Embracing Your Body-Type: Which are you?

What body type are you? Its a question none of us want to face, but one that can really change the way we look at our whole lives. Knowing and understanding your body type can effect the way you exercise,  what you eat, how you shop, what you wear and even style your hair. Body-types can shift gradually as our womanly bodies do what they do, our response to how God created us can change our whole outlook on life. I am often frustrated when shopping for dresses because I have a large ribcage and straighter waist, making my body-type somewhere between rectangle and hourglass and apple, the lines are hazy people! In this frustration, I have to remind myself that God has called me and created me to sing for Him. If I did not have a powerful set of lungs inside of that large ribcage, I wouldn’t be able to do what I am called to do. (Not that having big lungs means you are a good singer, but it helps.) We come in many shapes and sizes but I am just going to talk about four general categories: Apple, Pear, and Hourglass, Rectangle. Let’s look at a definition of each:

Rectangle: Torso and upper body are the same width as your hips – little waist definition

Pear: Torso and upper body smaller than your hips with waist definition. Hips and thighs tend to be the area of concern for you.

Hourglass: Torso and hips are approximately the same width – with waist definition.

Which category do you fit?

I can’t tell you which category you fit in, that is some research you will have to do on your own. But one of the most reliable ways to discover this is by taking your body measurements using a cloth tape measure. Measure at your bust, natural waist and hips, then compare those numbers with the definitions below. 

Apple: Bust and natural waist measurements are greater than that of your hips. Example: 36in x 36in x 30in

Pear: Your bust and natural waist measurements are close to the same number but are far less than your hip measurement. Example: 28in x 28in x 40in

Hourglass: Your bust and hip measurements are almost equal to each other and your waist is much less. Example: 36in x 24in x 36in

Rectangle: All measurements will be within approximately 3 inches of each other. Example: 32in x 31in x32in

Why does it matter?

Knowing your body-type will help you become a better shopper. It teaches you about how clothes should fit your body. If you are a troubled shopper, I recommend discovering your body-type and looking for ways to embrace it on your next shopping trip. The beauty is, once you embrace that, shopping will become a lot easier and a lot more available to you as a whole experience. We all aren’t created to fit into one of the four categories above. The lines between body-types are so hazy and, well, you know how the body of a woman can be from day to day, always changing! Finding your body-type, understanding and embracing it can be a challenging process, but it doesn’t have to rule you. Your body is YOUR BODY and you should not be ruled by what you think are its limitations. Remember to rock it till you love it.