virtually wear it all if you keep items at a flattering length. Have a ball!
- Straight legs or cigarette styles tend to look better than skinny styles because, again, they balance out your top half.
- Choose skirts that add extra shape and curve to your body. Knee length skirts with contoured waistbands, patch pockets on the front or back are good. Full circle, tiered, softly pleated or paneled skits, bias cut, sarong and skirts with stitched down pleats are also excellent.
- Pencil skirts are best if the side seams drop straight from the waist down instead of tapering in towards the knee. That way you’ll create a bit of volume to match the top part of your body.
- You look particularly good in boot cut jeans and wider hem dress slacks because they add volume and curvature to your bottom half. I LOVE an inverted triangular frame in boot cuts! Perfection.
If you have further tips on how to flatter the inverted triangular shaped body type, let me know in the comments. If there are further questions on how to wear items when you’re a statuesque inverted triangle, let’s hear those too.
Posted on Thursday, May 20th, 2010 at 7:47 am
YES!!! I’ve been waiting for this one. Thanks so much, Angie for breaking it down!
Posted on May 20th, 2010 at 7:57 am
Wow. I´m not an inverted triangle, but I´m very impressed by the sheer amount of your tips. Thank you for putting so much effort in helping us!!!!!
Posted on May 20th, 2010 at 7:57 am
Oh Angie, thank you so much for this informative post. I’ve been on pins and needles waiting for your update on the inverted triangle! This is how I originally found YLF, looking for ways to dress my broad shoulders,. I will forever be grateful!
Posted on May 20th, 2010 at 8:45 am
I’ve also been waiting for this, thanks so much Angie!
I was wondering what the body type break down is among your clients. Is the pear body type the most common? It’s been especially difficult the last couple of years to find flattering tops for me. It seems retailers think all women are pears and therefore need shoulder and sleeve details for balancing hips. It’s great for the pears, but very frustrating for us inverted triangles. I buy sleeveless styles and since I live in a warmer area of the country, it works for me, but I’d like to have some nice short sleeve tops and dresses for variety.
Posted on May 20th, 2010 at 8:57 am
My pleasure. Glad this was useful.
Donna, I’ve been on a retail sleeve rant for several seasons. There just isn’t enough variety for me or my clients. I hope fashion buyers hear my plea 
I have a pretty equal split of primary body types amongst my clients, but pear and apple tendencies are by far the most common.
Posted on May 20th, 2010 at 9:06 am
While I’m basically a rectangle, I definitely have triangle tendencies, although I’m not the least bit statuesque. These tips are fabulous! Example: the need for more monochromatic horizontal stripes explains why I haven’t been able to get the French sailor shirt look to work.
What I haven’t figured out yet is the best stance and length for jackets. The long stance creates balance for my broad shoulders but seems to make my small bust look even flatter. Maybe ruffles underneath?
I’m printing off your guidelines for my body tendencies and plan to highlight the tips they have in common.
Posted on May 20th, 2010 at 9:07 am
I really like this guidlines except for the waistless option for fuller busts.
I consider myself an inverted triangle with a very large bust( 38DD or 36DDDD depending on the make of the bra), with apple tendencies when I’m at less then my optimal weight. I used to think of myself as an hourglass until I started reading YLF. I don’t really have a defined waist I’m rather straight from under the bust to the waist,though my shoulders and hips are almost equal. Who knew it would be so hard to figure out what boby type I am
Now my point.
Everytime I try the waistless look, or an A-line someone asks me when the baby is due. I have never found a way for this to work. I always look pregnant or 20 heavier then I really am.
I need to create a defined waist with a little fullness to balance out my bust.
I would Love Love Love to go waistless, especially in the summer but I can seem to make this work.
Posted on May 20th, 2010 at 9:08 am
Great tips Angie. I will be incorporating some of these for my strong shoulder line.
Posted on May 20th, 2010 at 9:08 am
Another happy inverted triangle here! I am a new inverted triangle after significant weight loss, and I have been working to re-set my thinking from my old pear/hourglass ideas.
In the section on surrendering your waist line, you discussed small-busted women without a defined waist and well-endowed women with defined waists, but what about small-busted women WITH a defined waist? Should I go with the recommendations for small-busted women? I’m not sure which is the prevailing feature, the chest size, or defined waist.
Posted on May 20th, 2010 at 9:11 am
These refreshers are so informative, even not for your body type. I’m not an inverted triangle but completely understand Dianne’s hesitancy to give up the waist when one has a large bust.
Posted on May 20th, 2010 at 9:15 am
Dianne and Rosie, I hear your plight. It’s tricky getting the voluminous look right with a full bust. But it can be done and hopefully forum members Maya or Legacy of Pearl will chime in about that. However, you *will* look wider than you are even in the best cut of billowing blouse and sack dress. It’s all about appreciating an alternative type of style aesthetic. Off the the top of my head, try a low scooped, sleeveless banded top or dress.
Mary, you can actually use both sets of guidelines. Experiment!
Posted on May 20th, 2010 at 9:19 am
This is what I’ve been waiting for. The best tip I got out of this was all the information about wide shoulders. If it wasn’t for my huge shoulders I would be an apple-shape. Large bust, short neck, thicker waist. It never dawned on me before to lessen the impact of my broad shoulders for balance because I’ve been so busy focusing on my square-ish middle. My inverted triangle is complicated by the fact that:
* not statuesque
*not long-legged
* butt is flat and longish causing jeans to fall down in back
*butt never looks well shaped
*hips way too narrow for most jeans
*jeans that fit hips don’t aren’t proportioned for my thicker waist
*waist is really high causing the “nipped in” waist of jackets to hit at my hipbone
It doesn’t matter if I’m fit, trim, and in my best shape ever, I still struggle with these shape problems. And I’ve noticed as I age that the hips are getting narrower and the top is getting wider! I dread shopping for clothes and wear the same things until they’re worn out and I’m forced to go shopping again. I just found your website a couple of weeks ago and am loving the practicality of addressing specific problems. Maybe this will be the year I’ll finally start putting together a wardrobe that makes sense.
Posted on May 20th, 2010 at 9:46 am
Also, what are you referring to when you use the term “stance” in reference to clothes choices?
Posted on May 20th, 2010 at 9:49 am
Nevermind, I just found your glossary!
Posted on May 20th, 2010 at 10:32 am
Great tips Angie! You have been so helpful to all of us girls that fall between one body style or another. I see now I can include some of these tips, together with the racy rectangle, and perhaps find something that flatters my skinny,flat straight bod.
Thanks gals!
Posted on May 20th, 2010 at 11:15 am
Again, these guidelines are fabulous. Some of them made perfect sense to me. Keeping the tops at or near hip length works for me…Seems I morph (as San has said) into other body types occasionally!!! Thanks
Posted on May 20th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
Well a while ago there was a lot of debate on the forum on the large bust/volume issue. I think it just comes down to your sense of aesthetic, how you view your body, and what your motivations are when getting dressed. It also depends how much you like the look and want to invest in trying it. it’s a completely optional look and not everyone is comfortable in it or willing to put the effort into finding the perfect piece, and that’s okay. I wore my new ruffle sack dress today and felt fantastic every time I caught a glimpse of my reflection from the side as I walked down the street. It was breezy, comfortable, arty, and sculptural. That is my style all the way. I also appreciate how it shifts the focus from my bust-waist-hips to my legs, shoulders, arms, and neck. If you are not comfortable with one or more of the above, you may not feel as secure.
All in all it’s an option to consider, but it isn’t mandatory by any means.
Posted on May 20th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
Thanks so much! I’ve been waiting on pins and needles along with all the other inverted triangle gals. Awesome advice.
I have one tip that wasn’t mentioned – wearing something dark on top and light on bottom. I find it helps even out my proportions, making my shoulders less important while drawing attention to my lower half.
And can we say hurrah for trapeze jackets? I wish I had more of them in my closet as they always make me feel fab.
Carey: I have a problem finding jeans that fit my hips, as well. Have you tried shopping in the juniors section? I find that the fit comes much closer to my actual proportions though the numerical size may not be my usual. Worth a shot! ^_^
Posted on May 21st, 2010 at 7:13 am
Lady Smaggle at Smagglestyle is a tall and curvy inverted triangle. If you
have a look at her outfits {filed under the heading “style”} – you can spot real-life examples of some of Angie’s suggestions.
Posted on May 21st, 2010 at 7:49 am
Karla is so right. A summer fail-safe for me in years past was a black sleeveless shell with a white pencil skirt.
Angie, you asked for tips — you already did an amazing job of covering pretty much everything but I will say that just a few days ago I figured out that a long pendant necklace is much more flattering than a choker length one. Also a messenger style bag’s diagonal strap seems to subtly narrow my upper half, while the bag itself sits on my hip to give me a bit of balancing volume there. One more good thing about being an inverted triangle is that broad shoulders give lots of room to wear dramatic scarves!
Posted on May 21st, 2010 at 11:12 pm
Is there anyone else out there who, like me, struggles with wearing sleeveless tops due to having broad shoulders and a large bust? I can’t wear your typical beater tank top with 1” straps – they just make me look fat!
The “wear thicker straps” trick makes sense, but I don’t think it addresses the issue of my larger bust. I have this one spaghetti strap cami that doesn’t cinch in below my bust which I’ve found to be extremely flattering.
Just wondering if anyone else is in the same boat as me.
Posted on May 22nd, 2010 at 12:48 pm
I’ve been waiting for this one too, Angie — thank you! Are there any specific tips for ITs who are short rather than statuesque?
Posted on May 23rd, 2010 at 3:22 am
And one more question… could you link to an example of what you mean by “soft, collarless dressing”? I have an image in mind but not sure it’s what you meant.
Posted on May 23rd, 2010 at 3:24 am
Another amazing post Angie! Thank you so much for the body type refreshers!
Posted on June 7th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
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