Please help - REALLY unusual body type :( - YouLookFab Forum

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Please help - REALLY unusual body type :(

Bluebell

I would REALLY appreciate any input from you lovely people but PLEASE be gentle. It's taken me A LOT of courage to post these as I am VERY body consious

Firstly I am disabled so have poor muscle tone and am unable to exercise at all. I had a HUGE baby 12 yrs ago who left me with a very damaged stomach and a lot of loose skin - so bad that the nhs offered me a free tummy tuck to remove it all (which I refused) - but it's left my frame a strange shape and a tummy that sticks out further than my small chest I am very short waisted but have very long legs (33" inside - I'm 5ft 7).

Being disabled I feel consious enough and I try very hard to stay trim and feminine and would love to figure out what shape to dress for. Well meaning friends tell me I'm a pear and I have a short torso, uber long legs, very angular bony shoulders... maybe it's my smallish chest?? If ANYONE can spare a minute to help me work out what I am it would give me SO much confidence I can't begin to tell you I've googled for years but my measurements always come up with different shapes?!

My measurements are:

Around my shoulders: 37"
Bust - 35"
Waist (around belly button so above buldge) - 26/27"
Hips (around hip bones) - 34"
Hips (around widest part of bum - wasn't sure where to measure) - 37"

When I put on weight it tend to go onto my tummy which will jut out further resembling pregnancy lol! ( but not in width).

Photos:

http://img443.imageshack.us/i/image1qy.jpg/

Thanks so so much in advance, I appreciate any suggestions or links massively! xxx

Body Type

55 replies

Latest reply was from Bluebell

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Congrats on posting! You have a lovely figure, long, slim legs, nipped in waist. I'll let the body shape experts chime in but I wanted to reassure you that you have nothing to worry about...you are in good hands here.

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Welcome! What a fab figure you have! I'm no help either with the body shape, but wanted to say how great you look - sorry you've had a difficult time and have concerns about things but there'll be some more helpful people along very soon!

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Bluebell good on you for posting! I think you have a lovely figure. Gorgeous toned arms and legs, and such a tiny waist. I'm no expert but you seem to be natural hourglass to me, with an appley tummy only. As someone who is appley all over, I have to say you have a lot to bo envious of. I hope you learn how to make the most of your beautiful figure with the help of this site and others!

crwilson

Veteran

I'm not great at body shapes either, but I think you look like an hourglass. You have a lovely figure, and you'll find lots of great advice here. Congratulations on posting!

Bluebell

Thank you SO SO much for the replies so far ladies... I can't tell you how truly grateful I am!! You all are such a friendly bunch, it's taken me so long to do this but I'm so desperate to go and buy some clothes that work for me to try and feel a bit more confident as when you use crutches and a w.chair you have to make even more effort when you leave the house as more ppl have a good stare...well more than they used to before I had to use them lol!
I feel geniunely physically sick with those photo's up there at the moment so thank you so much for being so gentle with me! xx

Lynne

Veteran

Well done, Bluebell - I would be proud to post with your figure! I see an hourglass with strong shoulders, ie a perfect clotheshorse!

Welcome to the forum - this is the nicest bunch of people you will find anywhere in blog-land :).

Jennifer

Wow! We have almost exactly the same figure!! I am probably much taller, 6'2, but we have the same measurements and look very similar. I don't really know what I am either. I've settled on pretty pear because of my tendency to put on weight in my hips and thighs. I am sure more expert opinions will chime in, but let me say you look absolutely lovely and seeing your pictures makes me feel a little more confident about my own shape. Truly!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

You're being way too hard on yourself!
I also think that you're an hourglass with an apple tendency- and that you have a lovely figure. I think that once you read how to dress your body type you will be well on your way.

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Bluebell, you have a stunning figure! Nothing to worry about at all. I hate to try to put a label on anything when I'm not sure so will wait for Angie and our more expert members. Hugs to you -- you already look fab!

Bluebell

Thank you so much girls for your input...it really is very kind of you to take the time to help me out and I actually feel a bit more normal/less odd too from your lovely comments... thank you tons xx I'm not used to compliments! I am really suprised that you think I'm an hourglass with such a belly & small chest lol! I'm feeling SO excited at the thought of finally being able to look at the guides of what I should be doing (& have been doing wrong my whole life lol!). I relate to the apple tendencies for the stomach too... the only part that confuses me is don't apples hide/disguise their stomachs and hourglasses emphaise their small waist lines? If I was an h.glass with an apple tummy, how would I put that rule together? Sorry for picking your brains *Edit* maybe I should ask this after the amazing Angie has cast her eye on me? lol!

Debora

Veteran

Welcome Bluebell! So glad you got up the courage to post. The first step is the hardest, the rest will be fun! This is a wonderful community here.

You look like an hourglass ( with just a smidgen of a belly) to me, but I'm sure Angie will chime in later this morning.

Perhaps you can start by posting an outfit of two, and we can take it from there. You'll find lots of helpful advice and support here.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

When I clicked on this topic, i was prepared to see someone with a very "unusual" body, but if I had seen your picture without the intro, I would have simply thought, "wow, she looks great!" Actually, that's exactly what I thought anyway. Please be kinder to yourself!

You and I are the same height and with the same inseam, but my figure issues are just the opposite of yours: I gain weight widthwise, not in the tummy. It may be my own bias, but I think tummy issues are easier to disguise in a lot of modern fashion -- there are some lovely silhouettes with slim legs and flowy tops that I envy but can't wear, and I think you could pull them off beautifully.

I honestly think you have a lot more options for dressing than you currently realize! Like others said, post pictures of some of your outfits and you'll get some wonderful constructive criticism here.

Bluebell

Hi Debora Do you mean a pic of me in an outift? I can post a photo of what I'm wearing today - anything else would be in a day or two as my wardrobe is out of bounds due to decorating *ekkk!* lol!

Debora

Veteran

Bluebell, only if you feel comfortable in doing so. Not all forum members post photos, and those who do have their own ways of doing it. Some post specific items that they want feedback on, some post new items that they want opinions on whether to keep or return, some post entire outfits for consideration, and some like to document WIW (what I wore today). It's whatever you feel comfortable doing, but rest assured you will only thoughtful and constructive feedback. If you would like to post what you are wearing today, then you could start a new thread under the "what I wore" heading. We are so happy to have you here!

Stephanie

Veteran

I don't think you're unusual at all, unless by 'unusual' you mean *unique and beautiful*! Welcome to the forum.

Bluebell

This forum is just awesome I know I keep repeating myself but thank you everyone for such a warm, lovely welcome, yr advice, input, wisdom... I can't wait to become a really active member amongst such a lovely group of girls! I've always felt so ashamed of my figure and for the first time ever I actually feel like I might actually look relatively normal - something I've never ever felt. Thank you SO SO much (ps. I took a pic of what I was wearing and had to laugh at myself... I look like a brick - completely hiding my whole body in an attempt to disguise my tummy... mmm I'm so used to hiding my figure... perhaps today's photo is not a good starting point! *chuckles*) xx

Claudia

Veteran

Bluebell, sincerely, many women would be envious to have your figure!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Ah, Bluebell - your figure is lovely! I have the same measurements but I'm only 5' 4". It was determined that I was an hourglass which surprised me. Having a smaller bust, I never thought I was anything close to an hourglass! I always assumed pear. And I have to laugh over looking like a brick - I have a similar picture. I was at a friends wedding and had what I thought was a beautiful dress on that skimmed over my imagined tummy to camouflage it - or so I thouhgt. It really just made me look like a brick as you described! That was my first lesson in defining my waist, despite any belly issues. You're in good hands here. Congrats on posting your first pics for advice. It's a big leap.

Tricia

Veteran

Oh my goodness, you are way too hard on yourself! Your figure is absolutely lovely.

Vix

Veteran

Hi Bluebell --

No expert either but I agree with others that given your shoulder to hip balance and tiny defined waist it's looking good for the Hourglass bettors.

You are so slim overall that I can see why *you* notice your stomach area in profile, but after Angie weighs in you'll be out of your current clothes...and turn into the anti-brick!

Do you alternate using a wheelchair and crutches depending on your health? Each may have their own "best look."

PS The lovely YouLookFab poster Katja is a wheelchair user; I don't know that you two are similar body types -- can't remember! -- but you may try searching on her posts for ideas on how she brings attention to her face and deals with proper skirt and pant hem length when seated etc.

MNsara

Veteran

Welcome, bluebell! I was also expecting to see some truly unusual body type, but you have a lovely figure that you'll have fun dressing -- with maybe a bit of YLF guidance.

I'm still a body-type rookie, so I'll stay tuned to see if hourglass is the one!

My only (random) suggestion at this point is if your tummy is your least favorite part, and you don't mind body shapers, then I recommend Flexees for holding in wobbly parts (I prefer Flexees to Spanx, but either of them have a loyal following!)

Bluebell

Thank you again everyone... I sound like a parrot but I have never felt so happy and normal! I wish I could come and give each one of you a huge hug because today just feels like the biggest positive turning point in my life & I am so so grateful to every one of you who has taken the time to reply. Even taking a pic before and realising maybe dressing like a brick (& hearing others in the past have too lol!) maybe isn't the best way forward is an eye opener! I can't wait to get my final 'diagnosis' ;o) and put together a new wardrobe!

Vix - I never even thought about each having a best look! Good thinking! lol! And thanks so much for the heads up about the wonderful Katja. That will be really helpful!! Yep I do alternate. I only get so far on crutches before my legs/hips/spine completely give out and then I'm in a chair. Anything from 10 mins to about 30 mins usually. So I have to use a chair if I was going shopping as by the time I got from the car and through the first shop my legs seize up and I can't move... but if I went out for a meal I'm sitting so I'd crutch (or I'm stubborn... try to crutch too far... my legs seize anyway and my poor husband has to carry me out of shopping centres as I get stranded haha!).

FoolOfATook

Hi Bluebell,
Welcome! I will echo the sentiments above and say you have a lovely figure!

MsMary

Veteran

Good grief, I have to chime in and say that you have I BEAUTIFUL figure! I would give a million dollars for lovely collarbones and shoulders like yours!! To me you look like a knockout hourglass with a little bit of apple-ness in the tummy, like a lot of us have. You are going to have fun dressing this beautiful body!!

catgirl

Veteran

Just echoing what has already been said - you have a fantaistic figure and you look very fit to me - if you hadn't posted about disability and health issues, I would NEVER have known from your photos. You have great shoulders and I envy your long legs. I'd betting on hourglass as well. You will have so much fun here!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks for posting bluebell and congratulations! Welcome to the forum.

First, you have an fabulous body. Oh my goodness! Please love it like we do

Second, you're an hourglass with apple tendencies. I look forward to seeing more of your style!

HelloKitty

Welcome Bluebell!! It’s so great that you found the courage to post here, good for you! This is a very warm, welcoming place and you will feel safe here

I want to second everyone and say that you look fantastic! You have so many wonderful features – tiny waist, strong shoulders, shapely arms, long legs! Lots to show off! Be proud of your wonderful body 

Your body type is similar to mine, except that I’m short (5’2”) and have a larger bust. I also consider myself an hourglass with an apple tummy. Before joining YLF I too was always trying to hide my tummy in all the wrong ways. I’d buy size M and L in tops, when I really should’ve been buying S. Also, belting was a totally foreign concept to me, and now I love it! I can’t believe how much difference a belt can make. Try longer tunic tops (in woven, not knit fabrics) that flow over your tummy, and belt them at your natural waist. Taking pics of my outfits (even without submitting them for feedback here) was…sort of life-changing for me, as dramatic as that sounds. I really couldn’t believe how different I looked in photos compared to how I looked in the mirror. So I’d encourage you to start that way. Oh and…have you tried push-up bras? I started wearing them after my pregnancies and they help me achieve the right proportions (even though I have a larger bust…they haven’t been perky in a long time hehe).

If you look at some of the pics I’ve posted here (not many, I’m also pretty new) you might not believe that I have the same tummy as you. But I do! So believe me when I say you will figure it all out soon. Welcome to the forum

Bluebell

Thank you! thank you! thank you Angie, and every body. I am so grateful... excited... happy... I am overwhelmed at how kind you have all been at helping me figure out what is going on with my body and I cannot tell you how excited I am to sit down tomorrow and start reading completely new rules on what I should be doing. It's like all my christmas's at once. Thank you for everyones experiences and input. Everything has been so insightful. I don't even own a belt!! *chuckles at self*... I will be looking at quite a few of your posts to spot your piccies... i.e. hello kitty etc... I'm also tempted by those magic pants. You've all been so helpful and inspiring and I'm SO excited. I can't wait to join in You are such a supportive bunch. I love the idea of taking pics too to check myself out as I was suprised at my poor outfit attempt today *rolls eyes* :). I actually can't wait... you guys have had such a postive effect on me. Wow I'm not a perfect pear or a brick! I'm still gobsmacked! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH *HUGS* xxx

Louise

Veteran

Hi Bluebell I'm a bit late to this one and I see Angie has you sorted but I just wanted to welcome you on board x

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