Calling all inverted triangles!

hojarasca

Are we really a "rare breed"?

Lately I have become very conscious of the fact that my shoulders are about an inch broader than my hips. And the more I look around, the more women I see who are the same way! Practically 20% of the population, I'd say. So why do the pears steal all our thunder?

Also, I'd like to clarify something...is ANY woman with more shoulder than hip considered an inverted triangle? I have a fairly small bust and a small waist, but my torso is so long that you totally forget I have a waist by the time your eyes hit my shoulders!

14 years ago

Body Type

23 replies

Latest reply was from Pasteldreamrose

Veteran

Hi Hojarasca!

I'm an inverted triangle but I haven't really noticed many others. Well, I haven't really been looking for others.

Are you highlighting your small waist with wide or colorful belts?

I once read somewhere that our body shape is what most models' body shapes are because clothing hangs better off our wider shoulders. So wear your clothes with some runway sass. : )

14 years ago

Carole

Veteran

I'm an inverted triangle, in fact, that is how I found YLF! I was looking for help in finding clothes that fit and flatter my shape. I struggle with looking like a football player, or masculine in certain tops and jackets. Having bigger boobs seems to make the problem a little harder to solve, but I could be wrong. While it seems most gals stuggle with looking too big in the hips or middle, this is not my problem. Just knowing that I should look for "V" type tops, and avoid detail at the shoulder or boat neck, crew type tops and jackets has helped me find more flattering clothes without all the frustration and discouragement . Knowing that A line skirts and detail at the hem can bring attention to my best asset, my legs, has helped too. I'm realizing that skirts and dresses are my friend and have begun to add those to my wardrobe.

I've read what AJ refers to about most models are inverted triangles, I'd be interested to see what others think!

14 years ago

Active Member

I am an inverted triangle as well, though I have a larger bust and am short waisted. I think most women are a combination of body types - it sounds like you may also have some of the characteristics of a racy rectangle.

14 years ago

April

Veteran

It does seem that the forum has a number of I.T. shapes, myself included, but I think it's hard to tell what people's "true" shapes are when you see them dressed in street clothes. When people post to the forum to find out their body shapes, it's very difficult to give an opinion until they photograph themselves in something like a cami and leggings. So those triangles you're seeing on the street might look different in their skivvies.

14 years ago

April

Veteran

Also, good question whether every shape with shoulders slightly wider than hips is an I.T. I remember Angie telling my sister that she was "a slight hourglass with a strong shoulder line," so it seems like wider shoulders by themselves aren't the only criterion.

I'll defer to Angie on this, but I have always thought the I.T. shape was defined by both the wider shoulders/narrower hips AND the lack of much waist definition.

14 years ago

hojarasca

Member

AJ - I am actually a little hesitant to draw attention to my waist with belts...my shoulders measure about 38" and my waist 25.5" so I feel like belts only draw attention to the stark contrast (without enough hip to even out the picture). Do most of you other I.T.s take the belt route?

So perhaps I'm not 100% I.T.....maybe I should consider taking a picture like April mentioned.

I welcome any other clothing recommendations, because I'm still figuring this out. The sad thing is that I LOVE sleeve/neckline embellishments. The puffed sleeves and boat necks have slowly been making their way out of my closet. I'm also making an effort to purchase light colored pants and skirts, something I rarely considered before. By the way, as summer approaches, is there a verdict on halter tops for broad shoulders?

14 years ago

Dusty

(website)

Active Member

I'm an inverted triangle, with rectangular tendencies. I do think we're more on the rare side, but since we're looking for them, we notice them more, you know?

I've heard halter tops recommended for broad shoulders - I think they break up the shoulder line a little bit.

14 years ago

Carole

Veteran

hojarasca- I can relate to your reluctance to use belts. I find if I wear them on my natural waist, it is not flattering, but if I wear them lower more towards my hips, that helps balance things out, I will attach a photo of an example...

http://i561.photobucket.com/al.....C03415.jpg

I have read differing opinions about halter tops for broad shoulders, I personally think
they are one of the most flattering necklines for me.

14 years ago

Maya

Veteran

Having wider shoulders doesn't mean you're an inverted triangle. It's a question of visual balance. Two people with the exact same measurements can be two different body types. That is why pictures are so important. One person can have 40" sloping shoulders and another person can have a very straight. upright shoulder line of the same measurement.

14 years ago

anne

Veteran

I can really relate to your comment about your torso being so long "that you totally forget I have a waist by the time your eyes hit my shoulders!" I have said before that I think a long torso makes it harder to determine body type because of the distance between shoulders and hips (in my case I have a strong shoulder line, and fairly slim hips but a fuller bottom and thighs. I don't carry any extra weight at the top of my body)
According to Angie's description here
http://youlookfab.com/2006/05/.....-triangle/
I don't thing you are a "classic" IT but you probably have tendencies in that direction.

14 years ago

shana

Veteran

I am inverted triangle (with apple tendencies) although in my case, I feel like it's not even that my shoulders are wide but that my back is broad. My waist is undefined & my hips are slim in comparison.

I don't think that everyone with wide shoulders is an IV triangle though - like the others have stated, it could just be a tendency and you might be more of a rectangle (which is what I think most models are anyway even though we say they are inverted triangles). The visual makes a big difference!

Body shape analysis does seem to be an art rather than a science. Often, it seems that anyone with carrying extra pounds gets classified as an apple and it's not until they shed the extra pounds that we see their true shape. I wonder if working out & lifting alot makes a difference in terms of women being classifies as inverted triangles - I'm sort of thinking of female body builders here.

Aside from pears being the dominant body shape, statistically speaking, I think pears & hourglasses are traditionally associated with the "feminine" form with their shapely (i.e. child-bearing) hips

14 years ago

jade

Member

I have unbelievably broad shoulders- they're 38 inches compared to my 29 inch hips and 26 inch waist and I really struggle to find things to wear but I like the skater skirts at the moment, they can really emphasise your hips and if you wear a black cardi I find it makes your shoulders look smaller does anyone have any tips for me about what else I can wear? It would be much appreciated

11 years ago

qfbrenda

Veteran

Another IT here... 35" hips and 39" shoulders.

Jade, maybe you've seen it but in case you haven't... Angie has a good article about dressing the IT body:http://youlookfab.com/2010/05/.....type-2010/

11 years ago

Peri

Veteran

Oh dear...I must be the IT-est of the ITs.

My shoulders are 42 inches around!!! My hips are 37.

But if your shoulders are smaller than your hips, where do your arms go?! They can't hang straight down?

11 years ago

K. Period.

Veteran

LOL! Peri, you crack me up. I haven't even thought about measuring my shoulders. It could get really ugly. I do know this: I typically have at least a three size difference between my tops and my bottoms. Now I have a new way to look at it: lots of arm swinging room!!!

hojarasca, I'm an IT too if the above wasn't obvious enough. I'm more of an IT/rectangle. Very little waist, so I'm boyish and athletic looking when thin/dressed well and stocky and mannish looking when not. Other than my lovely chest, that is. The girls save me. Thank goodness for the girls!

You have me wondering, though, because of your small waist, wouldn't you wear fuller, gathered bottoms well? That could give you hourglass balance. My non-waist won't let me wear them well, but pencil skirts are my best friend.

As far as tops, I think that wraps, thicker straps on tank styles and peplums are lovely on us big shouldered gals.

11 years ago

Joy

Veteran

This is a really old thread! I miss Maya.

11 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

I'm an IT but I dress like a rectangle.

Also, I love crewnecks. Why can't we wear crewnecks again?

11 years ago

K. Period.

Veteran

Joy, you are so right! I didn't even see that. It is nice, though, that I get to identify my favorite IT posters, all in one easy thread!

11 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

IK, I think crewnecks emphasize the bust, so if a person is busty, they might want to avoid it (but certainly don't have to!).

I miss Maya too. I wonder what she's up to these days.

11 years ago

cinderskill

(website)

Member

It's nice to see that other women have the same shape as me, It makes me feel less alone! I hardly see anyone with this shape on the streets around here, but in the media I see a few of them. Pamela Anderson (even before the breast augmentation) and Angelina Jolie both have this shape.

My shoulders are 40", my bust is 38", my waist is 30", and my hips are 38". I know that sounds much more even than any other inverted triangle but I actually just have a round butt with narrow hips. If I just measure the front part of my shoulders and hips my shoulders are 20" across and my hips are 16" across.

Does anyone know if swimming as a child could have influenced my body shape? I was in swimming lessons for most of my childhood.

11 years ago

Alex Lloyd

Member

For me, I have broad hips AND shoulders, so it's really hard to tell. My shoulders are broader than my hips, so when I wear a loose shirt you can't see my curves. I am a bit of an inverted triangle, my hips stick out and so do my shoulders. I don't know exactly what the criteria is but I'm trying!

6 years ago

Staysfit

Veteran

I’m an IT, but Angie categorized me as a Rectangle, and when I started on the forum, I thought I might be a Pear! How’s that for shape confusion!

Seriously, going by measurement alone, my shoulders win the race.

6 years ago

Pasteldreamrose

Member

I'm an IT, because my shoulders are an inch wider than my hips, although like others here have said, it is not the reason for being one, even though I disagree. My shoulder circumference is 34 1/2; waist 24 1/2 and my Hips are 35 1/2. Those measurements alone would make me seem like a pear but most of my weight is gained in my thighs and butt. My waist is also 11 inches smaller than my hips so I have a defined waist too. Honestly not sure what mix of body shapes I seem to be lol. My hips are really 33 1/2 if it weren't for my butt.

6 years ago

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