advantages and disadvantages of your body type - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Body Type

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

advantages and disadvantages of your body type

always trying

Veteran

I am big shouldered, bigger busted, short wasted and longer legged, and 5'3".

I like that crop tops on the models are at hip on me, regular pants are just right most of the time. ankle pants and jeans are fine too. crops are fine, and if I want I want shorter crops I try petites. not very hard to find dresses that hit just below my knees, and if I want longer tops I get petites. Never having to worry about leg lengthening is a big plus.

Disadvantage are since I am bigger busted I have to get larger size tops and jackets. this makes the sleeves too long. Being short wasted eliminates some dress styles. Another big disadvantage is being top heavy makes things like suits virtually impossible.

Body Type

21 replies

Latest reply was from Cardiff girl

Aurore

Veteran

That is an interesting thread! I'm sure knowing what the others find harder or easier can be very enriching.

I have wide hips and heavy thighs, with a comparatively slim waist and small bust. And I'm tall with long legs.

Advantages : I like the traditional hourglass figure, and in theory it not so hard to play with outfit proportions and create a silhouette that almost looks the part. I still need help from more style-savvy persons to manage it, though!

Disadvantages : trousers never fit. They are either too small for my thighs, or too big for my waist, or too short for my height. Or all three. I'm so glad I have found a very good tailor!

Mac

Veteran

I’ve worked hard to love my body just as it is, at every age and size, so I’m going to make sure I find all disadvantages in the clothes, not my body. :).

I’m tall, narrow shouldered, long waisted, carry some padding in my stomach and am a pretty-awesome pear.
- I love “mariniere” shirts but many boat-neck shirts are simply too wide for my narrow shoulders.
-I adore midi-length skirts and dresses but rarely find ones that even cover my knees, let alone reach my upper calves.
- To find sweaters and shirts that cover my long waist and generous tum, i often buy items that are called tunics by the retailers but are just plain ol’ tops, on me.
-Most dresses are too short waisted on me, and when you throw my applish tendencies into the mix, many can end up looking a bit “maternity” on me— if I had a dime for every person who’s asked me about my pregnancy when I wasn’t pregnant ... *sigh*
-I’m very fair skinned but also run warm and perspire a lot and I find few summer clothes that cover me enough to minimize sun burns but are also made of natural fabrics and cool enough to be comfy in Toronto’s muggy summers

jussie

Veteran

Ok- I’m basically a rectangle but with a more padded butt and hips than the traditional rectangle. Can’t be an hourglass as have no bust at all and I think the bustiness is really what defines an hourglass. Not a pear either as my shoulders and hips are the same width....
So, a padded rectangle it is.
Advantages: nice arms and calves. No bust does make it easier to wear certain types of tops. Fluid, drapey tops work well too. Shift dresses usually work. A line skirts work.
Disadvantages: dresses often do not fit well as I don’t have the bust for them so they just flop around at the top. Any low rise or very tight pant usually looks a bit too snug on my padded bottom. Anything tight - form fitting tops make me look very brick like. Same with any type of fit and flare dress or anything with a waist tie.
Ok- interesting thread. Body type dressing is a worthy topic and endlessly challenging.
Thanks

LaPed

Veteran

Hmm, well, I have a small skull, so my hat choices are limited (also glasses, but I've been blessed with good vision, so it's just sunnies for now).

Shirts and jackets are easy, as I am all shoulders/no bust, with fairly average arms. Tops and toppers are my favourite things to shop for.

I have a very small waist and carry most of my muscle and fat in my legs, so straight pants look like skinnies and skinnies look like leggings (if they fit at all). Hips are not terribly wide but I have a round bum, so curvy fits rarely fit properly. At 5'4" I tend to fall in between regular and petite inseams, but my rise is too long for most petites.

Feet -- according to the Brannock device, I'm borderline B/C width. By the end of a long day (or post backpacking trip), I'm more a C, except for my heels, which don't swell. Many B's are too tight, but many "wides" fall off and women's shoes that offer true Cs and Ds are few and far between.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am a short (on the borderline of petite) slim hourglass/ rectangle with a long neck, square shoulder line, smallish bust, and shorter legs with a long rise.

LaPed and I share many body type modifiers, so I also share some of her fit challenges. Being older, I do *not* have a "very small" waist any more (ahem), but even so, I still carry most of my muscle and fat in my (shortish) legs. Like her, I also have not-terribly-wide hips but a round bum, so curvy fits don't work yet skinnies can look and feel "sausage casing." I fall between regular and petite inseams but almost always have to buy regular because I need the longer rise. High five, LaPed! (The disadvantage here is that I have to get almost all my trousers hemmed.)

I also enjoy the benefits of being square shouldered and small busted. Tops and toppers are a relatively easy fit, though I do have to look to brands that cut narrow vs. those that have a broader fit model. Occasionally sleeves are too long or I don't fill out the bust area, but on the whole, fitting tops and toppers is not a problem.

But I can't fill out wrap dresses or other styles that require a proper bust to look good. Wide V necks expose too much "bony" chest area -- not a good look for me.

My shorter legs (and especially shorter calves) mean I'm always looking for ways to extend the leg line. But -- paradoxically -- I'm also slightly short-waisted -- though fortunately, being smaller busted, my short waistedness isn't glaringly obvious. At times the stances of jackets or the waist of dresses will be slightly "off" for me because of this, though, and once in a while I do better in petites for toppers/ tops.

My proportions do not work (to my eye) with regular length tunics and leggings. A longer mini-dress length tunic is slightly better (if I am wearing a heel and toned leggings/ footwear) but truthfully, it's not the best look for me no matter what, so why bother?

Narrow heels mean I can't wear low vamped shoes -- unless they have straps. I walk right out of them. Yet my shorter calves would be so flattered by the low vamp! Shorter calves also mean that I look significantly better/ more proportioned in a 2 inch heel. Luckily, I can tolerate this with block heels.

Suzanimal

I'm an inverted triangle. I have broad shoulders, smallish boobs (B cup), narrow hips, not much booty, and great legs.

I find it easy to dress my body in the summer when I can go sleeveless and show my legs but it's a little trickier in the winter. I dread buying tops and pants because of all the altering I have to do. I'm a bit too long in the torso for petites tops because I like a lower rise pant and a bit too short in the arms for regulars. Occasionally, I can find petite pants that aren't too short but I usually have to hem regulars unless they come in short length.

Disadvantages: I look like a linebacker in chunky, oversized sweaters. I also have to be careful about prints and ruffles on top. Peplum tops and jackets never fit properly and I steer clear of shoulder details. I stick with simple well fitting tops - preferably, with a raglan sleeve.

Advantages: Since I live in a warm climate most of the year - shorts, miniskirts and mini-dresses! Yay!

Anonymous

Sigh. I am tall. I can't complain because I honestly believe my height has been advantageous in my male-dominated field (i.e., they can't easily talk over my head).

But finding clothes that fit correctly has always been a terrible challenge. I know for a fact that my pants were too short all through high school. It scarred me. Now I wear my pants too long to compensate for my high-school self. I have gotten so used to wearing tops that are slightly too short that I literally have come to "think" that is correct. I have steep learning curve ahead of me.

Gigi

Veteran

Interesting thread. I am a petite (5'2") hourglass with a smaller bust and am short waisted with longer legs.

Advantages: I look good in off-the-shoulder and strapless tops because I have a nice shoulder line. I can sometimes wear regular bottoms because most of my height is in my legs and rise. I enjoy being able to emphasize my waist.

My feet are healthy and a normal size (I'm not sized out), which makes shoe shopping a joy, because I can wear almost anything.

Disadvantages: Because my shoulders are very narrow and my bust small, and because I am short waisted AND short in stature, I am almost always limited to petite sizing for tops, which gets very boring very fast. Outerwear is especially difficult, since the sizing tends to run large.

I have quite a round bum, so I really need curvy fit on bottom, which is hard to find in petite sizes. Most bottoms squish my rear or have waistbands that are way too big once my rear end is accommodated.

Since I am a size bigger on bottom than on top, finding dresses and jumpsuits is a challenge. I have some fit-and-flares but would love to get something like a sheath. I look absolutely abominable in shift dresses, though I really love that style. I admire it on others.

My calves are tiny (12" around), which means that knee-high boots are almost impossible. When I do find a shaft whose circumference fits me, the shaft is usually too high for my short self. So I will probably have to have a custom pair made at some point.

Staysfit

Veteran

I am on the tall side, but I think I must look much taller to people than my actual height which is a hair short of 5’9”. Add height and my body description sounds a bit like Suz’s. I have an athletic body, and have always been an athlete. I swam all through my childhood, high school and college years. I also used to be big on other water sports like waterskiing, and sailing. I run, hike, snowshoe, etc. My shoulders are definitely broader than my hips, although because I have such a long rise, and I have a narrowish waist, my pelvis is prominent and pear like. My stomach isn’t perfectly flat because I have an umbilical hernia from my pregnancies that I never bothered to get repaired. It definitely shows with some of my outfits, but I am so proud of being a mother that I don’t care. For a long time I mistakenly thought I was a pear. I have a small face so glasses frames are very hard to find. I am limited to a small selection of whatever may come in my size. My bony frame is also small, but my leg muscles are massive adding to the pear effect. Angie classified me as a Rectangular shape. My fit issues include having a hard time with pant inseam length —— like Sterling, I was in unfashionably short jeans in high school unless we could find long lengths. Sleeve length is another big issue for me. I have long swimmers arms, and when a shirt fits me in the shoulders, it is likely to be overly wide for my torso and too short in the sleeves. I often compensate by pushing up the sleeves and wearing bangles. The same is true for coats and jackets. I get almost all my woven tops and dresses tailored for that reason. I prefer knits because they mould to my shape. Dresses need to be a minimum of 39 inches to be knee length. I can sometimes get by with 38 inches depending on the style. Fit and flare is my very worst style. So is A Line. Cropped jeans and pants come next. However, I can wear anything if I find the style in the right cut and material. I do best when clothes are cut fairly straight or when things taper in near the bottom instead of flare. Waist definition works well for me, but so do clothes that skim past my waist. My legs, even though they are long, are still proportionally short for my body, since the extra length went to my long rise. My long skinny neck and small for my height chest means I cannot wear wide scooped necklines or deeply cut wide necklines. Dresses however, do fit me well and are probably my best look. If I’m honest, there are very few looks I cannot figure out how to wear.

shiny

Veteran

I'm 5'0 inverted triangle/apple. I have a short neck, straight shoulder line, not much definition in my collarbone, C cup, not much of a waist, narrow/boyish hips/butt/thighs. Vertically speaking, I always thought my legs were short then I learned that I am proportioned to the golden ratio, so my legs are neither short or long, they are just right. I am also medium boned.

Advantages:

I look great in V-necks, or anything accentuating the bust. Straight shoulders mean that jackets and cardigans hang nicely and I certainly don't need shoulder pads. Cowl necks, especially exaggerated ones, look good. I have great legs to flaunt. I can rock leggings and skinnies like nobody's business.

I look great in A line dresses that are fitted in the arms and then forgo the waist, while hitting a bit shorter to show off the legs. I can also rock a sheath dress provided it has a V neck and is fitted just right (and forgiving to my waistline).

I can generally play with proportions to my heart's content because my vertical proportions are pretty ideal (golden ratio). I.e., long tunic over leggings works just as well as high waisted with short top. I can do above the knee dresses, midi dresses, or maxi's.

As long as I stick to petites, I have no issues with sleeves or pants that are too long or too short.

Disadvantages:

I absolutely need petites for the vertical proportions. But some petite makers think petite means super slim, and I'm not, except on the bottom half. And being resigned to petites means less choice. Yet I need a higher rise in my pants/jeans (anything less than 9 inches slides right off as I don't have much of a hip shelf to hold them into place). I can sometimes get away with regular jeans for this reason, but then the details like pockets are scaled all wrong.

I look less good in spaghetti or strapless styles. I've got a softness about my upper body that makes crisp button downs just not work, not to mention the gaping issues. I can end up with dreaded uniboob in certain tops. I can wear some crew necks provided they are cut low enough, but it's still not my best look. Forget turtlenecks -- they look awful in general, although there is the rare one that will work, it would be scaled for a short neck. But I generally find them uncomfortable and fussy. Forget any puffed shoulder details, or epaulets, as I look like a linebacker.

My belly and lack of waist is my worst feature, no matter what I weigh. Lower rise pants = instant muffin top. Disguise tactics are necessary here. There are a lot of tops that would look great, if only they weren't too tight in the midsection. Yet if I go with a top that's too voluminous, I just look dumpy.

And when pants or jeans fit my waist comfortably, they are very likely to be too loose in the hips and legs. I do love flowing wide-leg pants but these are difficult to fit as they tend to swamp me and be too wide. Meanwhile cropped pants just look goofy on me for some reason (you'd think it would work for me and show off my small ankles?) -- I hope this trend dies soon!

I have thrown out all my skirts, as they just don't work due to the waist and belly. Dresses with a defined waistline do not work on me at all. I have no hips to fill out a fit-and-flare or skater skirt. Pleats accentuate the belly so forget that.

Jewelry that is scaled right is a challenge, since I'm medium boned yet petite. I have given up on bracelets and watches. Many necklaces have to be altered because they are too long. I love pendants even though they often do the "boob lasso" thing.

Similarly handbags are a challenge as they need to be scaled just so, including the strap. Many handbags are just too big and swamp me.

Vildy

Veteran

I'm 5 feet tall. My body shape is slightly inverted triangle with shoulders somewhat wider than hips. I wear maybe a 36D or DD but it doesn't really look it since my breasts are spaced wider apart. I am narrowish looking from the front or back but most of apparent width/bulk is in the side view. I have large bones. I am somewhat 8 shape but compared to other people I know do not have so much of a pronounced shelf. I do have to have pants extra tight on waist or else have to belt everything because it slides down.

I have the most territory between armpit and crotch, with a long rise. I try to avoid petite sized pants for this reason and because I can sew will sometimes choose a Tall and just shorten the legs of pants. I have learned how to do the counter-intuitive crotch curve alteration that gives more room there.

I have less of a waist than I used to but still do have one. I have more length in my thighs than my calves. My shoulders are placed so that a lot of things - boat necks, which I love but can't wear but others, too - ride up against my neck. I know the correct alteration for this is to add length to the top back shoulder line but often I will just scoop out the front further and call it a day. Sometimes I take advantage of this "problem" and as I don't want to show any cleavage I'll let tops ride back and that takes care of it. I look at it as an easy breezy way to throw things on and go with that.

I have something where there can be creasing and extra fabric beneath the butt. I understand there are alterations for this when sewing from scratch but can't figure out what could be done in ready to wear. Maybe I could be the only person in the world wearing an under butt seam?

I don't have any body image issues but can't for the life of me think of any advantages my body specifics afford me in getting dressed.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

So far, I relate most to what Aurore wrote. I'm neither short nor tall, but on the taller side of average (5'7"). Most of my height is decidedly in my legs - my torso is short and my legs are long. So it's nice that I almost never have to have pants or jeans hemmed, but not so nice that it's difficult to find them long enough to begin with.

My shape is hourglassy, with a tendency towards extra weight on my bottom half -- my hips are wide, my thighs and legs are thick. My shape is fairly elliptical -- I don't have much of a booty, and I don't gain a lot of weight in my stomach. However, I'm noticing a shift in where I hold my weight since menopause -- I'm now seeing back fat where I never had it before. :-/ So, these days, I'm staying away from clingy anything, whereas I used to rock fitted tops. But still, I can always find tops when I shop, whereas pants are much more difficult.

Considering my wide hips, short waist and big boobs, the current crop of high waisted styles are very challenging for me. It's also hard to find dresses that are long enough and fit both my top and bottom half, especially since my shoulder line is decent but my back is narrow. By the time I size up to accommodate hips, etc., many garments are too long in the torso or too roomy across the back. I have to shop well ahead of time for any occasion that requires a dress.

I have an advantage in shopping for tops and short jackets and coats, for which I am a relatively easy fit. Sometimes I do need to get blouses/shirts taken in slightly through the waist, and I almost always have to get straps on sleeveless tops shortened. Longer tops like tunics are problematic and usually just make me look big (unless they have a V neck or some vertical integrity) or catch on my hips too much (unless they have deep vents at the side). There is also something about the proportions of long tops and leggings that is not terribly flattering on me, so I don't bother much with that look. Skirts shorter than knee length look all wrong on me, and I'm not sure how much of that is because of the thick legs and how much is just my general long-legged proportions, but it makes skirt and dress shopping VERY challenging. I can rock bootcut and flare style pants and jeans and REALLY wish they would return in fashion, but I'll wear them anyway. I don't particularly love the proportions that cropped flares create on me, and they tend to run a little too short on my long legs anyway.

I'm blessed with very average sized and unfussy feet, so shoe shopping is quite easy for me. Except for pumps or low-vamped flats, which tend to fall off my narrow heels.

Sal

Veteran

I am 5 ft 8 and an hourglass - but a muscular one and I am not at the extreme in terms of difference between waist and hip and bust. But I am not an IT/Pear/Apple nor really a rectangle...

When I put on weight I put it on evenly all over my body from my fingers to my cheeks to my calves to my bust. I am short waisted, average sized bust, long in the leg with a large head and short neck. Haha I sound like an animal up for auction:)

What are the advantages?

Dresses are my best and simplest option as long as they are long enough.
Jackets, blouses and tops are mostly an easy fit.
I can wear most shoes at a womens 9/Euro 40
There is usually a good range of options in my size

Disadvantages

I usually wear mens hats as womens are too tight
Button downs/shirts are hard to fit as they gape on my chest or if I size up they are unflattering.
Sometimes the line between "bombshell/sexy"and "boxy/unflattering"is very thin.
My muscular calves cause issues in tall boots and some pants.

I am grateful to be fit and healthy.

Sara L.

Veteran

I'm average height (5'6") with a rectangular body shape with apple tendencies. I have a small bust and I tend to gain weight in my middle. My feel are average and not fussy so shoe shopping is easy. Like Suz says, wrap dresses and tops are not my friend but generally tops are easy to fit. Finding dresses that are long enough can be challenging even though I'm not tall. I have narrow calves that make boot shopping difficult. I'm long waisted which can make shopping for one-piece swimsuits difficult. Although lately I've found several that fit. I'm not sure why - are swimsuits longer or did my proportions change (although that seems unlikely)? Generally I find pants easy to fit - I'm pretty average through the hips, thighs and butt - not big, not small.

FaithandFashion

Member

I have an Apple body shape or a somewhat hourglass shape. I am short and big busted with a round tummy. I have a few disadvantages when it comes to clothing.

Jeans are always too long on me.
My bust is way too noticeable when I wear vneck tops. I wear tank tops and camis under my tops a lot.
When I wear long sleeve t-shirts my tummy is noticeable.
I have trouble finding shoes in my size. My shoe size is 8 1/2
I actually cannot wear converse sneakers anymore because they don't have half sizes. Those used to be my favorite shoes.

Lynn

Veteran

I started to reply yesterday but was feeling pretty negatively toward my body after trying to fit some pants and did not want to body bash.

I am slightly below average height, 5" 4 1/2" , and currently at a heavier weight than usual so I am a plus size pear. My bust is average (C cup) and I have a defined waist and a very generous tush and thicker thighs especially now.

Positives: I have longer legs than usual for my height so most people think I am taller than I am. At a lower weight I am more of an hourglass.
I have a great lower legs and am still slender in my shoulders and upper chest so look good in lower (but still modest) necklines.

Disadvantages: Pants were very difficult for me for years, in fact I had to make all my pants, due to a 13" difference between my waist and hips. Since my waist has thickened post menopause and curvy fits being available I can actually buy pants that fit . Happy dance here

Tops can be tricky, if they fit in the bust they are snug in the hips. Also I am very short between my shoulders and underarm so really need petite sizing through the armhole but then they are too short in length.

The other great thing about my body is that it it quite healthy, aside from a knee injury that is healing well !!!!

Sisi

Veteran

I am a rectangle with defined shoulders and straight hips. For most of my life I have been extremely thin and muscular.

Advantages: pants and jeans generally fit well. Jackets and blazers look good on defined shoulders.

Disadvantages: a certain lack of waist definition does not emphasize dresses as I would (whenever I put on a dress, I wish I was a pear ... )

anne

Veteran

I can relate most to Jussie and Suz.
I have long waist and torso. I like the willowy look of it, but have trouble finding things that are long enough to fit me in the waist.
I have a small bust and like Jussie, have trouble filling out some items and feel "blocky" on the top half.
On the other hand the advantage if that if you just see my top half, from the front I look quite slim. From the side not so much.

I am a pear, but with straight shoulders the same width as my hips - but more bulk on the bottom half with a full bottom and thighs. I have short legs and always have to shorten legs hems on jeans and sometimes on skirts and dresses. I used to often have to take in dresses/skirts at the hips as I was fairly slim there but need the width for my thighs.

My arms look quite muscular when I'm working out at the gym, though less toned at other times.

jill58

Veteran

I'm 5'5" and generally a size 6--very average body type and shoe size (7) so it's easy for my to find clothes (maybe too easy!) and shoes. I'm fairly athletic and carry more weight in my hips and legs than anywhere else--pants/jeans are my least favorite thing to try on.

Kit

Body Shape: Mix of IT/HG/Rectangle (square shoulders, rounded low hips, a bit of a waist but not much)
Other features: muscular legs, decent chest, 5'5"

Advantages: being bigger on the top, I barely fluctuate in sizes. If I am a certain size in a brand, I am almost always that size. A dress just has to fit my top half, and it's guaranteed to fit my bottom half.

Disadvantages: I don't have a tiny waist or long legs to play up. It's easy for me to look blocky with the wrong clothing. I wear a lot of dresses because I think some pants look weird on me.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I am a rectangle but with slightly more waist than is rectangular if you get my drift!Advantages-can just about wear any trouser shape invented except baggy crotched harems.Dont hate my arms like a lot of women seem to,don’t bemoan the size of my bum or. thighs
Disadvantages-am5ft8 with regular length legs and a long waist can never find a dress that looks good on me because they are all too short and the waist is up round my ribs,can’t do round necked Chanel style jackets (no boobs to hold them out)or very drapey avant Garde looks ,again don’t fill them out enough.Jackets can be a problem to fit as I have a wide shoulder to narrow torso ratio.Bra shopping ,nightmare!ditto swim wear ,too boyish a figure to look good in these. consequently have always felt slightly left out of the girls club ,suit preppy ,masculine looks but want to be pretty !