How To Measure And Find Your Body Type - Shape

Taking Your Measurements

You can be short, tall or in-between and still be proportionate.
But not everyone has a perfect body. However, you can look your best by enhancing your good proportions and/or concealing the not so good ones.

The first thing you will have to do is find out your body type.

Get out a pen, paper and tape measure. This is the hardest part.
Stand in your underwear in front of a full length mirror.
You will be measuring from the top to the bottom.
When taking measurements, leave two fingers under the tape.

1. Measure from the outer part of one shoulder to the outer part of the other. Make sure the tape is straight across. Write it down and label it "shoulders".

2. Measure your bust by wrapping the tape around your back and in front over the fullest part of your bust. Make sure the tape is straight and even.

3. Find the most narrow part of your waist. Don't hold it in just let it be natural.
It will be your secret, no one has to know your measurements.

4. Keep your feet together and wrap the tape around the widest part of your hips. If you are unsure, find your hip bones and measure there.

5. Put the tape on your waist in front, pull it down to your crotch, between your legs and back up to your waist in the back. This is known as the "rise".

6. Measure from your ankle up to your crotch to get the length of the inseam.

Keep a record of your measurements so you won't have to do this again.

Body Shapes

Most people's body shape falls within five (5) types. But a few may fall somewhere in between each.

Stand in front of a full length mirror wearing only your underwear. Have your measurements, written on a sheet of paper, in your hand to help determine your body shape.

1. Hour Glass-Your waist is small and your hips and shoulders are the same width.
This is the shape that would have measures like 36-24-36 but can be 34-22-34 and so on.

2. Triangle-This is an upside down triangle. Your shoulders and bust are wider than your hips. Your hips are narrow and you have a small butt.

3. Rectangle-Your hips, shoulders and bust are or almost are the same width.

4. Apple-Your waist is wider than your hips and shoulders. You appear round.

5. Pear-There is curve in your waist. Your shoulders and bust are more narrow than your hips. Your behind is full and.or round. Look at the picture of a pear.