Are You A Triangle Body Shape - - Oh My !!

When you stand 5'4" tall and you have narrow shoulders, a small bust and wider hips and thighs ... being a TRIANGLE body type can be challenging to say the least. Believe it or not, it is the most common body shape and the most feminine one of all ... so say the experts. With that being said, I guess those who are triangles are in pretty good company.  Celebrities who share the same body type as you are Rachel Ray, Lucy Liu and Kelly Clarkson.

Triangle shaped women have more of a challenge when they are short so it is important to bring together flattering styles that will make you longer and leaner.  Take for example the black cocktail dress worn by Lucy Liu.

* black - a solid dark color.
* a V-neckline.
* cap sleeves, which make shoulders look wider.
* high heels (although it would be better to lose the straps on the shoes).
* soft fabric that drapes softly over her figure.

Your biggest challenge is balancing your figure because your bottom half is generally wider and you don't want to have it look heavier.  You have to try and create the illusion of an hour glass shape by drawing attention above the waist.  Avoid anything that overly emphasizes your hips and thighs like a gathered skirt, ruffles and pleats.

Play up your face, bust, neckline, and shoulders, and create some waist definition by calling attention to your slimmest areas from under the bust to your waistline. Wearing a sleeve that makes the shoulders appear broader also is a good technique and will make your figure look more like an hourglass shape.


Strategy Strive for balance so that your figure appears more like the ideal hourglass figure. Look for tops that will make you appear bigger on top while maintaining the look of a defined waistline. At the same time, look for style details that will help you look taller.

Necklines Many neckline styles will work well for petites who have triangle shaped figures. V-necklines and U-necklines are good because they add height. Also, try branching out with a scooped neckline or a sweetheart neckline, both of which will help made your shoulders appear broader.

Waistline Make sure that any top you select gives you the appearance of a defined waistline. This may either be at your natural waistline or under the bust with an empire style top.

Sleeves Short cap sleeves, flutter sleeves, or puff sleeves also widen your shoulder line to balance your hips.

Lines Surplice styles, princess seams, and vertical or chevron stripes all add to the illusion of height, so they are also desirable.

What to Avoid Avoid tops that are too long and end of the widest part of your hips. Also avoid shapeless styles with no waistline and tight sleeveless tops that emphasize a small bust. As a petite woman, be a bit careful with fussy details. Although one ruffle along a seam line will help balance your top with your hips, numerous ruffles or too dainty details may give you the appearance of a little girl. If you're a petite plus size, such frilly details will also seem out of proportion to your size.

Are You A Rectangle Body Shape?

What's a rectangle body shape?  Quite frankly, you're one of the lucky ones to have such a balanced figure type. And, you can be any size because it's the shape that determines the rectangle figure type. Women who have rectangle shaped figures don't have a defined waistline, but they do have an equally balanced top and bottom.

Petites have more of a challenge, however, in dressing because they are short. So, you'll want to combine flattering styles that will make you look longer and leaner.

In this photo, Kristi Yamaguchi wears a long pink gown with a diagonal stripe that helps create the illusion of more shape and maintains her already balanced shape without over-emphasizing either bust or hips.

Trapeze Dress

When dressing to flatter your rectangle shaped figure, your main challenges will be to maintain the figure balance that you already have and create the illusion of a defined waistline so that you look like you have more of an hourglass figure. Avoid styles, such as shifts or what is known as a trapeze dress that will hide your shape.


 BUT, if you wear extra-small sizes, such as 00P or 0P, you  can get away with these styles because of your tiny size. If you're a size 6 or above, you're better off sticking with the strategy of creating that hourglass illusion though.

Avoid styles that will over-emphasize your bust or hips. For example, if you wear a gathered skirt, your hips will look bigger and make you look bottom-heavy. If you wear a style such as an off-the-shoulder top, you may find that you appear top-heavy.  Your other big challenge will be to create the illusion of a defined waistline. Placing emphasis on the waist or midriff area in such a way that you appear to have a defined waistline will make your figure look more shapely.

Look for tops that create the illusion of a defined waistline. That may mean either an empire waistline that has a band under the bust or a top that has a band at the natural waistline. Tops with self-belts or other belted tops can work well too as long as the belt does not fall below the natural waistline.  Although styling of the top is key, you can also use color contrast to bring out the waistline definition. When the waistline band is a darker color, the definition created is more pronounced and desirable. Dark colors recede, which makes the area covered by the dark color look smaller. Tops with curved-seamline, side panels in dark colors that contrast against the color of the front can also create the illusion of a waistline. These types of tops can be difficult to find, but if you sew, you should be able to find or design a workable pattern for such a top.

Avoid tops that have too much sleeve or detail unless you balance your look with details that add hip interest too. Otherwise, your naturally balanced figure can appear unbalanced.

 If you have a rectangle shaped figure, pick jackets that define the waistline and don't upset your already balanced shape with too much detail. Belted jackets, which can be cinched at the waist, work well whether they're self-belts or separate belts. Another feature to look for in a jacket is a focal point at the waistline, such as a noticeable belt buckle. This draws the eye inward toward the focal point, making your waistline seem smaller.  Contoured seamlines that curve inward at the waistline can also help make a waistline that really isn't there. Like-wise, a chevron pattern draws the eye inward and helps give shape to the figure.

Avoid jackets that are longer than top-of-the-hip length. Also stay away from boxy shapes, such as Chanel-type cardigan styles, because they simply repeat the rectangle shape that you want to look curvier.
Anything that has a flattering V-neckline, which makes petites look taller, a self-belt to define the waistline, and a belt buckle that draws the eye inward to further define the waist. Pockets should be balanced above and below the waistline, so they make the figure appear neither top-heavy nor bottom-heavy.

The 4 Body Shapes of Petite Women

Short ... petite ... vertically challenged ... doesn't matter what they call us because it all plays out the same.  If you stand 5'4" or shorter, knowing what your "body shape" is will truly help you when selecting clothing that will accentuate your very best features and minimize those areas you would rather not have noticed.

We will touch on the 4 individual body types and articles to follow will zone on each individual type and those clothes and fashion tips to address each one ... so ladies ... stay tuned over the next four weeks.

HOURGLASS

If this is you, you are equally balanced on top and bottom; meaning your bust measurement and hip measurement are about the same. Another characteristic of this figure type is a defined waistline. When a women has an hourglass figure, the difference between the bust and/or hip measurement and the waist measurement is usually ten inches or more.  If you've been blessed with this one, it's considered the ideal body type.   Film star Salma Hayek is your perfect example.

TRIANGLE

Women with proportionally smaller busts and/or narrow shoulders and large hips or thighs will fall under this category.  Also known as a pear shape, the triangle figure is the most common known in the world.  Dressing for a triangle-shaped figure means selecting clothing that draws attention to the bust, creates a defined waistline, and minimizes hips and thighs.  Rachel Ray is a noted triangle.

INVERTED TRIANGLE

A woman who has an inverted triangle-shaped figure has proportionally smaller hips and/or thighs and larger bust and/or wider shoulders when compared to a woman who has an hourglass figure. The inverted triangle is not a common figure type; however, with the popularity of bust enhancement by plastic surgery, it's becoming more common.  Dolly Parton has been this body type all of her life.

Dressing for an inverted triangle-shaped figure means selecting clothing that minimizes the bust and creates a defined waistline. Otherwise, a woman who has this figure type may look too top-heavy.

RECTANGLE 

Marissa Jaret Winokur resembles this body type.  Women who have rectangle figures have relatively equal bust and hip measurements, just as a woman who has an hourglass shape does. However, a woman with a rectangle-shaped figure doesn't have a defined waistline. There's little difference in waist measurement when compared to bust and/or hip measurements, so the rectangle shape is more or less straight up and down. A variation of this shape is sometimes called an apple when the waist measurement is larger than the bust and/or hip measurement.

The major challenge for women who have a rectangle shape is to create the illusion of a defined waistline, which will make them look more like they have an hourglass shape.

Check in next week when we address the Rectangle Body Type.

The Perfect Dress Style For Your Shape

We all know how absolutely fab-u-lous the little black dress is. Not only has it outlived numerous trends through the decades but, it  works splendidly for any body shape and budget.

You may be someone who has had a bad experience purchasing dresses, bringing them home and realizing they do not flatter your shape at all.  It's happened to us all.

Not to worry ladies … here are some great examples to help you with your own personal dilemma. Black is complimentary, hides the flaws and absolutely stunning and chic when combined with the right accessories and heels.

Busty Figures - V-Neck, Halter & Scoop Neck shown below are what you need as well as a button down option not shown. You want to stay away from ruffles, puckering & shirring detail that runs across t he bust line and high empire waists.




Full Curvy Figures - Need to minimize but, don't hide. Again V-Neck, Scoop & Square Necklines will compliment your chest area. Belted dresses to accentuate your waistline and Wrap Dresses will adjust to your curves.





Pear Shapes - Small bust line with voluptuous hips bottom and thighs. Empire, scoop, square neck and diagonal cuts will compliment a small bust line. Stay away from a fitted bottom. Shirting should flair and the material should not be clingy.






Petite frame with Curvy Bottom - Need to elongate your body because you are short to begin with. Princess shape, belted, wrapped styles will compliment your curves. Again stay away from flimsy and thin fabrics that will cling to your curves.



Article compliments of The Girlz Korner.