Advice

Twistedbeauty

Id like some advice to how to dress and compliment my body in general. One of the weirdest things to work with are my head and shoulders. I am 5'5" and 125~ lbs with an inverted curvy triangle body. My shoulders are broad, but my small head (21 inch circumference, 8 inch face) makes them look even larger. Right now, I have my hair long, but are there any other hair cuts/styles that may help my head look more proportionate to my large shoulders? Wide shoulders = wide chest, and often my head looks very small compared to my chest. Also, I've got really small and skinny legs which can make it hard to balance out with my larger upper body, what bottoms are recommended? Thanks in advance!

6 years ago

Body Type

7 replies

Latest reply was from shiny

jussie

Veteran

Welcome- I’m pretty new too. If you search through old blog posts and forum posts you might be able to find things about dressing the inverted triangle (IT) shape. Also, if you click on peoples profile names some people have their body shape written on their profile and if you find other ITs it may be worth looking at their outfit pics for ideas. Perhaps start a thread titled ‘dressing for IT body shape’ as then you
might capture their attention :).
My only advice is to try wearing light or bright shoes and pants as lighter colours jump forward visually, and you may find having something eye catching down the bottom balances out your larger shoulder area. Also many people try the approach of just “owning” their bigger parts eg big butt and just being super proud and not worrying about any old school “camouflage” tricks like the shoe thing I just mentioned.
Best of luck!

6 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

It will be easier to give when we can see pics... but I always think of Linda Evans from the tv show Dynasty days. She’s a famous IT. She had great hair and played to her IT shape. Always purposefully did an inverted triangle in terms of her clothing silhouette. It was a Look that really worked.

6 years ago

lyn67

Veteran

Welcome! I am not an IT (rather a plump hourglass) but have large shoulders (and bust:-)) and wide head(I know it from my hat size 58) but a small face of only 6,5"(!) length (which is partly covered by a a fringe as having diamond shaped face) and unproportionally small amount of short hair(tin, flat and fine). Hah, have I forgotten something? -so think I know what do you speak about so hope I can help some:-).
Showing a bit of skin on the decoletage like in a V neck or a deeper crew neck is always favorable but I adittionally like cowl & boat necks, too. I love to have my shoulder seams exactly on place or a raglan sleeve is also favorable, but avoid dropped down shoulder lines like plague:-).
It is not really obvious to do that but I also like big, dramatic collars around my neck, true (like peterpan, large victorian) or false (mimmicked by a statement chunky necklace, a scarf or pashmina) but avoid androginous kent ones.
Love a big collar on puffers and coats too. They make transition between large shoulders and smaller head/face smooter to my eyes:-).

I also love a 7/8 sleeve length and always turn my sleeves up on shirts and jackets.

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6 years ago

Helena

Veteran

Hi there, I'm not great at these but echo the advice to look at the inverted triangle tips from Angie. I am just a slight inverted triangle, but find that keeping a darker color on my shoulders works best - for example a dark jacket over a light top.

Good luck and welcome!

6 years ago

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Hello and welcome! I can tell by your description that you are far too hard on yourself...unless you have a medical condition I highly doubt you look nearly as out of proportion as you say.

That said, curly hair would add volume to your head (I'm small headed as well but I don't think it makes me look strange at all). If you are having trouble finding clothes that fit broad shoulders check out Angie's advice on the topic. Good luck!

6 years ago

krishnidoux

Veteran

Hi! I am an IT with athletic legs and I just discovered how important to take into consideration how long is your torso and where your waist sits.
As for hairstyles, you might want to try a bob anywhere between above the shoulders and at the jawline.

6 years ago

shiny

Veteran

I think a pic would definitely help. I am a petite (5'0) inverted triangle with straight shoulder line, C cup chest, squishy non-existent midsection (apple shape) skinny legs and scrawny hips. I like wearing my hair in a short reversed bob because it --literally-- adds a couple of inches to my height. Lately my bob has been on the longer side (hitting below chin) and I don't have the same volume as I would if my hair was an inch or two shorter. The trick is to have the back cut as short as you can stand it, then angle it forward so the sides are longer.

Also I find it helps a lot to wear V necks rather than crew necks. And shirts with lapels aren't always my friend either, as my neck is short, unless I splay the lapel out flat and create a wider V. No turtlenecks or even mock necks. And no lapels or puffy shoulders -- just adds more width where I don't need it.

6 years ago

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