https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-please-with-body-type Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 09 Apr 2026 05:45:09 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-please-with-body-type#post-658759 Sun, 01 Jul 2012 16:14:46 +0000 tiddles 658759@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>KL - thanks I carry the weight in exactly the same place!! We sound very similar. I will definitely be checking out circle skirts now! I'm not brave enough to belt anything yet but now that I know what I'm aiming for, I can see how that will be a possibility.</p> <p>ManidipaM - thanks, especially for the shoe advice. I have to admit, I currently own (besides running shoes) 2 pairs of summer shoes: a chunkier ballet flat (which is a little too chunky) and a pair of casual slide sandals with the strap low across the toe.</p> <p>I have about a week before I go on holiday to try and pick up a lighter pair of ballet flats as well as a pair of sandals that are comfortable but with a wee bit of heel . Lucky me has wide feet added to the mix. I'm trying not to stress out about it but honestly, shopping stresses me out.</p> <p>I'm also fascinated by the pencil skirt thing. I always thought that pencil skirts were a no no if you had cankles? So much to learn... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-please-with-body-type#post-658698 Sun, 01 Jul 2012 14:29:20 +0000 Keix 658698@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like to wear A-line skirts a bit lower than my waist for proportion, and full circle skirts right at my waist (even though it's high) with a slim top tucked in. You could also tuck a drapey silk blouse and have it more billowy, which seems promising (I don't own one though). Since I'm short-waisted, I carry my apple weight between my true waist and my hips, so the flared skirt hides my midsection. A belt added to the junction of skirt and tucked top helps a ton, though you'll need to experiment with width to see which is the most flattering for you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-please-with-body-type#post-658606 Sun, 01 Jul 2012 05:55:06 +0000 ManidipaM 658606@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tiddles, I wear pencils, not-too-flared tulips, as well as fuller A-lines. As Angie and others will tell you, proportion makes all the difference --- it takes a bit of trial and error to figure out whic *length* is more flattering for each silhouette, but all of them can work. What I avoid with the apple tum is pleats at the top, which add... uh... excess amplitude!</p> <p>I have solid columns for legs too and large thighs. But I find a lower-contrast colour of shoe can be worn even with ankle straps provided there is (a) a teensy bit of a heel (I'm a flats girl myself, but I can handle an inch or another half); (b) a daintiness to the strap, so nothing too chunky near the ankle, though a more solid strap near the toes is fine; (c) a lower vamp in the front of the shoe (if you're going with the dreaded ankle strap) or a T-strap to run the eye vertically. Also, too delicate a shoe overall is something I avoid --- so if I have thin straps on top of the sandal, I try for a block or wedge heel underneath.</p> <p>I've avoided skinnies for years, indeed more than a decade --- but I just went and bought myself red ones! I know with my legs I won't ever look coltish or willowy in them, but I find if the blouse on top is emphatic enough in colour or has a bit of volume (swing or trapeze style, banded blouson), it doesn't look like the whole focus is on my big red legs!</p> <p>Try out a few and post pics; the ladies here will help you figure out how to wear it --- whatever it is you are hesitant to try. Angie keeps reminding us that almost all of us can wear almost anything we like... as long as we pay attention to fit, proportion and details. And examples of success of 'unlikely' pairings are all over the forums. Try it and you may be surprised! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-please-with-body-type#post-658603 Sun, 01 Jul 2012 05:52:57 +0000 tiddles 658603@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi KL - that is a great idea that I'll definitely have to try. This may also help me with skirt length. Being tall, I often have trouble finding skirts long enough to hit at mid-knee or slightly below, which is where I like them.</p> <p>I've never thought of circle skirts as they seem very girly to me and I like more of a snug fit through the hip but you know, I don't think I've ever tried one on. Will have to take another look.</p> <p>Do you tuck in or leave untucked when you wear a circle skirt? I've always avoided tucking because I thought it drew attention to my lack of waist! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-please-with-body-type#post-658595 Sun, 01 Jul 2012 05:38:31 +0000 Keix 658595@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Have you tried wearing A-line skirts a little lower than your true waist (in a size up)? I find that trick useful when I'm feeling particularly short-torsoed in proportions.</p> <p>Also, I think rectangles are the best shape to pull off full circle skirts. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-please-with-body-type#post-658591 Sun, 01 Jul 2012 05:35:45 +0000 tiddles 658591@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Manidipam! Thanks so much -- it's good to know there are other people my shape out there! We sound like we have very similar profiles!</p> <p>No - I'm not very hippy at all. And, my rear is also, alas, not very curvy.</p> <p>Yes, you're right about the bust being up front rather than on the sides. I recently found getting fitted for the right bra size made a huge difference to my waist.</p> <p>My legs are pretty rectangular as well! I have slight cankle tendencies so I avoid strappy sandals and wear a lot of ballet flats. I find I can wear jeans pretty well but have to stick to boot cut rather than flare, straight, or skinny leg. At the moment I wear a lot of jeans and the odd a-line skirt.</p> <p>As another rectangular person, I'd love to know more about what skirt styles you like to wear (if any). Thanks!</p> <p>And thanks for the hourglass suggestion! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-please-with-body-type#post-658590 Sun, 01 Jul 2012 05:33:49 +0000 Keix 658590@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with the rectangle-apple assessment. Your silhouette looks like mine as well; I'm 31-28-36 with my rear, but I'll never be a pear shape. Measurements can be deceiving. From the frontal view, my shoulders match my pelvis and I have very little waist definition vs. the top of my hipbone--classic rectangle silhouette.</p> <p>Trust your visual instincts more than the tape measure, IMO. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-please-with-body-type#post-658552 Sun, 01 Jul 2012 04:17:26 +0000 ManidipaM 658552@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tiddles, your silhouette looks pretty similar to mine! </p> <p>Which means as Denise rightly said a rectangle blend (I'm still suspecting you can use hourglass guidelines if you consider the side view), with perhaps secondary apple. </p> <p>See, measurements can tell only so much --- clearly your pelvis isn't particularly wide or your thighs very curvy on the outside, unlike the average pear, but you probably have a fabulous rear view? And your fuller bust is also carried more front and centre than the average hourglass perhaps? (For comparison, my measurements are 37-30-37, and I'm decidedly rectangular unless my clothes help create more of a waist, and yet I have a big behind and a largish bust for my petite height.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-please-with-body-type#post-658459 Sun, 01 Jul 2012 01:47:15 +0000 tiddles 658459@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks CocoLion,</p> <p>I think you may be right on the rectangle/apple front. I am fairly short-waisted which makes me thicker around the middle. When I do gain weight I gain it around the middle, but usually below my belly button but above my hips.</p> <p>I just re-measured and I'm bust 39, waist 31, hips 40/41. When I was younger I think I may have been more of an hourglass. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-please-with-body-type#post-658280 Sat, 30 Jun 2012 18:39:23 +0000 CocoLion 658280@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with your assessment of rectangle blend. I would say rectangle primary apple secondary. (A lot of us are hybrids!) Welcome to the forum! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-please-with-body-type#post-658274 Sat, 30 Jun 2012 18:32:46 +0000 tiddles 658274@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Diane and ManidipaM! Here's a pic I managed to upload. Not sure how helpful it is. I really appreciate your help. I'm going on a trip for work in a week and I need to try and pick up some summer clothing that actually works. I'm in pretty bad shape for clothing at the moment. :)</p> <p><a href="http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w513/tiddlesonline/outline_for_upload.gif?t=1341081177" rel="nofollow">http://i1079.photobucket.com/a.....1341081177</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-please-with-body-type#post-658271 Sat, 30 Jun 2012 18:27:41 +0000 Anonymous 658271@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think an hourglass too. I think anything 8 inches or above difference between waist and hips probably points to that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-please-with-body-type#post-658216 Sat, 30 Jun 2012 17:11:33 +0000 ManidipaM 658216@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A photo really helps far more than measurements. Can you try posting the photo to another site like flickr or photobucket and linking to it? Or wait till you're an active member (comment on a few posts till you get there)...</p> <p>But from the description you're sounding like an hourglass. Hip-waist difference should be less on apple or rectangle I think? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/need-help-please-with-body-type#post-658209 Sat, 30 Jun 2012 17:06:18 +0000 tiddles 658209@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hello! I'm loving this site! I've lurked for a while but finally decided to sign up because I need some advice on body type. I'm having a hard time knowing what I am. Maybe a rectangle? Maybe an apple? Hard to say. </p> <p>Can anyone help? Thanks! I have an outline but I can't figure out how to post a photo.</p> <p>[EDIT] Figured it out - here's a link: <a href="http://i1079.photobucket.com/albums/w513/tiddlesonline/outline_for_upload.gif?t=1341081177" rel="nofollow">http://i1079.photobucket.com/a.....1341081177</a></p> <p>Measurements: bust 39, waist 32, hips 40. My shoulders aren't too broad - maybe a wee bit wider than my hips. I'm 5' 10" and 160 lbs. </p>