Defining Your Plus Size Shape

Buying a perfect outfit involves many factors, but getting the right cut for your body type is one of the most important issues. This, of course, means you need to define your body type.

When discussing the female body type, magazines and the media tend to focus on the supermodel niche. The rest of us "real" women tend to be grouped together as "plus size" without much additional consideration. As you well know, there are many different plus size body types. Magazines often mention pear or apple body shapes, but this is an oversimplification of the variety of shapes we come in. Let's take a closer look.

The hourglass is a classic plus size figure. As the name suggests, a woman with this figure tends to be full through the hips and the upper body. Not only do you have a fuller bust line, but the figure typically also incorporates a fuller shoulder area. The figure eight body is similar to the hourglass look, but the shoulders tend to be less full.

The triangle body shape is common among plus size women. With this figure, we tend to be fuller through the hips and buttocks, but thinner through the upper body area. A minority of plus size women have the exact opposite look. They are thinner through the hips, but much fuller through the upper body. This is often noted as an "inverted triangle" or "V" body type.

The rectangle body type is pretty much what it sounds like. The body tends to be very linear. Clothes can be worn that fall fairly vertical from the shoulders or hips on down. This body type can require special attention when it comes to underwear as hip riding pieces may tend to slide down and be uncomfortable.

So, what does all this mean? Well, you have to come to grips with the body type you have. Each of us is unique, but we will fall within one of these general classifications. The key is to recognize that type and then shop for clothes that are designed for the look. Each look has certain aspects that should be emphasized as well as aspects that should be de-emphasized. If you buy the wrong cut for your body type, getting this correct will be nearly impossible.


By: Tiffany Hart