Body Shape Question: Inverted Triangle or Apple Body Shape?

by Meg
(Norcross, Ga)

I was wondering if you could help me determine my body shape. I seem to be built like an inverted triangle (broad shoulders, no hips, flat butt, etc.) but I seem to have the softer tummy that is typical of the apple type. What do you think?

Thanks!


Hi Meg,

a woman with inverted triangle body shape who gains weight tends to look more like an apple body shape, however there are definite differences between those two.

An apple shape has a wider/fuller back, chest and waist compared to an inverted triangle body shape.

You don't have to worry about trying to fit in one single category because many women seem to be a mix of two groups. Besides, apple and inverted triangle apple body shapes share many similar styling tips because of the narrow hips and wider upper half. So your main goal should be to add more volume around your bottom half (not necessarily full skirts - flare and bootcut jeans will do) to balance out your frame :)

If you're worried about the soft tummy follow some of the apple shape tips as well (narrowing your waist). Empire cut tops and dresses are great for disguising your tummy as they "flat away" from your midsection.

Have you subscribed to my newsletter? If you subscribe you'll receive a free e-book with clear images of the different body shapes, like this:

Hope this helps!

If you need more help, please use the comment-link on this page and I'll get back to you.

Sincerely,

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Wide Shoulders: Can I Wear Scoop Neck Tops?

by Lorraine
(UK)

I wear v necks quite a lot as I have broad shoulders and a decent sized bust.

Can I also wear scooped necks to the same effect, as they seem to be very fashionable right now?

Thanks a lot!


For your body shape (inverted triangle body shape) scoop necks tend to widen your shoulders because instead of tricking the eye to look downwards with a v-neck the rounder necks make you look from side to side. This visually highlights bigger busts, heavy torsos and wide shoulders.

However it would be such as shame to avoid scoop necks. They're very stylish and softer-looking than V-necks. I have a couple of tips (and anyone who has a heavier upper body) you should try to make scoop necks work for you:

Look #1
Opt for low and narrow scoop necks (shaped like a 'U') instead of the wide boat-like ones, which helps draw attention vertically, slimming down your shoulders.

Look #2
Wear a long necklace or a scarf on top of the scoop neck top to counter the widening effect

Look #3
Layer it with a cardigan that has a v-neck or that 'falls straight down'


Look #4
Balance out your body shape by adding more volume and width around your lower bottom with for example bootcut/flare/and wide leg jeans, or a bubble/A-line skirt, maybe a pair of light wash jeans (light colors expands) anything that flares out from your waist down. This make your wide shoulders less noticeable even though you're wearing a scoop neck.

Articles you might be interested in:

How to Dress Your Inverted Triangle Body Shape
How to Achieve Great Body Proportions

I hope this answers your question Lorraine!

Kind regards,

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What is the Right Jacket Length for an Inverted Triangle Body Shape with a Long Torso?

by Elissa
(Indonesia)

I once sent you a question, and your answer was a big help.. ^^ So, this is my second question.. I have an inverted triangle shape body, and my torso is longer than my lower half.

The problem is how much is the right length for my outer wear (cardi, jacket). I usually use cropped jacket (waist length).. But I've just read that you suggest longer jacket for inverted triangle type body.

Won't it make my torso seems longer?

Thank for the help Anna..

Regards,
Elissa


Hi Elissa, thank you for placing your trust in me to solve your fashion issues :)

When it comes to dressing your body shape you need to look at it as a whole. Longer jackets and sweaters are ideal for the average inverted triangle shape but if you have a long torso you can wear a cropped jacket as long as you make sure to 'fill out' your narrow bottom with for example a pair of pants or a skirt that flares out a little (ex. bootcut jeans, flare or wide leg jeans, A-line skirt or dress, etc.). And for an ultimate hip widening effect go for a bottom in a light color.

Here is an example:

How to Dress an Inverted Triangle with Long Waist

It is further explained in this article:
How to Look Good No Matter Body Shape.

It's all about creating a balanced silhouette. For example, a pear shape can wear skinny jeans (despite the 'rules' on avoiding anything fitted around the legs to avoid emphasizing the bottom) as long as she balances it out with a ruffle or bright colored top.

Or you could go the other way around by wearing a long jacket and try styling your outfit so that your legs look longer, with for example a pair of high heel shoes that match with the color of the pants or tights.

I hope this solves your worries! :-)
Sincerely,

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Best Clothes For Broad Shoulders

by Lauren
(Denver)

I have what seem to me, very broad shoulders. I find that a lot of clothes make me look broader, thicker, heavier, just because of my shoulders.

What are some good styles to pull my shoulders in and make me look more proportionate to the rest of my smaller frame?


Hi Lauren, to narrow down your broad shoulders your main focus should be to draw the eye from the edge of the shoulders down towards the center of your body.

The best clothing styles for this are:

Product source: 1. V-neck top, 2. Sweater , 3. Tank top, 4. Halter top, 5. Tiered skirt,

1. V-necks, especially the deeper and skinnier type make your upper half look better - 'splitting' your shoulder in two and making it look slimmer. Scoop, crew and boat neck on the other hand, make you look broader on top.

Tip: You can pull off rounder necks if you make sure you wear a dark colored sweater like a v-neck cardigan on top. The areas covered with dark color (with a cardigan it means your shoulder, arms and bust) look slimmer and narrow the overall width of your top half.

Wide straps compliment your shoulders compared to spaghetti straps that highlight your 'trouble-area'. They also break up more of your shoulders.

Unstructured sleeves. Sleeves that don't follow the natural line of your shoulder but rather stand lower than the top of the shoulders.

Halter necks are also good because they break up the space around your shoulders.

Highlighting your lower half (hips, thighs and legs) is also a way to make your shoulders look more in proportion with the rest of your body. So instead of putting all of your energy on disguising your shoulders, wear bottom pieces that create more curves around your hips. A-line skirts and dresses, bright colored and/or embellished shoes, bootcut/flare/and wide leg pants do an excellent job on drawing more attention to your bottom half.

I hope this helps!
Kind regards,

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