Western Body Types Explained – The Classic 5 Shapes (and How to Find Yours)

From glossy fashion magazines to personal shopping sessions, Western body analysis has been around for decades.

It’s the classic “5 body shapes” system: simple, visual, and still the baseline for personal stylists, fashion brands, and style quizzes everywhere.

At MMNine Lab, we use this system as a foundation and layer in Asian body type analysis (like Korea’s Natural/Wavy/Straight) for a more nuanced, modern approach.

What is the Western Body Type System? The OG.

The Western body type system groups women’s bodies into 5 main silhouettes — so you know:
✅ What cuts will flatter you.
✅ What styles to avoid.
✅ How to balance your proportions.

It started as a fashion and retail training tool (think: “how to dress for your shape” articles in magazines), but it’s still widely used by:

• Image consultants

• Stylists

• Personal shoppers

Because it’s easy to understand, and still highly searched for online.

The Classic 5 Body Shapes

🍐 1. Pear (Triangle)

• Traits: Hips wider than shoulders/bust, defined waist.

• Styling focus: Balance proportions — add structure on top (blazers, shoulder detail) to match fuller hips.

🍎 2. Apple (Oval)

• Traits: Fuller midsection, slimmer legs, less defined waist.

• Styling focus: Create a waist illusion — empire cuts, wrap dresses, vertical lines.

⏳ 3. Hourglass

• Traits: Bust and hips nearly equal, waist significantly smaller.

• Styling focus: Show off the waist — fitted pieces, belts, wrap tops.

🚪 4. Rectangle (Athletic)

• Traits: Bust, waist, and hips are close in size; straighter frame.

• Styling focus: Create curves with peplum tops, ruching, belted dresses.

🔺 5. Inverted Triangle

• Traits: Broad shoulders or bust, narrower hips.

• Styling focus: Soften shoulders, add volume on the lower half (A-line skirts, wide-leg pants).

➕ 6. Full Figure (Optional Category)

• Traits: Focuses on overall size rather than proportion. Can be curvy, balanced, or top/bottom heavy, but styling advice is about fit and comfort first.

• Styling focus: Finding cuts and fabrics that enhance shape without clinging, think tailored pieces, structured stretch fabrics, and supportive basics.

How to Find Out Your Body Shape

Can’t tell your shape just by looking in the mirror? Here’s how to measure and confirm:

✅ Step 1: Take 3 Key Measurements

• Bust → Measure around the fullest part (not too tight).

• Waist → Measure your natural waistline (usually just above the belly button).

• Hips → Measure the fullest part of hips & bum.

✅ Step 2: Do Quick Ratios

Here’s the easy body shape calculation most stylists use:

• Hourglass → Bust & hips within ~5% of each other + waist at least 25% smaller.

• Pear → Hips clearly bigger than bust.

• Inverted Triangle → Shoulders/bust clearly wider than hips.

• Apple → Waist close to bust & hips (little waist definition).

• Rectangle → Bust, waist & hips all similar (within ~5–10%).

✅ Step 3: Mirror Check

Stand in fitted clothes or underwear. Ask yourself:

• Where do you gain weight first? (Hips? Stomach? Shoulders?)

• What’s the strongest line in your body — straight, curved, or full?

Combine this with measurements — don’t just guess!

✅ Extra Tip: Stand back from the mirror and squint — it helps you see your overall outline instead of fixating on details.