Body shape types can help to compare different cuts, but they do not decide what you should wear. Use them only as a tool and above all choose what feels comfortable and suits your style.
A guide, not a straitjacket
Nobody has exactly one shape, and no shape is better than another. Body shape types are a tool to understand why some clothes fit better than others. They say something about proportions between shoulders, waist and hips, not about what is beautiful. Use them as a starting point, try on plenty and choose what feels good.
With cut, length, structure and colour you can give different parts of an outfit more or less emphasis. You do that with cut, length, structure and colour.
Hourglass: several possibilities
With an hourglass, shoulders and hips are about equally wide and the waist is clearly narrower. A fitted cut makes the waist more clearly visible. A fitted blouse with princess seams suits this well. The Delphine in shadow blue is fitted and consists of 35% bamboo, 30% microfibre, 30% polyester and 5% elastane. Combine it with a high-waist trouser such as the Arabelli in navy, a model with pleats and 5% elastane. You can tuck in the blouse if you want to keep the waist visible.
Pear: playing with the top and the bottom
With a pear, the hips are wider than the shoulders. If you want more emphasis at the top, you can work with a collar, colour or texture. The Rosamund in light blue is a lavallière blouse with a satin look (96% acetate and 4% elastane). The bow and collar add detail at the top. Wear it with a flared trouser such as the Florence in grey, a flared ankle-length trouser that falls over the hips without pulling. A plain bottom keeps the colour picture calm.
Apple: attention to comfort around the middle
With an apple, the volume sits mostly around the midsection, often with slimmer legs and arms. You can choose softly draping tops, open necklines and straight legs if you find that comfortable. The Josephine polo with V-neck in black (79.9% viscose and 20.1% polyamide) has a V-neck that gives a clear vertical line. Wear it loose over a straight trouser or the Florence. Above all, choose a fit in which you can move comfortably around the middle.
Rectangle: playing with waist and volume
With a rectangle, shoulders, waist and hips are about equally wide. With waist, belt and pleats you can give the outfit more shape. Choose clothes with a fitted cut, a high waist or pleats that add volume. The Adelaide jeans in light blue are a high-waist contour-fit model made of 70% cotton, 17% viscose, 11% polyester and 2% elastane, which marks the waist. Wear it with a fitted blouse such as the Delphine for a clear centre line. A belt or a tucked-in top makes the waist more clearly visible.
Overview per shape
| Shape | Possible effect | Choose |
|---|---|---|
| Hourglass | Make the waist visible | Fitted blouse, high-waist trouser |
| Pear | More detail at the top | Blouse with collar or bow, flared trouser |
| Apple | Vertical line and room around the middle | V-neck, soft knits, straight leg |
| Rectangle | More emphasis on waist and volume | High waist, belt, pleats |
What works for all shapes
- Fit above all. A well-fitting piece in a basic model looks better than a trend piece that almost fits.
- Choose fabrics with a lovely drape. Supple fabrics follow the body without pulling.
- Watch the length. The length of a jacket or top influences where a horizontal line appears in the outfit.
- Use colour as a tool. Strong colour contrast generally draws more attention than tone on tone.
- Try on seated and moving. You walk and sit all day, so clothes have to suit that.
Trousers: the basis of every shape
A trouser is the most worn bottom and therefore the most important investment. A high-waist model makes the waist clearly visible. Whether that works well differs from person to person. For more options, see women's trousers and women's pants. Try different legs: straight, flared or tapered, and see which suits your hips and legs best.
Tops, blouses and knitwear
With tops, the neckline decides a lot. A V-neck gives a vertical line, a collar adds detail and a round neck gives a different shape around the neck. Take a look at our women's blouses and knitwear for women and try different necklines. Discover which suits you best by trying it on, not by calculating it.
Colour and pattern per shape
Besides cut, colour also plays a role. A plain dark bottom with a lighter top draws attention upwards, and the other way round. Stripes mostly influence where the eye goes; the effect differs per width, contrast and garment. Small patterns give less contrast than large, striking prints. Use this as a tool: if you want more attention on the shoulders, choose a lighter or structured top; if you want more attention on the waist, choose a contrasting belt.
Measuring helps, but feeling is more important
If you want to know your proportions, measure your shoulders, waist and hips with a tape measure and compare. But do not leave it at that. The answer to the question "what suits me" lies in the fitting room, not in a diagram. Wear what lets you move with confidence, and let go of the rest.
Shop the look
Delphine: fitted blouse, shadow blue
Arabelli: high-waist trouser with pleats, navy
Florence: flared ankle-length trouser, grey
Josephine: knitted polo with V-neck, black
Adelaide: high-waist contour-fit jeans, light blue
Rosamund: lavallière blouse, light blue
Frequently asked questions
How do I know which shape I have?
Measure your shoulders, waist and hips and compare. If they are about equally wide with a narrow waist, it is an hourglass. If the hips are wider, a pear. It is a guide, not a fixed classification.
Which trouser suits a pear?
Choose a model that falls comfortably over the hips; straight and flared are two possible options.
What does an apple wear best?
Softly draping tops and straight trousers can be comfortable, but above all choose on comfort and personal preference.
Should I always match my clothes to my shape?
No. It is a tool. Above all, choose what fits well and what makes you feel good.
