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Body Type

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Ask Angie: Body Type?

Andrea

Member

Hi, Angie! What a fantastic blog you have! If you have a few moments could you please look at my profile picture and enlighten me as to what body type I am. Do I have a secondary type? How about any other body modifiers (long neck, long rise, etc.) that I need to take into account in order to look my best? I want to add several new pieces to my wardrobe but would like to make sure that I don't end up making many mistakes. I am just over 5'4" and approximately 108 lbs. I have a very small bust (barely an A-cup), but a rounded backside. I had to crop my photo to fit it in the allotted space, but I've always felt that my legs are a bit on the short side (I think I have about a 31" inseam--crotch seam to floor wearing ballet flats). Thanks so much for your help... your information is invaluable!!!

Body Type

14 replies

Latest reply was from carmina33

san

Veteran

I'm not Angie ofcourse, but wowzie girl you have a beautiful figure. You have a beautiful strong shoulder line. My guess is hourglass. A 31" inseem on a 5'4" frame doesn't sound like a short leg to me, more of a proportionate leg.

Kelly

(website)

I am interested in finding out what you are too, because you look similar to me. I just haven't gotten by behind in gear to upload my photo for observation and feedback yet!

anne

Veteran

Hi Andrea. I think you are a slim hourglass. Another blogger, Imogen, divides her hourglasses depending on where the width at the hip comes and I think she would call you an X
http://www.insideoutstyleblog......pes-x.html

Can't really see if any particular modifiers apply. Once you have become an active member you will be able to load a bigger picture, which will help answer your questions

Welcome from another 5"4, barely A strong shouldered, round bottom X figure! nearly (20 pounds heavier, though!)

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Hi and welcome!

Just to say, Angie's not on the forum much at the moment because she's busy with family visiting. I know she'll reply as soon as she can, though.

Queen Mum

Veteran

you look like a beautifully proportioned hourglass to me. Read Angie's tips on dressing the hot hourglass before you go shopping.
And welcome to the forum!

yellowgirl

I would agree with the others - hourglass. Welcome!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Welcome! Chiming in with the others to say you have a great figure and you're a slim hourglass! I'm the same height (barely) and in the same category. My floor to crotch inseam measurement is the same, too, and I DO think my legs are on the short side, so yours might be also.

firefly

What a lovely figure you have! I agree with the others, hourglass with a strong shoulder line. Welcome!

Andrea

Member

Thank you, all! This completely explains why I always feel the need to define my waist! I had been reading several topical blogs for the last week or so and was seeing parts of me in different categories, namely inverted triangle due to my straight, strong shoulder line (which I've always been self-conscious about), and rectangle because I've always been extremely slim and not stereotypically curvy. Imogen's explanation of the X -type also hit home, though, because I noticed that my hips are the widest at their lowest point, I've got a high-rise, and I feel my legs are on the short side (probably mostly due to carrying my weight so low--if I wear a tapered skirt, it looks to me like my butt is dragging on the ground!). However, I was very reluctant to label myself an hourglass because up until late puberty, my curves were completely nonexistent (so this is ingrained into my perception of myself). After some of you ladies began suggesting that I am an hourglass, I looked at the photo that I had uploaded again and felt as though I was seeing myself in a new light! Isn't it odd how we sometimes have such difficulty seeing ourselves for what we really are--both externally and internally!

I'm so glad I stumbled across this community! I've always loved fashion and style, but have also craved some sort of "method to the madness" approach to dressing. I know I can learn so much from all of you, and avoid a lot of the costly mistakes that I have made in the past! Thanks again, and it's a pleasure to meet everyone!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Welcome! I also am an X shape with widest hips quite low. Made me think I was a pear when I am in fact an hourglass. Who knew? lol I would say you have secondary IT tendencies, as well, but that's just my novice opinion

devon7

(website)

Andrea, You have a lovely figure and look taller than 5'4" in the photo. I thought Mo was a lot taller than she is, too, and your figure looks similar to hers (and mine, but I am 5'10").

Reading about the X shape figure gave me an aha moment. Although 2 image consultants have called me an hourglass, I continued to feel like I had a pear-shape. That was because of my tendency to carry weight in my low hip area despite being quite slim overall and because my bust is not that large (my hips are larger than my bust but my shoulder are larger than my hips by a few inches).

Another good description of the body type that you (and I) have is the Vase shape as defined by Trinny and Susannah of the original What Not to Wear. They said that the Vase is like a stretched out hourglass, hence the curves are not as extreme.

Whatever you want to call it, you look great from the photo! Accentuating the waist is key for our type of body. I always feel more polished and attractive when I highlight my smaller waist and torso area. I also like to show off my toned and trim arms. I have been much happier since I started focusing on accentuating the positive instead of lamenting what I consider negative (larger hips and thighs).

Anonymous

Hi Andrea! Hmmm. I would have said you were an Inverted triangle because your shoulders look wider than your hips. I.T.'s can also have a defined waist, as you do. I see why everyone thinks you are an hourglass, though, and why you're felt partly like a pear. Most of us are hybrids, anway! I'll be interested to see what Angie thinks.

I'll bet you are easy to dress! Lovely figure. Welcome aboard!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Welcome to the forum!

You are an hourglass with a strong shoulder line. I look forward to seeing more of your style.

carmina33

Great blog suggestion, Anne! I'm still a newbie at this, too.