Body Shape Guide

The Inverted Triangle,balanced and strong

Broad shoulders, a strong upper body, and narrower hips? You are an inverted triangle — the athletic, statuesque shape. Styling is all about softening the shoulder line and adding a little volume and curve below the waist to bring your frame into balance.

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How to Know You Are an Inverted Triangle

Shoulders and bust wider than your hips, with a straight waist and slim lower body.

  • Shoulders and bust are wider than your hips
  • Shoulders read broad, square, or strong
  • Hips and bottom are narrow and flat
  • Waist is not strongly defined
  • Legs are often long and lean — an asset to show

Where you gain weight

You gain weight on your upper body, back, and stomach first, while your hips and legs stay slim — the opposite of a pear.

Woman with an inverted triangle body shape in a flared skirt

Your Styling Goal: Balance Downward

The inverted triangle is essentially a pear in reverse — so the strategy flips too. You want to soften and de-emphasize the shoulders while adding volume, color, and detail below the waist. Done well, your broad shoulders read as elegant and statuesque rather than dominant, and your lean legs get the spotlight.

1

Soften the shoulders

Deep V and U necklines, soft fabrics, and unadorned shoulder lines narrow and lower a strong upper body.

2

Add volume below

Full skirts, wide-leg trousers, and hip detail build out your narrower lower half and create curve.

3

Create a waist

Because your waist is not naturally defined, wrap styles and belts worn at the middle carve out the illusion of one.

Inverted triangle body shape wearing a deep V-neck with soft draping

Tops, Necklines & Jackets for an Inverted Triangle

Necklines

Wear: Deep V-necks, U-necks, and scoop necks that draw a long vertical line and narrow the shoulders.

Skip: Boat necks, off-the-shoulder, halters, and wide square necks that stretch the shoulder line even wider.

Sleeves & shoulders

Wear: Soft raglan or set-in sleeves in fluid fabric; clean, unadorned shoulders.

Skip: Shoulder pads, puff sleeves, cap sleeves, and epaulettes — anything that adds bulk up top.

Tops

Wear: Drapey, softly fitted tops in darker or plainer colors; wrap tops that fall past the hip.

Skip: Horizontal stripes, bold prints, and stiff structured fabrics across the chest and shoulders.

Jackets

Wear: Single-breasted jackets with a defined waist and clean shoulders; open long-line layers.

Skip: Structured, padded-shoulder blazers and boxy cropped jackets that broaden the top.

Trousers, Jeans, Skirts & Dresses for an Inverted Triangle

Trousers & jeans

Wear: Wide-leg, flared, and palazzo styles — often in lighter colors or with pockets and detail to build out the hip.

Skip: Skinny, plain, dark bottoms that make already-narrow hips look even slimmer against your shoulders.

Skirts

Wear: A-line, pleated, tiered, and full skirts that add volume and movement to the lower body.

Skip: Straight, column skirts with no shape, which do nothing to balance broad shoulders.

Dresses

Wear: Fit-and-flare and A-line dresses with a defined waist and a fuller skirt; details on the lower half.

Skip: Shift dresses and anything with heavy shoulder detail, ruffles, or padding up top.

Wear this

Deep V & U necklinesSoft drapey topsWide-leg & flared jeansA-line & pleated skirtsHip detail & pocketsWaist-defining belts

Skip this

Boat & off-shoulder necksShoulder pads & puff sleevesSkinny plain jeansChest-level stripesStructured blazersStraight column skirts

Your shape is only half the styling picture

Knowing you are a inverted triangle tells you which silhouettes flatter you. Your color season tells you which colors do. Put them together and you have a complete styling profile — see your best colors previewed on your own face in seconds.

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Inverted Triangle Body Shape: Common Questions

What is an inverted triangle body shape?
An inverted triangle (or athletic / V-shape) has shoulders and bust that are wider than the hips, with a straight, undefined waist and a slim lower body. It is the mirror image of a pear shape and is common in athletic builds.
What should an inverted triangle avoid wearing?
Avoid boat necks, off-the-shoulder styles, shoulder pads and puff sleeves, chest-level stripes and bold prints, and skinny plain-dark bottoms. These either broaden the shoulders further or make narrow hips look even slimmer.
What jeans are best for an inverted triangle?
Wide-leg, flared, and palazzo jeans are ideal — ideally in lighter washes or with pocket and hip detail to build out the lower body and balance broad shoulders. Skip plain dark skinny jeans, which emphasize the contrast.
How do you dress broad shoulders?
Soften the shoulder line with deep V and U necklines, fluid unstructured fabrics, and no shoulder padding or puff sleeves. Then add volume below with full skirts and wide-leg trousers so the eye balances top and bottom.
What is the difference between an inverted triangle and a rectangle?
Both can have an undefined waist, but an inverted triangle has shoulders clearly wider than the hips, while a rectangle has shoulders, waist, and hips at roughly the same width. If your top half dominates your hips, you are an inverted triangle.

Not a Inverted Triangle? Explore the other shapes

Most people are a blend of two. Read the guide that fits you best.

PearRectangleHourglassApple

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