🇬🇧 How do I know what my body type is?

Let's talk about female body types and the importance of correctly identifying your body type.

How do I know what my body type is?  (or yours)

To identify your body type you need a tape measure. If you don't have one, you can use string and a ruler, but a tape measure is ideal.

You need 3 measurements: shoulder circumference (not breast!), hip circumference and waist circumference.

To take your measurements, ask for help from another person if you need it, or use a large mirror to make sure you are not holding the tape too tightly against your body and that you are taking the measurements correctly. Stand upright, wearing only lingerie.

Shoulder circumference is measured with arms hanging vertically at sides. Measurement is taken where the curve of the shoulder ends. Slide the measuring tape horizontally across your back and front and record the measurement. Make sure the tape measure is not twisted to be sure of the correct measurement.

Some sources claim that the waist is the narrowest part of the body, but this is a misconception, as people with an oval body type have a wider waist than their hips. As a standard, measure 2cm above the navel and keep the tape measure horizontal.

The hips are about 25cm below the waist (I'm 1.75m tall. If you are much shorter or much taller the difference in distance will be significant). Another reference is the height of the join of the crotch seams of a pair of trousers.  Where the right and left leg meet at the lowest point (from there follows a seam down to the waistband).

If all of this sounds too complicated, don't worry, I'll take these steps in a face-to-face meeting with my style consulting clients.

With the measurements in hand you can know what your physical type is.

Triangle body types have larger hips than others. In some pictures, it seems to be Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner's body type, but with so many edits in celeb photos, I make no claims about their body type.

The inverted triangle body type has broader shoulders than the others. Among celebrities, you will be more likely to find this physique in swimmers and gymnasts, such as Rebeca Andrade from Brazil, as these activities contribute to the development of the shoulder region.

The oval body type has a wider waist than the others. A common misconception among many people is that every fat person has an oval body type. Although people with an oval body type are generally overweight, not all overweight people have an oval body shape.

The hourglass body type has shoulders and hips of the same size and a smaller waist by about 20 centimetres. Generally those who seek only aesthetic harmony, without thinking of the image as a non-verbal communication tool, try to create, through clothes, the illusion that every woman has a body with this shape. In my work, I present other options based on the profile of the clients.

Finally, the rectangular body type has the same size shoulders and hips, and the waist is wider than the hourglass body type. One example among celebrities is the model Gisele Bündchen, but I could be wrong, because as I said in the text on tall and thin models, the differences between body types tend to be smaller among thin people.

Knowing your body type is the first step in understanding how to use your appearance as a non-verbal communication tool. Each body type conveys different ideas about them and we can, on purpose, choose to exaggerate the shoulders (as we have seen in some autumn/winter 23/24 shows), the hips, create the illusion of a slimmer waist, etc. For those who don't have my stylist service, knowing your own body shape is useful at least to be able to identify on the catwalk and in the shop windows which garments can create greater aesthetic harmony in your body. Trying to wear clothes that don't show off your personality, or at least your body, is a form of self-sabotage. Invest with me in self-knowledge and style advice. Set up your first meeting by following the instructions on the "Services available" page.

Follow my profiles on social networks to receive new content every time I make it available. Or subscribe to receive notifications of new blog content by email.

Fashion brand leaders should read my page on advertising. 

Nycka