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Original poster

Calling all inverted triangles! How do you dress to flatter your shape?

26 replies

SundayBagel · 06/08/2023 13:08

Hi,

I already have this running in S&B, but posting here for a bit more traffic 😊

Basically I'm just getting a bit sick of NOTHING fitting me properly! I'm a size 10, with broad shoulders, long legs, a high waist and a little bum.

I have a pretty decent figure outside of clothes, but in clothes, I feel so unattractive/unstylish. I have hips and curves, but they're just not in the place for most clothes to flatter me.

Against the 'rules' of my shape, skinny jeans seemed to actually flatter me, as long as I wore a top to balance me out, but now I just feel really dated. Although flares, bootcut and wide leg are in theory supposed to balance out my shape, I often just feel too big.

The fact I'm pushing 40 isn't helping, as I'm generally feeling a bit rubbish about myself.

Anyone have any tips on how to style this shape without looking frumpy or boxy?

TIA

OP posts:
ThunderclapCloud · 06/08/2023 13:16

I'm this shape too. Quite short as well, which adds to the fun! It's really not an easy shape to get clothes to fit, let alone flatter!
I shall follow for ideas, as I have no useful tips. Oh except that recently I have started buying oversized tops and getting them altered. Otherwise they hang off my broad shoulders and go nowhere near my slender hips.

ThunderclapCloud · 06/08/2023 13:18

My daughters are similar but taller and a bit more curvy. They look great in wide leg and bootleg trousers. They also look amazing in skinnies with big boots.

Original poster
SundayBagel · 06/08/2023 16:23

@ThunderclapCloud it's so hard isn't it! I would love to be more experimental.

My dd has inherited her shape from her dad's side (athletic hourglass) and she doesn't know how lucky she is. Throws anything on and looks gorgeous.

OP posts:

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ThunderclapCloud · 07/08/2023 09:04

I think it's just us @SundayBagel
And yes, my daughters just throw things on and look lovely. They can even buy things of the peg and know they'll* *fit!

Original poster
SundayBagel · 07/08/2023 11:08

@ThunderclapCloud it can't just be us!

OP posts:
ThunderclapCloud · 07/08/2023 20:21

I'm wondering whether to go for dresses as a big change. Saw a lovely sleeveless midi dress today in silk. I'm wondering if lack of sleeves would make shoulders look less broad. The fabric drapes nicely without clinging too.

Otherwise wise my go-to is fitted tee shirt/jumper with slightly boot cut trousers and a fitted jacket cut so it looks like i go in at the waist. Have learnt that attempting to 'hide' my figure under baggy clothes makes the situation worse!

madeinmanc · 07/08/2023 23:28

I have broad shoulders and am about size 10 or 12 (but not long legs, so take that into account).

I find I cannot wear large or floaty tops as they just hang down from my wide shoulders as @ThunderclapCloud also said. It can make me look bigger than I am or even slightly masculine. So I usually go for things that are nipped in at the waist, the more the better e.g. bodysuits and camisole tops. Sometimes a top that is fitted under the bust will work, though, but it's less common for me.

Skirts seems to suit me as well because of the fitted waist thing.

I don't look good in t-shirts at all, sadly. That trend of midi skirt + t-shirt didn't work for me at all, it's the shoulders.

I seem to be OK in most trousers, how about everyone else? I think it's tops I mainly have to be extremely careful with.

Rina66 · 07/08/2023 23:55

I think Melissa Murrell on You Tube is good for body shape dressing, it might be a good start to watch this if you haven't already...

WeAreOnTheRoadToNowhere · 07/08/2023 23:59

I almost always wear dresses. Wrap or empire I find the most flattering
If I do wear trousers I go for wide leg, same with jeans. Or linen with pockets on the bum to give me more shape

ItsRainingTacos79 · 08/08/2023 00:28

I'm a size 6/8 on my bottom half and size 8-10 on the top, flat chested but wide rib cage and very broad shoulders. I've come to accept that dresses are just not made for my shape, although I've found a couple of knitted a-line midi dresses with a roll neck which work, surprisingly.

Cropped bootcut jeans/trousers are great with loose fit shirts/T-shirts . I used to wear skinny jeans previously and always looked top heavy if I wore anything loose on top but I also hated wearing anything too fitted. With cropped bootleg I can now wear chunky knits in winter or loose linen shirts in summer without looking too top heavy.

Pleated midi skirts in a weighted drapey fabric are also great at balancing my top and bottom half.

Original poster
SundayBagel · 08/08/2023 09:15

@ThunderclapCloud I can do baggy, but once again, it has to be the right kind of baggy 🙄 I really struggle with that effortless, casual chic look, which is annoying, because it's my favourite style 😒

@madeinmanc yes, I usually go for things that go in at the waist. I do have a waist, even though our shape isn't supposed to have one. It's just further up, so not far from my boobs, so can look a little maternity wear if it goes in and then out too far. Oh and absolutely not, regarding trousers! They're the most difficult item for me to wear. They have to have pockets at the side and pockets at the back, which is tricky to find in trousers other than jeans. Linen trousers can be a good shout, but they usually end up being too baggy on the bum after a couple of wears and they're not really practical during autumn/winter.

Lets not forget though, Angelina Jolie is also an inverted triangle 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
madeinmanc · 08/08/2023 11:49

We should share some photos but I just went to look through mine and realised I'm not that happy with how I look in most of them 😐

ThunderclapCloud · 08/08/2023 12:11

Right, off to channel my inner Angelina! Am near shops.....

Thanks for the video link @Rina66

Apparently our figure is very French, so might be worth looking at Parisienne styles.

I have to be careful with skirts as I can quite easily end up looking like Les Dawson's mother in law 😔

Calling all inverted triangles! How do you dress to flatter your shape?
LizzieSiddal · 08/08/2023 12:25

Im the same shape with big boobs and short, I’m size 12 on top and an 8-10 on bottom half.

My rules

If I’m wearing wide legs I have to wear something fitted on top or I look like a round ball.

If I’m wearing skinnies, to show off my slim legs, I have to wear something loose on top, so a lovely blouse fitted at the shoulders but then not fitted any wear else.

I’ve been wearing lots of dresses this year and I’m really pleased with them. They have to be fitted on top, I like buttons or v necks as that breaks the top half up, then belted at the waist and a full skirt.

Hope that helps.

LizzieSiddal · 08/08/2023 12:26

Love Les Dawson. If only we could wear overalls like that 😂

Bananasplitlady · 08/08/2023 12:27

DD is an inverted triangle with very wide shoulders and upper arms. Dropped shoulders don't work on her at all - she needs a shoulder seam in the correct place and then slim, short sleeves. Sleeveless isn't v flattering as it cuts her in half at her widest point. She also suits an open shirt with a top underneath, to give a slimmer column down the front and detract from her shoulders.

MrsSlocombesCat · 08/08/2023 12:37

Try being that shape and size 18/20. I look like I have a big tyre from my shoulders to my hips. My bra size is 46A which is difficult to find. I am currently trying to lose weight but am menopausal so it’s not easy. I was slim until my forties then the weight just crept on. When I was slimmer I found that high waisted jeans or trousers looked better than low rise. And low cut tops disguise the shoulders, particularly v neck. Make sure the sleeve seams are from your armpits to inner shoulder, too.

LizzieSiddal · 08/08/2023 12:39

I love these trousers as they have buttons by the hips which makes them look bigger, and balances my shoulders. (Excuse the mess in the background!)

Calling all inverted triangles! How do you dress to flatter your shape?
LizzieSiddal · 08/08/2023 12:44

These are the same trousers with a baggy blouse- they don’t work at all in comparison to the tighter shirt in previous photo- you can’t see the waist.
I wear this blouse with skinny jeans.

Calling all inverted triangles! How do you dress to flatter your shape?
madeinmanc · 08/08/2023 12:50

Yes, @LizzieSiddal , your photo shows exactly what I meant about tops fitting at the waist!

It might work with the shirt unbuttoned and a vest top underneath, though.

LizzieSiddal · 08/08/2023 13:00

@madeinmanc actually I haven’t tried it like that with those trousers so will give it a go. I have worn it and similar blouses with skinny jeans, a t shirt and open buttons, instead of a cardigan and they look so much better than a cardi.

ThunderclapCloud · 08/08/2023 16:14

@LizzieSiddal I love those trousers, and where else but this thread can we talk about wanting wider hips and bigger bums!

I agree about fitted tops with looser bottoms.

Also yes i remember, glamorous DDs often wear open shirts with a top underneath. Some useful reminders on here - thanks!

@MrsSlocombesCat I hear you. Also gaining a bit for same reason and it always goes on my middle and around the back of my ribcage. Have gone from 36c to 42b. I have a decent handful but I could do without the increasing back size. Am working on it!

ThunderclapCloud · 08/08/2023 16:19

Somebody said about low tops too. I agree they are more flattering for generous busts and shoulders. Am bit fed up as I needed T shirts and could only find crew neck or square necklines today. I did get them but the hunt is on. Have got them from M&S for years but they've changed them 😔

BarnacleBeasley · 08/08/2023 16:19

I am a similar shape and actually think it works to just embrace having small hips and bum. I wear a lot of stretchy jersey dresses (not skin tight, but fitted). High-waisted wide leg trousers like @LizzieSiddal but I would tuck the shirt in.

Outwiththenorm · 08/08/2023 16:36

Same type here and used to wear lots of strapless tops/ boob tubes and wide leg trousers back in my 20s which really suited my shape… (skinnier then too). Sadly too old and chunky now! If anyone could share photos of outfits that work they’d be gratefully received I’m sure!