Start this lesson by clearing you mind of whatever you already believe about your shape.  Many, many women in my workshops feel certain they are one shape and learn that they are another – sometimes the exact opposite of their true type. 

Next, wrap your head around the idea that your shape is just fine.  No one type is better than another.  But KNOWING your type is a lot better than not knowing.

And put down that tape measure.  This isn’t about numbers – it’s about relative visual proportions.

Get into garments (or just undergarments) that skim over your body so you can see the shape beneath.

Stand with your back against a wall, mirror or other vertical surface and make small pencil marks at the outer edges of your shoulders, waist and hips.  Step away and look at those markings. 

First compare the shoulder and hip markings.  If your hip markings  are visually further apart than your shoulder marks you are probably a triangle – or what we call a “lower body dominant” shape.

If your shoulder markings are visually further apart than your hip marks, you are probably an inverted triangle – or what we call “upper body dominant”.  This figure is often also characterized by a full and relatively high bust.

If your hips and shoulders are relatively equal, take a look at your waist markings.

• If your waist is curves in significantly, you are probably an hourglass.
• If your waist curves in very little or not at all you are probably a rectangle
• If you waist is wider than your hips – you are probably an oval.

To further confirm your body type, check the rear view by standing with your back toward a full-length mirror and looking at your reflection using a smaller hand-held mirror.

First focus on your hip-to-waistline area. 

• If you see a gentle slope from your waist outward toward your full hip, you are probably one of the curvy figure types – either a triangle of an hourglass. 
• If you see a straighter shape from your waist down toward your hip, you are probably one of the straight figures – inverted triangle, rectangle or oval.

Last, focus on the shape of your rear end - the side view.

•  If you have outward curve to your seat and the fullest part is low, you are a curvy shape.
• If you have a flat seat and your fullest part is higher – what we sometimes describe as a “high hip” – you are a straight shape.

These three tests should give you a clear, consistent idea of your shape.  But if you are now totally confused, you can email me front and back full-body photos and I’ll reply with a quick “diagnosis”.  Then next week we’ll look at the silhouettes that are most flattering for each body type.