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Body Shape Confusion.

Roxanne

Hello there!
For most of my life I've been on the heavier side, just this year I lost so much of my weight. Dropping from a size 12 to 6, 145lbs to a 120lbs. Being this "small" in body is a fairly new thing for me so I'm a tad more interested in understanding my physical body.

Anyways, my current measurements are 35-27-35 wit a 34C in bras. I'm also a petite with the height of 5'1. Immediately I seem to have the figures of a ruler. I read some information on ruler types and I can say most definitely that I do not fit the characteristics of it. I gain weight easily and I'm more "soft" than toned. I sort of see myself as hourglass but I don't have the enormous difference between waist and hips to be really considered as one.

Here are a couple photos for reference:
http://i117.photobucket.com/al.....k/bod2.jpg
http://i117.photobucket.com/al.....k/bod1.jpg (taken yesterday)

Thanks for taking the time!

Body Type

22 replies

Latest reply was from Dashrashi

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Hello! Waving over to you from here It's nice to see another petite on the forum!
You sound like an hourglass with those measurements.

A longish tunic or short dress would be nice over those leggings in the second picture.

Inge

(website)

Welcome to the forum Roxanne! And congratulations on the weight loss.
For me it's a bit hard to tell from your pictures, but your measurements would indicate you're an hourglass (you really don't need a giant difference between waist and hips, shoulders to hip ratio plays a big role too).

P.S. You look great in red!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Welcome! Like the others, I suspect you're an hourglass, and I agree with Inge about the red!

bran888

It sounds like you are well balanced, but going on measurements alone I would say that you are a straight-ish hourglass or a rectangle (usually, an hourglass has a 10 inch or more difference between waist and hips and/or waist and bust/shoulders). For your hips measurement, are you measuring around the fullest part of the hips, around your butt?

I am your height too, and we actually look curvier because the curves are spread out over a shorter distance...so, an 8 inch difference between waist and hips probably looks curvier on you than it would on someone who is 5'7''.

Even if you are technically a ruler type, you do have curves, so if you feel that the hourglass dressing tips are more flattering to your figure, you should go with that. Experimentation is good Congratulations on your weight loss!

Roxanne

@Bran888: I measure the fullest part of my hips and around my bum, yes. Not having the 10 inch smaller waist makes me not see myself as an hourglass figure. When o look at myself in the mirror with just my underwear on the indentation is quite noticeable. Information on body shape criterias is very confusing. And thank you!

bran888

It can be confusing! Measurements are a good starting point, but two people can have the same measurements and look very different. If you feel that you have a small middle/defined waist, then you should play around with hourglass dressing guidelines. I think you'll figure out what works for your body by trying different styles.

Queen Mum

Veteran

you look like an hourglass to me as well. You don't need to be the textbook curvacious type to fall in the hourglass category. You look to be a tad short waisted which would contribute to the feeling that you are more straight, but I wouldn't call you a rectangle/ruler.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I actually think you're an apple from those pictures.

jazM

i agree with most of the comments and hourglass:)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I agree that the body type information can be confusing; nobody falls perfectly into any one type, and our vertical shape is also relevant (i.e. whether we are long or short-waisted or have long limbs.)

Note that if you are going by measurements, the proportions are a bit different for a petite woman. This link might be useful. People often fail to take this into account. http://www.alterationsneeded.c.....types.html

It's a bit hard to tell for sure from your photos. I think the front view is hourglass and the side view might make you an adorable apple...in which case following both those guidelines (where they are consistent) might be your best bet.

Roxanne

This might be a better photo for reference, I was reluctant maybe it could be deemed as inappropriate. (No I'm not naked) - (removed it :P)

I have short torso (short waist also..) and long (31" inches) legs. I still have to slim my tummy down but I feel feminine with this size.

And thanks for the opinions ladies!

Queen Mum

Veteran

I think Khris might be right after seeing the skivvies pic You look a bit apple-ish.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Have you looked over at http://www.insideoutstyleblog......pes-8.html You may be an 8, which is a type of hourglass.

bran888

yeah I agree....your hips/thighs are quite slim. I think apple guidelines would suit you best.

Roxanne

I thought about the apple shape before when I was bigger. My weight is stored rather evenly in my body though with the larger size and now even.

And Mo, thanks for directing me to that link! That seems to be accurate. Thank you!

esenin

Hey there! Welcome!
I too see you as an 8. My first thoughts when reading your measurements and hearing your confusion about the ruler figure type were "Oh my gosh! I bet she's an 8 like me!"
I hear your confusion, but I defiantly see the dramatic 8 curves.

The only issue I see in your post is that you said that you wear a 34C bra-I don't know if this will be welcome or unwelcome news, but I can almost guarantee that you should be wearing a different size.
The 34 in the size designates that you have a ribcage measurement(right under your breasts) of 32 to 34 inches. Because you have such a tiny 27 inch waist, I doubt that your ribs taper so quickly.
A more correct size would be 32D or 30DD-if your current cup size is perfect (no overflow, gaping, or discomfort). The cup sizes are proportional within each band. A 32D is smaller than a 36D. A 32D has approximately the same volume as a 36B- a "D" cup isn't huge!
There are many ways to measure your size, but there is no substitute for trying on different sizes. Nordstrom's bra department is wonderful.
The old method of determining bra size requires you to add 5 or 6 inches to your ribcage measurement to find you size. This was necessary because the bras had no elastic. Now, wearing a bra with a band size close to your ribcage measurement ensures a more comfortable fit.

This is the simplest guide to measuring that I have found.
http://www.wikihow.com/Measure-Your-Bra-Size

I seem to have written an essay...oy vey.
Again, welcome to YLF! I know that you'll fit right in.

Roxanne

Thanks Esenin! The lady who fitted me last suggested a 32D as well! I think I'll follow that size the next time I purchase my bras!

I think I'm a figure of 8 ! Except I don't have much of a bum otherwise the description is truly accurate to my body. I feel alot more confident with my body now. I was thinking that I had to lose more weight! But this is my body and I love it.

Thanks again ladies!

Roxanne

Back again! I had two bra fittings today by two different individuals. The first said that I was a 30D and the second put me in a 34B! I don't quite understand how this is working?

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

The second one was probably Victorias Secret and they don't carry your proper size so they adjusted to their sizing. I would suggest sticking with a brand that provides a quality product with good support and shape.

Roxanne

I heard that 30D is a harder size to find, do you by any chance know any 'twin sizes'?

rute

Veteran

Congrats on your weight loss!
I vote hourglass with apple tendencies!

Dashrashi

Veteran

The issue with so-called "twin sizes" in bras is that what you usually get is a larger band size and a smaller cup size, which is grossly under-supportive and leads to a bad fit. You really do not want to monkey around with a larger band size than you should be wearing by reducing the cup size. The cup-sizes will be close, but the fit will still be really off. That's how you get quadra-boob, underboob-hangout, riding-up bands and the attendant back-fat effect, low-riding boobs, etc. Stick with the 30D to start, if you can possibly find it. (For what it's worth, I also have apple tendencies and I find it particularly important to make sure my bra fits as well as possible--I want my bust as far up in the air, and away from my midsection, as I can reasonably get it. Otherwise it all blends together and I look much bigger and dumpier than I am.)