How do you know...

Maya

In all honesty I think I am beyond body types at this point. I have a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn't, and if I don't, I just try it on and find out...so there really isn't any point in me analyzing my body type to bits anymore. This is just a question that comes out of sheer curiosity:

How do you know which body type is primary and which is secondary? So, for example, how do I know if I am an apple that tends toward an hourglass or an hourglass that tends toward an apple? How does Angie know she is an hourglass first and a rectangle second? Or is it not even that important as long as you know you're both?

16 years ago

Body Type

5 replies

Latest reply was from shiny

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Maya, I'm like you in that I just try things on regardless of body type. It's helpful to know my body type, but I think if I focus on it too much it controls me and what I wear or am willing to try on.
I'm an hourglass for sure. I do have slightly wider hips than shoulders, but not enough to classify me as a pear because I can wear some things that pears can't. I have decently broad shoulders and a fuller bust. A lot of pears I know are naturally smaller busted, and many of them wear a smaller size on top than on bottom. I wear the same size top and bottom. And so on.
But yeah, I've enjoyed trying new things recently and honestly haven't given a thought to my body type. When I see something I don't like, I can usually figure out why by measuring up to my type, though. So it can be guiding so long as I don't let it become controlling.

16 years ago

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I'm with Sarah, I don't give it much thought, I just try things on. (A lot of things these days!) I think I am part hourglass, part pear, but then there are body parts too that I take into account for fit, like being busty, sloping shoulders, etc.

All of that comes into play when I am evaluating how something fits, but even then unless it's gaping noticeably or makes it look unattractive, I don't worry about it too much. It's only every once in a while that something is CLEARLY cut for a different body type; for example, last night I tried on a very cute purple knit dress, but it bulged out all over my hips almost like a pinafore. I knew it had to be for a pure pear, and one that was smaller-chested too. But those are rare.

16 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I know what both of you mean. I think by the time I found out I had a secondary body type (initially I think Angie had me pegged as an hourglass, but then added apple when she met me in person), I already knew intuitively to dress myself as an apple and wasn't really following any hourglass rules. So finding out I was an apple just sort of confirmed what I had been doing and made everything make more sense, but did not add anything to my shopping experience. While I *look* more like an hourglass than an apple, I find dressing like an hourglass to be very difficult for me since so much emphasis is on the waist...and that is just a bad idea for my apple side. That is why I have been saying that I am an apple that tends towards an hourglass, rather than the other way around.

I *would* explain why this popped into my head, but I can't! It's a secret =X

16 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I think that the primary shape is the one that fits you best. The secondary shape may be one that you only tend towards in a certain area, but don't fit that overall shape.

16 years ago

shiny

Veteran

When I am wearing nothing or just underwear and I look in the mirror, I don't look at all inverted triangle. I only look inverted once I put clothes on; and certain styles can most definitely make me look like a linebacker. But that's why I say I have a tendency in that direction: without any clothes, I do not look like a linebacker.

As for the apple part, I notice it more from the sideview than the front view. The front view, without clothes, I have a clear indent at the waist - it's just not very tiny. And chest vs hip width looks proportionate.

There's no denying I have a soft squishy middle, ever since having kids, so that is the apple part. But before kids I didn't have the squish. So again, I figure this is a tendency. (One that gets more pronounced as I gain weight, and with TTOM for sure).

I think I'm one shape from the front, and one from the side...

16 years ago

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