Style adviceShape GuidesBody Shape

The Lean Column Body Shape

The Inverted Triangle

To determine if you are an lean column body shape, look at yourself in the mirror in your underwear. Stand with your legs together and your arms a bit away from your sides. Examine the area from under your arms, past your bust and ribcage, over your waist and hips to the fullest part of your thighs. Then compare yourself to the image and review the questions and characteristics below. We suggest you look at all the body shapes to find your closest match.

Clothes indexed with this icon are ideal for your body shape

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Body shape style advice

Do you

  • Wear the same size on your top and bottom halves?

  • Have a minimal bust?

  • Have little waist definition?

  • Have a flat hips and bottom?

Your build is characterised by:

  • Narrow shoulders

  • Flat chest or small bust

  • Small and non-defined waist

  • Narrow hips and flat bottom

Other Body shape tendencies

If you have gained or lost weight many times your body shape can change into another one. Read below to see what other body shape tendencies you might have

  • You lean towards a pear shape if your hips are slightly broader (saddle bags) than your hips

  • You lean towards an inverted triangle if your shoulders are slightly broader than your hips

  • You lean towards a rectangle if you are of a larger bone structure and have a medium bust

General rules for your body shape and how to create visual balance:

You need to create the illusion of curves around hips and bust and of a waist

  • Use layering to shorten your long top half

  • Create roundness around your extremities e.g. sleeve, leg line, neckline

  • Wear high or low waisted styles - broad shoulders; unfitted jackets, which slope to the waist; highlight your hips and bottom using pockets and pleats

You should avoid:

  • Figure-hugging garments

  • Long straight fitted lines in. dresses, trousers and sleeves

  • Tops, shift dresses with square necklines

  • Shapeless jackets; loose or droopy styles that hang from your shoulders

  • Dropped waistlines

  • Bulky, heavy textures

  • Double breasted jackets

The body shapes and their clothing lines

Every body shape has its own characteristics and silhouette, which needs to be addressed when choosing your clothes. The aim of choosing the right clothes is to balance your silhouette. You may not be able to follow all the fashion tends that are out there, but nowadays there are so many trends in fashion that there is something available for every body shape. So, don't get sidetracked by falling in love with a style and look that doesn't match your body shape:

Neckline for lean column body shape

Very flexible in your neckline; great choices are ruffles, cowl, necktie, collars, turtle neck, scoop neck- they will give you roundness and put the focus on the centre of your body.

Sleeves for lean column body shape

Any form that will give volume to your arms e.g. batman, dropped sleeve line, batman like sleeves, flared, cuffed, ¾ length, loose short sleeves.

Tops for lean column body shape More

Tops that add volume, curves and shorten your top half are best e.g. empire line, yoke line, layering, wrap tops, push up bras, breast pockets, padded tops. Details and patterns such as horizontal lines; dotty or floral are great as are scarves and shawls. View most recently added

Jackets for lean column body shape More

Waisted jackets or belted jackets with details such as pockets; shoulder details; wide lapels; vent; single or double breasted. Shoulder pads will give extra width and the illusion of a waist. View most recently added

Coats for lean column body shape More

Martingale shape, trench coats, single or double breasted with wide lapels, breast and waist pockets. Belted versions are good for giving you a shaped waist and curves. View most recently added

Dresses for lean column body shape More

Princess line with curved darts and details, wrap, empire line. View most recently added

Skirts for lean column body shape More

The slimmer you are the shorter you can go in your skirt (but keep in mind what is the most appropriate - both for your age and the occasion). Good shapes are a slight A-line, pencil skirt, flip, bias or wrap. View most recently added

Trousers for lean column body shape More

Choose from shaped, pleated and pocketed, narrowing or tapered leg line, culottes, capris and shorts. Details such as turn-ups, washes, embellishments, side pockets are ways to add volume and curves . View most recently added

Jeans for lean column body shape More

Choose skinny or bootcut leg lines. Avoid straight or wide leg because they will overpower your frame. View most recently added

Shoes for lean column body shape More

Wear kitten or medium heels, ankle straps and boots, ballerinas, Ugg boots, cowboy boots or any other boot with calf details such as straps, buckles. Opt for a rounded toe in your footwear. View most recently added

Bags for lean column body shape More

Choose round shaped bags with soft edges; clutch bags of petite to medium size. View most recently added

Swim wear for lean column body shape More

Padded styles are perfect. Use patterned two-pieces to emphasize your bust and hips. Vertical chevron lines on a one-piece will give the illusion of shape. View most recently added

lean column body shape in the blog

  • Mar 12th, 2010 The good soldier! Yes, the military styling and chic has staying power and is one of the key trends this summer. Double breasted coats, buckles, camouflage prints, safari jacket, vests, and boots are the staples of this trend with strong shoulder shapes and button detailing- but not for everyone is the military look good news.

  • Mar 8th, 2010 Oscars 2010!  Finally the dresses of the night and the winners of the Oscars 2010 were revealed. Most of time when watching these type of events I am reminded of the fairy tale ''the emperor has no clothes ". Nobody is telling the truth- everyone is dodging the bullet and looking left, right and over their shoulders - or they simply put the vote out to their readers in order to avoid telling us what they really think .

  • Feb 25th, 2010 Peppy Prints!

  • Feb 22nd, 2010 Bafta Awards 2010

  • Feb 20th, 2010 Leg Chic?!

  • Feb 18th, 2010 Shop by Body shape in 3 different ways!

  • Feb 15th, 2010 Pretty in Prints!

  • Feb 2nd, 2010 Grammy Awards 2010!

  • Jan 31st, 2010 Printed T-shirt drama!

  • Jan 15th, 2010 Choose the right diet for your body shape!

View other body shapes

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Anna Scholz Black Label Joy of Cloths - Jeans