I find specifics helpful . . . what one considers narrow or short, for instance, can vary. But if you say you wear a 29 inseam jean or size 10 petite skirts I can say, hey, me too! I can understand where it can get a little touchy, but I really don't think anyone here is putting judgement alongside stats. They are simply helpful if looking to find someone similar to yourself, which is the point of the thread. Any time we get to talking about specifics in body size or shape it's bound to come up? I'm sure no one is looking to make anyone else feel uncomfortable. And I hope it never came across that way.

I am sorry, Anna! I agree with Mo that I don't think there's any judgment going on, but I totally understand how it might be uncomfortable to read all of these numbers. I have to keep telling myself that in the end they are just numbers. I had a friend in law school who shared clothes with me, and we were the exact same size and height, but she weighted 20 pounds more - dense bones and muscles was all we could figure.

I'm finding it helpful to know specifics in terms of my misperceptions from photos. I had no idea Inge was so much taller than me, and no wonder those slouchy pants were so fab on her and didn't work for me! If I'd known that ahead of time, I wouldn't have ordered them.

Maybe it's because I'm a technical person, but I love the numbers. I don't want to guess or fudge. Knowing someone else's weight, height or measurements helps me see my own body more objectively, and reduces the likelihood that my head is in some fantasy land about how large/small/tall/short/whatever I actually am.

Really, we are all beautiful

Yes, Una, so true! I have had several people think that I am taller than I am. A few times when I would link to a skirt that's 18", and mini on a 6' model, some would think it would be too short for me - but that's just a few inches above the knee on me.

Amen, Angela! And we are all here to adorn our beautiful selves as best we can

Let's see if I can find a triplet; I think I'm very similar to ClearlyClaire

5'7"

Weight - 125 to 135 lbs
Bust - 34"
Waist - 26"
Hips - 35"

Shape - Hourglass

Tops - XS/S - US 4
Dresses - US 2/4
Bottoms - XS/S - US 2/4

Boobies - 34C
Shoesies - 7.5 W

I was going to post but if people are feeling uncomfortable then maybe i will not?

EVERYONE IS AWESOME!

Xoxo to all our lovely shapes, heights, and sizes.

I am always looking to steal fit/proportion tips and don't care about measurements -- but if you have any or all of the below, please holler my way.

-- Rectangle shape (non-indented waist)

-- muscular calves that make boot shopping a PITA

-- wider to wide feet +/- very high arches

-- proportionately short legs +/- fuller bust

-- short waist +/- long rise (yep, I've got a lot of torso)

-- long arms

-- (not shape-related, but: thick wavy hair)

This is in anticipation that I will finally post a photo!

I'm 5'9", on the skinny side, proportioned with longer torso and waist, shortish legs, and belong to the long neck and bony chest club. Have been an hourglass but turning pearish as I get older.

I think this is not so much about weight or figures (which can change), as about how our bodies are proportioned. Just wearing booties with a 1 1/2 inch heel and PPL has me looking much better. Am still working out what jacket length is best.

Lyn, yes, very similar. I will be taking a second look at your WIW's with this new information in mind! You wear some silhouettes I wouldn't have considered before.

Lyn, yes, very similar. I will be taking a second look at your WIW's with this new information in mind! You wear some silhouettes I wouldn't have considered before.

Thanks for all the responses. I am sorry that this thread has made a couple of you uncomfortable. It was not my intention to do so, or to be any way uncomplimentary to our bodies - just to have a bit of a shortcut to learn from each other about flattering our own bodies.

I didn't include my weight in this thread, as I have found it not that helpful with, as Una mentioned, the wide variations possible at the same weight.

It's true, numbers and stats can be helpful, but they can also be triggering and uncomfortable for many of us. I have found this helpful, but i've also lost a lot of body shame recently and am able to note that someone else is smaller or "more proportional" than me without taking it as some kind of indictment.

I wouldn't want anyone to feel bad about anything they read here. You're all beautiful and amazing, and I admire all of you!

I want to give everyone a great, big hug. All this stuff can do a number on our heads. Remember, the only rule on YLF is to have fun!

Here goes:

5'8
36-29.5-39.5
10N shoe size
body type — rectangular/Inverted triangle

I have broad shoulders and a small bust and am long waisted. I normally wear 8s and 10s, with some 6s (bottoms only). When I have to size up to 10s or even a L in tops and outerwear, it's due to my shoulders. When I have to do so in blouses, then the extra ease I need for the shoulders becomes excess fabric over the bust, where I don't fill it out. I particularly hate shopping for blouses because of that. I am large boned, so luckily it is easier for me to hide a few extra pounds should they creep up.

I haven't found my body twin yet, so if any of this sounds familiar, give a shout.

Hugs from me, as well. I do understand that this kind of exercise can be a trigger for many of us.

When I look at the WIWs on this forum, though, what I see is what Angie said: Style is not about a weight, a size, or any set of numbers. And some of the most stylish women in the world don't fit society's ideal (which shifts and changes all the time, anyway!).

I don't know if it'll be useful to post mine too, since I don't have pictures going on yet, but will do so anyway - just in case anyone is curious about sizing etc.

150-155 lbs. - plump hourglass
5' 6"
Bust: 38 Waist: 29: Hips: 39
Shoe size: this is crazy, but Converse in womens size 7, Clark's and Ecco's in 7.5 or 38 for Eccos, and I think a size 8 for everything else, but this varies. Narrow feet, slightly plump/athletic calves (14.5" calf size at widest point)
Bra size: 36D, but I think I need to go down another band size
Clothing size: mostly 8-10 in mass-market retail stores, but I have things from size small to large, and from size 6 up to a 12 and they all fit me.
Inseam seems to be right around 32" - this is for flats. I find this a troublesome spot for me, finding pants that aren't too short or too long.
I don't know if I'm short or long waisted
I seem to have a small frame - a lot of stuff ends up too big in the shoulders, I have trouble with bracelets and watches (most are way too big), I can never buy a ring in a store, they are also too big, and 80% of the shoes I try on are too wide/loose.

In terms of body doubles/twins/triplets - I most identify with Kari, Khris (chewyspaghetti), Annagybe. Also I find things that MaryK likes works for me sometimes too. I've bought things that Kristen has tried as well, and they have also been good recommendations/ideas. Interestingly - when Claire posted a side-by-side photo comparing Gap Long & Leans next to some Target flares, the Target flares were clearly better (visually, not necessarily the quality). I went and tried them (the Target Mossimo premium flares) and I *love* them. Thing is? Claire and I are not 'twins' at all...but I can still see/recognize a good thing on anyone, even if they don't have the same shape/size as me.

Meanwhile, I've clued into why I have struggled with revamping my wardrobe/identifying my style - I'm not finished yet with weight loss. The past year and a half has been very stressful, with major changes in my life, and things have been 'on hold' on the weight loss front. This doesn't mean I'm not going to work on my style/closet at all - but it does mean that I've taken the pressure off to try and identify/label a particular style for myself right away. I've done some experimenting (trying some things that I'd never tried before), and am getting closer to what I like/don't like.

Lyn, you're similar to me, too, but with slimmer hips.

I find the measurements helpful - not to judge anyone! - but so I know who I can reasonably ask about fit and who I can reasonably look at and thing... hey that would look great on me, too. :T

Are there any other plus women around here?

I am 46 at the bust, 42 at the waist and 51 at the hips. I have a long torso/shortish legs and I'm 5ft 7.

I usually wear an 18/20 leaning more toward 18 on top, 20 on bottom but it varies. I have issues with waist gaps a lot in pants that I have to fix or wear belts.

I'm 5ft 7 and wear a 101/2 -11 shoe.

Kate, we are sort of similar, sister. You seem to be a thinner version of me with the exception of the long waist, I'm super short waisted. My only other sister so far is Legacy of Pearl, a small family of sorts.

VC, it sounds like we're not far apart either. I've got to say you don't sound plump to me.

I also have the trouble of many shoes being too wide, and many rings, bracelets, etc., being big on me! I think I'm a 5.5 ring size? So I often end up wearing rings on my middle finger.

Janet - thanks Good to know I can look to you for ideas too - yay!

So far I think Ruth may be the closest to being my body twin.

Just under 5'3"
Hourglass
Short waisted, so always wear petite tops/dresses.
Normal length legs, so wear standard length pants
I need to remeasure, so approximately:
Bust: 34-35
Waist: 28-29
Hips: 35-36 (maybe an inch wider at thighs)
8.5W shoe

Sizing:

Ann Taylor: 4P,SP in tops
Nordstrom brands: SP or 6P
Gap: 4 in jeans
Desigual: Medium or 38
Jigsaw: UK 10

Generally, I am either 4P or 6P, depending on whether the brand runs large or small.

Heighth - just a titch below 5'5".
Muscular, but thin build - if that makes sense.
No waist. Rectangular body shape.
Longer legs from hip to knee, than from knee to ankle.
Usually size 25 in jeans. Small in most other items.
Bra size: 34 A
Have no idea what my waist and hips measurements are - and since we've moved, I can't find the tape measure. (I'll go buy one today and measure myself!)
Don't know how much I weigh because I don't own a scale. Last time I was at Dr.'s about 6 months ago, I weighed 113lbs - which is probably still about right.
Shoe size: 7.5 (usually), 8 sometimes. Have problems wearing pumps or flats without some time of strap because my heels are narrow, while the rest of my foot is average width.
Thin legs in comparison to my arms -

Marley, we're pretty close. I'm a bit shorter than you (about an inch, maybe less) and don't have your slim legs.

Abie, I'm plus-sized too. I'm 5'10" (or 178 cm?) and wear a 14/16/18 (usually a 14 in skirts, 16 in tops/jeans and an 18 in pants although I can wear some XL/XXL tops too) and I'm a G/H cup. I need a 34"/35" inseam to wear flats.

I have been debating about whether to post because I don't want anyone to feel bad, but really we are all beautiful no matter what our size or shape! I don't focus on weight or size when I'm looking at your photos, I'm just blown away by your fab style (especially you Anna and Khris!) I do think it is helpful to see numbers, because photos can be deceiving (I'm always surprised at people's heights because some look petite when they're average or super tall when they're actually petite). Numbers are just numbers, they are measurements but they do not define who we are. I love Sal's post on this that was linked above, especially this paragraph:

"Our bodies are so much more than they appear. And they are ever so much more than the numbers that describe them. Those numbers can be helpful in certain contexts, but they will never provide a complete picture. So don’t ever let stats turn you against your body. Don’t ever let them rule you, shame you, or hold you back. They are just one chapter in the story of your body. The true, whole story of your body is one that only you can know."

I love how she was not ashamed at all to post her measurements. They are just numbers, nothing more. So in that light I'm going to post mine. I really like the idea of finding our body and style twins because it's so helpful when trying to shop for ourselves. Hugs, we are all different sizes and shapes but all uniquely ourselves and all beautiful!

Height 5'5"
Weight 125-130 (depending on how much candy I eat)
Shape Apple
Bust 35 (bra size 32DD)
Waist 31 (size 28 for jeans)
Hips 37
Clothing size usually S and 4-6 (but anywhere from 2 in Gap Long and Leans to 10 at H&M)
Shoe 7-7.5

I was surprised that amyreh is kind of a body twin, although she's an hourglass and I'm an apple. I can't believe we wear the same bra size--she looks so busty and curvy to me (in a good way!). Maybe it's the Marilyn Monroe effect, because she has a tiny waist? I also don't know Random Thoughts (Andrea)'s measurements but from past conversations I know that we are the same height, weight and clothing/shoe size. And I also make sure I check out all my fellow apples like Rita, Shannon, Sona, Helen, and Nancy (mochi) for tips on fit since they deal with the same tummy issues as me. Diana and Nancy (Citygirldc) are fellow Anthro style fans. And MaryK and Kari are not exactly the same shape but both bombshells who love color, so I always take notes on their WIW's. And even if someone is totally not my exact shape or style, I still can learn a lot from them!

Beautifully said, GP. I also enjoyed Sal (at alreadypretty.com)'s post! She is one dazzlingly confident woman, and an anti self-hate crusader, which I love her for! Her posts are always a pleasure to read - and she is a fun-dressed lady with an awesome collection of boots! I think her attitude is so productive and refreshing.

Unless I plan to pursue a new career as a Victoria Secret model - by trade I'm a teacher - I've never had the need to take my own measurements or the desire to weigh myself - lol! I pay attention to how I feel and how my favourite clothes fit. After baby #2 two years ago, I did go up a few pant and bra sizes. (Btw, my measurements were taken once in my life by a bra sales associate, and once when I had my wedding dress tailored to fit me perfectly!) So, if I do happen to have a body twin at YLF, all the info she'll get is:

Current stats:
Height:: 5'3
Size: 12- 14, or L Sometimes I'll need an XL if an item is tailored/meant to be snugly fitted.
Shoes: 7.5 - 8
Proportions: Well-balanced - just a bit of apple bounty.

GP, you and I actually are somewhat similar - same bra size, same jeans size (I'm 28 or 27, depending on brand) - the main difference is that you have hips and I have shoulders, and you're a little taller than me.

I'm thinking I may need to do a new body type post to reevaluate my shape - I'm pretty sure I'm an IT, but don't know if I'm secondary rectangle or apple...