The triangle body shape, often referred to as the “pear” shape, is defined by its naturally curvy lower half and a beautifully defined waistline. Understanding this silhouette is a popular starting point for refining personal style. This guide provides practical advice on identifying the shape and selecting garments that celebrate your natural proportions.
Identifying the Triangle Body Shape
The triangle body shape is characterized by proportions where the lower body is noticeably wider than the upper body. The hips and thighs represent the widest point of the figure, creating an A-line silhouette. The shoulders and bust are generally narrower compared to the hips. A defining feature is the well-defined waist, which is often the narrowest point of the torso. To determine this shape, compare shoulder and hip measurements; if the hip measurement is significantly larger than the shoulder measurement, the triangle shape is the correct classification.
Styling the Upper Body to Create Balance
The primary styling goal for the upper body is to add visual volume and width to the shoulders and bust, which helps to harmonize the silhouette with the wider lower half. Tops with structural details are effective for this purpose, including elements like puff sleeves, ruffles, or subtle shoulder pads. These additions create a horizontal line that visually broadens the upper frame.
Selecting the right neckline can also significantly impact the perceived width of the shoulders. Necklines that cut horizontally across the collarbone, such as boat necks and off-the-shoulder styles, are excellent choices for widening the upper body. Cowl necks and square necks also draw the eye upward and add dimension to the chest area.
Color and pattern placement are powerful tools for directing attention. Utilizing light, bright colors, bold prints, or horizontal stripes on the top half draws the eye upward, making the upper body appear more prominent. Conversely, keeping the lower body in darker, solid colors enhances the balancing effect.
For outerwear, choose cropped jackets that end above the hip line or long jackets that fall well below the widest part of the hip. Avoid jackets that end directly at the hip line, as they draw attention to the widest point of the lower body.
Styling the Lower Body and Dresses
When selecting garments for the lower body, the strategy shifts to streamlining the silhouette and highlighting the natural waist. Bottoms should generally be in darker, solid colors with minimal detailing to visually minimize volume around the hips and thighs. Avoid large pockets, heavy embellishments, or bold patterns in this area.
Mid-to-high-rise waistlines are recommended for pants and skirts because they effectively cinch the waist. For pants, styles that skim the hips without adding bulk are ideal, such as straight-leg, bootcut, or wide-leg trousers. These cuts help to create a long, continuous line from the hip down.
Skirts that gently flare out from the waist, like A-line styles, are particularly flattering as they skim over the hips and thighs. Pencil skirts can also work well, provided they maintain a straight cut below the hip. Very tight-fitting bottoms, such as skinny jeans, can accentuate the difference between the upper and lower body.
Dresses offer a simple way to create a cohesive, balanced look by highlighting the waist and flowing over the lower body. Styles such as the A-line, wrap, and fit-and-flare dresses are excellent choices because they naturally cinch at the waist and allow the fabric to drape gracefully over the hips. The wrap dress, in particular, uses its diagonal lines to define the waist while the skirt flows easily over the lower half.