Body typing is a really good tool in helping to determine complimentary options when styling oneself. If you are looking to spruce up your current wardrobe and or wanting to consider other styling options, I would definitely recommend utilizing the body-type method as a guide in providing a different perspective in styling to uncover new options.

 

Keeping it simple - Five basic body types:

 

1.             Shape

• Pear shapes will generally gain weight in the butt and thighs. Women with this shape have wide hips and thighs with a smaller bust and waistline. Usually the hips are wider than the shoulders. Some also have short, full legs, but slender arms.

 

 

2.              Shape  

• Strawberry shapes will generally gain weight around the shoulders and bust. Women with this shape have a full upper body with broad shoulders and a large bust.  Usually the waist is flat and the hips are narrower than the bust and shoulders. Strawberry shapes usually have a flat rear and slender legs.

 

 

3.              Shape

• Apple shapes will generally gain weight in the midsection, rear, and face. Women with this shape have a large upper body, complete with large shoulders, bust, and waist. Usually the hips are slim and the legs are slender.

 

 

4.             Shape

• Hourglass shapes will generally gain weight proportionally in the hips, thighs, and chest. Women with this shape find that the bust and hips are similar in proportion, and the waist is very narrow, creating noticeable curves. The waist will usually measure anywhere from 8 inches to 12 inches smaller than the bust or hip.

 

 

5.              Shape

• Banana shapes carry extra weight that gathers around the stomach and back regions. The waist, hips, shoulders, and bust are usually slim and fairly equal in size. The waist will usually measure somewhere between 1 inch to 8 inches smaller than the bust.

 

Tools Required:

1. A soft tape-measure

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Measuring To Identify Your Body Type:

• Bust - The measuring tape should be fitted around the nipple for a proper measurement.  Hold the tape measure in the front middle of your breast.  Pull the tape measure from front to the back and around to the other side of the front of your breast.  Note the current measurement.

 

• Waist - The waist is the smallest part of your torso right underneath the rib cage.  Bending on your side, will reveal an indent locating your "natural waistline".  Hold the tape measure in the front of your waist.  Pull it from the front middle of your waist to the back and around to the front of the otherside of the waist.  Note the current measurement.

 

• Hips - The hip is the widest part of the lower torso area.  Pull it from the front middle of your lower torso to the back and around to the front of the other side of the lower torso.  Note the current measurement.

 

​       Now What...Considering the characteristics of your body specifically, armed with your measurements, and the noted body type descriptions

        above you are now equipped with enough information to classify your own body type.  This information will prove helpful as the discussion

        about styling based on body type progresses forward.

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Why I do What I do…Out of my own struggles and wardrobe complexities, both highs and lows Stylephyles.com was created. I have personally developed this guide and utilized the same information that contributes to my own styling success stories. The information provided in the Style-Phyles! guides have worked well for me and I’m hopeful that it will work well for you too. It is my aim to help others in their personal styling journey.  If you have inquiries, please send them via stylephyles.com or email via stylephyles@yahoo.com.

 

 

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