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To be a V shape, your shoulders need to be wider than your hips, by a good couple of inches. You may or may not have a waist, many V shapes have a shorter waist, if so, then use the tips from the H shape through your waist area – that is – no tucking, detail, pockets, belts, gathering, pleats etc. at the waist, so as not to draw attention to your lack of waist.
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To be a V shape, your shoulders need to be wider than your hips, by a good couple of inches. You may or may not have a waist, many V shapes have a shorter waist, if so, then use the tips from the H shape through your waist area – that is – no tucking, detail, pockets, belts, gathering, pleats etc. at the waist, so as not to draw attention to your lack of waist.
If you are one of the lucky ones to have a waist, follow the tips from the X shape to highlight it.
What we need to do is create balance and make your hips a little curvier, so you basically are the opposite of the A shape, so pretty much don’t do everything they do.
Tops look great with narrower openings such as narrow V necks, crew necks (especially if you have smaller breasts), keyhole necklines, gathered necklines etc.
Look for raglan sleeves, halter necks, dolman sleeves, kimono sleeves, which will visually narrow your shoulders. Flared or wider cuffs will also balance your figure, as will hems that end around your hips.
Narrow lapels or no lapels are best on jackets.
Coats can have patch pockets on the hips to add some curves.
Jeans and trousers can also have pocket detail, so cargo pants will work for you too. Jeans can be straight, skinny or a flare will balance your shoulders.
Skirts need to be flared or pleated from a dropped waist if you want to create a more feminine shape, bias cut also work really well for you if you don’t have saddlebags, and a tapered pencil skirt is another option if teamed with a shoulder diminishing top. Patterned skirts will also draw attention and balance your figure. Wear the darker colour from the skirt in your top.
Halterneck dresses are fabulous on you. Avoid waist definition unless you have a defined waist. Go for empire lines (just below the bust) as this will be your narrowest point. Detail and pattern on the bottom of the dress will also help to create more curve.
IMogen, is my waist defined enough to accent it, or should I ignore it? I try to wear things that skim my body and make a horizontal line across my hips to make them look bigger.
Karen you could define with a thin belt if you wanted, but avoid wide belts.
Wrap dresses would also be an option for you. You might like to try a belt over a top that ends at the hips. Or alternatively, wear a flared skirt then a shorter, fitted top or jacket that ends at the waist.
IMogen,
I have been trying to figure out my shape for some time now. My measurements are 38.5-28-38.5 but my shoulders are slightly wider than the rest of my body, I would guess by maybe an inch or two. Most people tell me that I am an elongated hourglass or vase, but I sometimes think I am a combination of an inverted triangle and an hourglass. Is that possible? Or can an hourglass have slightly wider shoulders than hips? Please help!
Am also having trouble identifyng my body shape. Its eith am a rectangle or inverted triangle. My measurements are 37(hip)-34(waist)-37(bust) and have broad shoulders. Wh@ shape am i? Plz assist me.
Hi Faith,
I’d need to see a photo – measurements don’t really ell you enough – but you sound quite H shape, but really, it’s all about the silhouette. You can post a photo on the forum (under body shapes) and I’ll have a look at it for you.
hmmmm glad to see this V post….I am between an H and an inverted V. if an H is supposed to have the same measurements shoulders to hipsm then i am an inverted V. because my rib cage and my shoulders are both wider than my hips. ( size 12 or 14 on top, 10 or 12 on bottom) but i have a very short waist, and ehn i am thin i look like a boy with wide shoulders. I am not thin right now, but i still have narrower hips and flat butt. I put on a bias cut dress the other day with a padded bra, looked about to fall over in an photo.
but the halter tops and dresses, and the nipped waists jackets, ruffled shirts, and the slight flared skirts, pencil skirts, skinny jeans, all work best, so im going to now try a combo purge of my closet leaving more attention to inverted V. And more attention to proportion and my face. Thank you! what makes it crazy is I am also an actress and then on camera depending on proximity, wow! well A costumer once gave me grief for being busty, and ALSO for bringing something too loose. Cant win for losing I say!
Imogen your blog is wonderful, I was shopping with a friend this weekend and we looked you up and found these great tips on how to shop for her shape, thank you! I would have been so off, I’m an 8/A and she’s more a V, total opposites. Thanks again!
Hi, I’m confused about my shape,I have broad shoulders,my hands are fat but I have lean legs.d’nt knw if u can help so I can choose clothes to fit my body better
If you have broad shoulders and narrow hips and thighs you Re most likely a Vshape