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Just as there are four Color Seasons, there are four commonly recognized Body Types. A Body Type is a term used to represent a particular overall geometric shape of the human form. Body Type is often labeled one of several ways, depending on the person doing the writing on the topic.
- Rectangle Body Type: also known as box and 'square' even though they're anything but shoulders and hips are nearly equal, and there is little or no waist definition.
Those of us with rectangle body shapes face some interesting challenges, but we can do a lot by
- Focusing on long lean looks
- Using faux belts (or even real ones)
- Lovely pointed toes on our shoes
- Bright scarves, big chunky necklaces, heavy brooches
- Gravitate toward accessories that bring the eye up to your smile. Find your color and stick with it from neck to knee. Use prints cleverly to create the illusion of indentation and shape at the waistline, with colored side panels, faux vertical seams and tucks, shirring at the midriff, diagonal print panels.
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- Circle Body Type: known in some circles as 'apple' or 'sphere'
Some people refer to this body shape as apple shape in some fashion references. Others refer to it as the 'oval' shape.
Shoulders and hips are narrow compared to the waist. Those of us with circle body shapes need to
- Define our non-existent waists
- use V-necklines to lengthen our necks, and
- accentuate our shoulders
Sleeveless tops give the illusion of more shoulder than we truly possess. Thus, need interesting hemlines to give that leggy look (and turn attention away from the waist). Also need to avoid hemlines that cut us off too far below the knee and turn us into popsicles.
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- Triangle Body Type: sometimes called 'cone' or 'pear'
Shoulders are narrow compared to the hips. Those of us who are triangle shaped need to
- redirect attention away from the hip area
- use bright colors near the shoulders
- strive for lines that bring the eye upward
- avoid strong waistline definitions
Look for scarves, eye-catching necklaces, necklines and collars of interest. Bring attention to the areas that are needing it, and away from areas that already have too much of it.
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- Inverted Body Type: some people call this a 'wedge' body type
Shoulders are wide compared to the hips. Those of us who are inverted triangle shape need to
- draw attention away from our nice wide shoulders
- bring focus down toward waist and hips
- create tall, smooth, unbroken lines from shoulder to knee
- use attractive and unusual hemlines to our advantage
Go for Tunic style jackets with jewel collars (no huge lapels), long lean lines that make look tall, smooth unbroken lines from shoulder to knee. Avoid breaking up those unbroken lines with belts, horizontal visual breakpoints, and prominent waistbands.
Avoid fashion traps like shoulder pads - no need to accentuate that positive broad shoulder more than necessary. Bring attention down to the narrow end of that inverted triangle with flair.
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Technically, there’s Five Body Types... and that fifth type is the envy of all of us who don't have it. The Hourglass Body Type is the fifth Body Type. Shoulders are proportioned perfectly in relation to bust. Waist is smaller than shoulder and hip measurements, with thighs smaller in proportion to hips. Contrary to popular belief, the Hourglass Body Type can't wear anything they want; they just look like they should be able to.
- Outfits cut to hide the waistline or overly focus on bust line or hips do not compliment the Hourglass.
- Outfits that draw attention away from that perfect figure should be avoided.
- Shapeless cuts that fall straight from shoulder to knee can be avoided as well.
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