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One of my lovely readers asked me recently what her body shape, she was having trouble figuring it out. I asked her to send me a photo which she did (in her underwear) and it was very obvious to me that she has an 8 shape body. In her email she’s talked about hitting the gym because of her hips – but when I saw them I could see that she just has a high hip (often described as a ‘shelf’), which is the classic 8 shape marker.
I asked her if she’d mind if I posted a photo of her, and if she could take another in some clothing, which she has done for me, so here is a pic for you to see. It’s not quite as obvious in the t-shirt as it’s a little baggy around her waist (which is so tiny).
As you can see, her shoulders and hips are in balance (though some 8 shapes have narrower sloped shoulders, and wider hips, so should dress their upper body like an A shape, and lower body like an 8 shape).
Notice her high hip – I’ve marked it on this photo. They often feel they carry their weight in the behind.
She carries her curve high, not lower down on the hips, like X shapes tend to. Her legs are slim, and she doesn’t have saddlebags.
8 Shape by imogenl featuring Miss Selfridge dresses
- Clothes that suit best have waist definition, and are straight through the lower half (not flared or A-line). Most 8s find that anything boxy or square, without waist shaping tends to be too tight across their high hip area.
- 8s can have either equal width shoulders to hips, or narrower shoulders to hips. If you have a narrower shoulder line, read up on the A shape for dressing your upper body (don’t take the tips for lower body from the A).
- You will find that straight or bootcut jeans work well. Avoid wide leg trousers and jeans.
- Slim, flat-front trousers work well. Avoid pleats at the waist as they will be pulled open and create unnecessary bulk.
- Skirts are best when they are straight, they can flare from the knee, but not from the hip to be flattering.
- Avoid skirts that are gathered or pleated from the waist, unless they are that 1950s flounce style.
- Cropped jackets work for you, as do belted styles such as trench coats. If you want to wear trends like the boyfriend jacket, leave open, then belt over it.
- Peplums were made for 8 shapes.
- Double breasted jackets and coats are not good for 8 shapes, there isn’t usually enough shaping and the extra fabric creates bulk.
- Try belting over a long line cardigan in a fine knit.
- Make sure that you don’t have obvious pocket detail over your high hip area, look for coats and jackets with pockets set into the garment, rather than stitched onto the outside.
- Wide waistbands work well on trousers and skirts.
- Feel free to try a variety of belts at your natural waist, if you have a shorter waist try a thinner belt, if you have a longer waist you may be able to do a wider belt.
- You may or may not have a rounded bottom, though rounded bottoms are more common amongst 8 shapes. If you do, avoid flap pockets on jeans.
- Open necklines look great on 8 shapes, they draw attention up toward your face. Look for detail around the neckline to help do this.
- If you have narrower shoulders, look for puffed sleeves, shoulder detail and ruched sleeves to balance your bottom.
For more about dressing your 8 shape body read here.
Celebrities with an 8 shape body include Catherine Zeta Jones and Beyonce.
I’d love to do more Real Life body shape posts – so if you’d like to be featured, email me your photo (in form fitting leggings and form fitting t-shirt – even tighter than this one preferably – if you don’t have one peg it at the back to pull it tight) so that I can see if you are a great example that will help others define their body shape.
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Imogen, thank you! I too have a high hip & never knew why A-line skirts didn't suit me but straight skirts were OK. Now I know. I recently sewed a wrap around skirt & it makes me look like the side of a house…same reason…it's flared.
Can 8 shapes also have larger thighs?
I tried to send you a picture, but I couldn't find a working e-mail address!
Based on this post, I am pretty certain (finally!) that I'm an 8, and if I can find my digital camera around here I'll snap a few pictures and see if you agree. I have slightly narrow shoulders, and I don't *think* I'm particularly bootylicious, but the high hip comment really got my attention. I've had my measurements taken in a laser body scan (for custom-made sewing patterns) and was shocked to realize that my high hip (3" below my waistline) was the same as my hip measurement (taken about four or five inches lower down). Then when I went back to your "What to Avoid – 8 Shape" post, it all clicked. As much as I adore pleated and gathered skirts, I look about 20 pounds heavier in them than I do in a more closely fitted straight skirt. And I have slender legs/thighs that look best in boot cut pants.
It's taken me a long time to come to this conclusion though, because I was convinced I couldn't be an 8 by comments in a couple previous posts. You mentioned in the earlier "Body Shapes Explained" post regarding a woman with an 8 shape that, "She'll find that she always needs to have the waist band taken in on pants and skirts," which is absolutely not the case for me. I find that anything that fits me well through the hips/butt is too tight across the high hip/waistline. It's the second biggest reason that I sew for myself – it's so hard to find RTW skirts/pants that fit both my butt and waist/high hip area.
I think I have finally decided I am a short-waisted, busty 8 after all. Yay for me! (Now *where* is that camera…?)
Thanks Imogen! Haha, I was sure I was an X until now.
I`ll immediately send you a picture, I´m so curious.
Thanks for making us more confident and beautiful.
Thank you, Imogen – actually illustrating the body shape on a real person is so helpful. I can really see what you mean about the high hip! I think I have one, too, but I'm not sure whether or not I'm an 8 shape. I have a small bone structure, small rib cage with C/D cup boobs, but I also have a flat bottom, short waist and quite broad shoulders, so maybe I am more of a V shape? Actual bust and hip measurements are the same though… Hmmmm! Would love to see more "real life" examples!
Your 8 shape has been a revelation. I am an 8 with narrower, sloping shoulders. Shoulder pads make a big difference. I have a rear end, low and flat, but definitely there! No wonder A lines don't flatter me! Thank you so much for this. It is particularly helpful to women who sew.
I may be sending a photo along – I'm not sure if I'm an H, an 8, or something totally different. My shoulders throw everything out of whack.
This is REALLY helpful, by the way, to have a real person to look at. I get confused with all the descriptions.
(my CAPTCHA is "lardas".
)
Yes, seeing a real person helps a ton! I am pretty sure I am an X – can someone with saddlebags not be an X??
- tall & slim anon
I'll send you one at the end of the summer and beg for your analysis. I'm on a quest to lose some extra pounds I should have lost long ago and am very intrigued as to what's hiding under here.
Wow, that's a lovely shape. I'd do anything to look like this, but unfortunately I'm stuck with an A shape. My younger sister is a tall, pretty 8 though.
Totally agree on 8 shapes not looking good in A-line or flared skirts as I am one myself. I love the idea of analyzing real figures too – this is fantastic!
I tried to send you my photo but your email doesn't seem to be working…
Alison – Yes they can have larger thighs.
Amy – I'm getting emails from – it could be the size of your picture – sometimes they don't come through when they're too large.
Christine B – don't have to be bootylicious to be an 8, just have to have the high hip. It could be that you're wearing your waist bands lower, on your hips not on your natural waist which is normally significantly smaller than the hip measurement.
Pearlaceous – send me a pic!
Nancy – yes 8 can have either square or sloped shoulders.
Brianna – looking forward to your pic.
Tall and Slim – yes saddlebags can appear on different shapes not just Xs and As, but they are more common on those shapes.
Reading the post, and then the comments, I began to despair of ever figuring this out, because it seems too complicated an analysis. But then the light went on (I think) — is an 8 simply a short-waisted X?
Sisty – no the difference is the hip hip of the 8 vs the low hip of the X. 8s carry their weight mostly up high, just under their waist. Xs carry their weight lower down on their bottom and thighs.
Imogen, thank you for this post! Finally, some clarity! I will try to send you a couple of photos, but right now I'm pretty sure I'm an 8, as I'm clearly seeing a "shelf". Finally I understand why most trousers that fit great in the lower hip and thigh area are too tight in the upper hip area. However, I don't have a problem with a fleshy butt (it's not small but it's slightly flat), rather my absolute worst area is the upper hip and lower tummy. I always gain weight there first. Is this possible for an 8 type? Also, you mention several times that 8s and Xs are mostly long waisted, but my waist is quite short (but long slim legs, so some compensation there I guess
) Can one still be an 8 and be short waisted? Finally, my top and my bottom half are in balance, although I used to measure my shoulders to my lower hips like they tell you to and invariably, the shoulders would seem to be a tad wider. I think, and tell me if that makes sense, that type 8 should compare their upper body to their 'shelf" area and not to their lower hips, because the upper hip is their widest spot. Does that make sense do you think?
Thank you!!
Thanks Imogen,
so now I think I'm an 8, but mij hips are slightly wider than mij hips. But I do have lots of high hip.
And I usually look nice in Aline skirts but I have some great looking dresses with a straigth skirt…
Can I be an 8 with X-ish hips?
Love the stylish clothes shown here.
Ineke – yes you can be a bit of a merged shape. Dress each part of you in the shapes that fit best.
Imogen, thank you for such a wonderful site! I am a 5'3" (just!) shape 8, are there any further suggestions for the vertically challenged? Claire
Thank you so much! I've never been able to figure out my bodyshape before, but that first picture looks just like my body!. I've never heard of the body shape 8 before.
-Siri
Dear Imogen,
please, is it possible to send you a photo to understand better if I'm definitely 8 shape or not?
Thank you!
I can relate to the "high hip" but that's kind of where I stop — I have a very short waist and a rather large bust. Proportionally, I'm 5'2" but with a 32" inseam so essentially I'm all boobs and legs — that doesn't sound like an 8 to me but the V pics don't look like me either.
Color me confused!
Heey Imogen!
I just discovered your amazing site after spending ages on the net trying to find out what my body shape is – I think that Im a 8!Im short waisted and Ive got the high hips.Boobs are quite big , thick thighs and I have a big bum. My only doubt that Im not an 8 is – I dont really have much hips.(Well I guess Im still growing- Im 15) Im finding it so hard to find clothes that flatter my body.The outfits that you've suggested look great but I don't feel like they'll make my body look in proportion. They're all waist defining and Im scared that I'll look like I'm only boobs and legs.I really want to send you a picture but the email isnt working:(
Help please
Kinda Regards
Pati
Hi Imogen,
I keep coming back to this post over and over again as I learn something new every time. The picture of the lady in the white vest makes me feel kind of ok with my tummy as I recognise the spare tyre below the waist and at the high hip. This has always been my big body peeve but I am deciding from now on to get over it and move on. This has also helped me immeasurably with my 8 shaped clients. Thanks you – I'm a fan for life.
P.S. Also love your travelling light e book and I will be putting a review and link on my blog in the next few days – Check it out at http://www.nutri-style.com/blog
Hi, I'm an 8 shape (and relieved that a 'diagnosis' has answered some questions for me, thanks!)
Natural waisted trousers are pretty good but can give me a big expanse of tummy and rear. Would anybody recommend a best trouser in terms of the rise? I have found that a wide waistband and side zip help combat bulges in unhelpful places. Thanks. (ps I also have quite large thighs at the top)
One of my major struggles is finding trousers that fit well, I think because of the high hip. So many trousers and jeans nowadays are low waisted and the waist really lands at the wrong part of my body – ie, where it's pretty big. My waist is lost, and underlined by a big muffin top.
Lorna-M
I'm an 8 without extra weight at the high hip and the thighs of an A. Would be an X if I had a little more bulk between high hip and thigh.
ahh, I dont know if my bodyshape will fit in anywhere.
Im more like a grail, ornated.
my shoulders are square and boyish, bust large, waist small and then the high hip shelf and then a big low hip/bottom, which is much bigger than the shoulder width in circumference but not in frontal width. Im also slender-boned which makes it all more confusing because the tops will be slouching at the slim arms. we are probably all a little incoherent like this though.
Thanks for posting such useful information about real body types. I have the figure 8 body type, and usually wear the very clothes you recommend. Now I know why those styles work for me! I haven't seen this information anywhere else, and am so glad to have verification of what I've known all along.
I was once told by a dressmaker (when fitting my wedding dress) that the reason the dresses didn't fit me straight off the rack is that I had "high hips". I always thought I had a short waist and didn't understand what that meant. But my hips do jut out pretty much right below my waist, so now I get it. Trying to wear a wide stretchy belt is what helped me figure this out. (It rolls over because the angle is so sharp from my waist)
However, I'm not sure I'm an 8 because my widest measurement is still at my thighs. I also have a broad back and shoulders. I'm like an hourglass with high hips and wide thighs. I also have big calves. I keep trying to find a good body part to accentuate!! Advice?
I'm fairly sure I'm an 8, but would it be okay if I sent you a photo to see if I'm right?
And thank you soooo much for describing these body types – I now get why I have such trouble finding pants to fit!
WOW! I've never found a place that has accurately described my body type before. I've never felt that I'm an exact hourglass, in part because of my sloping shoulders and also because of the placement of my hips. So now I know I'm an 8, with sloping shoulders A top. This is so helpful. Thank you.
Imogen, is the 8 Body Shape the same as what is called a Spoon shape on other websites? Also, what advice would you give for a 5 ft. 2 in. tall size 6-8 petite figure 8 who has a short waist and long rise and does not have sloping shoulders? (shoulders, high hip and low hip measurements are exactly the same – 38 inches; waist is 28 inches; bust is 36 inches). Thanks in advance for any helpful advice you can give.
Imogen thank you so much! For the longest time I have known that my figure wasn’t one of the typical ones, this is so great to read and was extremely informative. Thanks also to the real life models who make it so clear to see 8 shape accurately. I’m much more confident about my body shape now!
Juliet thanks so much for your feedback. It’s great that so many have chosen to share their photos so we can all learn.
Love this post! I’m a pear/8…this post was so handy!
Melissa recently posted..Lazy days
Thanks Melissa! Glad to have helped.
I think I am an 8 but not sure. I am wider at the low hip but I do have a bit of roundness up at the belly button, too. I actually asked about this over at youlookfab but came away with split decision lol! http://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/humor-me-x-or-8-or-just-plain-hourglass I would love to know your professional opinion. I do realize that a lines and pleated skirts are not as flattering as straight ones as your guidelines suggest.
Malina – I would say more 8 than X – not a really pronounced 8 – but you seem to have the high hip.
Thank you! I have to say you are the first person to help me understand why a certain style skirt just does nothing for my shape – knowledge is power. Thanks again.