Maternity Style Guide - Body Type

This is part ONE in a six part series. Check out the series introduction here for links to each post.
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Body Type
These are the basic body shapes that the fashion industry often uses to categorize different body shapes. Using these categories we can more easily find clothing that will flatter your body the most. We will go more into how these shapes can help you find what to wear in later posts. This post will focus on the basics of each shape and how to determine which shape you most resemble. These shapes consider the area between your shoulders and your hips (not head, not legs).

​Here are the basic five shapes:
Hourglass:
This is typically considered the "ideal" body type according to Western standards. This is an interesting observation as most women do not exhibit this shape. These are the basic criteria:

• the bust and hips are wider than the waist; the bust and hips are about the same width
• the body is more curvy, like the shape of an hourglass: wide, narrow, wide.
• the waistline is well defined and typically more narrow

Triangle or Pear:
This body shape is more narrow at the top and wider at the bottom. This shape has also been called "spoon" or "bell". These are the typical characteristics:

• the waist, hips, or bum are wider than the bust
• more narrow shoulders may be present
• the body might have a smaller bust

Round or Oval:
This body type is a bit more round in the middle waist area and more narrow in the shoulders and hips. This shape and the Inverted Triangle shape are very similar in the waist. These elements are typical:

• the body has similar proportions between your bust, waist, and hips
• the body might have a fuller waist

Inverted Triangle or Apple:
This shape is larger on the top part of the body and more narrow on the lower part of the body. This shape and the Round shape are very similar in the waist. This shape consists of these details:

• the shoulders are more broad and the hips are more narrow
• the body might have a fuller waist

Rectangle or Athletic:
The rectangle body shape tends to be more athletic and is considered the opposite of curvy. This shape has also been called the "ruler" or the "banana" shape; there is not a lot of fat on this body type. This is surprisingly one of the most common body shapes for women. These elements are prominent:

• the body weight is distributed evenly in your body
• the body is not very curvy
• the body might be more athletic

During pregnancy your body type tends to be more round in the middle with your expanding baby bump which typically makes your body type either a triangle or a round shape. However, different body types will all carry their babies in different positions in their body (high or low, wide or narrow, closer to the body or not) and that may affect your overall body shape. Using the above criteria as a guideline look in a mirror with tight clothing to determine which shape you exhibit. Ask your close friends for their opinion if you have trouble knowing which shape best describes your body.
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