Knowing your body type is actually pretty simple, and once you see it, you can’t unsee it.
As a stylist, this is how I explain it to clients.
Step 1: STAND AND OBSERVE (the mirror test)
Stand in front of a full-length mirror wearing fitted clothes. Look at proportions, not weight.
Ask yourself:
- Where is my widest point?
- Do my shoulders or hips dominate?
- Is my waist clearly defined or more straight?
Step 2: MEASURE (optional but helpful)
Use a measuring tape and note:
- Shoulders
- Bust
- Waist
- Hips
Compare the numbers rather than obsessing over them.
The 5 Most Common Body Types
1. Hourglass
Bust ≈ Hips, Waist clearly smaller
- Balanced top & bottom
- Curves are evenly distributed
Stylists love this because most silhouettes work effortlessly.
2. Pear (Triangle)
Hips wider than shoulders/bust
- Fuller lower body
-
Slimmer upper body
Styling goal: add visual weight to the top, elongate the bottom.
3. Apple (Round)
Fuller midsection, slimmer legs
- Weight carried around the tummy
- Bust is usually prominent
Styling goal: create a waist illusion and draw attention upward/downward.
4. Rectangle (Straight)
Bust ≈ Waist ≈ Hips
- Athletic or straight frame
- Minimal curves naturally
Styling goal: build curves through cuts, layers, and detailing.
5. Inverted Triangle
Shoulders/bust wider than hips
- Strong upper body
- Slim legs and hips
Styling goal: soften the shoulders and add volume below.