Understanding your personal Style DNA is the key to looking and feeling your best

Triangle body shape – Complete Style Guide

Triangle body shape, also known as the “pear body shape” , is one of the most common body types out there! Its most striking feature is the beautiful, curvy hipline that is visually broader than the shoulders. Today we’ll be exploring the top tips and tricks that will help you to build your dream wardrobe and feel confident 24/7.

Celebrities with Triangle Body Type

When it comes to fashion, representation should be at the heart of every campaign. Each and every body type out there deserves to bask in the spotlight, and we’re here with a few iconic Hollywood celebrities who never failed to showcase the alluring beauty of the triangle body type:
Actress and singer J.Lo
Singer Christina Aguilera
Singer Alicia Keys
Actress Kate Winslet
Singer Shakira

Characteristics of the Triangle shape

Now, let’s cover the basics and go over a quick checklist that will help you to find out if you have the triangle body shape:
  • A-shape silhouette
  • Medium to small height
  • Shoulders are slimmer compared to the hips
  • Pronounced waistline
  • Delicate bust
  • Defined hips that are wider than the shoulders
Does this description sound like you? If you’re still in two minds, Style DNA team has prepared a detailed step-by-step measuring guide that will answer your questions once and for all! Grab your measuring tape and let’s dive right in.

Measurements

Hint: If you don't feel like going back in time to your calculus class and calculating that body formula - Style DNA can do all the counting for you. Simply put in the measurements to get your result in a blink of an eye!
For this section you’ll need a piece of paper, a pen, sewing measuring tape, and a calculator. Let’s take it from the top and measure from shoulders down:
  • Shoulders: it’s best if you can get a hand with this one. Place one tip of the measuring on one shoulder and take it all the way around the back. Note that the tape should be as high up your shoulders as possible. Jot down the results when ready.
  • Bust: if you are wearing a bra at the moment of measuring, it’s best that you take it off for a more accurate result. Wind the tape around your bust, but don’t pull too tight! We don’t want to squash the beautiful curves. Put down the result as well.
  • Waist: wind the tape around the waist, aim for the line above the belly button. Ready? Just one more left!
  • Hips: place the tip of the tape below the hip bone on one side, and wrap all the way around the butt.
Now that you have your body mapped out, here’s what you need to do: divide your hips either by the shoulders or bust. If your hips are 5% bigger than the shoulders/bust, then congrats - triangle body shape is, in fact, your body shape!

Styling the Triangle Body Shape: Do and Don'ts

First, let’s make something clear: the tips we’re about to give you are not meant to be viewed as strict prohibitions! Styling is a fun game that allows you to express yourself and feel confident in your own skin. Our tips will help you to navigate the tricky world of fashion and learn how to accentuate your natural beauty.
As someone with the triangle body shape, you have a beautiful waistline that is further highlighted by your gorgeous curves in the lower body. Clothes that accentuate those two features will become your best picks! Here are our top tips:
  • Adding volume. How about we complement those beautiful wide hips by adding dimension to the upper body? Tops that visually broaden your shoulder line, can do just that! Like the ones with shoulder pads, eye-catching prints and details. And you should probably avoid over-the-top details around the hips.
  • Styling the lower body. Nature has gifted you with gorgeous curves in the lower body, and you might want to accentuate this feature of your body. When it comes to choosing the right bottoms, pick the ones that gently wrap around your hips without creating additional volume. Fitted and straight cuts will work best!
  • Color play. Colors are your best friends! Light and bright ones will do wonders to accentuate the upper body, while darker shades & neutrals should accentuate the lines in the lower body without creating more volume.
  • Experiment with the upper body. This is where you can go to town with bold prints, layers, textures, details, and shapes. But you might want to steer clear of any additional details on the hips as they could make the lower body look heavy.

Understanding your personal Style DNA is the key to looking and feeling your best

How to style a Triangle Body Type: a deep dive

In this section we will view your dream outfit as a puzzle and each item is going to get a separate guide. Our aim is to help you to build the kind of wardrobe that accentuates your natural lines, complements your features and highlights your unique complexion.

How to find the perfect top for the Triangle Body type

The main goal of your top is to highlight the waist, define the shoulder line and harmonize with your gorgeous wide hips by creating additional volume to the torso. Cuts, prints, strategic details, textures and also shapes will help you to achieve just that. Let’s go over a few quick tips and start crafting your dream look!
Best necklines for the Triangle Body Shape
Whуn shopping for a top, you should always check if the neckline complements your neck and shoulders. Narrow necklines, for example, can slim the shoulder line and add prominence to the naturally voluminous hips.
You might want to opt for wider necklines, such as boat, bateau and cowl. Off-shoulder and high necklines will also do a wonderful job of accentuating the neck and shoulders.

Best necklines: bateau, boat, cowl, off-shoulder, heart, sabrina, sweetheart, crew, slash, turtle

Bateau neckline for the triangle body type
Meghan Markle wearing a minimalistic dress with a bateau neckline
J.Lo, who also has triangle body type, wearing a top with cowl neckline
This beautiful off-shoulder jumpsuit would look lovely on anyone with triangle body type
The sweetheart neckline always looks stunning
This dress with sabrina neckline would look lovely on anyone with triangle body type
This top with crew neckline would look gorgeous on anyone
An artistic turtleneck like this one would work perfectly on anyone with triangle body type
Picking the most flattering sleeves
For the sleeves, a very similar tip applies: it’s all about creating additional volume to your torso. If we’re looking at short sleeves, your perfect matches are wide and, if you want to add flair to the outfit, have embellishments, embroideries and other bold details.

With longer sleeves, however, you might want to dodge the volume around the wrist. That way when you’re standing straight there’s no additional accent on the hipline. You might want to accentuate the shoulders with pads or by wearing cap sleeves.
Best sleeves: Petal, batwing, cap, tapered, flutter, juliet
A shirt with petal sleeves
A dress with batwing sleeves
Cap sleeves will add a spark to your look
A dress with flutter sleeves is a great addition to your wardrobe
Extravagant juliette sleeves will look beautiful on anyone with triangle body type
Best Shirts for the Triangle Body Type
Your ideal shirt gently highlights the waist and accentuates your shoulders, harmonizing the lines of your lower and upper body.

There are many different ways to achieve that, since your torso is the part of your body where you can try all thighs bold and eccentric. So don’t shy away from right colors, peculiar details and bold patterns if you want to add a spark to your outfit. Horizontal stripes will also work perfectly to lengthen the upper body, giving definition to the torso.

To give your beautiful long waist more prominence, choose the shirts that cut just around the hipline. Slim-fitting shirts and wrap-shirts are ideal for accentuating your midline. You might want to steer clear of peplum shirts, ruches and ruffles if you don’t aim to create additional volume to the hips.
Best shirts: Wrap bust, Slim fit, Cropped around the hipline, Tie necks
This wrap-bust shirt would look beautiful on anyone with triangle body type
Jennifer Aniston wearing a slim-fitting shirt
A shirt cropped around the hipline
Finding the right T-shirt
No sunny day without this hot weather essential. And for all of you lovely people with a triangle body type, there are a few simple tips to keep in mind for the summertime.

Just like with any top, you might want to pay special attention to the neckline. Ts with wider (and rounder) necklines are your perfect matches! When it comes to prints, florals and horizontal stripes do a beautiful job of accentuating your upper body. You might want to look for cap and petal sleeves while shopping for your new T.

Best T-shirts: Petal sleeves, Bold prints & patterns (esp. floral and stripes, Details around the shoulder, Cap sleeves
A tee with cap sleeves
A tee with bold print
What tops work best for the Triangle Body Type
Want to flaunt a beautiful cropped top? We say—go for it! Besides, these beauties have been in fashion for quite a few seasons now and there are so many wonderful options to choose from!

From ruches, to ruffles, to faux feathers - pick any top you like. Our tip: you might want to look for the ones that end above the waist or at the hips for more definition. Off-shoulder or juliette sleeves will also make a beautiful addition to a dreamy summer look!

Best tops: Cropped above the waist, Cropped on the hipline, Details around the shoulder, Light colors; Sleeves: Juliet, Cap , Petal
J.Lo, who has triangle body type, rocking a top cropped above the waist
A top with juliet sleeves
This top with petal sleeves would look great on anyone with triangle body type
How to choose the ideal sweater
For the sweater weather, you might want to pick chunky, loose sweaters that make you feel like you’re walking in a warm blanket! Besides, thicker knits can add dimension to your upper body and complement your beautiful, voluminous hips.
Speaking of hips: with sweaters, you might want to dodge the models that cut straight around the hipline. If you’re looking for a piece that complements your lower body, you may want to shop for the knitwear that cuts just above the hips, delicately framing them.

Best knitwear: Chunky sweaters, Thick knits, Cut just above the hipline
A chucky sweater
A thick knit sweater
A sweater that cuts above the hipline

How to style outerwear for the Inverted Triangle

Outerwear is a great garment that can keep you warm, comfy and add layers to your outfit of choice. Layers equal dimension, and that’s just what you may be looking for when building a new look. We’re here with a few top tips that can help you to complement the curved natural lines of your lower body and highlight the delicate shoulder line.
Finding the best jacket for the Triangle Body
Looking to project confidence with a chic blazer? We’ve got you covered ( pun intended)! Blazers and jackets that end blow the hip, right about mid thigh, can visually lengthen your upper body. And, if you’re looking to harmonize the shoulder line with the hip line - jackets with shoulder pads could be your best bet.

A cropped jacket will also work nicely for you, especially in light colors. For longer jackets, stick to darker hues if you want to visually slim the silhouette.
Accessories and embroidery around the neck, shoulders and bust will work beautifully to accentuate the lines and features of your upper body.

Best jackets & blazers: Long Shearling, Shrug, Trapeze, Cropped, Belted, Bolero
A long shearling jacket is perfect for anyone with triangle body type
A shrug jacket is always a great choice for anyone with triangle body type
A trapeze jacket like this one would look chic on anyone with triangle body type
J.Lo, who has triangle body type, wearing a cropped jacket
A belted jacket like this one would look awesome on anyone with triangle body type
An elegant bolero jacket always looks great on anyone with triangle body type
Choosing the best coat for the Triangle Body
If you’re aiming for a look that harmonizes the lines of your upper and lower body, you may want to shop for longer coats. A-line, belted, princess coats are some of the great examples of cuts that will accentuate your features without making them clash.

A coat in darker color may also be a great pick for the triangle body type, as it can help to visually lengthen and slim the lines of the silhouette.

Details around the collar, shoulder pads, embellishments, big lapels, pockets around the bust - all these details can add dimension to the upper body, complementing the voluminous hips.

Best coats: A-line, Empire, Princess, Belted, Trench, Wrap
An A-line coat is a perfect choice for anyone
An empire coat would look beautiful on anyone
A belted coat like this one is a must for anyone
Rihanna wearing a chic trench coat that would look great on anyone
A wrap coat like this one is a must for on anyone

How to choose the right bottoms for Triangle Body Type

Dear beauties with a triangle body type, nature has gifted you with rich, voluminous hips, so there’s no need to create additional dimensions along those lines. Your ideal bottoms are the ones that gently accentuate that feature of your silhouette, without clashing it against the lines of your upper body.

Whether you’re looking for shorts, pants, jeans or a cute skirt - we’ve collected a few top tips that will make sure you’ll hit that sweet spot with every purchase.
What pants look best on the Triangle Body Shape
When it comes to finding your ideal pair, minimalism may be the key. You may want to dodge bold details around the hips, as well as the low-rise skinny jeans. Instead, you may want to opt for high-rise flares and bootcuts in darker hues. Straight cut might also be a wonderful option for you.

You might want to steer clear of pleats, big pockets and any over-the-top details that create additional accent on your naturally prominent hips.

Best pants: High-mid rise, Flare, Bootcut, Straight, Wide-leg
Angel Obasi wearing high-rise pants
Rihanna rocking flare pants that would look great
A pair of bootcut pants always looks great on anyone
Straight pants like these look great on anyone with triangle body type
Wide-leg pants like these would look great on anyone
Picking the best jeans
Denim is stealing the spotlight at major runaways and we’re here for it! If you still haven’t found your perfect match, Style DNA has a few simple tips for you.

First things first: let’s talk rise. Just like with pants, you might want to opt for high/mid-rise instead of the low-rise to complement the triangle body shape’s lines. Dark shades of denim are your best friends! Raw indigo and charcoal colors will do a beautiful job of lengthening the silhouette.

Bootcut, straight and flare leg with minimum details around the hips are your go-tos!

Best jeans: Straight, Bootcut, Flare leg, High/mid-rise, Wide-leg
A pair of straight jeans
A pair of bootcut jeans
A pair of flare jeans
A pair of mid-rise jeans
A pair of wide-leg jeans
How to pick the best skirt
Just like with the jeans and pants, your ideal skirt is about high/mid-rise. For the people with triangle body type, midi-skirts that cut above or right below the knee, as well as mid-calf help to visually lengthen the legs.

You might also want to avoid large pleats, gatherings and bold details around the hips. Puffy skirts create additional volume around the hips and make the features of your upper and lower body clash.

Best skirts: A-line, Bias, Tulip, Straight, Wrap, Asymmetrical, Unlined Circle
An A-line skirt
A bias skirt
A tulip skirt
A straight skirt
A wrap skirt
An asymmetrical skirt
A circle skirt
Finding the right shorts for the Triangle Body Typ
Similar trick here: high/mid-rise, minimum details around the hips and deeper, darker colors. Shorts that gently accentuate your hips without creating additional volume are your best go-tos.

Your optimal length is, similarly to skirts, knee-length or mid-thigh. Pleated, puffed, shorts, as well as the ones with big pockets and bold details around the hips are the ones you should probably avoid. And, if you’re looking to highlight the waist, throw in a gorgeous belt to your high-rises.

Best shorts: High/mid-rise, Belted, Flare, Straight
J.Lo wearing high-rise shorts
Lianne La Havas rocking belted shorts
A pair of flare shorts
Choosing the most flattering dress
The right dress can do a beautiful job of lengthening the silhouette, accentuating your best features.

For the triangle body type, A-line, tulip, wrap dresses from light, flowing fabrics can do just that! You might also want to avoid thick, structured models or straight cuts as they might cover your beautiful waist.

Drapes, strategically placed accessories, embroidery and other details around the shoulders of bust will also spice up the look and complement the curves in the lower body.

Best dresses: Tulip, A-line, X-line, Empire, Off-shoulder, Wrap, Belted
An empire dress
A wrap dress
A belted dress
A tulip dress
Kate Winslet, who has triangle body type, rocking a stunning A-line dress
An off-shoulder dress
Oprah Winfrey rocking an X-line dress

What Jumpsuits & Playsuits Look Best on the Triangle Body Type

The right dress can do a beautiful job of lengthening the silhouette, accentuating your best features.

For the triangle body type, A-line, tulip, wrap dresses from light, flowing fabrics can do just that! You might also want to avoid thick, structured models or straight cuts as they might cover your beautiful waist.

Drapes, strategically placed accessories, embroidery and other details around the shoulders of bust will also spice up the look and complement the curves in the lower body.

Best dresses: Tulip, A-line, X-line, Empire, Off-shoulder, Wrap, Belted
J.Lo, who has triangle body type, rocking a straight leg playsuit
Culottes jumpsuit
An asymmetric jumpsuit
Dear beauties with triangle body shape, we hope that you’ve enjoyed our little tips and tricks. Each of our guides is carefully tailored to help you find a style that makes you feel comfortable and confident in your own skin. Remember, that the lines of your body are like the strokes of a brush on a canvas. Styling is about building on that outline that highlights its unique features.
If you’re curious to find more about the triangle body type, check out Style DNA app for a more detailed and personalized approach!
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