Marcia,
I am certainly no expert on this, but I do know that the only really accurate way to tell is by seeing a front photo. The reason is that the silhouette of your shape from the front is what determines body shape. I thought I was an hourglass because of my measurements and found out from these more knowledgeable ladies that I was a rectangle with inverted triangle tendencies because of my straight silhoette. I would never have known that. Could you post a photo in a form fitting dress if you do not have jeans?

id have to concur that a front-on photo is the best way to determine your body type. you dont have to wear pants - a form fitting skirt or dress could work too.

Yes, we definitely need to see a front facing photo wearing a form fitting top and pants (or shorts even) to determine body type. As Shell suggested, a dress could work too as long as it's a pencil skirt or something else that lets us see the outline shape of your body.

http://s199.photobucket.com/al.....4055648828

Ok. Here is one. Only the jacket is covering my hips and the shoulders on the tops are a bit loose.

I think it's too hard to say with the jacket covering the hips. We need an unobscured look at you. The hips are a critical component of body shape.

Marcia,

What is the measurement round your shoulders - because it's this that is related to the hips to see what shape you are, plus waist measurement.

If your shoulders are around 35 inches you'll be an hourglass, if less, then a pear.

Breasts are just a variation on a body shape. All body shape does is tell you where to put details, it doesn't tell you how long a garment should be - have a look at this http://insideoutstyle.blogspot.....0Explained and see if it helps.

To really assess you we need a front on photo in tight clothing.

Marcia,

Make sure your arms are down by your side in the front facing photo.

I want to comment on the bust size thing though. Cup sizes are relative to band sizes. I bet most people are shocked when they find out your bra size is an E cup. A 30 E is much different than a 34E, visually. And breast shape has a lot to do with it too. (A round fuller bust that sticks out on the sides draws more visual attention which can create competition for your shoulder line).

So while your bust size does come into play in determining your overall shape, it's secondary to your shoulder line, especially if your shoulders are wider than your bust.

You are right a 30E is very different than a 34E. A 30E is also very different than a 34A, even though they measure around the same distance around. A 30E bust sticks out the front a lot; a A 34A bust looks flat.

My shoulder width is smaller than my hip width. I'm about 34 inches around my shoulders (around the same width as my bust), and 36 inches around my hips, so does that makes me a pear? I definitely have to take my boobs into account when I dress. In fact, the first thing I check when I get dressed is that my upper half looks decent for the occasion.

I always thought an hourglass figure referred to someone who had a large bust and hips in proportion to their waist. No one admired Marilyn Monroe or Sophia Loren for their shoulders.

Anyway, here is another picture.

http://s199.photobucket.com/al.....4703463403

Oops, sorry I measured my shoulders again, in front of a mirror, this time around my shoulder bones. They are only 32 inches. I have bony shoulders. So if you don't look at my bust, I am definitely bigger on the bottom. Only my bust is very noticeable (according to other people) so I have to take it into account when I dress.

So 32 inches shoulders.
34 inches bust
27 inches under bust
26 inches waist
36 inches - widest part of my hips, just below my crotch

OK. So based on the pic, do you think I must be a pear? I seem to be wider on the bottom but the thing people notice about me most, and comment about most, are my boobs and I thought a pear was supposed to have small to medium breats.

Hi Marcia, I am afraid that we can not tell just from the measurements, we need some photos. I know that you have posted some, but they are not very clear and some are tiny.. What would be ideal is a photo of you standing in formfitting jeans and t-shirt, arms down by the side; the shot should be straight from front, and the picture should be decent size. I am sure that you'll get plenty of replies than.

Ok. Thank you.

I'm pretty confident about how I dress anyway. I usually get compliments. I try to dress to emphasise how small my waist is in comparison to my boobs and hips and use colours to emphasise the contrast between my dark hair and light skin.

Was just curious about others' thoughts.

Marcia,

You are more pear than hourglass, you're just a pear with lovely breasts (which help to balance, but don't completely). Not all pears have small breasts - the body shape is the outline of the body, (check yourself out from the back view - have someone take a photograph of yourself from the back and see what you look like).

Go for wide rather than narrow V necks to broaden your shoulders to balance your hips.