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Understanding your body shape is crucial when choosing clothes that enhance your natural curves. You can easily measure your body with a tape measure by checking your bust, waist, and hips. These measurements will help you determine your body type. Remember, human body shapes are diverse, and all of them are beautiful, no matter which category you fall into!
Steps
Take Your Body Measurements
Remove all clothing or wear only undergarments. To get accurate measurements, it is best to avoid wearing thick clothing. You can either remove all your clothes and leave on your undergarments or opt for light, fitted attire, like a tank top and leggings.
- It’s also recommended to stand in front of a mirror while measuring. The mirror will help ensure you’re placing the tape measure correctly on your body.
Measure at the fullest part of your bust. Use a tape measure to take your measurements in inches or centimeters. Wrap the tape measure around the fullest part of your bust, usually across the nipples. Keep the tape snug but not tight, to avoid constricting your chest. Check the measurement and write it down.
- Many people also measure their shoulders when determining body shape, but it’s not necessary. If your shoulders are broader than your bust, waist, and hips, you might have an inverted triangle shape. Shoulder measurements can further help you determine your body type.
Tip: If you find it difficult to measure yourself with the tape, you can ask a friend to help take the measurements for you.
Identify and measure the smallest part of your waist. This is usually located just below your rib cage, about 5 cm to 7.5 cm above your belly button. Wrap the tape around this area to take the measurement in inches or centimeters.
- Ensure the tape isn’t too tight. It should fit snugly around your waist, but you should be able to slip a finger between the tape and your skin.
Identify and measure the widest part of your hips. This is typically around the fullest part of your buttocks, where your pants' waistband usually sits. Wrap the tape measure around this area and take your measurement in inches or centimeters.
Determine Your Body Shape
Compare the three measurements to identify the largest and smallest areas. Rank your bust, waist, and hips from the largest to the smallest to visualize your body shape. However, if two measurements differ by only about 2.5 cm or less, consider them equal.
- For example, if your bust is around 86 cm, waist 96 cm, and hips 122 cm, then hips are the largest part of your body, and the bust is the smallest.
- Your measurements might be close or equal. Make a note of this, as it can indicate a specific body type. For example, if your bust is 96.5 cm, hips 99 cm, and waist 106 cm, you have similar bust and hip measurements, and the waist is the largest.
Tip: You might recognize your body shape in the mirror as you take measurements. You can observe your bust, waist, and hips in the mirror to guess your body type.
You have a pear-shaped body if your bust and waist are smaller than your hips. If your hips are the largest part of your measurements and your bust and waist are either equal or the bust is smaller than the waist, you have a pear-shaped body. This shape is also known as the triangle shape and is very common.
- For instance, if your bust is 81 cm, waist 86 cm, and hips 101 cm, you have a pear-shaped body.
Determine if you have an inverted triangle shape with a larger bust than your waist and hips. This body shape is the opposite of the pear shape. The inverted triangle shape has a bust and/or shoulders broader than the waist and hips. It’s commonly seen in athletes, but some people are naturally built this way.
- For example, if your bust is 101 cm, waist 91 cm, and hips 89 cm, you have an inverted triangle shape.
You have a rectangular shape if your bust, waist, and hips are nearly the same size. If the measurements of your bust, waist, and hips differ by no more than 5 cm, you have a rectangular body shape. This shape is commonly found in athletes and teenage girls, but some people are naturally born with this shape.
- For example, if your bust is 91 cm, waist 89 cm, and hips 94 cm, you have a rectangular body shape.
You have an apple-shaped body if your waist is wider than your bust and hips. If your waist is about 5 cm larger than your bust and hips, you likely have an apple-shaped body. People with this shape typically have narrow hips and slender legs. For women, this shape often comes with a fuller bust.
- For instance, if your bust is 106 cm, waist 122 cm, and hips 101 cm, you have an apple-shaped body.
Identify the hourglass figure if your waist is smaller than your bust and hips. The hourglass shape typically features bust and hip measurements that are nearly equal, with a noticeable waist smaller than both. This creates curves that resemble an hourglass from bust to waist and hips.
- For example, if your bust is 90 cm, waist 68 cm, and hips 92 cm, you have an hourglass shape.
Draw a shape representing your measurements if you’re uncertain. If you’re having trouble identifying your body shape, try sketching a proportional drawing of your measurements. Draw three parallel lines each representing 1/10th of your measurements, spaced 5 cm apart. Then, connect the ends of these lines to see what shape they form.
- For example, if your measurements are 81 cm, 90 cm, and 101 cm, the lines you draw would be 8 cm, 9 cm, and 10 cm. Connecting the ends of these lines will form either a pear shape or an inverted triangle.
Advice
- The human body comes in many shapes and sizes, so keep in mind that you might not fit into one of the specific categories listed. For example, you might have a pear shape with larger hips and bust, but a slightly larger waist.
- If you're a teenager, your body shape is likely to change over time. For example, you may have a rectangular shape now, but later you might develop more curves.
- If you’re unsure about your body shape, consider asking an expert. Look for a tailor or a fashion store with experts who can take your measurements. They can help determine your body shape.
- Embrace your body as it is. It may sound cliché, but it’s true. Love your body for what it is, and be proud of it.
