Thank you, Vildy, for sending in the quote by Imogen Lamport, further clarifying this topic. Updates in italics.
In describing silhouettes, I like to use the following definitions:
- Type A (or triangle): shoulders < hips.
- Type I (or rectangle): shoulders = hips, waist less defined.
- Type O (or oval): sloped shoulders = hips, waist filled in.
- Type V (or wedge): shoulders > than hips.
- Type X (or hour-glass): straight shoulders = hips, waist defined.
- Type 8 (or figure-eight): sloped shoulders = hips; waist defined.
Those last two, though, seem to get people. In reality, they get me too.
Back in the early 80s, when I met my hero, I was positive my shoulders were sloped. He insisted they were straight. Twenty-five years later I am finally convinced that the real reason my bra straps fall down is because my shoulders are narrow (update: after a professional bra fitting, I now know that the reason my straps fall off is because I wear a demi style bra with widely spaced straps); but I’m equally convinced the type 8 silhouette works better for me. Why?
Here’s my theory: because I tend to more roundness on the lower half, the pegged skirts of the 8 subtract a little and draw a straighter line, creating greater harmony with my smaller, straighter top.
Remember, silhouette is different from measurements. Both a Susannah and a Trinny could have shoulders equal in width to the hips and a defined waist. A type 8 has fuller thighs, while a type X has a fuller bust. That is actually not the case AT ALL! Bust size is not a factor, and thigh is more likely to be the opposite – in accordance with what Imogen says below. (Updates: 7/21/2014)
In reality, a not-too-wide hourglass (which I am) can wear the flared skirt or the oval, never straight (which is quite frumpy on me). So, in my theory, the type X would wear the fuller bottoms of the hourglass silhouette for everyday, while the type 8 would favor narrower hemlines.
Then there’s special occasion clothes. In my idiom, sometimes it’s fun to dress up as an hourglass, especially if the occasion calls for formal. Conversely, I think the slinky column look can be quite dramatic on the hourglass girl with the personality to carry it off. But please be modest!
“Now the difference between an 8 and an X is whether or not you have the shelf hip (you’ve got that shelf that your baby sits so easily on), where your widest point is the top part of your bottom (not your lower hip area), so you’re an 8. If your hip slides away and the widest point when you look in the mirror is the top of your thighs, then you’re an X or Hourglass shape. The difference in dressing these two shapes lies below the waist – they both can belt and tuck, but the 8 needs to wear straight skirts and trousers, whilst the X is most flattered by A lines and bootlegs.
You may have the high hip of the 8 body, but the narrow shoulders of the A body – if so, draw attention up to the face with pattern and detail above the waist, and keep your bottom half dressed like the 8 shape, clean, smooth and straight lines with no fuss or flounce.”
Imogen Lamport
(Read the entire article, which the author has kindly made available to us at her website.)
Now, honestly, I never thought anything about that “shelf”, although I certainly have it. Anybody?
Rebecca, WordPress hates me!
Attempt 3 to leave a comment on this post.
I think that within each shape there are so many variations. I’m a V, no question. But there are V’s that are bigger up front, smaller up front, taller, shorter … I have a defined waist and thicker thighs, so there are times I masquerade a bit like an hourglass.
I really used to think I was Type A (in more ways than one), but since this last baby I can’t tell objectively anymore just what I am. Having seem my silhouette for the lab, what would you call me?
I’m sorry you had trouble, Wendy! There actually has been one time since I changed over that I couldn’t get into the blog, and the bargain queen had so much trouble she had to change her hosting, so I’m guessing it was the host’s server. Thanks for persisting! I totally agree there are pretty much endless variations. It makes it nice to have another silhouette or two that will work for you.
The one that I really need to keep in mind to not even try is the rectangle. And, of course, somehow that is the one that is locked in my mind as the normal, desirable one.
Alyson ~ in the pictures you sure look like a type 8 to me. 🙂 Especially look at the ones that look the best on you. What do you think?
I think you’re right. Who knew? I was still thinking of myself as pear-shaped! Thanks for the advice!
Hmmm….I am still figuring out the whole silhouette thing. 🙂 I finally decided that I am maybe a type V because my shoulders *are* after all wider than my hips. But being tall, very finely boned, and very thin I need to define my waist and it wasn’t until I started to “get” the silhouette concept that I realized why I have *always* preferred to tuck my shirts in (and why when dropped waist (whatever they’re called) dresses were in when I was little–I hated them!)….I subconsciously knew I somehow “needed” my waist to pull off my silhouette. Unfortunately, that’s not a very “in” look so I’m trending toward shirts a little smaller so I’ll still have a waist when I wear them untucked (but still modest, a hard balance to find sometimes). Anyway, I like the idea that you may be able to thoughtfully “take on” a different look.
“A type 8 has fuller thighs, while a type X has a fuller bust.”
AH HA! I am and have known I am one of these two. I just couldn’t decide which one. Now I know. It also helps me answer why I’ve had slight reservations about the one photo on my bio page… Pear.
Although I love sleeveless blouses, I guess I should find (or make) ones with itty bitty cap sleeves that just come out over the edge of my shoulders to help balance my fuller thighs…
Thanks!
Janel, I like the sleeveless blouse you are wearing in your pictures. Also, before you race to the sewing machine, check out Angie’s post about capsleeve .
Have you tried tucking the blouse into the skirt? It might be the waist element you need to make that ensemble work. ? Just a thought …
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Hmmm… I have the “shelf”… and fairly muscular thighs, and a full bust, and straight shoulders. I certainly look best in A-Line skirts so I’m going to say I’m an X… ?
*confused*
lol (’cause what else are you going to do besides scratch your head and laugh). It is confusing. Because we are all a complex combination of unique shapes. I actually have the shelf AND my thighs are the widest part, but I mostly look and feel frumpy in A-lines. I’m confident I’m an 8. It sounds like you are an X. Or maybe we should say: I prefer the 8 silhouette and you prefer the X.
=D
It’s only useful information if it’s helpful.
I think that some get body shape – that is the outline of the body, confused with other body variations, such as a larger bust, or smaller bust, which can be on any body shape.
The body shape is the silhouette. Then there is the body proportions – which is whether or not you have a longer or shorter waist, longer or shorter legs – which you can find out more about here http://realmums.com.au/you/2008/08/01/the-long-and-the-short-of-it/
What you need to remember, is that we are all varied, and the guidelines you read are simplified and there to try and help, but many don’t fit exactly into a ‘body shape’, and often it’s the body proportion that’s more important than the shape.
If you want to see what an 8 shape looks like, check out this picture of Tippi Hendren on Christopher Hopkins blog – the tiny waist, then the larger bottom, but still slimmer thighs.
The shoulders can be broader (like Tippi’s) or narrower.
http://themakeoverguy.com/blog/2008/08/appreciating_the_lost_art_of_l.html
Great article! We are linking to this great post on our website.
Keep up the great writing.
WOW. I always thought I was a pear shaped.
Me too! At least until I started studying this stuff ? Thanks for leaving a comment!
Since writing this post in 2008, I have learned ALOT about how to work with the silhouettes! Haha! I should rewrite some of my old posts. If you would like to have me take a look at yours and give you personalized recommendations, here’s a link: https://signaturestylesystems.com/product/essential-discovery/.
Happy 2021!!!