Have you noticed that sometimes your tights cut into your “love-handles” (you know the excess fat around our hips) creating the appearance of a muffin top? Or sometimes when we are in the middle of a stretch our tights roll down? Maybe they are tight on your thighs cutting into you, but the waist is too big and gapes at the back, so you try a different size and now they won’t even pull up over your hips. But your friend the same tights look amazing on your friend who is the exact same size and height as you. To understand and overcome this, we need to identify our body shapes.
It is simply because we all have unique body shapes. Essentially our fat is distributed differently. It is about shape, not size. Fundamentally, our hormonal balances determine how our body distributes its fat. More specifically, your hormones affect your body fat distribution. Testosterone and estrogen are two of the biggest drivers of fat storage and it determines where on our bodies our fat is stored, they're the whole reason that men and women tend to have different body shapes when it comes to the dreaded fat deposits. Biologically, women stash their fat in thighs and butts, whereas men tend to pack their excess fat onto the stomach and on their organs. This is also why men tend to have more cardiovascular problems. Abdominal fat aggravates metabolic issues and triggers all kinds of metabolic changes that have a negative impact on your heart, leading to greater health risks. However it is not as straightforward as "testosterone makes you fat in your belly and estrogen gives you fat thighs" In fact, it's men with low testosterone who start storing fat in their bellies, which is why, as they age and their natural testosterone levels decrease, they generally start getting that potbelly look, no matter their body type or how slender they were in previous years. It is about each individual person’s hormonal levels leading to fat distribution. We will not bore you here with the science of hormones and fat distribution studies here so rather, let’s take a look at the different body shapes and how we can flatter our curves.
I may also hear some of you screaming, I am not fat, this does not apply to me. Fact is, we ALL have body fat. Body fat is important to the human body as it is there to protect us. Fat acts as a shock absorber (we can handle impact when needed) and it is essential to our reproductive systems. So, everyone has body fat, if we didn’t have fat we would die. The topic is how much excess fat we have and how it is deposited on each of us.
This blog was not created to endorse unhealthy fat and at the same time it is not here to body shame anyone. We are all on a journey and the fact is, as much as we love ourselves, we are constantly working on enhancing our favorite assets and concealing our less favorite parts. It is not that we are ashamed or that we want to hide ourselves, it is that we love ourselves enough to try to look and feel our best.
Ok, let’s get into the body shapes now. Have you ever wanted to know how to dress for your body shape? There are four key body shapes we have considered, demonstrated in the image below:
The pear body shape
How do I know if I am a pear body shape? As a pear shape your waist is wider than your bust and your hips / bum are wider than your waist, nearly like an upside-down triangle. You consider yourself to have fuller hips / big bottom / thicc. You have narrower shoulders in comparison to your hips with a full rear. You want to show off your large booty, but you wish your boobs were bigger to be more balanced.
Learn how to dress for a pear shape:
Shoulders / chest area: you want to make this area seem much fuller than it is. Opt for shoulder detail, busy upper body prints (if you like these), plunging neck lines, cowl necks, scoop necks, sweetheart necklines, cap sleeves. Most pear body shape have great arms so show off your arms if you are comfortable with this. If not, trying layering. Layering is key to flatter your shape, throw a zip through sweatshirt or cropped jacket over your shoulders, boxy shapes work well on you. But always remember to wear cropped styles! Wear lighter colour tops.
Waist / belly: your waist / belly is wider than or the same size as your chest but still narrower than your hips so use this to your advantage to make your waist seem narrower. Be sure not to wear skintight tops that show fat rolls as this will make your belly look bigger and not smaller. Fitted or structured tops give you definition around your narrow shoulders and draw attention to your narrow waist whilst enhancing your bust. If you tend to be on the curvy side, this is even truer—so show it off!
Hips / Bum: Your booty is large naturally so you don’t need to change your bottom shape. Wear basic prints, darker colours to make your booty look slightly smaller to be in proportion to your bust. Your body shape makes you look shorter than you are so don’t wear mid-calf length leggings or cycle shorts, rather stick to long tights or short shorts (if you want to flaunt your legs).
General: When you are running out of the gym to meet a friend for a quick coffee, don’t be scared to throw on large earrings / chunky necklace and some heels (yes heels and active wear are highly fashionable and highly accepted, FYI). If you are not comfortable with wearing all activewear and heels, try throwing on a cropped denim or leather jacket, it will look super cute and stylish after your workout, or even on your way to the gym.
In summary: you want to flaunt your booty and make your bust appear fuller.
The apple body shape
How do I know if I am an apple body shape? As an apple body shape your waist is wider than your bust and your hips / bum. You feel like you have a full, rounded mid-section. Apple body shapes typically have small shoulders and lean legs. You have narrower shoulders in comparison to your waist and a narrow booty. You want to show off your lean legs and petite shoulders whilst concealing your belly to make you look more balanced.
Learn how to dress for an apple shape
Shoulders / chest area: like the pear body shape, you want to make this area seem much fuller than it is. Opt for styled tops with detail and prints, shoulder detail, ruffles (tasteful) busy upper body prints (if you like these), plunging neck lines and, just like the pear shape, cowl necks, scoop necks, sweetheart necklines and cap sleeves look so cute on you. Remember v-neck anything is your go to neckline. Just like the pear shape, layering will flatter your shape, try a cropped zip through sweatshirt or cropped jacket, boyfriend button up shorts are super cute on you too. Wear lighter colour tops.
Waist / belly: your waist / belly is wider than your chest and your hips / bum and this is the area you are conscious of. Ensure you wear fabrics that are not too sheer than show belly rolls, rather try flowy a-line tops, relaxed fits – ooh super cute a relaxed fit white tee with a v-neck! A-line shapes work well on you.
Hips / Bum: Your booty is small compared to your waist so wear super tight leggings and tights that enhance your booty (remember cropped tops that don’t hide the curve your momma gave you). Unlike the pear shape, you do not look shorter so you can wear copped ankle grazer tights or cycle shorts. Apple body shapes normally have killer legs so flaunt them, wear short shorts, own it! You look amazing!
General: Since you want the rest of your body to balance your belly, wear exaggerated, bold accessories and footwear. Wear the Fila dinosaur stompers, or those killer platform heels other body types only dream of, wear huge chunky earring and bold necklaces with plunge tops. You do have curves girl; you just need to make a few style changes to enhance them.
In summary: you want to flaunt your legs, enhance your bust and booty and conceal your belly.
The rectangle body shape
How do I know if I am a rectangle body shape? With a rectangle body shape your chest, waist and hips / bum are nearly the same width with very little curves – you are somewhat straight in appearance. You feel like you have the body of a teenage boy with no boobs and no bum. Stop that! Don’t think like that, you have the best body shape where you look good in everything. When you feel like a teenage boy, the rest of us see a super model, tall, slender and petite. You are gorgeous!!! You want to show off your long lean legs, create some emphasis at your bust and your hips to create a more balanced look.
Learn how to dress for a rectangle shape
Shoulders / chest area: you want to enhance your bust, so your power pieces are halter neck styles, racer back vests, printed / contrast straps, strapless everything and scoop necks. You have great long slender arms, show them off, wear vests, wear strappy cami’s and tops. If you’re not comfortable showing skin, layer, wear long sleeves with beautiful flowy tops layered over. Cropped tops with high waisted tights look amazing on you.
Waist / belly: your waist / belly is narrow, but it doesn’t feel narrow to you since it is similar width to your waist and hips so wear and oversized top and tuck it into your tights to make your waist seem even smaller than it is. Try tops with a cinged or elasticated waists or wear a tight top and throw a large boxy open jacket over your shoulders. Wear cropped tops, show off your abs.
Hips / Bum: Your booty is a similar width to your waist and bust so you want to enhance it and make it look curvier. Wear mid calve tights, ankle grazers and cycle shorts. If you’re wearing long tights try roll up the hemline. If it’s your style, wear tights with large prints on the hip (e.g. Nike swoosh across the side hip) to enhance your body shape or leggings with mesh insets and cut lines creating a curvier appearance. Wear high-waisted tights that suck in your waist more and lift your booty to give you more curves. Oversized joggers or basketball pants and culottes with a cropped top make you look super curvy.
General: When in and out of the gym running to social events, throw a narrow belt over an oversized light colour tee shirt with your dark leggings and any footwear. If you want to be taller, wear heels. If you want to stay in your sneakers that works too. Throw on a chunky necklace and chunky bangle – you will look like you stepped off a catwalk.
In summary: you want to flaunt your lean legs and narrow waist whilst enhancing your bust and booty.
The hourglass body shape
How do I know if I am an hourglass body shape? With an hourglass body shape your chest and hips are the same width with a narrower waist giving the appearance of an hourglass. You want to enhance your curves and make your wait look even leaner with an even bigger booty and even fuller bust (people may think you’re perfect so this is crazy, but bottom line is we are all women, we always see room for improvement and we want what we want – let a girl have what she wants! I get you.
Learn how to dress for an hourglass shape
Shoulders / chest area: you have insane curves babe, flaunt them. Wear tight figuring hugging tops, wrap tops enhance your shape more and all necklines look great on you. Since you have gorgeous curves it is best top opt for fitted, tailored, silhouettes. Button up shirts can be work over your activewear and just knot the waist, or button only the middle. All arm lengths and shapes work on you too, you have great arms so try sleeveless. If you prefer to not show off skin, layer. Wear a long sleeve top with sweatshirt tied around your wait to show your curves. Beware of boxy styles, they will make you look plump, unless if they are cropped are off the shoulder with tights and exposed mid-section.
Waist / belly: your waist / belly is narrow, so enhance it. When in doubt, knot it or belt it. Show off your waist, your curves are gorgeous.
Hips / Bum: Your booty is perfectly proportioned to your waist and bust to you can wear any raise you want. If you want to show you curves more, wear high waisted tights and a tight top. Balance is key for you so you don’t need to wear bottoms with large pockets or prints that will accentuate your hips throwing off your proportions.
General: Have fun with footwear and accessories, you can mix and match nearly any combination you can think of and you will still look like a curvy goddess. Have fun with your curves and be adventurous with your style.
In summary: you want to flaunt your tiny waist and enhance your booty and bust even more.
Conclusion
Everybody is different, we all have unique shapes and that’s what makes us beautiful. If you’re not one of these shapes—that’s ok too! These body shape style guidelines and accurate for 80% of the world’s population and are best used as a starting point to understand the basic principles. And, let’s be honest—most women are a combination of several body shapes and we are constantly changing and reinventing ourselves! It’s all about mixing & matching until you find what’s best for you and what suits your own personal style. If you still feel lost, book a personal shopping experience with one of our Rebirth stylists and we will get you on the right track. I can’t wait to go shopping with you!