What your shape means
Body shape describes how your bust, waist and hips relate — your proportions, nothing more. It is not a measure of health or fitness, and no shape is better than another. Knowing yours is genuinely useful for one thing: dressing the body you have, with cuts and lines that work with your proportions.
The five shapes
- Hourglass — bust and hips balanced, waist clearly defined.
- Pear (triangle) — hips are the widest point.
- Inverted triangle — shoulders and bust widest, tapering to the hips.
- Rectangle (athletic) — bust, waist and hips close in measurement.
- Round (apple) — fullness around the midsection.
FAQ
How do I find my body shape?
Measure your bust (or chest), waist and hips, then compare the proportions. If bust and hips are close with a much smaller waist, it is an hourglass; hips widest is a pear; bust widest is an inverted triangle; all similar is a rectangle; waist widest is a round shape.
What are the five body shapes?
Hourglass, pear (triangle), inverted triangle, rectangle (athletic) and round (apple). They describe proportions — none is better or worse than another.
How should I measure for body shape?
Bust or chest around the fullest part, waist at the narrowest point (navel for men), hips at the widest point. Keep the tape level and snug, not tight.
Is one body shape healthier than another?
Shape is about proportion, not health. If you want a health-screening number, waist-to-height ratio is a quick measured indicator — your waist and hips already give it.