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Module 2 of 5

Five silhouettes, five styling lenses.

Read through each shape's section below for recommended clothing and styling tips.The pattern across all five: the goal is balance, not correction. Every shape has pieces that let the whole outfit feel proportionate to your line. Nothing here is a "should", it's a shortcut for when you're stuck.

Bust noticeably wider than hips

Pieces that add volume and width below the waist.

A-line silhouetteAdds volume below the waist to balance broader shoulders
Halter necklineVertical line narrows the shoulder span
Tiered hemLayered hem adds visual width to the lower half
V-neck topVertical line narrows a wider chest visually
PeplumAdds shape at the hip to counter shoulder width
Flare pantsSlim at the knee then flares to widen the lower half
Bell sleevesPulls volume down the arm, away from the shoulder line
Belted waistBelt cinches the natural waist to balance broader shoulders
Pleated skirtPleats add movement and volume to the lower half
Dolman sleevesWide armhole tapering to the wrist softens the shoulder line

Use carefully:Strong shoulder details (epaulettes, big puff sleeves) paired with skinny bottoms. Cropped boxy tops that stop at the bust.

Style references: Angelina Jolie, Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Demi Moore

Hips noticeably wider than bust

Pieces that build the upper line and skim the hip.

Fit-and-flareSkims the hips and flares away from the widest point
Circle skirtFull circle flares out from the waist for a clean A-line shape
Puff sleevesAdds volume up top to balance fuller hips
Boat necklineWidens the shoulder line to balance the hip line
Wide-leg pantsCarries width through the leg instead of tapering at the hip
Off-the-shoulderBares the shoulder line for visual width up top
Shirt dressVertical button line stretches the upper body
Cap sleevesAdds soft volume on the shoulder for upper-body balance
Sweetheart necklineFrames the bust and adds curve up top to balance fuller hips
Cropped topEnds at the natural waist, drawing the eye up and defining the smallest point

Use carefully:Tops that end exactly at the hip. Volume concentrated around the hip line (peplum at the wrong length, hip pockets).

Style references: Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian

Bust and hips close to equal

Pieces that fake a waist and add curve to a straight line.

PeplumFakes a defined waist by flaring out below the rib
Wrap dressCinches the middle to create curve where the line runs straight
Fit-and-flareMarks a waistline and adds volume at the hip
Puff sleevesAdds dimension up top to break a straight line
Paper-bag waistCinched paper-bag waistband fakes a defined middle
Halter necklineVertical line breaks up a straight torso
BodyconHugs the line and adds curve through fit
Ruched waistGathers fabric at the middle to fake a defined waist
Cargo pantsPocket details and a relaxed cut add interest through the leg
Chunky knitCable texture and bulk add dimension to a straight line

Use carefully:Straight-up-and-down boxy cuts with no waist shaping. Low-rise pants with an untucked straight tee.

Style references: Nicole Kidman, Kate Middleton, Natalie Portman, Cameron Diaz

Softness sits through the midsection

Pieces that define above the softest point and skim the rest.

Empire waistDefines the line just under the bust, above the softest midsection
A-lineSkims away from the waist without tracing it
Wrap silhouetteDraws a diagonal line that elongates the torso
V-neckPulls the eye up and lengthens the torso visually
Flowy pantsDraped wide leg glides over the hip without tracing the waist
Cowl necklineSoft drape pulls focus up to the décolletage
TunicLong top draws a clean vertical line over the middle
Flutter sleevesSoft sleeve detail balances a fuller bust without clinging
Babydoll dressEmpire bodice flares out above the softest point of the middle
Asymmetric skirtDiagonal hem draws the eye off-center, away from the middle

Use carefully:Clingy tops that trace the midsection. Heavy embellishment right at the waistline. Boxy cuts that eliminate every curve.

Style references: Queen Latifah, Amy Schumer, Jennifer Hudson

Bust and hips close to equal

Pieces that follow the line in and back out at the waist.

BodyconTraces the curves the shape already has
SheathFollows the line without adding or hiding shape
V-neckElongates a fuller bust without flattening it
Bootcut pantsTapers at the knee then flares, mirrors the waist-out-hip-in line
Sweetheart necklineFrames the bust softly, matches the natural curve
Mermaid silhouetteHugs through the waist and hip, then flares, pure curve
Cap sleevesFrames the shoulders without adding bulk to the bust
Scoop necklineSoft curve frames the bust and shows off the décolletage
Slip skirtBias-cut silk glides over the hip and follows the curve through the leg
Corset bodiceStructured corset cinches the natural waist, the focal point on this shape

Use carefully:Boxy, shapeless pieces that hide the waist (the waist is where the line is). Low-rise pants that emphasize hips without any waist definition.

Style references: Blake Lively, Christina Hendricks, Marilyn Monroe, Scarlett Johansson

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Frequently asked

What are the five body shapes?

Hourglass (balanced bust and hips with a defined waist), pear/triangle (hips wider than bust), inverted triangle (shoulders wider than hips), rectangle (straight, undefined waist), and round/apple (weight at the midsection).

How do I find my body shape?

Measure your shoulders, bust, waist, and hips and compare which are widest. StyleMeMama can identify your shape from your measurements or a photo when you sign up free.