A gazillion and three body questions

Ok...here goes! I need a ton of help. I have never been able to figure out what body shape I am, (lean towards rectangle, but I can see my waist and there's a 10"difference between waist and hip size, even if it's not terribly defined small up top so I think pear, but then I have huge shoulders...) what size bra I wear (nobody in my area to do fittings except VS and online calculators and such are all different, I've gotten everything from a 36AA to a 30D, 32A-B seem to work best depending on style, but still doesn't feel quite right). All the volume in my boobs is at the bottom, I have literally no cleavage and push up bras always leave a huge gap between the top of the bra and my chest. this is all due to breastfeeding 4 kids, cause once upon a time I fit a 32-34 C quite nicely. I've also always felt that I have fairly short, stumpy legs and a long torso, & broad shoulders. Wide ribs now too and kinda chunky ankles (thanks, kids)
Measurements:
I'm about 5'4", currently about 125 (about 118 in the pics, which is closer to my normal weight)
38" shoulders
34.5" bust
29-29.5" underbust
27" waist
stomach pooch with extra skin that doesn't seem to want to leave (again, thanks, kids)
38.5" hips- must be mostly in my butt, even though it looks flat to me, cause they look narrow from the front
21.2" thighs
30.5" inseam, 33.25" from floor to leg break (both barefoot measurements)
I think I'm shortwaisted, about 4.5" from underbust to waist, but I seem to have a long rise, about 13" or so. So...long torso, stumpy legs?
Like to wear my pants with about a 6-8" rise in the front. Hardly any space between the bottom of my ribcage and my hipbone. My hips also have a funny dip in them, they don't curve nicely.
I'm pretty much a trial and error type dresser- try it on and if I think it looks okay I'll get it. It would be great to be able to go shopping with specific styles and ideas and rules in mind.
Okay, here are a few pics-horribly unflattering, I took them to try and track my weight loss. I can try and get some better ones if they are needed.
If anybody can help me figure out any part of myself it would be greatly appreciated.

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14 years ago

rute

Veteran

You look like a model! You don't even need to worry about body type! Everything will look good on you!
You seem an rectangle and short waisted!

Becky

You can be proud of that body after birthing four children! I'm not terribly good with body shape, but I'd guess rectanglish tending toward hourglass. So you can look at Angie's recommendations for each to get ideas.

Queen Mum

I'm thinking rectangle/hourglass as well.

Srujana

I'm really not so good at identifying body types, but I just had to drop you a quick line and say that you have absolutely no reason to be so hard on yourself. I think you might be a rectangle, judging from your shoulders and hips....but you look fantastic, and if I could have your stomach, that would put to rest at least half of my body issues. Be proud of yourself, especially having had 4 kids....and I'm sure someone here will have your body type questions sorted in no time

kellygirl

I'm with Queen Mum - rectangle. Btw, I think you look great. I'd have to be in second position plie for my thighs not to touch : )

CarlyQuinn

Active Member

Thanks ladies! Well, if I can't be an hourglass, undertones of it are nice! Off to look more at those types. Hopefully that will get me started in the right direction.

Sandi

Another complement - you have a really cute figure. Especially impressive considering you've had 4 kids!

RoseandJoan

Wow, you have an amazing figure! I'm inclined to agree with the ladies.

Using Angie's system bust size does not come into the equation, if your shoulder and hips are equal, which yours seem to be you are either a rectangle or an hourglass. You look in between the two body shapes in my opinion as you have a waist but there's not much visual difference between your hip and waist size. This is the same body shape as Angie so you have the perfect inspiration!

Polly (thunalata)

You look amazing.

Can't believe you have 4 kids too.

Hope you get sorted on the body shape - sorry I can't help!

Marley

Rectangle with a touch of hourglass - And a FAB shape!

tina

My body shape is very similar to yours, though you are an inch taller and my ribcage is wider. I think of myself as a rectangle with a touch of apple because when I gain weight, it's always in my midsection. I've also had 4 kids and can totally relate to your challenges with bra fittings. I *need* the push-up, but the push-ups bras just don't fit right!

I feel like I look my best in things with a v-neck. I tend to go loose in tops and tighter in pants. I have the extra skin on the tummy too, so I try to camouflage it. I love v-neck tunics that are loose around the tummy. I wear them over skinny jeans. My tummy is covered, legs look thin and long, my neck looks longer, and my thin clavicle region is exposed. When the weather is cooler, I love scarves to add color near my face and draw the eye up away from my belly.

I tend to avoid wide legged pants, tight fitting tops, high-necked tops, belting anywhere obvious (not great on my short-waisted frame!), skirts below the knee, and chunky shoes.

Megan

4 kids? You look AMAZING!

Lisa

I can't believe you have had 4 kids, you have an amazing body and I really don't see much stomach pooch either. Be proud, you look fantastic. My guess for body type is a racy rectangle, you seem pretty straight from top to bottom.

(website)

"Horribly unflattering"? Are you kidding? You have one of the nicest figures in a bikini I've ever seen!!

thank you all, for the advice, help, and compliments. I'm obviously my own worst critic here, it's nice to hear what others actually think, as opposed to what I think they're thinking
tina, thanks for all the ideas! I'll try some of them out. I really like v-necks too, which is a bit odd since so many fashion mags and sites say small chested women shouldn't wear them...but i like the look better than scoop necks and i usually wear a necklace to fill in the gap
I've never gone for skinny jeans, hip hugging flares are my favorites. maybe i'll give them a shot and see how they look. and belts only work if they're low on my hips. and after reading the short-waisted vs long-waisted article, I'm wondering if I need to start ditching the empire waists, even though I've always liked them as long as they're semi-fitted and don't make me look pregnant. I'll have to post some pics one of these days and see what everyone thinks.

Hi Carly! I don't have a clue how to categorize body shape (very new here) but wanted to share a bra that works for me. I have very similar body shape and measurement as you and fullness mostly in the lower half of my breasts, as well. Natori has a bra that works well for me because the cup lays close to the tissue and not like 2 cereal bowls set atop your chest. It runs slightly small, similar to Calvin Klein molded tshirt bras. Found mine for $15 at TJ Maxx (yay). And it's convertible to boot! http://www.herroom.com/Natori-.....unge.shtml
And I agree with the others, you look just great! Funny, I take bathing suit pictures to track my weight every couple years, too.

Thanks, Mo! Yay, there's a TJMaxx here, I'll have to check that out! Bra shopping is my least favorite thing ever. I'd rather clean the bathroom
I like using the pictures because it seems to track better long term than clothing size. i currently have pants in sizes 1, 3,and 5 that all fit perfectly. very odd. sometimes i can't get into the size 5 but the 1s are still comfortable. how weird is that?

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