Discover Your Most Flattering Styles: A Guide to Plus-Size Body Shapes

Finding clothes that make you feel amazing can be a challenge, especially when navigating the world of plus-size fashion. But the key to unlocking a wardrobe you love starts with understanding your body shape! This guide will introduce the four main plus-size body shapes and provide tips on how to identify yours.

The Four Plus-Size Body Shapes:

1. Pear Shape: Characterized by a fuller lower body (hips and thighs) and a slimmer upper body (bust and shoulders).
   
   
   
   
2. Apple Shape: Defined by a fuller upper body (bust and stomach) and a slimmer lower body (hips and legs).
   
   
   
   
3. Hourglass Shape: Balanced proportions with bust and hips roughly the same size and a defined waist.
   
   
   
   
4. Banana Shape: Relatively straight up and down with minimal waist definition, with shoulders, bust, and hips having similar measurements.
   
   

Identifying Your Body Shape:

• Grab a measuring tape: Follow these instructions to take accurate measurements of your bust, waist, and hips:

  • Bust: Measure the fullest part of your bust while wearing a bra and keeping the tape parallel to the floor.
  • Waist: Locate your natural waistline (the crease that appears when you bend to one side) and measure around your torso here.
  • Hips: Measure around the fullest part of your hips, including your backside.

• Compare your measurements:

  • Pear: Hips are wider than bust and shoulders.
  • Apple: Bust and stomach are larger than hips and legs.
  • Hourglass: Bust and hips are similar in size with a defined waist (bust/hip measurement difference exceeding 9 inches).
  • Banana: Bust, waist, and hips have similar measurements with a less defined waist (bust/hip measurement difference less than 9 inches).

Body Shape Calculators and Resources:

For an additional aid, use a body shape calculator (like this one: https://www.calculator.net/body-type-calculator.html) or refer to online resources with visual guides.

* In the next part of this series, we'll delve into specific styling tips for each body shape, helping you discover clothes that flatter your unique figure!