Guide to Body Shapes: The Triangle

This week I’m turning my attention to the ‘Triangle’ body-shape, sometimes referred to as a ‘pear’ shape, or colloquially as ‘hippy’.

First up, as with all my consultations, I use maths to define body shapes. I’m always striving to keep subjectivity out of my sessions with clients. They’re not about my opinion – to a large extent, they’re not even about my taste. By using measurements and maths to determine ratios between body parts, both my clients and I can be confident that what I recommend is accurate and doesn’t come down to my subjective review of your body.

So, in consultations a triangle body shape is defined as one where the hips are more than 5% bigger than the shoulders or the bust.

If that’s you, read on.

original x.jpeg — Show us your waist

Top, £160, Reformation, thereformation.com

So often, our instinct with areas that are bigger or perhaps ones that we’re more self-conscious about, is to cover them. This is rarely the best technique. Shrouding the bottom with oversized or long tops and jumpers that finish across what is already the widest part of your body, drawing a straight line across it, will make it appear even wider. Do a ‘french tuck’ on any longer tops, and ensure jackets end above the hip bone, so as not to add width or bulk to that area.

Similarly, the benefit of a larger bottom, quite often, is a tiny waist. A circle will appear smaller when surrounded by other larger circles, than it will when surrounded by smaller ones; ergo a larger bottom will make a waist appear relatively smaller. The bi-product of shrouding the hip area is to hide a tiny waist. Don’t. Instead, skim over the torso with tailored, or relatively slim-fitting pieces that, again, end above the hip area, to make the most of the waist.

Balance your Shoulders

Top, £80, Üterque, uterque.com

As with all styling, we’re always focussing on proportions and good balance. If you have larger hips we’ll be looking to balance their width with your shoulders. Step up ruffles, shoulder pads, epaulettes, wide collars and scoop necks, all of which will build out the shoulder area to make them appear more in balance with the hips. Quite frankly, it’s a good time to be hippy right now: the fashion world, both high end and high street, is awash with these sorts of details. The taller you are, the wider you can afford to go. If you’re on the petite side, keep them in check a little, so as not to crowd your frame.

A slit is as good as a stripe

dress, £255, Reformation, thereformation.com

Horizontal stripes broaden bodies out, so should always be avoided, right? Not always. Yes, they can broaden areas, but that can be a clever technique for correcting any imbalance. Reserve horizontal stripes for above the waist (over the shoulder area, for example), and employ vertical stripes (including pleats, seams and slits over the legs) to elongate the leg and hip area.

Screenshot 2021-04-12 at 15.06.46.png — light up your face

skirt, £251, Y-3, farfetch.com

Wearing lighter colours, sequins and embellished details on tops and around our face (think earrings, necklaces and even some dewy make-up) will draw your audience’s eyes up to your face, which is always more flattering. Reserving darker colours for your bottom half, and lighter colours for your torso is the simplest way to balance out disproportionately large hips.

Ditch the skinnies

Jeans, £49.99, Mango, mango.com

Many of my hippier clients come to me having avoided trousers altogether – in part for fear of getting it wrong, complications with fit, or because they feel skinny jeans are the only option. Most of you will know by now how I feel about skinny jeans across the board, (if not, read this), but if you’re a triangle, opt for straight, flared, boot cut or wide leg styles (that go straight down from the hip rather than out). These will be the best for balancing your proportions. If you’re on the more petite side, consider a cropped boot or wide leg, or accept that flares will inevitably be accompanied by heels or platformed shoes. It’s often difficult to find jeans or trousers that will simultaneously be perfect over the thigh, bottom and waist, although Everlane’s Curvy Range has played around with their waist to hip ratio to try to combat this. Alternatively, use your local tailor to get them nipped in around the waist if you find they gape at the back.

ADMIN: Everything I’ve included here, I’ve included solely because I really rate it. I may though, if you purchase some of the products mentioned, earn a small fee from that sale.

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