Inverted triangle shape: everything you need to know
All about you
You've got lovely straight structured shoulders, a fairly flat tummy and a small waist, but you often feel you look masculine in clothes as they hang off your broad shoulders. Viewed from behind, your shoulders are straight and structured, and noticeably broader than your hips - a vertical line drawn from the point of your shoulder downwards would fall outside the same line drawn from your hips. Your bottom may be fairly flat too, and your hips don't curve out in a rounded way from your waist but come out in a straighter line.
Your biggest strength is your slim waist and structured body shape - fitted clothes look amazing on you and really enhance your figure, but clothes in soft draped fabrics can also work well. Boxy clothes need to be worn with care as they can simply hang from your shoulders, lending you a wide, clumpy look. Your bottom half may be angular or curvy, but will still fall inside the line of your shoulders. Well tailored wide leg trousers can beautifully balance out your top half, but slim leg and skinny trousers also work incredibly well - you will not look like a carrot, I promise.
Do wear
- Styles that enhance your shoulders' natural structure, such as boat and slash necks.
- V necks will visually slim your shoulders while honouring your naturally structured body architecture.
- For a more casual look, try draped relaxed tops that will swish to follow your natural body shape.
- An open cardigan, wrap (or buttoned blazer) can give a slimming, waist defining effect.
- Leggings under longline looser tops can emphases your slim legs without adding bulk.
- Culottes worn with a fitted top looks current and balances out your top half.
- A structured skirt or trousers with volume (such as pleats, paper bag waist) can offer balance to your broad shoulders.
Avoid
- Boxy shapes that hang from your shoulders in stiff fabrics - you will look blocky all the way down.
- Shapeless clothes from top to bottom - keep a part of your outfit fitted.
- Floaty clothes will look insubstantial on your angular body shape.
- This body shape often comes with a smaller bust - if this applies to you avoid deep scoop necklines as it can emphasise the lack of anything to show off here!
Shop here: Cara V Neck in Nimbus, Feather Culottes in Silver Birch & Coral, Pleat Stripe Skirt in Aquagreen, Long Rio Wrap in Coral
To read about the other body shapes, use the links below:
lesley HANDYSIDE on Oct 17, 2020 8:07 PM
im an inverted triangle. Ive never had a waist but now that Im in menopot theres even less. I swim for rehab for my chronic back pain so my shoulders are well developed so I really need to work those recommendations. show me more detail pls
Judith Hannam on Jul 17, 2019 12:21 PM
I'm an inverted triangle but having 4 children means that my waist is a little less defined than ideal. However yoga has helped! I also have quite a round bottom so from the side can look more curvy which is confusing when trying on clothes.