Some information on body types

Any one who knows me knows at my core, I am not cool. I'm the girl that calls weed mar-ee-wana loudly at parties, as in, "No mar-ee-wana for me, thank you." I also enjoy musicals and going to the state fair each year. I have come to accept this over the years and stopped trying to fight the inevitable stream of nerd-dom that is my core. That brings me to wikipedia. Anything you've ever wanted to know about anything is on wikipedia. I use it daily. If you want to know about idempotency of systems - wikipeida. Planning a trip to Bologna - wikipedia. Interested in standard body forms for women - I've included it here, from wikipedia. And frankly, after reading these descriptions, I now realize I'm not really an hourglass. I'm a banana. I think I've considered myself hourglass all these years because of the big chest issue (another topic).


Why do you care about your shape? A simple choice, like a shirt dress, can be beautifully right or terribly wrong based on the combination of your shape and the dress form. Also, your shape and the clothing form can play up or play down your body type. An hourglass figure can play up her body type in a wrap shirt dress or play down in a straight shirt dress. A pear can rock an open or embellished neck line with an A-line skirt to draw the eye up. The original UK ladies who created What Not to Wear had some great advise on this front (sorry to out you Clinton and Stacy). Ok. Here is the useful information.

Apple (triangle downward)

Apple shaped women have broad(er) shoulders compared to their (narrower) hips.Women of this body type have (much) higher androgen levels compared to women with other body types. Because of this high androgen level, the skeleton develops in a very masculine pattern. Apple shaped women tend to have slim legs/thighs, while the abdomen and chest look out of proportion compared to the rest of the body. Fat is mainly distributed in the abdomen, chest, and face.

Banana or straight (rectangular)

The waist measurement is less than 9 inches smaller than the hips or bust measurement.The body has a relatively high androgen  level compared to the estrogen level; this causes the skeleton to develop in a bit more masculine pattern and body fat to be distributed predominantly in the abdomen, buttocks, chest, and face. This overall fat distribution creates the typical ruler (straight) shape.

Pear or spoon or bell (triangle upward)

The hip measurement is greater than the bust measurement.The distribution of fat varies, with fat tending to deposit first in the buttocks, hips, and thighs. As body fat percentage increases, an increasing proportion of body fat is distributed around the waist and upper abdomen. The women of this body type tend to have a (relatively) larger rear, robust thighs, and a small(er) bosom.

Hourglass shape (triangles opposing, facing in)

The hip and bust are almost of equal size with a narrow waist.Body fat distribution tends to be around both the upper body and lower body. This body type enlarges the arms, chest, hips, and rear before other parts, such as the waist and upper abdomen.

A study of over 6,000 women carried out by researchers at the North Carolina State University around 2005 found that 46% were banana (rectangular), just over 20% pear, just under 14% apple, and 8% hourglass.

So get out your tape measurement, ladies, and find out what shape you are!

Style Illiterate