Ask Angie (and others) Body Type - YouLookFab Forum

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Body Type

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Ask Angie (and others) Body Type

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hi, everyone! I have been reading Angie's blog for a couple of months and recently joined the forum, so I thought I should introduce myself.

First of all, I just want to say that I'm so impressed with the friendliness and helpfulness of this community! It seems like a great place to come to learn. Thanks to all who have contributed and shared.

A bit about me: I'm (gasp) 53. A writer and teacher and Mom-on-the-go. (My daughter is eleven and I also have grown-up stepchildren). Recently, I lost 33 pounds and I am more fit and healthy than I have ever been in my entire life. Yay!

I am loving the changes, but I admit to being more than a little lost when it comes to dressing my new self. I never DID feel as if I had any kind of personal style, and now I am literally building a new wardrobe from the undies out!

This time, I'd like to get it right. But there are so many things to consider.

Let's start with body type. I used to be an hour-glass (small busted but my shoulders balanced hips) or maybe even a pretty pear. I had and still have muscular thighs, and buying jeans used to be a nightmare; now, it is less fraught, but still takes a certain amount of ...ahem...fortitude.

That said, with all the exercise, my body type has completely changed from what it used to be, to the point where I suspect I'm a now best classified as a straightish hourglass with inverted triangle tendencies. Or maybe I am a rectangle? (I am not sure how to post pics, but for reference, shoulders are 98 cm, bust 82 cm, waist 63 cm, hips 86 cm.)

I am just a shade over 5' 4" (so hardly "statuesque"), about 117 lbs, and quite lean now. I generally do better with petite sizes rather than regular sizes, although pants are tricky, because the petites are often on the short side and sometimes the rise is also too short, whereas lengths on regular pants are always too long. That’s not such a big deal but the rise on regulars can also be too long, and any detailing (pockets, any fade marks on jeans, etc.) may be in the wrong place or in the wrong proportion. So buying regular pants isn’t necessarily a good solution.

Never mind the fact that it is virtually impossible to buy petites in the town where I live...but I will leave that to another post!

Thank you in advance for any thoughts.

Body Type

26 replies

Latest reply was from suzanne

Saretta

(website)

Welcome! Looking forward to seeing your pics!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

And another welcome from me! I too look forward to seeing pictures.

yellowgirl

Welcome!

I'm in the exact same boat as you - I've recently lost a lot of weight and, too, am having to rebuild my entire wardrobe. On top of all that, I, too, am a completely different shape. It's been a bit of a process learning how to dress my new shape. There's no way I could have even begun to do it without all I've learned here!

I've done a lot of reading through past blogs that Angie has written. The Body Type blogs fro 2010 are great - these really helped me figure out my new shape and what on earth to put on it. As well, I printed out several of the blogs about personal style - there are some great exercises for figuring out what your personal style is. There's also a great thread about bras that Maya wrote. Definitely worth searching for.

I'm sorry, I'm not technologically savvy enough to post links to these blogs like some of the other ladies do - I have no idea how. Perhaps someone else can give me a quick tutorial and I'll try to find them for you.

I'm happy to give you one recommendation that I've learned here regarding underwear (since you said those needed to be replaced as well). Vanishing Edge panties from Soma are fabulous! No panty lines and they stay in place. You may not want your entire stash of undies to be from this line, but every woman needs one or two in her skin color (in my opinion) - they're great!

yellowgirl

To follow up on the Vanishing Edge panties - I just got an email from Soma saying that the panties are 5 for $25 - a good deal if you're looking to try them out.

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Welcome!

You'll be able to post pics direct when you're an 'active member' ( I think that's being a member for 10 days and posting ? 5 at least replies on the forum/blog.

Until then, you cn post a link to a flickr or photobucket account if you have one (if you don't, they're easy to set up - just google).

Pics are really good for being certain about body shape, but it looks as if you're getting there yourself. Have fun!

Debora

Veteran

Welcome, Suz, and congratulations on your weight loss! Pictures would be great if you feel comfortable posting them. In the meantime, you can find lots of links on body types in Angie's blog archives that you might find helpful.

I second yellowgirl's suggestion for Soma's Vanishing Edge undergarments. They're great! Angie also recommends Nordstrom's Shimera boy shorts.
http://youlookfab.com/2010/01/.....t-panties/

Another great starting point is a bra fitting. Nordstrom's is a great place to start. Also, here's Maya's link on bras which has proved to be a wealth of information.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ing-thread

I look forward to more of your posts (love the great advice you gave for the literary reading). So glad you decided to jump in!

3style

Veteran

You might be able to find some pants you like in the juniors dept. They tend to be shorter through the rise but decent length.
I am also wondering if you are long or short waisted, as that can have a big impact on what you buy. I am slightly short waisted (1.5 hand widths) so I often have to check both regular and petite even though I have broad shoulders and long arms.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow, thank you for the warm welcome, everyone! I will post some photos as soon as I have privileges!

I appreciate the underwear recommendations and will check out that line. I have already gone for the bra fitting at the fancy lingerie store and paid more than I ever paid for bras...but I have to admit, it was worth it and I already think that money was well-spent.

I've read most of the Body Type posts and will continue to read more archived posts. @3style, thanks for the question about long vs. short-waistedness...I pass the 2 hand widths test exactly. But I AM long in the rise, which is one reason that some petites pants are not quite right for me. I doubt if Juniors would work for that reason. But it all depends on the make and the cut. Buying pants is just a question of trying on lots and lots of different kinds.

Thanks again, everyone! Looking forward to joining this fun community.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yay! I have graduated to an "active" member! So here are my pics, taken by my accommodating daughter.

You will see that I have two front on photos. That is because after we took the first set I realized that the t-shirt is no longer exactly "form fitting" and was sort of bulking up around the waist area. <insert embarrassed grin here.>

I have to say...it is really instructive to look at photos! Somehow very different from looking in the mirror. And even just comparing sleeves and necklines here is an interesting experiment. And this wasn't even a WIW!!!

Okay. I warn you all that I am pretty much a fashion neophyte, or maybe you could say that I've been out of the fashion "workforce" for a LONG time...since my early twenties. Which was three decades ago. So I have a LOT to learn.

All my life I've felt that my legs were ...ahem...stumptuous... and so I needed to lengthen the leg line. Now that I've slimmed down a bit the legs don't appear as short as they used to, and my overall look is more balanced, but I suspect that dressing to lengthen the leg line is still a reasonable goal.

As for what else I should highlight or ...ahem...hide...I am all ears as to how I should dress this new body of mine.

This post has 3 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Fab figure!

I'll wait for the experts to chime in, but it looks like you have quite a a bit of IT going on there.

Can you edit your original post title to say 'PICS ADDED' at the end? You may be out of time (you can edit up to 24hrs after starting). If you don't get enough replies, post it again under a new heading!

rute

Veteran

Hi! Welcome!
I'm on the same boat! I've lost weight last year and I had to rebuild all my wardrobe and re-discover my style!
You'll find that your body changes, your mind changes and your style changes too! That is a lot of fun!
You are so slim! I would say you are a rectangle now because your hips are so small and your ratio hips/bust/waist is small too.
My 1st language is not English.. so pardon me for any mistake..

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You are slap bang in the middle of rectangle and very slim hourglass. Gorgeous!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow, thank you all! A rectangle. Who'd a thunk it? (Well, in years past I certainly wouldn't have. See what age will do to a girl's tiny waist? Ah well...). I am off to re-read hourglass and rectangle recommendations now!

By the way, I recently came across this information for petites on body shape, that I thought added an interesting twist. It has probably come up here before, but if not, can someone tell me, please, and I will post it in a separate thread? Basically, the idea is that the waist/hip/bust differentiations for taller folks don't really apply for petites because everything is scaled down. So you are not looking for that 10" difference.

Here's the link: http://www.thestylishplanner.c.....-and-what/

I think, being somewhere in the middle between petite and regular sized (at 5' 4") I am somewhat on the borderline here as well, which is why I'm in the rectangle/hourglass borderline. It all makes sense!

Thanks again.

anne

Veteran

Hi Suz,

Firstly welcome to the forum - I had a look at your website and it is an honour to have you here! No wonder your posts are so well written and interesting.

Secondly - a 25 inch waist at 53 is pretty amazing! I don't know how tiny you used to be but the rectangle tendencies do not come from a thick waist - rather from your tiny hips and slender legs.

Thirdly, Angie doesn't really used the 10 inch difference rule - she goes on looks and uses shoulders rather than bust as the upper point. However if you did use that rule then the article makes a reasonable point with regard to petites.

And lastly, it is possible to be long waisted AND have a long rise - I do (and the short legs that inevitably go with this)

anne

Veteran

Oh and I can relate to being on the border line too - I am either a pear/ rectangle or an hourglass and I often wonder about IT too! But in terms of what will work most on your body, I strongly suspect the rectangle.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Thanks so much, Anne, for your kind words on all counts!

You are right, actually...my waist used to be 24" when I was younger. So not so much smaller, really.

But I was also somewhat bigger in the bust and MUCH bigger in the hips before I became more fit. The hip change has been the most remarkable. My hip area has never been as slim as this at any time in my life! I guess that will happen if you get serious in the gym.

Although I had to laugh at Angie's descriptor of the Racy Rectangle: "you look athletic without even trying." Yeah, right— hundreds and thousands of squats later, presto, a whole new body! No effort involved at all!

Anyway...the BORN rectangles may not have to try, but the ones with hourglass tendencies definitely have to do some work for it.

Vix

Veteran

Welcome Suz --

Wow, your new regime has left you looking super-fit; congrats on the big lifestyle change! Enjoy dressing the new you.

Your height, body type, and proportions are quite similar to mine, though in the 2nd (slimmer fit) top I see so much indented waist that if I were you I'd call myself more Hourglass than Rectangle.

From what you describe about pants fit I am thinking long torso, shorter legs -- it also explains why you feel your legs look a little shorter than they are...they probably are!

BTDT. Ain't no way Petites or Juniors work on me as they cut into parts I prefer to keep intact; you'll know best as you keep trying, but I find Regulars work well enough in terms of knee break etc. I'd look for at least a mid-rise in jeans [8.5-9" rise in front, preferably higher in back] since those will probably end up lower-rise on you.

[If you can bear to cough up for premium denim, my muscular calves and thighs and I are a fan of Citizens of Humanity mid-rise "Amber." I do not regret my splurge 4 years ago...cost per wear = pennies.]

As you say, playing with proportions is key. Scootch shirts and skirts up and down til things look "right," and don't be afraid to spend some money on a tailor.

Based on your size I'd also say get used to needing smaller sizes than most stores carry in the brick and mortar locations (though they may offer them online). As you've lost SO much weight and may still be adjusting your eye, don't end up in clothing that's too big just because that's the smallest size a store carries!

Hmmm, other quick thoughts/things to try:

* Unlike me you are blessed with an average height waist so I would tuck like a fiend if you are in higher-waist skirts or pants for maximum legginess! And belt my fool head off.

* Tunics and cardigans are not really my friend once they go past my nether regions, but you kind of have to eyeball it.

* To rejigger my proportions I wear a mix of low vamp (strap-free!) shoes, low contrast shoes (skintone when bare legged, tone-in with pants/tights), and boooots in cooler temps.

[I personally don't like ankle-height or overly be-strapped shoes on my shorter, muscular ankles/legs unless they are worn with pants, but that's my thing and I see other women with similar builds rocking the look so definitely experiment!]

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Vix, thank you so much for that fund of information! I am definitely going to check out the jeans you mentioned. As you intuited, it can be tricky for me to find jeans that work on my thighs and calves. And you are dead-on about rise.

My first new clothing purchase after weight loss was actually a pair of skinny jeans, my first pair. I ended up with a pair of NYDJ. That is because I was complaining about the rise on the others I tried being too low. The salesgirls misinterpreted me to mean that I actually wanted true waist high jeans. I didn't...I just didn't want that cutting feeling, you know? Anyway, the NYDJ are okay but not fab for me. I like them tucked into boots. I also have a pair of Anne Taylor Modern Fit skinnies in a dark wash. They are really stretchy, and I love them! But I got those on super sale in a lucky fluke (trip to visit relatives in Boston a few months ago). And I'm definitely interested in options.

I think you are right about needing to get used to online shopping. Or else doing my shopping a couple of times a year when I travel to larger cities. The trick is that I live in Canada, so shipping, duty and taxes can get very prohibitive.

I COMPLETELY agree about shoes. On another thread I voted for Team Low Vamp! I love the look of all those high vamp and bootie shoes on OTHER people, but for me? Not so much. Sadly, I pretty much need some kind of straps to keep shoes on because my heels are so narrow that even with doohickeys in the back of the shoes, pumps just won't stay on. In the winter, boots are my friend.

Thank you again. This is great advice and these are very good leads!

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

Hello Suz! congratulations on all that hard work (squats!) - you look beautiful and very fit!

have you done much thinking about the type of style you're interested in exploring/creating? tailored, woven pantsuits have different fit/flattery issues than knit wrap dresses, for example. also, are your needs more casual, do you need a large business/professional aspect to your wardrobe, etc. and of course weather comes into it, as well.

it can be helpful to start an 'inspiration file' to keep pictures of outfits you like, clothing or accessories that make you drool, or photos of 'style icons' (people you wouldn't mind looking like!) if you haven't done this type of think before (it sounds like you haven't) don't edit yourself in the inspiration phase ie, 'oh, she's so tall and dark, i could never pull that off...blah blah blah'. the point is to find out what you really love, and then figure out how to capture the essence of that look in a way that works with your particular bod.

that's where Angie and the forum come in!! hope this helps, steph

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Steph, what a GREAT idea, to keep a style file! I am going to start one.

As for what my needs are, maybe I'll start a new thread on that topic. Now that we've got body type out of the way, I can start thinking about what to actually put on! (Other than gym clothes, that is.)

tarzy

Veteran

Wow - I think I'm your "before," trying to get to where you are now. Same age, height, and same "before" weight! (I'm also a writer!) I'd love to know how you lost the weight - it seems harder and harder at this age!

One of the things many of us on this site struggle with is defining our "style." I'm still experimenting (and making mistakes!) I think you'll find yourself in good company here.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Tarzy - great to meet you! There was no real secret to the weight loss. But I did have help. I joined an amazing program called Lean Eating at Precision Nutrition. http://www.precisionnutrition......iting-list It is online coaching and it was one of the best experiences of my adult life. When I first looked at the site I thought it was hard sell and awful, not for me, but I had an amazing coach (you can see her at http://www.stumptuous.com) and a wonderful group of co-participants, very supportive. And it worked! I went from being someone who HATED to exercise to someone who loves it. And I did not count calories or overly restrict my eating. I DID change some nutritional habits and it wasn't all easy (the first three months of the workouts were hell for me) but I got there. I'm even one of their "finalists" in the program! If you want more info, please feel free to contact me.

Vix

Veteran

You're welcome, Suz. If you're feet are a bit wide with narrow heels, sounds like we share the same feet, too! [sigh]

Lucky for you YLF has some Canadian online shopping experts. Use the hive mind.

I was shopping with my older (now 70) pal a few years ago and she tried on a pair of NYDJ. [She is very slim but now has a bit of weight in her midsection.] The jeans looked ok, but not amazing. Then she tried on the COH Amber and looked crazy good!

In defense of NYDJ I think they've refined fit and cut a lot since then, but still -- it was a valuable lesson for me that sometimes the items marketed for a certain audience make us look worse than ones that aren't really "for" us.

Good luck in your new style/clothing quest...will be fun to watch!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Very interesting about your friend, Vix. I think you are right; just because the product is aimed at our demographic doesn't mean it's going to work for us. It really is a challenge finding age-appropriate but attractive clothing as one gets older. And oh yeah, we do have the same feet!

Thanks again.

anne

Veteran

I have those feet too. *sigh*

suzanne

I can't believe your age - you look fabulous! Enjoy that figure!