Body Shape Calculator

Body shape is more than just a fashion concept—it's about understanding your natural proportions to make informed clothing choices that enhance your unique silhouette. This guide explores the main body shape categories and provides practical methods to determine your own body type.

Common body shape categories

Hourglass

• Characteristics: Balanced shoulders and hips with a defined waist
• Proportions: Waist is at least 25% smaller than shoulders and hips
• Celebrity examples: Scarlett Johansson, Sofia Vergara

Rectangle/Straight

• Characteristics: Minimal difference between shoulders, waist, and hips
• Proportions: Less than 25% difference between measurements
• Celebrity examples: Cameron Diaz, Nicole Kidman

Triangle/Pear

• Characteristics: Hips wider than shoulders
• Proportions: Hips at least 5% wider than shoulders
• Celebrity examples: Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé

Inverted Triangle

• Characteristics: Shoulders broader than hips
• Proportions: Shoulders at least 5% wider than hips
• Celebrity examples: Angelina Jolie, Renée Zellweger

Oval/Apple

• Characteristics: Fuller midsection, often with slimmer legs and arms
• Proportions: Waist larger than both shoulders and hips
• Celebrity examples: Oprah Winfrey, Queen Latifah

Diamond

• Characteristics: Wider midsection compared to shoulders and hips
• Proportions: Waist wider than both shoulders and hips
• Celebrity examples: Elizabeth Hurley, Tyra Banks

How to Determine Your Body Shape

Tools You'll Need

• Flexible measuring tape
• Mirror
• Paper and pen to record measurements
• Comfortable, form-fitting clothes (or measure in underwear)

Essential Measurements to Take

1. Shoulders:

   • Measure around the broadest part of your shoulders
   • Stand straight with arms relaxed at your sides
   • Ensure the tape is level and not too tight

2. Bust/Chest:

   • Measure around the fullest part of your bust/chest
   • Keep the tape parallel to the floor
   • Don't pull the tape too tight or let it sag

3. Waist:

   • Measure around your natural waistline (the narrowest part)
   • Usually about 1-2 inches above your navel
   • Keep the tape snug but not tight, and don't hold your breath

4. Hips:

   • Measure around the widest part of your hips/buttocks
   • Usually about 7-9 inches below your waist
   • Stand with feet together for accuracy

The Calculation Method

1. Compare your measurements using these simple calculations:

   • Shoulders to Hips Ratio:

     • If shoulders and hips are within 5% of each other: Hourglass or Rectangle
     • If shoulders are >5% larger than hips: Inverted Triangle
     • If hips are >5% larger than shoulders: Triangle/Pear

   • Waist to Hip/Shoulder Ratio:

     • If waist is at least 25% smaller than hips and shoulders: Hourglass
     • If waist is less than 25% smaller: Rectangle
     • If waist is larger than shoulders and hips: Oval/Apple
     • If waist is larger than shoulders and hips, with narrow shoulders: Diamond

2. Example calculation:

   • Shoulders: 40 inches
   • Bust: 38 inches
   • Waist: 30 inches
   • Hips: 40 inches

   Analysis:

   • Shoulders and hips are equal (40 inches)
   • Waist is 25% smaller than shoulders and hips
   • Conclusion: Hourglass shape

The Visual Method

If you're less interested in precise calculations, you can use a visual assessment:

1. Stand in front of a full-length mirror in fitted clothing
2. Observe the outline of your silhouette
3. Note which areas appear widest and narrowest
4. Compare your visual assessment with the body shape descriptions above

Important Considerations

• Body shapes exist on a spectrum - Many people are a blend of two shapes
• Body shapes can change over time due to weight fluctuations, aging, pregnancy, or muscle development
• Height and bone structure also influence how clothes fit, beyond just your proportional measurements
• Body shape is not related to weight - People of any weight can have any body shape

Embracing Your Shape

Understanding your body shape isn't about fitting into a category or changing yourself. It's a practical tool to:

• Choose clothing styles that enhance your natural proportions
• Shop more efficiently by focusing on flattering styles
• Develop greater appreciation for your unique body structure

Remember that fashion rules are made to be broken, and personal comfort and confidence are always the most important factors in choosing what to wear.

Beyond Body Shapes

While body shape systems provide helpful guidelines, they do have limitations:

• They don't account for all body variations and nuances
• They don't consider height, weight, or muscle tone
• They represent general patterns, not rigid categories

The goal isn't to limit yourself based on your determined shape, but rather to understand your proportions as a starting point for developing your personal style.