Bodies can appear in all different body shapes and sizes. This is a part of our physical appearance that makes each of us unique. It is essential to remember and keep in mind that there is not a “perfect,” “average,” or “typical” body shape.
Some people out there are curvier. Some of them have narrower hips or broader shoulders. There is no need to worry. We are all a little bit different. Few categories divide our body shapes into more broad categories.
Some of the common general categories include the following:
- Rectangle body shape
- Triangle or pear-shaped body type
- Inverted Triangle or apple body shape
- Hourglass body shape
These categories are just a few of the different body types that you might have heard.
Table of Contents
What are the different body shapes?- Female body shapes
It’s an important fact to remember that categorizing body types is not an exact theory or science. Typically, there are a lot of variations within one body “type.” There are individual shape features characteristics from several body types.
Rectangle, straight, or “banana”
When you measure your waist measurements, if they measure your hip or bust, and the measurements of your shoulders and hips are about the same width, the body type you have is a “banana” or rectangle body type.
Your fashion stylist will probably ask you to wear off-the-shoulder tops, tube dresses, and belted waists.
Triangle or “pear”
With the triangle shape, the shoulders and bust are narrower than the measurements of your hips. If you think your body is in a pear shape, you will probably have slim arms and a fairly defined waist.
Your waist will most likely slope out to your hips. Stylists are often recommending clothing that shows off the waistline.
Spoon body shape
This spoon body type is quite close to the Triangle or “pear” shape. Your hip measurements are larger than your bust, and the rest of your body may have a “shelf”-like appearance. It is normal to have a defined waist in this shape.
You will also carry some weight in your upper arm areas and upper thigh parts. A person with a spoon body shape may look better with the dresses that have classic “baby doll” cuts or other clothing items with an empire waist.
Hourglass
This might be the body type that everyone else is looking for. If your measurements in the hips and bust area are nearly equal in size, and when you have a well-defined if your waist is narrower than both, you have that ideal hourglass shape.
Your legs and upper body will probably be considered proportionate. The shoulders may be slightly rounded in shape, and you will most likely have rounded buttocks.
Top hourglass
When it comes to a top hourglass, you will have the typical hourglass shape, but your bust is slightly larger than your hips. As a dressing option, boot cut or slightly flared pants will probably fit you well, also full or A-line skirts and tailored jackets.
Another choice is form-fitting and tailored clothing that has been traditionally designed with this body type in mind.
Inverted triangle shape or “apple”
If your shoulder and bust measurements are larger than your relatively narrow hips, you have the body shape called an inverted triangle or “apple” shape.
Some of the best styling options are tops that will shape your waist and more open necklines or clothing that is showing off your legs.
Round or oval
If your bust measurements are larger than the rest of your body measurements, your hips are narrow, and your midsection seems full, the body type you have what’s usually called a round or an oval body type.
Usually, people with this body type can go with tops that flare at the top or that have vertical details.
Athletic
If your body is a bit muscular, but it is not particularly curvy, you might have the athletic body type. Your shoulder and hip measurements are most likely the same.
Your waist measurement is narrower than your shoulder and hips, this shape isn’t overly-defined, and it looks straighter up and down. You can go to halter, strapless, and racerback styles.
Diamond
As for a diamond, body shape is indeed as rare as its name. If you have a diamond body shape, these typical characteristics are there. Your hips will be broader than your bust and shoulders.
You have a probability of gaining weight in your stomach, back, hip area, and buttock. The waist will be undefined, and it will be the widest part of your body frame.
You will likely carry some weight in your upper leg parts. The lower leg parts are shapely and will be one of your most attractive features. You will have proportionately slender and shapely arms. The best clothing options are flowy off-the-shoulder or boat-neck tops.
How to take your body measurements?
Maybe you might be able to recognize your body type immediately by going through the above list of body shape categories. Perhaps you might not. If so, here is a little help on behalf of those who are still unable to recognize your body type.
Obtaining your body measurements is pretty helpful in deciding body shapes.
- Shoulders
To take the shoulder measurements, you have to have some help. Have someone else measure across your back from the edge of one shoulder to the other.
- Bust
Place the tape on one end, and measure on the fullest part of your bust. Then wrap it around yourself. Be sure that the tape goes under your armpits and around your shoulder blades.
- Waist
What you have to do is, circling your natural waistline. This is the tummy area above your belly button, but it should be below your rib cage. This is when you wear the measuring tape like a belt.
- Hips
Hold one end of the tape on the front of one of your hips, and then wrap the tape around yourself. Be sure that you go over the largest part of your buttocks.
Body shape calculator
What body shape do I belong to?
Is it an hourglass, a triangle, or can it be a rectangle?
If this question is troubling you, the internet has a solution.
All you have to do is search the phrase “body shape calculator.” There, you will get hundreds of results that can provide your body shape once you enter the measurements of your shoulders, waist, hips and bust.
The facts that will affect your body type
Some elements and features of your body type are determining by your bone structure. If you take an example, some people out there have curvier, rounder buttocks and curvature in their spine.
Other people may have wider hips, shorter legs, or longer torsos. The feature of how tall or short you are will also affect the overall shapes of your bodies.
When you reach adulthood, your bone structure and proportions are already established. It will even change your measurements with the changes in body weight.
Genetics also plays a role in deciding body shapes. Your genes will determine how your body accumulates and stores fat from your birth. In many cases, the body fat isn’t evenly distributed in the parts of the body.
Some people may find that they only store fat in their mid-section, while others first put weight on their thighs, legs, or upper arm areas.
Hormones will also affect your body shape. As an example, stress can trigger the body to release the stress hormone called cortisol.
Researchers say that stress-induced cortisol may have a relationship with fat, which is building up around your most vital organs in your midsection. Read more…
The hormones estrogen and progesterone, released by sexual organs, will also affect how your body stores fat. For example, the hormone can lead your body to store fat in your lower abdomen area when we take estrogen.
Body shapes of male
Health experts and researchers reveal that there are body types in males too.
- The rectangle shape
This body type goes straight up and down. Normally this is one of the most common body shapes, and it has revealed four in 10 guys might have a rectangle figure. Their torso is fairly flat, and there is a little change in shape or tapering once you reach the hips.
- Oval shape
The Oval category is defined by the excess weight and fat stored in the body’s upper half.
- The Triangle
You already know that classic ‘pear-shape’ in women’s body types. Well, when you’re a guy, it is calling as the Triangle. This is known to be the third-most-common body shape. This body shape is carrying a little excess weight around the middle area of the body.
- The Inverted Triangle shape
This is one of the shapes of the rarest body types in the male population. This is when the upper half of the body has broad shoulders, and it carries excess muscle. The body shape noticeably tapers down to your waist, while your hips are noticeably smaller.
- The rhomboid
This body shape is slightly different from the rectangle. The shoulders are well-built, meaning they protrude slightly in comparison to the hips.
How can you change your body shape?
If you are not happy with your current body shape, of course, you can acquire the shape that you are looking for by using the appropriate shapewear.
But, keep in your mind that shapewear can offer you an instant solution for gaining the desired body shape.
That is not something permanent!
Body shapes chart
Body shape and BMI (Body Mass Index)
BMI formula will be using your height and weight to figure out if you are in a healthy weight, underweight, or overweight. But, the BMI result will not be the perfect measure for your overall health.
With the common metric system, the formula for BMI is weight in kilograms should be divided by height in meters squared.
When the BMI is calculated, if you are under 18.5, you are an underweight person. If your measurements are between 18.5 and 24.9, you are a healthy person.
But, if your BMI is above 25.0 and below 29.9, you should be considered because you are overweight. If your BMI number is above 30, you should be really careful because you are in the obese section.
Body mass index cannot tell if you are in your body shape, and if you are carrying too much fat or you have got a lot of muscle. You can use your BMI result as a new start and a starting point for further discussion with your doctor if you think you are in trouble.
Body shapes FAQ
What body shape is the best?
This is an easy question.
The male ideal body type is an inverted pyramid with broad shoulders that includes a small waist, while the female ideal body shape is an hourglass that includes a small waist-to-hip ratio.
Another fact is both women and men are much attractive to slimmer female bodies. The women are possessed to have an hourglass figure.
What is a skinny body?
When you have a skinny body shape, your pelvis and shoulder are in perfect alignment. You will have a small bone structure, and they are as light as a bird.
Slim people have slender arms and legs. The buttocks are normally flat, and you will have a defined jawline. This body type is perfect because you can virtually wear all the hip clothes and still look flawless.
What is the perfect body size for a female?
The specific measurements of 36–24–36 inches are the perfect measurements. They have always been given as the “ideal” or an “hourglass” proportion for women since at least from the 1960s.
A 36-24-36 figure is a body type of hourglass. These three numbers each refer to an important measurement of a woman’s body.
The first measurement is the bust area, measured around the fullest point of the chest. The next number is the waist measurement, which is going to be the narrowest part of a relaxed torso. The last measurement is around your hip area.
This is the widest point of the body below the waist when both of your feet are closer together. The numbers of 36 24 36 figure are measured in inches, and the measurement in centimeters is known as the 90-60-90 figure.
How do I know my body type? – How do I know if I’m an endomorph or mesomorph?
The three main somatotypes are describing as; ectomorph, endomorph, and mesomorph.
The ectomorph bodies tend to be tall and slight of build, and these people find it difficult to gain weight. Most probably, your favorite basketball player is likely an ectomorph.
On the other hand, the endomorph body shape has no problems with gaining weight, and they likely to have a lot of muscle and fat. These people are not always overweight.
The last body type is mesomorph, which you will normally picture when you think of an athlete’s appearance. These people are strong, and they tend to have a high metabolism.
When considering body types, both body types men, and women are common in the classification.
What is a healthy waist size?
The ideal waist size that a woman dream of is 32 ½ inches (82.5 cm), while for men, the measurement is 35 inches (88.9 cm). The waistline is considered the narrowest part of the body between the hip area and ribs.
The World Health Organization tells you that when absolute waist measurement is greater than 88 cm for women and 102 cm for men, they are suffering from obesity.
Obesity is also considered as a waist-hip ratio greater than 0.9 for males and 0.85 for females. You can check yours with a waist-hip ratio calculator.
People that are suffering from obesity are also suffering from an increased risk of diabetes, asthma, and Alzheimer’s, among many other health problems.
Can I change my body shape?
Impossible!
In accordance with recent researches, it is impossible to make changes in the bone structure or the size of the body frame. Even it is impossible to make changes in the muscle structure or the places that are stored body fat.
Why is that?
Actually, DNA is the gameplayer regarding these factors. Not only DNA but also our diet make a huge impact on our physical appearance to a great extent.
What is a zero figure?
A zero figure, also known as a size zero, is a women’s clothing size in the United States. It is a measurement that fits bust/waist/hips, and anywhere between 30, 22, 32 inches (76, 56, 81 cm consecutively) – 36, 28, 36 inches (90, 71.5, 90 cm consecutively).
Normally a size 8 in 1958, it is now considered as a size 0 due to vanity sizing. A zero figure is typically associated with the disease anorexia. If you or one of your loved one’s worries about being underweight, please consult a doctor.
The Bottom line
At a glance, all the body shapes are beautiful. There is no need to go for an ideal body shape if you are a healthy person—only your health and happiness matter before anything else.
The most important thing that you should keep in your mind is picking dresses according to your body shape. That fact alone can make you attractive as a person.
Always remember that you can reduce or gain weight to maintain your body shape by going ahead with dieting and exercising plans as recommended by professional dietitians and fitness instructors.
