The 5 Body Types
Body type guides group figures by the relationship between shoulders, bust, waist and hips. The five most common categories are: Hourglass: bust and hips about equal, with a clearly narrower waist. Pear (triangle): hips wider than bust and shoulders. Apple (round): fullness through the middle, often with slimmer legs. Rectangle (straight): bust, waist and hips similar. Inverted triangle: shoulders or bust wider than hips.
They're a styling tool, not a judgement. Most bodies are a mix, weight changes move you between them, and none is better than another.
How to Find Yours
Measure your bust at the fullest point, your waist at the narrowest point, and your hips at the widest point. If bust and hips are within about 5 cm and your waist is much smaller, you're hourglass. If your hips are clearly bigger than your bust, pear. If your bust or shoulders are clearly bigger than your hips, inverted triangle. If all three are close, rectangle. If your waist is your widest point, apple.
Read more: How to Dress for Your Body Type: The Simple Rules
How to Dress Each Shape
Hourglass: follow the waist: wrap dresses, belted coats, high-waisted trousers. Pear: add interest up top (detailed necklines, structured shoulders) and keep the lower half simple; A-line skirts and straight or bootcut trousers balance hips. Apple: V-necks, empire waists and flowing tops that skim the middle; show off legs.
Rectangle: create curves with belts, peplums, ruffles and layering. Inverted triangle: soften the shoulders with V-necks and raglan sleeves, and add volume below with wide-leg trousers and A-line skirts. More detail in apple body shape and inverted triangle body shape.
Body Type, Height and Face Shape Together
Body type is one of three things that decide what suits you; height and face shape are the others. A petite pear and a tall pear dress differently, and necklines interact with face shape. See how to dress for your body type.
In Ollie Stylist, you can set the free model to your body type and height and dress it in real clothes, so you can see how a piece sits on a build like yours before buying.