It is time to focus on how to measure your plus size body shape to flatter your curves and provide the fiercest fit in your clothes. My initial fashion blogs will give you the basics of dressing that is sophisticated and complementary to your body shape, color, style, and personality! The first step is to identify your body shape. According to Wikipedia, there are 12 different body shapes for women. The fashion industry focuses on four from which the 12 derive: hourglass, spoon (pear), rectangular (banana), and inverted triangle (apple). So will we. It is time to get fruity.
What is Your Plus Size Body Shape? Hourglass, Banana, Pear, or Apple
A study of the shapes of over 6,000 women, carried out by researchers at the North Carolina State University circa 2005, for apparel, found that 46% were rectangular (banana), over 20% spoon (pear), just under 14% inverted triangle (apple), and 8% hourglass. Which one are you?
How to Measure Your Body
Correctly measure your plus size body shape by following these measuring guidelines courtesy of eShakti.
Bust:
Wearing your bra and with your arms relaxed at your sides, measure the fullest part of your bust, keeping the tape parallel to the floor, under the armpit, and around your back at about the same location as the middle of your bra-line.
Waist:
Measure around the narrowest part of your torso at your natural waistline. To find your natural waistline, bend to one side. There will usually be a crease where you bend. Often it is just below your ribcage: that’s your natural waistline. (Don’t worry if this seems higher than where you actually wear your pants and jeans.) Keep the tape measure parallel to the floor as you measure all the way around your torso.
Hips:
Standing with your heels together, measure around your body at the broadest part of your hips. This will include the fullest part of your backside, too and should be just about where your legs meet your torso (this is approximately 8″ below natural waistline).
Body Measurement Calculator
Once you have your measurements, click this link to use a handy calculator to determine your shape from calculator.net.
https://www.calculator.net/body-type-calculator.html
Look at the definitions and images below to also help you decide. How does it determine what you wear? Well, a lot is the answer. Read on.
Body Shape Definitions
Pear Shape
Pear shaped women have larger lower bodies and small upper bodies. Hips are slightly wider than the shoulders and weight is gained below the wait. Usually, pear shape women have smaller chests and flat stomachs as in proportion to their hips. Keep your legs together and measure around your shoulders and hips. If the area around your shoulders is narrower than your hips, then you are pear shaped! Pear shaped women are profound!
Apple Shape
Apple shaped women are bigger on the top half of their bodies than the lower half. They have slimmer hips and a larger chest and stomach. They have a wider abdomen compared to the shoulder and hips. The middle part of the body looks round and wide and is almost similar to an apple shape, thus the name. Apple shaped women are wonderful!
Hourglass Shape
Hourglass shaped women have well-proportioned upper and lower bodies. The hips and bust are almost of equal size with a narrow waist. Hourglass figures are inclined to gain weight all over the body, in particular, the hips and chest area. Hourglass women are awesome!
Banana Shape
Banana women are proportionately shaped through the shoulder, waist, and hips, which are close to the same measurement. The difference between a banana and the hourglass is the definition of the waist. The waist measurement is less than 9 inches smaller than the bust or hip measurement but not very defined. Banana shaped women are bodacious!
How to Dress Your Body Shape
So, curvy wonders, HOW do you best dress a plus size body shape? There are certain pairings that best accentuate your particular figure. Remember, these are suggestions or recommendations as style is never set in stone. We will start with pear shapes.
Dressing a Pear Shape
Because the waist is smaller for pear shapes, clothes that accent this area are desirous. You also want to balance the smaller upper with the larger lower body. Preferred garment shapes include:
- Fit-n-flare dresses
- A-line dresses and skirts
- Empire dresses
- Peplum blouses
- Wrap blouses and dresses
- Straight cut pants (to balance the body)
Provide balance to your shape by highlighting your upper half. Therefore, large accessories should be considered including:
- Chunky necklaces
- Large earrings
- Large hats.
- Bright colors for the upper body
I am a pear shape. I carry the majority of weight in my hips. But, they are quite magnificent!! I personally avoid trapeze or swing styles since they conceal my smaller waist area and actually exaggerate further my large bottom. Empire styles are great for pear shape women as they define the smallest part of a woman’s upper torso, under the breast!
Dressing an Apple Shape
Consider dressing to create a more defined waist such as the following suggestions:
- Wrap dresses and tops
- Ruche dresses and tops
- Belts to instantly give definition to your waist
- Great prints
- A-line or pencil skirts
- Flare pants to help bring balance to the body.
Draw attention to your upper by focusing on great accessories and the shape of tops.
- Large necklaces
- Large earrings
- V-neck and geometric shaped necklines
- A great fitting bra is essential to support what may be a larger bust.
Show some leg! Wear above the knee dresses and skirts to show off those gams.
Dressing an Hourglass Shape
Since you are proportioned, many styles will flatter your figure. The following are shapes to consider.
- Fitted clothing
- Sheath dresses
- Bodycon dresses (fitted dresses geared to show curves)
- Flare, wide leg, or boot cut pants
- Mermaid dresses
- Wear the correct size bra to lift and showcase your curves
Draw attention to a defined waist by wearing the following clothes:
- Fit-n-flare or A-line styles
- Peplum skirts and dresses
- Pencil skirts
- Empire styles
Dressing a Banana Shape
Since you are proportioned in the bust and hips, focus on defining the waist. The following are clothing tips to consider.
- Semi-fitted clothes ( Avoid too tight too loose clothing )
- Peplum jackets
- Belts to instantly give definition to your waist
- Great prints
- A-line or pencil skirts
- Any type of pants will work great for you.
Help define your waist by trying these clothing styles:
- Fit-n-flare or A-line styles
- Peplum skirts and dresses
- Pencil skirts
- Maxi dress works great to give the lower body flare
Call to Action!
Take the calculator challenge and determine your accurate body shape. Were you right? Are you surprised? How will it change the way you shop your shape? Send me a message in the comments section. I would love to hear from you.
I hope this information was helpful. Thank you for viewing my blog about body shape. It is the basis for fashion to come. Be sure to subscribe to my email list and follow me on Instagram and Twitter for more sophisticated style updates and information.
Until next time…
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