How do you know what shape you are?

[AWimbaWay]

I realise that sounds an odd question, but I really can't tell what body shape I am. When people come on and say such and such would suit a pear shape, or I have an hourglass figure so can't wear that, I look down and think I really don't know how I'd describe myself.

I'd love a bodyshape calculator, where I could put in my measurements and it could tell me which style trousers to go for etc.

Does anyone else have this problem?

Yes. I also had a problem with identifying with these shape things too. Because I thought by seeing it by my own eyes only that I could judge? But when I actually measured myself, and then put into a calculator, I got a different answer. I also actually drew my own shape to see which one I am. I sketched my measurements, and truly "saw" the shape for the very first time.

So for example, even if you are an apple, you can be a shorter squished apple, like me. Or even if you are an hour glass, you could indeed be a more tall hour glass, or a very short glass hour, or a taller hour glass, or a slim one long hour glass, to a short but proportional hour glass.

I would advice you to take your own measurements so that you know what they are first. Then you can try and use some online calculator to get the shape.

www.calculator.net/body-type-calculator.html
www.shopyourshape.com/calculate-your-body-shape.html

I felt quite relieved when I figure out my shape. I was also quite happy now to go clothes shopping because I now see that some sizing in shops are not cut for my petite size at all, and this has helped me tremendously in finding clothes that fit well.

Thank you MaisieO, I will definitely give them a try and report back, sadly I'm quite excited about finding out .

Apparently I'm a banana or a spoon.

I like the idea of sketching my measurements too.

and now on another site I'm a pear.

Not sure this is helping.

Trinny and Susannah, love em or hate em, did a good book with 12 body shapes. I have found something on line, don't know how good it is here

It's a minefield, that's for sure.

I've always seen myself as a sort of apple but according to MaisyO's first link I'm a banana, and my body shape for the second link is called... unavailable I wish!

I am most definitely a pear

It makes clothes shopping a trial, especially for trousers and skirts, and for a shift dress to fit my hips it is extremely baggy on the top half.

Hmm, I think my problem is even on reading all the descriptions in the link Dollydowser posted I don't see one that fits.

My measurements;

Shoulders 37"
Chest 35"
Waist 28"
Hips 37"
Height 5ft 1

I think pre Dcs I'd have been an hourglass as my waist was much smaller but the other measurements haven't changed much. But now my waist is much less defined so I'm more boxy. I also have quite short sturdy legs (as my DM likes to describe them).

Banana or spoon ? Are you sure? There should only be 4 shapes. Weird... hang on. Lol... Let me find some proper and better calculators.

(Ah, I see you are also a petitie like moi. ;) I can see why you have this problem now. The shape may look odd. It took me a long time to figure out I am an apple because of my broad shoulder blade.)

I had a comparison with mine. Here are my measurements too.
chest = 37 inches
waist = 36 inches = with bulging with tummy = 38 inches
hips = 42 inches

shoulders = 38 inches

I ran it through the calculator, and I found that I am a bit of a "pear". The difference between the hips to my chest is like a triangle. 5 inches of difference. I "think" when I was younger, I was more of an apple, cos my hips were not as wide, but as I grew older, it got a bit wider ready to give birth I think. Hm. This is weird.

So for example, as I am now aware I used to be an apple, but now it is a kind of a slight pear. I use the combined shapes from both and shortlisted a common list.

I used this chart.
chummabazzar.tumblr.com/post/20348737766/womenbodytypes

So this is my "fool proof" list.
Dresses:-
Tunic
Empire

Trousers:-
Harems
cropped
shorts

Necklines:-
cowl
round
Shirt
V-neck

If we were taller, the shapes may be more obvious to see, but because we are shorter, the shape is a little bit more slight. Also, even if I can wear shirt collars, the location of the button needs to be just at my chest bone for example. So the cutting is very important for a petite person. For tunic tops or shirt, a shallow V neck is better for me than a deep V.

I've figured it out for you now. I think. :)

Originally, I thought you could be between a Rectangular/("Banana") or a hour glass. Cos the difference is only 2 inches between chest and hips.

Chest 35"
-7 inches---- (0.8)
Waist 28"
-9 inches---- (0.75)
Hips 37"

But then I found this article, which mentioned by a seamstress.
chest-hips = 1 inch difference = Hour glass
chest-hips = 2 inch differences (with >0.8 ratio) = Pear
chest-hips = 2+ inch difference = Triangle
uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070706064456AAcITRI

So this is your "fool proof" list of combined pear + Hour Glass.
Dresses:-
Empire

Trousers:-
Narrow
Flat front

Necklines:-
Scoop
Shirt
V-neck

By the definition of the seamstress, you are a "pear", but bearing in mind that, even if by her definition that you are a pear, even when you go into a shop you still need to check their cutting and sizing for references as well. Because I came to realise that each shop may have their own set of "templates" as such for sizing, but you still need to match your shape, and measurements against theirs.

You may also like to reference this link too for petite ladies. I found it so useful. She definitely shows you how the "wrong sizing" look like on her. It is very obvious that it needed minute adjustments. She does use a tailor to then adjust slightly to fit much better.

www.extrapetite.com/search/label/Alterations

The seamstress knows her bra sizes anyway.

Wow, thank you MaisieO. I think you're right about being a shortie making it trickier. I'm off to nosey at your links now.

This tool can help meet your needs by providing an analysis of your body type. It offers a test that categorizes body types into five distinct categories, assisting you in understanding your unique body characteristics. You can access the tool here:bodytypecalculator

I'm definitely a pear. 4 inch difference between bust and hips but it's all in my large round bottom(not wide hips). From a front view it's not very noticeable, it's from the side profile it def is! I'm also fairly short too. Over the years I know what suits and what doesn't. I go by that rather than what's in fashion.

well, I knew I was a rectangle before checking!😁
Before peri I was more of an hourglass but Im not bothered. I think rectangle is a pretty easy shape to dress TBH.

I'm a inverted triangle size 12 on top with a size 10 bottom

I'm an obvious pear because I carry all my weight on my lower half. Big bum, chunky thighs, wide hips but a ridiculously tiny waist and shoulders in comparison.

My trousers are usually an 8, sometimes a 10 but my tops are a 6 if not a 4 sometimes.