Hourglass or rectangle?

[homeroad]

I'm trying to define my body shape and am getting in a muddle.

Chest 38 inches
Waist 30 inches
Hips 38 inches

I'm 5' 6" tall with an inseam of 31"

Any clues? Some sites say rectangle because the hips/waist ratio is less than 10"

Why are you desperate to label yourself with a ridiculous tag, to what purpose?!

Just dress as the woman that you are, and what suits your life style.

Trinny and Susannah is not science

Thanks!

I feel like a right fool now. Obviously in the wrong place so will delete my account. Glad you know how to dress yourself fiscal I was just looking for some pointers for myself.

Certainly don't delete your account. Just shrug off the harsh comment and carry on. I was told I was over thinking it when I asked about wearing gold or silver jewellery. I don't know the answer to your question but I do know that it's not worth taking it personally! Chin up and carry on!!

I would say it is pretty difficult to say from 3 numbers. It can depend on bust to back size and your thigh shape. I am the same height as you, I am a 30 G so although a size 8 back I have to wear size 14 shirts so I can do them up. I am a size 30 in jeans, I actually found Trinny and Tranny incredibly helpful and I really did learn how to dress for my shape by watching and reading them. What you wear can also influence what your shape looks like.
I would try on things recommended for both shapes and take an honest friend along.

Anyone can fake an hourglass with a bit of know how.

If you want a more defined waist, try doing Pilates or play with a hula hoop when nobody's watching!
IME it's easier to find trousers if you're more of a rectangle shape, but dresses are often nicer for hourglass shapes.
I'm a tricky shape, I'm a definite hourglass (26G, 36-23-38) but at only 5ft waistbands are often set at the wrong height for my short torso. Technically children's clothes fit in the length, but are nowhere near curvy enough (understandably!).
I spend a fair bit of time altering clothes to fit my shape.

It might confuse things a bit, but according to my HOC lady I am a rectangle with a waist! It's to do with me having shoulders and hips same width, rather than bust. I suit slightly more structured clothes than a softer hourglass shape would I think.

I think a lot of us are in between shapes. I'm a pearglass (a pear verging on an hourglass!) and, as another poster has already said, I experiment with clothes for both groups. You can also tweak your shape with the right underwear.

No need to be so aggressive to the OP, by her own admission she's in a muddle. Dressing ourselves can feel like a minefield at times.

OP, your waist sounds pretty defined, but if you wanted to add further emphasis for balance you could try a narrow belt around your waist or a wrap dress?

Ignore fiscal.

It's so hard to know what to wear to suit your shape, no wonder you are looking for pointers. I think the best thing to do is try on loads of different styles and see what suits you rather than just going by the rules for certain shapes. I am a serious Apple shape, but lots of the clothes that 'should' suit me look hideous.

Good luck :) and don't delete your account!

Didn't think fiscal was aggressive but anyway....

I now know what i am - a rectangle with a waist! Thank you for that! I never fitted into any of the groups!

I read it as being aggressive.
Anyhow,
When you measure your waist are you sure you're measuring your waist and not just the smallest bit? Apparently a lot uf us are moving the tape too high and measuring further up our torso. Statistically you're probably a rectangle. Most of us are.

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2533267/Sorry-ladies-think-youre-hourglass-youre-probably-rectangle-Straight-shape-common-body-type-Britain.html

Based on the 10inch thing I would say rectangle. As a hourglass it's impossible to find decent clothes tht fit well so fingers crossed you'll have it slightly easier!

What's your bra size?

You've got long legs for 5'6! Lucky sod!

my "aggression" is aimed at the labelling, like that DM article above! It is so misogynist and body-hating, and that disturbs me.

A rectangle indeed, no woman looks like a rectangle IMO.

Thanks for the helpful advice, a rectangle with a waist fits perfectly!

I'm a 32G bust and always assumed it was an hourglass shape as I have a defined waist but actually I'm quite balanced which should make it easier!

Appreciate the tips, thanks!

Have you been on the bra intervention threads? It's likely you're wearing the wrong size bra with a chest measurement of 38 but a bra size of 32G. G cup implies a difference of 9in between band and chest, which would make your band measurement smaller than your waist measurement of 30.

I have been recently fitted at Bravissimo. I'm a definite 32" bra band as I feel really uncomfortable with a 30" - just remeasured my band width and it's 30" - I'm ideally an FF but the Freya bra I have is more comfy at G.