Ah, the age old question of, “What is my body type?” This may be one of the most annoying quandaries ever because the answer is never simple. The female figure is a beautiful thing, but equally confusing. The majority of women are more than one body type combined to create a unique shape that makes you YOU. Adding to the confusion is that to properly dress yourself for ultimate fabulousness, understanding your body type is a must. SMNYC is here to ease your stress! It’s time to finally answer the question, “What is my body type?” by taking the SMNYC quiz.

How to Determine Your Body Type

Below you will find the top 5 body types that SMNYC has worked with over the past 20 years. Are there other body types out there? Of course, but the options below cover most women’s body types in some combination. To determine your body type, just follow these simple directions:

1. Read the body type definition. Not sure if this is you? No problem. We just want you to have a general idea of how each body type is defined.
2. Next, answer “yes” or “no” to each of the body type statements listed. If you are stumped and not sure if the statement reflects your body type, skip it.
3. Add up your answers. How many “yes” answers did you get for each body type? Keep track as you take the quiz.
4. You will most likely be a combination of 2 body types. Which 2 body types got the most “yes” answers? Are you an hourglass pear shape? Or maybe an inverted triangle apple shape? You may end up being 1 solid body type or even a combination of 3. Remember, every body shape is completely different (and beautiful!)

Hourglass Body Type

Hourglass body type definition:

The hourglass body type has a wide bust, a narrow waist, and wide hips with a similar measurement to that of the bust. This body shape is named for its resemblance to that of an hourglass where the upper and lower half are wide and roughly equal while the middle is narrow in circumference, making the overall shape wide-narrow-wide. Is your body type curvy like an hourglass?

Answer yes or no to the statements below:

• My bust is above a cup size C and my bum is curvaceous.
• I have a small natural waist (around your belly button).
• I have trouble finding pants that fit my bum/hips and waist. I always have to have them taken in.

---

Rectangle Body Type

Rectangle body type definition:

Rectangular, athletic, or straight—however you refer to this body type, it’s mostly determined by your measurements. Your shoulders, bust, and hip measurements are fairly uniform. And, your waist is more straight than curvy. The rectangle body type is model-esque meaning straight from top to bottom. What is your body type definition?

Answer yes or no to the statements below:

• My shoulders, bust and hips are about the same width.
• I dream of Marilyn Monroe’s body type, I am the opposite of her!
• I have little to no waist definition.

---

Inverted Triangle Body Shape

Inverted triangle body type definition:

The inverted triangle body shape is defined as having shoulders that are broader than your hips, with little to no waist definition. Your bust may be larger, but this does not necessarily define the inverted triangle body type. Your body follows the shape of a “V”, and shoulders may be straight, squared, or athletic-looking. Is your body type an inverted triangle?

Answer yes or no to the statements below:

• My shoulders are the broadest part of my body.
• I have narrow hips and a barely-there bum.
• I would consider myself “athletic-looking.”

---

Apple Body Type

Apple body type definition:

The apple body shape is referred to as a circular or round shape and is determined by your measurements. Your shoulders, bust, waist, and hips are fairly uniform, but unlike the rectangle shape, they are rounder. Your waistline is undefined and you typically have a larger bust. Is your body type defined by any of these ideas?

Answer yes or no to the statements below:

• I am rounder through the middle and consider my arms and legs my best features.
• My waistline is undefined and I consider my stomach a “problem-area.”
• I have a flattish bum.

---

Pear Body Shape

Pear body shape definition:

The pear body shape is recognized as having a defined waist that is narrow compared to your hips. Your thighs and hips are wider than your bust and shoulders. Your shoulders are slight showcasing a curvier bottom half. Is this your body type?

Answer yes or no to the statements below:

• My bum is my curviest part of my body and I consider myself bottom-heavy.
• It is hard to find pants because my bum is wider and my waist is tiny.
• I am often 2 different sizes on the top and the bottom so dresses are hard to find.

---

How to Read Your Results

Are you a Christina, Kate, Venus, Mindy or Michelle? Or a Ven-dy? Or a Min-chelle? As mentioned previously, you are probably a combination of 2 body types. Did you keep track of your “yes” answers to each body type statement? It’s time to dive in and finally learn your true (and awesomely unique) body type!

• “Yes” Statements: Which body type(s) did you have the most “yes” answers to?
• Most to Least: Put them in order of how many “yes” answers you got for each.
• Singular Body Type: If you got overwhelming “yes” answers for one, your body type is simple.
  • “I am a pear shape!”
• Combination Body Type: If two body types tied for “yes” answers, consider yourself a combination.
  • “I am an inverted triangle-hourglass.”
• Main Body Type With A Twist: Mostly “yes” answers for one and only a few “yes” answers for others means you have one main body type with slight variations.
  • “I am an apple with a hint of pear.”

---

How to Dress for Your Body Type

Now comes the fun part. Finally learn how to dress properly for your amazingly fabulous, unique and fantastic body type. Knowing what shape you truly are is most of the battle, now that you have established your personally unique body type, start styling for ultimate stylishness. Below are silhouette suggestions for each body type to mix and match styles that work for you.

And let StyleMethod™ know if finally understanding your body type is liberating! Comment below on how it feels to know how to dress your body type now that you know what your body type is. Shout it from the roof tops! Or just post a comment below….

Hourglass

• Anything cinched at the waist. Always tuck in your top no matter the bottom half, it shows off your curves in all the right ways.
• Silhouette-conscious items are your friends. This is anything fitted to gently fitted. If you try to hide your curves it will make you look bigger than you are.
• An open neckline is best. Stay away from too much coverage, your bust will become overwhelming.
• Go-to items: Pencil skirts, sheath, belly button grazing pants/jeans and knits.

Rectangle

• You have a lot of options with this body type. Oversized and fitted pieces work both together and separately. This means you can mix big with big (top/bottom), big with small (top/bottom), small with big (top/bottom) and small with small (top/bottom.)
• The same goes for dresses. Silhouette-conscious dresses, pieces cinched just as the waist and oversized options, all work. Just be careful of the hem length, if the item is too long it will swallow you and look like a garbage bag.
• As a rectangle, proper silhouettes can help create curves. To do this, make sure to cinch as your waist by tucking in tops, wearing a belt over your top at your natural waist or wearing a longer necklace that hits you just below your bust.
• Go-to items: Aline dresses, high-waisted jeans/pants, bodysuits, belts and longer necklaces.

Inverted Triangle

• The key to this body type is to NOT add to your shoulders. Stay away from anything with a puff sleeve and/or a wider, busy pattern on the top.
• Always wear an open neckline. You want people’s eye to be drawn to the center away from your shoulders.
• Add necklaces or earrings to all of your looks. This reiterates drawing people’s eye to your center.
• Go-to items: V-neck blouses, straight-leg high-waist pants/jeans, necklaces and earrings.

Apple

• You want to show off your arms and gams. The easiest option to do this is a mini shift dress (shapeless and oversized). It must be hemmed just below mid-thigh otherwise it can will like a garbage bag.
• Do not tuck things in. Instead, if you are wearing separates, buy shorter tops that hit just below your belt loops untucked.
• Use layers to create a waist. Anything that hits just below your natural waist is perfect.
• Choose structured layering items. This helps to define and create a shape through your middle.
• Go-to items: Structured waist length blazers/jean jackets, waist-grazing blouses, high-waisted pants/jeans and mini shift dresses.

Pear

• The goal with this body type is to even out your top and bottom using the proper silhouettes. Try a blouse tucked in to high-waist pants. Be sure the topped is not too tightly tucked, you are trying to create volume on the top.
• You should always choose pants that are silhouette-conscious. You do not want to add volume to your bottom half. You do want to add volume to your top half.
• Aline dresses are your best friend. They highlight your waist while giving stylish coverage to your bum.
• Choose shorter layering items. Nothing should hit below your natural waist. Longer items will draw attention to your hips. Shorter items will create a waist balancing out your top and bottom.
• Go-to items: Skinnier straight leg high-waist pants/jeans, flowing blouses, waist-length blazers/cardigans and aline dresses.

---

Bonus: Tips For Petite And Tall Women

Petite Women

• Hemlines matter. If a garment is too long, you will instantly be swallowed by it. Skirts and dresses should hit just above your knee. If you choose a longer style, add a high heel to balance out the extra length. The best pant length is just above your ankle bone. For tops, the arm length is vital. It should hit just below your wrist bone.
• Do not roll things up, it only accentuates that the item doesn’t fit properly. If anything, push your sleeves up and add some fun bracelets. This creates a “look” while solving the problem.
• A tailor is your best friend, have someone amazing on hand. You have to include this cost when you purchase an item.
• Shop in the petite section if possible, it will save you a lot of time and money.

Tall Women

• Know the brands that love you. Meaning, choose designers that cut things longer. Once you know what works, stick with the brands that will always fit.
• Online shopping is your friend. Shopping this way allows you to use filters, this way you can choose longer lengths assuring that you will only see things that actually fit you. Avoid falling in love with something that doesn’t work!
• Taking a hemline down is possible. Even a half an inch can make all the difference in having a garment fit properly.