How to determine your body shape

With words like ‘pear’ and ‘apple’ thrown around as references, determining your body shape can often feel like a) ordering a fruit salad and b) completely overwhelming. But knowing your body shape and how to accentuate your best features when you dress can work wonders for your confidence. We’re about to make the process so much easier.

Below, we have broken down the most common body shapes and made a cheat sheet for what clothes will work for you (plus, how to find your ultimate pair of jeans because no woman can be without her staple denim), so you can feel your most confident, all the time. 

HOURGLASS

An ‘hourglass’ body shape is traditionally well-balanced between your top and bottom half, with a bust that is relatively in proportion with the size of your hips. A major feature of an hourglass body shape is a defined waist. 

TRY: Hourglass figures are also relatively easy to dress for. Most tops will work well, especially when paired and tucked in to accentuate your slim waist.

IDEAL JEANS FOR YOU: Levi’s Wedgie Fit Straight Jeans are vintage inspired - designed to be snug through the high and thigh and creating a perfect peach shaped butt (loved by Kylie Jenner) for a super flattering silhouette.

PEAR

Those that identify with a ‘pear’ body shape typically have wider hips than their bust, but are curvy through their middle.

TRY: High-waisted pants or skirts will be the most flattering, as well as slim fitting tops that will draw attention to your top half and accentuate your curves in the right places.

IDEAL JEANS FOR YOU: Levi's 721 High Rise Skinny. They’ll cinch your waist in while lengthening your legs and smoothing your hips.

APPLE

An ‘apple’ body shape tends to have a larger bust than hips and a less defined waist, but slim arms and legs. Weight is often gained in the upper or middle parts of the body.

TRY: For an apple body shape a high-waist is also preferable. Wearing skinny jeans and a long shirt will help create the illusion of a longer silhouette. V neck and patterned shirts are a go, but avoid high necks.

IDEAL JEANS FOR YOU: The Levi’s Mile High Super Skinny will be your go-to, slimming the tummy and shaping the legs, perfect to layer a long shirt over the top of.

RECTANGLE

A ‘rectangle’ body shape can also be known as a ‘straight’ body shape. This is probably the most straight-forward - having generally the same measurements for all sections of the body. This body shape also often has a smaller bust.

TRY: This is one of the easier body shapes to dress. Higher-neck shirts work well as they emphasize the length of the neck. Mid- to low-rise pants also work well for this body shape. Pants and shirts that crop just above the ankles and wrists are also flattering as they draw attention to the slimmest parts of the body. Shift and shirt dresses are also simple options that work well for this shape.

IDEAL JEANS FOR YOU: Levi’s 501 Original Cropped Jeans. They’re the perfect mid-rise cut that also crop at the ankle to help accentuate your legs.

INVERTED TRIANGLE

An ‘inverted triangle’ body shape (not picture above) usually has a smaller bottom half than top half, with little definition between waist and hips.

TRY: Avoiding any extra width in the top half is the key to dressing an inverted triangle body shape. This means opting for single breasted jackets and avoiding shoulder padding at all costs. Go for tops that cinch at the waist to give your waist more shape. In the bottom department wide leg styles are a great cut for you.

IDEAL JEANS FOR YOU: Levi’s 315 Shaping Bootcut will give the appearance of slimmer and longer legs with a flared ankle and cut that sits slightly below the natural waist.

For more great clothing options and to find your perfect pair of jeans, head to levis.com.au and check out the brand’s Fit Guide.

Main image credit @elleferguson

What body shape do you think you identify with?