Personal style is just that: personal. And no one person or rule can really tell you what suits you. But we all have those moments of uncertainty. From knowing your "colours" to choosing three specific words that define your style and using those descriptors as a framework to guide future purchases, there are a lot of handy tools you can rely on when it comes to inspiration. One of the most enduring guiding factors towards a reliable clothing choice lies in the question we sometimes find ourselves pondering: "What body shape am I?"
Forget size—this isn't about that and never should be. Instead, there is a nifty little way to understand your body shape, and it's thanks to Who What Wear's brilliant co-founder Hillary Kerr, who let us know that we can find which pieces show off our figures best by simply understanding our body shapes a little better, and dressing accordingly (be safe in the knowledge this still leaves you with so many options). Instead of panicking and buying into every fashion trend, try dressing to show off your figure with the help of our body shape calculator. Trust us—it'll ensure you’re comfortable and confident in the clothes you choose to wear every day and help you shop, whether you're after flattering jeans or a new top.
How to Find Body Shape?
So, how do you figure out your body shape? Rather than comparing yourself to pictures of celebrities or fruit shapes (which can leave you feeling unsure if you’ve arrived at the right conclusion), we spoke with Tania Dudu, a Paris-based personal stylist and fashion expert, to point us in the right direction.
We've also looked to Oprah’s fashion expert, Bradley Bayou’s technique, which uses maths to get to the right shape—it is a little intense, but we’ll walk you through it. We’re limiting this article to four common types for simplicity’s sake, but we know that body shapes and sizes vary vastly. Also, keep in mind that no matter what your size is, you can have any of the four outlines below.
With that said, get out your tape measure and scroll down for this body shape calculator to discover what body shape you are once and for all and learn several helpful tips from Dudu in dressing for your type.
How to Use the Body Shape Calculator
1. Start by Measuring Your Body
This method is all about figuring out your body's natural proportions and wearing shapes that complement these ratios to create a balance that is inherently harmonious. This all begins by measuring several key body parts:
Shoulders: Have someone help you measure from the tip of one shoulder all the way around you. The measuring tape should be high up around your shoulders so it almost slips off.
Bust: Pull the measuring tape taut across the fullest part of your bust and around your back. Don’t pull the tape so taut that your breasts start to get squashed.
Waist: Measure the smallest part of your natural waist, just above the belly button.
Hips: Start at one hip (below the hip bone) and wrap the tape measure around the largest part of your butt.
2. Bring Other Factors Into Equation
Now that you have your measurements, you’ll use those numbers to calculate your body shape. Dudu notes that there are several primary body shapes, four of which we've listed out below, and that "each has its unique characteristics." She notes that in reality, "most people do not fit perfectly into one category", so don't feel as if you need to squeeze yourself into a certain shape or shop only for that body type. Fashion is all about experimentation and personal tastes.
There are many factors to think about on top of the measurements you take, too. Dudu also points out that calculators and advice articles "often fail to take height and proportions into account". By considering where your waist hits, how long your legs are and the overall proportions of your body, you'll be much better informed when it comes time to shop." 'Knowing your strengths and weaknesses allows you to find a lot of information, such as clothes to choose for a petite height” or how to visually elongate your legs," she adds.
You’ll notice the equations below allow you to use your bust or shoulder measurements interchangeably. Doing this accounts for those who have especially big busts or broad shoulders, for instance.
3. Discover Your Shape
You may find that doing the equation with your shoulders versus your bust places you in two different body type categories. This means your body type may actually encompass more than one category.
For example, you may find you’re more of a triangle (or pear) shape when using your bust measurement and more of an hourglass when using your shoulder measurement. If this is the case, you should consider both body types when shopping and ultimately make purchases by seeing what feels best on you.
Remember—these are just indicators, not hard-and-fast concepts to live by. You will find, after experimenting and developing your style over the years, that there are exceptions to the rules and that many varied and wonderful items will look fabulous on you.
Scroll down to see which shape description matches your body the best, and then use the equations to validate that you’ve found your true shape.
What Are the Main Body Shapes?
1. Inverted Triangle
You are an inverted triangle if your shoulder or bust measurement is more than 5% bigger than your hip measurement (shoulders or bust divided by hip measurement). For example, you are an inverted triangle if your shoulders are 36 inches and your hips are 34.25 inches or smaller.
Celebrities With Inverted Triangle Body Shapes
Style Notes: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley styles a black blazer dress with fishnet stockings.
Style Notes: Naomi Campbell wears a maxi dress with draped shoulders.
Style Notes: Elizabeth Olsen a cream high-heck mini dress.
Shop Our Pick for Inverted Triangle Body Shapes:
Style Notes: The items that always look great for this body shape are fitted jackets, tops and dresses with a nipped-in waist and flared bottom. The defined waist and flare over your hips create the illusion of lower-body curves and help balance out your shoulders.
Channel Hailey Bieber at the 2025 Met Gala with this expensive-looking high street buy.
The tie-detail helps you customise this to your proportions.
The curved fit on this dress will help balance out your frame.
2. Rectangle
You are a rectangle if your waist is less than 25% smaller than your shoulder or bust (waist measurement divided by shoulders or bust) and your shoulder, bust and hip measurements are within 5% of each other. Find this out by looking at your shoulder, bust and hip measurements. Call the largest of the three measurements t (it will usually be your shoulders) and the other two measurements y and z. Multiply t by 0.95. If y and z are greater than the result of t times 0.95, then your shoulder, bust and hips are within 5% of each other.
For example, you are a rectangle if your shoulders are 36 inches and your waist is 27 inches or more. An example measurement for this body shape could be 32-27-34.
Celebrities With Rectangle Body Shapes
Style Notes: Amanda Seyfried wears a butter yellow button-down shirt underneath a scooped pale blue shift dress and white ankle boots.
Style Notes: Keira Knightley wears a strapless column dress.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, wears a tweed fitted jacket and matching skirt.
Shop Our Pick for Rectangle Body Shapes:
Accentuate rectangle body shapes with skirts that boast volume-increasing details like ruffles, gathers, bows, pleats, pockets or embellishments. They fill out your hips and balance your upper body.
Pair with rope sandals for the ultimate effortlessly elegant off-duty look.
This dress is fitted at the top and flared at the bottom—ideal.
Like Faithfull's Citara dress, this Esenia style will accentuate longline torsos.
3. Triangle (Or Pear)
You are a triangle (also known as a pear shape) if your hips are more than 5% bigger than your shoulders or bust. You can get this number by taking your hip measurement and diving it by your shoulders or bust measurement.
For example, you are a triangle if your shoulders are 36 inches and your hips are 37.75 inches or larger.
Celebrities With Triangle Body Shapes
Style Notes: Sienna Miller wears a Chloé jacket with pink flared jeans.
Style Notes: Lupita Nyong'o wears a Chanel dress with a contrasting sequin bodice, bow wrap detail at the waist and a white pleated skirt.
Style Notes: Jennifer Lawrence wears a Dior dress from the French brand's Pre-Fall 2025 collection.
Shop Our Pick for Triangle Body Shapes:
Fit-and-flare dresses are the triangle body shape's best friend. They highlight and define your top half and are roomier from the waist down for your bottom half, so the silhouette always fits well.
Such a beautiful colour, too.
Reformation specialise in this very silhouette.
This dress has the most drop-waist.
4. Hourglass
You are an hourglass if your waist is at least 25% smaller than your shoulder or bust (waist measurement divided by shoulders and bust) and your waist is at least 25% smaller than your hips (waist measurement divided by hips) and your shoulder and hip measurements are within 5% of each other.
Find this out by looking at your hips and shoulder measurements. Call the larger of the two measurements t and the smaller one y. Multiply t by 0.95. If y is greater than the result of t multiplied by 0.95, then your hips and shoulders are within 5% of each other.
For example, you are an hourglass if your shoulders and hips measure 36 inches and your waist is 27 inches or smaller. The 36-24-36 figure is funneled under this category, but body shapes are all unique and it largely depends on your proportions, not necessarily exact inch measurements.
Celebrities With Hourglass Body Shapes
Style Notes: Rihanna wears an off-the-shoulder teddy dress from Jacquemus's spring/summer 2024 collection.
Style Notes: Ashley Graham wears a khaki body-con dress.
Style Notes: Tracee Ellis Ross wears an orange coat and white maxi skirt from Bottega Veneta.
Shop Our Pick for Hourglass Body Shapes:
Anything fitted around the waist, like corset tops or pieces with ruched panels, will ensure a perfect fit as they accentuate your waist and enhance your hourglass figure.
A classic dress you'll wear for years to come.
Shirred, ruched and smocked tops and dresses are a lovely choice for hourglass body shapes, as they contour your curves. I adore this gingham version.
Take cues from Ross and wear elasticated maxi shirts to accentuate the figure.
How to Shop for Your Body Type
Knowing your body type is one thing, but shopping with this information can be challenging. Dudu has several pieces of advice for finding items that you feel best in—regardless of body type.
1. Prioritise Fits and Brands You Feel Comfortable In
Overall, she says to "focus on your preferences". As she advises, "your body shape, the brands you trust and the correct size (don't be afraid to go up a size if you prefer a looser fit) or your feelings during a fitting," are integral resources. You might gravitate towards an item for no reason other than you like the colour or shape, but it may surprise you in how it fits, and more importantly, the good feelings it triggers.
2. Look to Influencers with Similar Body Types
Another great tip Dudu offers is following influencers and celebrities who have a similar body type to your own. They'll be able to share styles, brands and combinations that work for them, and it will better help you visualise how it might look on your frame. "I am petite, and many of my followers with a similar height often write to me, saying, 'Tania, I was unsure about this dress, but now I see it will fit me well and won’t be too long'".
3. Experiment and Try New Things
Learning your body shape shouldn't hinder you from trying new styles—even those that are supposedly not 'meant' for your shape. "Remember that styling is all about the right combinations," says Dudu. "You might think a crop top isn't for you, but you really want to wear something lighter in the summer. In that case, choose high-waisted pants or shorts and go for that dream top!" With mixing different styles, shapes and textures, you might discover an outfit formula you adore. "Most of my clients start wearing clothes that have been sitting in their closets for years, or they begin buying items they previously wouldn’t have considered, all because they find the right combinations," says Dudu.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, fashion is our speciality. Our editors have years of industry experience, from reporting on seasonal fashion trends seen at international fashion weeks to working with some of the most recognisable names in fashion. Every item we recommend is carefully selected based on current trends, quality and real-world wearability.
We regularly try pieces ourselves, everything from bestselling jeans to designer shoes, speak to external experts and fashion insiders and stay closely connected to what our readers are searching for. Our advice is grounded in expertise and has to pass our exceptional taste levels—so you can feel confident in every recommendation.