https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 24 Apr 2026 21:24:09 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders/page/2#post-2176533 Sat, 06 Mar 2021 05:31:32 +0000 Jenni NZ 2176533@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well how gorgeous is that photo! It’s kind of hard for me to remember 33 very well let alone 25, but by 33 I also had 2 kids- had them at 29 and 32, then later another at 35. I got back to pre-baby weight pretty much each time. My weight gain was in my 40s.<br /> The earlier photos up thread and now at the top looked more rectangular to me.<br /> But if the others think there is IT, they probably know more than me. Angie knows a great deal. The top in your age 25 shot is certainly flattering.<br /> I would look at Angie’s guidelines for both rectangle and IT and just start your wardrobe building project fairly gently using those, you can always post pics of items you are trying for the forum’s opinion. I remember sort of losing confidence in dressing myself after having had the children because I was so busy and also had less disposable income at that time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders/page/2#post-2176529 Sat, 06 Mar 2021 04:28:37 +0000 N 2176529@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you at L'Abeille, I really really want to be able to wear turtlenecks. I'm not sure about the buttoned up shirts. I'll try find a photo of one but i've always thought they all looked weird on me, but I love a turtleneck. So elegant IMO. I don't actually have any of either. I have a very very very small wardrobe with very similar (boring) things and part of why i'm trying to find out more about myself is i'd like to build up my wardrobe and i'm now in a position to be able to buy some quality pieces, so i'd like to be able to look and feel great. I think its better to know what will look good before buying because otherwise I just choose what looks good on the model. </p> <p>I've got a picture here of me in an off the shoulder top that I really like (I'm going to risk showing my face now, it won't show up in google images right?) I feel it actually makes me seem a little less broad if anything, rather than highlighting my shoulders but maybe I just can't see it. </p> <p>For Kibbe I feel like I'm in the flamboyant Natural maybe but my facial features are very fleshy I feel, like big lips and round nose, and they tend to be thin so i'm not sure if I fit those either. But kibbe is so complicated. I gave up almost straight away. </p> <p>For style, I really just want to dress French chic, maybe a little trendy at times too as i'm still young-ish (though I want to look grown up and not in my late teens and 20s). I'm 33 for reference but the photo is from around 25 so it was a while ago, i've had 2 kids since then I really like Jeanne Damas style actually. Wonder if I could pull it off. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders/page/2#post-2176524 Sat, 06 Mar 2021 04:00:23 +0000 L'Abeille 2176524@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm seeing IT with secondary hourglass. There is an X hourglass where the width comes from the bony frame and not the fleshy padding.</p> <p>I don't have any advice regarding what items or styles of clothing to buy, but I do have some comments on type of silhouette. Once you figure out how to describe your shape, you can have one of two goals: 1, how can I make myself look most like a long-legged hourglass and camouflage the features that detract from that (ie the "traditionally flattering"), or 2, how can I make the most of my unique features; what styles flatter me that not everyone can wear?<br /> (I think your boat necks are an example of something that you can carry off because of your shoulders, not in spite of them.)</p> <p>As an IT with very little waist indent even at my skinniest, I used to aspire to (1). I went for cinched-waist looks with full skirts to "balance" my wide shoulders. They tended to just make me look wider all over. David Kibbe's approach taught me to appreciate the positive aspects of my shape and play them up.</p> <p>Ok I do have some suggestions re styles... your square shoulder line and modest bust means you can carry off turtlenecks, buttoned shirts, and every kind of scarf. And your height means that any length, shape, or width of skirt or pants will still flatter. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders/page/2#post-2176520 Sat, 06 Mar 2021 03:35:00 +0000 Gigi 2176520@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You might enjoy reading the book The Triumph of Individual Style. It focuses less on complete body shapes (pear, rectangle, etc.) and more on individual attributes (strong shoulder line, long legs, large bust, etc.).&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders/page/2#post-2176515 Sat, 06 Mar 2021 03:25:19 +0000 rachylou 2176515@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m thinking there’s two ways in which knowing primary and secondary categories of shape can be useful - whole outfits and seeking out specific items of clothing. So for example, perhaps you’ll want to look at curvy jeans but look to IT guidance for putting those together with tops.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders/page/2#post-2176513 Sat, 06 Mar 2021 02:57:19 +0000 N 2176513@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I guess my shape is still up for debate. I can see the IT for sure yet my bottom half is very curvy but my shoulders are so wide they seem to overpower everything. I do wonder how I can be a rectangle with the actual difference between waist and hips/shoulders, yet visually it doesn't look that defined...maybe that's something I should do, define my waist?<br /> What I do know about myself though is I have a strong shoulder line and curvy hips/thighs and since I am tall I have no need for trying to elongate anything </p> <p>Anyway as for Jeans, I was thinking bootcut because they flatter most types and can come a little looser in the thigh area (this design does). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders/page/2#post-2176486 Sat, 06 Mar 2021 01:11:15 +0000 Gigi 2176486@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Since you have a ten-inch difference between waist and hips, I would look for jeans that are advertised as curvy cut. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders/page/2#post-2176485 Sat, 06 Mar 2021 01:09:23 +0000 Gigi 2176485@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would have said that you are a blend between IT (that is your main type) and a figure 8 hourglass (secondary). Figure 8s tend to gain weight in the high hip, rear end, and thigh.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders/page/2#post-2176426 Fri, 05 Mar 2021 21:22:47 +0000 N 2176426@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you everyone so now I know i'm an IT rectangle where do I go from here, any suggestions to which advice I follow? Maybe like tops from IT, bottom from rectangle?...i'm not sure knowing now that i'm a cross between two is helping me right now. I feel very confused. Especially as my measurements also suggest a 3rd type though I suppose rectangle is more balanced and could work for my measurements if my waist was a little bigger, which I suppose it could be. </p> <p>I suppose in the end its just going to be trial and error with each piece though if anyone could point me in the right direction for classic jeans cuts that would suit me, i'd be very much obliged. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders/page/2#post-2176342 Fri, 05 Mar 2021 17:38:25 +0000 Angie 2176342@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks so much for the pics,<b> N</b>!</p> <p>Not remotely pear, or even hourglass. <b>Tanya </b>is dead right. A cross between a rectangle and inverted triangle.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders/page/2#post-2176334 Fri, 05 Mar 2021 17:00:04 +0000 nuancedream 2176334@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Definitely not a pear. Agree with Tanya's assessment </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders/page/2#post-2176331 Fri, 05 Mar 2021 16:39:22 +0000 Tanya 2176331@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would say somewhere in the middle between IT and rectangle.&nbsp; It is a bit difficult to say which one is primary and which one is secondary. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders/page/2#post-2176322 Fri, 05 Mar 2021 15:42:37 +0000 rachylou 2176322@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok. Lol. Scratch what I said. Big photos make a difference. Now I say slight IT. It’s interesting, the black makes you look more hourglass than the two-tone outfit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders#post-2176307 Fri, 05 Mar 2021 14:21:11 +0000 avicennia 2176307@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m curious as to what others say. I don’t see pear shape at all. But body shape is not my forte. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders#post-2176302 Fri, 05 Mar 2021 13:54:43 +0000 Star (Lise) 2176302@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you are probably&nbsp; a very slightly Inverted Triangle.&nbsp; On the whole your shape looks balanced.&nbsp; Perhaps edit in a note in the heading of your post as an <b>'</b>ETA - updated with photos' so that others know to come back to the thread. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders#post-2176286 Fri, 05 Mar 2021 11:07:37 +0000 N 2176286@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So finally here are the photos! I'm able to post them now. The first one is a bit dark so its hard to see, so I took a few more in a lighter coloured top. I have a weird shaped ribcage so you can see a big bulge on one side that seems almost as prominent as my boobs (which are mostly non existent). I took one from the side just to show you I'm not lying about my bum. Also I'm probably about 5-7lb over my regular weight (went a little crazy at Christmas and only just worked up the willpower to do something about it, most will come off bum and thighs but I do have a little bit on my tummy which should flatten a little more). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders#post-2176170 Thu, 04 Mar 2021 21:03:07 +0000 Anonymous 2176170@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No you don't look like a pear, from front view, but do see IT. I have broader shoulders but also a bum too- you can tell from side view more, though I'm a bit curvy from front. Sleeveless tops are my friend, short sleeves no- they just emphasize the wide shoulders. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders#post-2176113 Thu, 04 Mar 2021 14:06:42 +0000 anne 2176113@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Forgot to add pics to last post. Here they are. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders#post-2176109 Thu, 04 Mar 2021 14:01:16 +0000 anne 2176109@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Hi and welcome, just wanted to say that I empathise,&nbsp; in that I've literally also wondered if I'm a pear with broad shoulders! I've settled on athletic hourglass as a description and pear/rectangle in terms of looking at Angie's body type advice and which bits I follow (basically&nbsp; I followed her tips for bottom half from pear, top half from rectangle)<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm also quite small busted with a round bottom and thighs. Our measurements are a bit similar but you are much taller and I think that makes you more rectangular - your body and legs are more stretched out.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also like fitted dresses - this is my current favourite and boat necks!</div><div><br /></div><div>Look forward to seeing your pictures when you are able to post.<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders#post-2176093 Thu, 04 Mar 2021 12:29:57 +0000 April 2176093@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachy said it - you want the visual side-to-side comparison of shoulders vs. waist vs. hips, not circumference.&nbsp; Body shape is about relative proportions, not size.</p> <p>You can also figure it out by where you tend to gain weight, if you've had that experience.&nbsp; For example, I'm an IT.&nbsp; Even when I was nine months pregnant, my hips stayed pretty narrow.&nbsp;</p> <p>These things also shift with the hormonal changes of aging.&nbsp; As estrogen levels go down, your body tries to stabilize them by laying down a bit more fat.&nbsp; (As I said to the doctor who explained this to me, "Well, that's all well and good but I haven't gained weight and my clothes don't fit.")</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders#post-2176052 Thu, 04 Mar 2021 02:26:50 +0000 N 2176052@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you everyone! I think i've been almost every shape in this thread except apple which I can definitely say i'm not! I suppose if I ever gain in my waist i'd become a rectangle for sure. </p> <p>I think rachylou might be right. I'm just not the conventional hourglass in that the curves are not so pronounced as there is a large distance between shoulders and waist and waist and hips. Plus I don't have a bust. I think I can learn bits and pieces things from other shapes too. The best dress I ever had was a bodycon dress. Its long gone now but it was a very similar shape to the roland mouret galaxy dress, except it had stretch. At that point in my life my tummy was absolutely flat so looked amazing, but after 2 kids my bodycon days are probably long gone </p> <p>I want to dress more classically elegant now if possible so need to really understand my own body, what fits and what looks good. I do like boat necks and Bardot tops and pencil skirts on myself even though they probably highlight the wrong parts. Cowl necks look great on me. Probably the best but they aren't very stylish at the moment which us a shame. I dislike crew necks and anything frilly. Buttoned up collars don't look good either. I like elbow length sleeves. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders#post-2176044 Thu, 04 Mar 2021 02:02:27 +0000 Jaime 2176044@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi and welcome! Great advice upthread. I am not a body shape wiz but definitely not pear. I would say rectangle with strong shoulder line from your profile pic. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders#post-2176042 Thu, 04 Mar 2021 01:44:40 +0000 rachylou 2176042@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie is right! From the profile pic I see slim hourglass, square shoulder line (not sloping). The difference between hip and shoulder is too slight for me to say IT. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders#post-2176031 Thu, 04 Mar 2021 00:48:07 +0000 Tanya 2176031@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your shape is perfectly, normal, it is the body shape classifications/ system that are imperfect.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>One can still be an IT/have IT tendencies even if your bottom is curvy, the main characteristic of it is that the shoulders are wider then hips, not the the bottom is not curvy.</p> <p>I am guessing that the final type would be either a rectangle or a slim hourglass, with IT as a secondary. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders#post-2176030 Thu, 04 Mar 2021 00:42:25 +0000 N 2176030@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you and yes I know I can't be a true pear because my shoulders are probably what strikes people the most. I thought I could be an IT but then my bottom half is too curvy for that (at least from the back and sides) if I diet I probably would be an IT but I want to be at peace with my true self not something I have to work hard to maintain. I do gain weight on the bottom half. I guess i got preoccupied with the gaining weight on the hips and thighs part which is more pear-like. I discounted hourglass altogether because I have no bust. I suspect I'm probably some kind of weird franken shape </p> <p>I do know that I don't need to elongate my line (already tall), or make my shoulders or hips seem bigger (already big), I'd be better minimising both...maybe take the minimising aspects from the pear or hourglass for the bottom half and the softening aspects from the IT for my top half. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders#post-2176026 Thu, 04 Mar 2021 00:21:19 +0000 Tanya 2176026@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I will certainly comment again once new photos are added.&nbsp; Regardless. you are certainly not a pear as to be a pear, your hips need to be wider then your shoulders, and this is certainly not the case based on the photo.&nbsp; &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders#post-2176024 Thu, 04 Mar 2021 00:13:21 +0000 N 2176024@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes its hard to see. It might be better to wait until I can post proper photos. It is form fitting. I think maybe the dark colour is slimming on my bottom half as it does make my bottom half look smaller. Most of the curves are round the back where you can't see (my bottom is big). My waist isn't defined much I feel but because I'm tall it slopes gradually so there is a big difference overall in my measurements but looking at it from the front you can't tell as much as my hip measurement gains a lot from the back rather than the sides. There isnt much difference between waist and under bust at all, and my breasts only add about 4 inches. My thighs and bum though are much much curvier than the rest of me. I feel certain parts of me match all the body types . shoulders of an IT, bust and waist of a rectangle and bottom of a pear...</p> <p>Maybe that somehow makes me some kind of athletic or slim hourglass i'm not sure... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders#post-2176019 Thu, 04 Mar 2021 00:03:59 +0000 Tanya 2176019@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm, the photo is really small and I am not sure if your top is formfitting around the waist or a bit loose?&nbsp; Based on it, I would say either a straighter hourglass or maybe a rectangle.&nbsp; Definitely not a pear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders#post-2176011 Wed, 03 Mar 2021 23:00:46 +0000 N 2176011@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for all the wonderful and insightful replies! I don't have the privilege to post photos yet but I have managed to change my profile picture, perhaps that's some help. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/can-pear-shapes-have-broad-shoulders#post-2175748 Tue, 02 Mar 2021 23:29:38 +0000 Sal 2175748@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome to the forum!&nbsp; I know what it is like to struggle to identify your body type - I have thought I was all of them at one stage or another but have settled on hourglass as being the closest.....&nbsp; I use some of the strategies from IT and pear though too.&nbsp; There are so many variables aren't there and for me sometimes I think my main dressing parameter is around my short waist.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>I think boat necks look wonderful on a broad shoulder - I love them on me and am always looking for them.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>