What in the world is my body type?

Hello, YouLookFab! I'm new here and was hoping that you could help me out.

Lately, I've been feeling down about my body. I think I'm a rectangle shape (wider shoulders and ribcage, small breasts, small square hips, flatter butt), but I'm not entirely sure. Whatever shape I am, I've been having real problems dressing it.

I am 21 years old, 5'0, 112-115 pounds (looking to lose some weight), 34A/32B bra, size 2 in pants/some dresses, and generally size S-M in shirts.
I can't upload photos, so here is a link to some photos of me: http://imgur.com/TDy35U8&.....;FuWXN6G#0

All the descriptions I read tell me that rectangle shapes are the easiest to dress, but I'm having a real problem finding clothes that I like AND that flatter my shape. I believe my issue is that I'm too petite to be "curvy," yet too boxy to have clothes normally suited for lithe rectangle shapes fit me well. I feel like everything I wear makes me look boxy or androgynous. Since I'm smaller, I also have serious issues "filling out" more adult clothing like trousers and pencil skirts. I have a particular problem finding dresses, skirts, any type of professional clothing (blazers, tailored slacks, and the like), and swimsuits.

Can you please help me identify my body type and give me some tips as to how to make it look more feminine/flattering?

11 years ago

Jules

Veteran

FWIW I see petite hourglass rather than rectangle. The curves don't have to be exaggerated to have the basic hourglass shape.

Kalli

Active Member

Welcome to YLF! I don't think I'm helpful for the body type identification part because I am trying to figure that out myself.

However, I suggest that you find a good tailor. That has always been the key to having a better fit.

Anonymous

I see petite hourglass too, with secondary rectangle. You look lovely!

T-Rex

Are you looking for clothes in the Petite section? If not, you should try it out. It can be harder to shop that section sometimes. At many stores, everything I see in Petites looks either too old (frumpy) or too young (girlish). At least in my town, they do. However, that's not always the case.

I think it would be worth scouting out some stores that carry non-frumpy petite styles. INC, for example, makes many of their items available in petite sizes. I've seen that brand at Macy's. My local TJMaxx has a pretty good selection of cool and/or professional looking petite clothing, too.

cinnamon fern

You look like an hourglass to me too - you don't need to be large-busted or super curvy, just balanced shoulders and hips with a significantly smaller waist.

Re your difficulty finding clothes - where are you shopping? Are you trying petites or regular sizes? Your shape does not look particularly hard to dress to me, although your height might be a bit challenging (I'm 5 4 and I often think it would be easier to find stuff that works if I were a couple inches taller).

BTW, why are you trying to lose weight? You look sleek and athletic in these pictures!

qfbrenda

I definitely see hourglass. Your shoulders and hips balance each other nicely and you have a well defined waist. http://youlookfab.com/2010/05/.....type-2010/

And ditto about You needing to find petite sized clothes. I would check places online like Gap, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, The Loft, Landsend... there are others, but those places tend to have lots of petite options. You might have to do more online ordering since those stores may or may not have lots of options in their brick and mortar stores. I feel your pain since I'm your weight and 5'1". I don't know what I would do without petite sizing on certain things.

Aziraphale

I agree with you and disagree with the others. I see a trim rectangle, with secondary hourglass. Your shape is not dissimilar to mine, and I'm short, too. One thing, though: you say you have a flat bottom, but it doesn't look like that too me. Also, you don't look like you need to lose weight.

I also agree that a rectangle shape is relatively easy to dress. You probably have more options than you think, although being petite does make things a little trickier. Fit is crucial. So, this is what works for me, and may work for you:

- tops that have a defined waist. Fitted shirts, unbuttoned to a v neckline, work well for me, because they curve in at the waist and flare out over the hips, creating a more hourglass shape. I must buy petite sizes for them to fit right (I'm 5'1", around 102-3 lbs). You probably would too. Boxy tee shirts don't look great, but stretchy ones with a waist cut in tend to look good.

- jackets with a defined waist that hit at the low hip. Short "schoolboy" styles make me look topheavy

- sleeveless tops

- virtually all styles of jeans, as long as the rise isn't too high. A high rise visually shortens the torso, which often doesn't work for short women

- loose, "boyfriend-style" button-front shirts over skinny jeans. In this case you surrender the waist entirely, but it works because the pants are tight. I can only pull this off if the sleeves of the shirt are rolled up, and the top buttons are unbuttoned into a vee.

- either pencil skirts or fuller skirts that are gathered at the basque work well. Full skirts gathered at the waist look weird on me.

- short skirts paired with tall flat boots, or with short, heeled ankle boots

- tunic and leggings. Works best with sleeves rolled up, to draw the eye upward.

- also, I wear a lot of chunky heeled shoes/boots. Often that's the difference between a great outfit and a flop.

Sarah A

You have gotten great advice already so I just wanted to say welcome!

Charmian

I'm going to disagree with the majority also, and put a vote in for primary rectangle / secondary hourglass.

But don't be discouraged! The consensus seems to be that you're on the border of rectangle and hourglass, so I would look at both body types and select the bits that apply to you. For example, if you want to highlight your slim waist (don't be so down on your body, it's lovely!), look to the hourglass recommendations; but you might also want to avoid the rectangle suggestions on drawing attention to your bust.

Suz

(website)

You have a lovely shape.

I will be a pain and disagree with EVERYONE.

I put you smack dab in the middle of a slim hourglass/rectangle. HA - how's that for sitting on the fence?!

Having said that, on the whole I agree with the clothing and shopping advice the other have already given.

Welcome to the group, and worry not! You will soon find great clothes to fit and flatter. I think what makes it tougher is the height issue. But we have MANY super stylish petite women on the forum to emulate.

(At 5'4" I'm not quite petite, but I am smack in the middle of hourglass/ rectangle with a small bust but muscular thighs/ bum. So I understand some of your fit challenges! )

koalitah

Member

Your body looks great. However I'm not sure that you're rectangular or hourglass... because the top you're wearing ads some volume to your shoulders and it could be misleading. I would like to see a picture of your body with a top that shows off your shoulders so that I can see for sure.

I think that you're probably a Pear shaped (I think your top is just adding volume to your shoulders). However I do advise that, to be sure, you measure your body and calculate it on a body shape calculator. There are many online.

If you're a Pear (like a think you are), you're actually choosing the right tops for you (the ones that add some volume to the shoulders/bust). For bottoms, I would advise straight or bootcut jeans/pants, and A-line skirts.

In case you need some extra advice, I recommend that you take a look at the "Styling Up" website (google it) . It has stylists recommendations for every body shape and size.

Hope it helps.

Bree

I'd also like to see more pictures. I'm not an expert by any means. However, I'm going to disagree with everyone and say hourglass/pear like me. I am a petite hourglass/pear and use to consider myself a spoon.lol... I'm 5"1 105 lbs now, 34 D, 26 waist and 35-36 hips. You seem similar to me in shape. Post more pics though

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