The five shapes
Every body shape, and what defines it
Five bands cover the range of shoulder, waist and hip proportions. Here is what separates them, and what each one means when you are choosing clothes.
Measure your own photo-
Hourglass
Shoulder / hip 0.95–1.05 · Waist / hip below 0.75
Shoulders and hips come out close to equal, with the waist measuring clearly narrower than both. Top and bottom are balanced, so the waist is the line that carries the silhouette.
Read the hourglass guide → -
Pear, or triangle
Shoulder / hip below 0.95 · Waist / hip below 0.80
Hips measure wider than the shoulders, with the width carried below the waist through the hips and thighs. The waist itself is usually well defined.
Read the pear guide → -
Apple, or round
Shoulder / hip above 1.00 · Waist / hip above 0.80
The midsection is the widest line, measuring close to or beyond the hips. Weight sits around the torso, and legs and arms are often slimmer by comparison.
Read the apple guide → -
Rectangle, or straight
Shoulder / hip 0.95–1.05 · Waist / hip above 0.75
All three widths land close to each other, so the side profile runs almost straight. This is the most common reading of the five, and often an athletic or long-limbed build.
Read the rectangle guide → -
Inverted triangle
Shoulder / hip above 1.05 · Waist / hip below 0.80
Shoulders are the widest line, measuring noticeably beyond the hips. The upper body carries the presence, and the hips and legs read narrower.
Read the inverted triangle guide →
Takes one photo and about ten seconds.