21 Female Body Shapes: Hourglass, Pear, Apple & More

What Determines Female Body Shapes?

There are a few key factors that contribute to a woman's natural body shape:

Bone structure - Your underlying skeleton, including the width of your shoulders and hips.
Fat distribution - Where your body stores fat tissue, like the abdomen, hips, butt, and thighs.
Muscle mass - The amount of muscle tissue you naturally carry, especially around the shoulders and arms.

Genetics largely determines these traits, which is why body shapes often run in families. Ethnic background also plays a role. For example, many East Asian women are naturally narrow-shouldered and broad-hipped.

Your hormones, diet, exercise, and lifestyle influence your body shape to some degree, but you'll always have your basic bone structure.

21 Distinct Female Body Shapes

By analyzing the skeletal frame, fat distribution, and muscle mass, we can categorize the female form into 21 unique body shapes. Let's go through them one-by-one:

1. Hourglass

With an hourglass body, the hips and bust are almost equal in size, with a narrow waist. Weight concentrates around the chest, butt, and thighs. The shoulders and abdomen are comparatively slim and defined.

2. Bottom Hourglass

Also called a pear shape. Hips are wider than the shoulders and bust, with more weight around the butt and thighs. The waist and upper body are narrower.

3.Top Hourglass

Weight concentrates around the chest and midsection rather than the lower body. The hips remain narrower than the shoulders and bust.

4. Spoon

Like a pear shape with less definition at the waist. Hips significantly wider than bust and waist. Thighs and rear full. Waist thick and abdomen undefined.

5. Diamond

Broad, athletic shoulders that taper to narrow hips. Bust remains small, and waist is undefined. Very little body fat overall.

6. Oval

The oval body resembles the apple, but smoother contours from chest to thighs. Shoulders remain narrow, waist thick, and bodywide evenly rounded.

7. Triangle

Narrow hips with wide, athletic shoulders. The chest remains small and waist undefined. Weight concentrates in the upper body.

8. Rectangle

The hips, waist, and shoulders are all relatively straight, lacking major curves. May have a thick midsection and wide back.

9. Inverted Triangle

Shoulders significantly wider than hips. Larger bust than lower body. Arms and shoulders muscular and defined.

10. Apple

Weight concentrates around the abdomen and waist. Chest and hips remain slimmer with little curve. Overall wide midsection.

11. Strawberry

Wide hips balanced by a broad, muscular back and shoulders. Slimmer bust and undefined waist.

12. Bell

Curvy hourglass figure with additional weight around the midsection. Fuller chest, hips, and stomach.

13. Column

Straight, without much curve at bust, hips, or waist. May appear wide and thick in the midsection.

14. Ruler

Shoulders, bust, waist, and hips relatively balanced and straight. Overall petite and rectangular shape.

15. Cello

Curvy, fuller figure with well-defined waist. Wide hips and thick thighs. Large bust.

16. Teardrop

Narrow shoulders that flare to wide hips. Pear shape with undefined waist and flat midsection.

17. Violin

Top heavy with a large bust and shoulders that taper down to narrow hips. Hourglass silhouette.

18. Guitar

Slim, straight shape with a petite bust. Straight waist and rectangular hips of medium width.

19. Tornadal

Athletic inverted triangle shape with very wide shoulders and slim hips. Narrow waist and flat abs.

20. Cone

Wide shoulders tapering to extremely narrow hips. Small bust and straight waist.

21. Scorpion

Triangle shape with wide shoulders and significant lower body curve. Muscular arms. Hourglass hips and thick thighs.

How to Dress Your Body Type

Once you understand your body shape, you can use fashion to enhance your natural curves while camouflaging problem areas. Here are some tips on dressing the most common figures:

Hourglass

Fitted wrap dresses, pencil skirts, and sweetheart necklines accentuate your curves.
Belt at the natural waist to highlight your hourglass proportions.
Choose structured fabrics that nip at the waist.
Avoid baggy shirts or dresses that hide your shape.

Apple/Oval/Bell

Wear v-neck, wrap, cowl, or scoop neck tops to draw attention upward.
Choose high-waisted pants or midi skirts to nip in your middle.
Wear tailored jackets unbuttoned to flatter your shape.
Opt for dark colors and forgiving fabrics on the bottom half.

Pear, Spoon, Guitar

Emphasize your shoulders - off-the-shoulder tops, strapless dresses.
Balance the lower body with ruffles, patterns, and lighter colors on top.
Try wide-leg or bootcut pants to add balance.
Wear heels or wedges to visually lengthen your legs.

Rectangle, Ruler, Strawberry

Create curves with a belt, flared skirt, or ruched details.
Choose strappy tops, scoop or v-neck to add femininity.
Try a fitted jacket with shoulder pads for shape.
Opt for clean lines - no bulky layers or prints.

Inverted Triangle, Diamond

Show off your shoulders and arms with sleeveless styles.
Balance your top half with fuller skirts and pants.
Cinch in dresses at the waist to create an hourglass effect.
Wear feminine details like lace and ruffles on your lower half.

Body Positivity Regardless of Shape

Your natural physique is beautiful as it is. Don't feel pressured to lose weight or gain curves - your body type is attractive just the way it is. The most stylish women work with their natural shape rather than against it.

Focus less on changing your body and more on caring for it. Treat yourself to healthy, nourishing foods, regular exercise, and adequate rest. Pamper yourself with comfortable yet chic styles made from natural fabrics. And give your body appreciation for all that it does!

Rather than aspiring to an unrealistic "ideal", accept your body's unique shape. Choose clothes for your figure that accentuate your favorite assets. Walk tall with confidence in your one-of-a-kind physique.

FAQs

What are the most common female body shapes?

The most common shapes are hourglass, pear, apple, inverted triangle, rectangle, and oval. Hourglass is the iconic feminine figure, with curves at bust, waist, and hips. Pear has a larger lower body, while apple shapes carry more weight at the waist and stomach. Inverted triangles have broad shoulders and narrow hips. Rectangles lack much curve, and ovals carry fullness all over.

What causes different body shapes in women?

Genetics primarily determine your body shape, especially your bone structure and where you store fat. Ethnic background plays a role - for example, many Asian women have a pear shape. Lifestyle factors like diet and exercise also influence your physique.

How can I determine my body type?

Stand in front of a mirror wearing just underwear or a swimsuit. Look at your bone structure - are your shoulders wide or narrow? Your hips wide or slim? Where does fat deposit on your body? Compare your attributes to the body shape descriptions to find your match.

Can I change my body type with diet and exercise?

While you can modify your body to some extent, your underlying bone structure will remain the same. You may be able to reduce fat from problem areas with targeted exercise. But an apple shape, for example, can't permanently become an hourglass without cosmetic surgery.

What are some style tips for apple body types?

To flatter an apple shape, choose v-neck, wrap, and scoop neck tops to draw attention upward. Wear high-waisted bottoms to cinch the waistline. Opt for structured fabrics and tailored jackets. Use dark colors on the bottom half and lighter hues on top.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.