Knowing your body shape

Out on a shopping trip, you head to the counter that has clothes in your size. But though you are a “small”, you somehow find the fit unflattering — your waist looks like a tree stump or perhaps your shoulders look way too big. But, your friend, who is the same size, looks fantastic.

Sounds familiar? You haven’t put on weight, it’s your body proportions that made all the difference.

The latest study on body types conduced by a British clothing line makes one feel that they are back in school studying math. Rectangle, hourglass, bottom hourglass (pear), top hourglass (spoon), inverted triangle and triangle are some of the shapes that were identified in the survey published in The Daily Mail.

Interestingly, the survey states that only 10 per cent of respondents could identify their correct body type.

Tollywood stylist Neeraja Kona confirms that many people she has come across are unaware of their exact body type. “No matter how accomplished a person is, especially a woman, insecurity about looks always exists. Knowing about your body type is a great way to accentuate and hide your flaws. And the best judge about your body is you,” she says.

While in the UK, majority of women were found to have a rectangle body, in India, designer Nishka Lulla says hourglass or pear shapes dominate. “Tunnel or rectangle is a body type found more in women abroad because they are more athletic,” says Nishka.

Even though everybody wants to look like Deepika Padukone or Anushka Sharma, there really is no ideal body type that one can aim for. “Getting surgeries done to modify your body is not the solution as the root cause of the problem is not addressed,” says Kunal Gid, fitness instructor.

So rather than wasting your time getting your clothes modified, why not get to know your body type?

The different shapes

Rectangle: People whose bust, hips and shoulders are of the same width fall in this category. For example, Anushka Sharma and Kangana Ranaut.

Hourglass: Wide bust, narrow waist, and wide hips. For example, Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif.

Triangle: Big belly and hips. For example, Rihanna and Sonakshi Sinha.

Inverted Triangle: Shoulders wider than waistline and hip line. For example, Renee Zellweger and Yukta Mookhey.