If you have an inverted triangle body shape, characterized by broader shoulders and a narrower waist and hips, the right clothing choices can help balance your proportions and create a harmonious silhouette.
In this guide, we’ll explore tips and style strategies to help you make the most of your inverted triangle body shape, ensuring that you not only look great but also feel comfortable and self-assured in your fashion choices.
The “Inverted Triangle” body shape


The inverted triangle body shape is characterized by broad shoulders, narrow hips, and a well-defined waist. It typically features a fuller bust, slim legs, and a stronger upper body.
This body shape can vary among individuals, and understanding its characteristics is essential for making fashion choices that accentuate its assets and create a balanced appearance.
Do: Pick tops with deep, narrow, or asymmetric necklines
These neckline styles can help create a more balanced and visually pleasing appearance by drawing attention away from the broader shoulders and toward the upper chest and neckline area.
This choice of tops can help enhance the overall proportion and harmony of the body’s silhouette.


Don’t: Choose tops with bateau, wide, or off-the-shoulder necklines
Avoid selecting tops with bateau (wide and straight), wide, or off-the-shoulder necklines if you have an inverted triangle body shape. These neckline styles can accentuate the broadness of the shoulders, which is a characteristic feature of this body shape.
Opting for necklines that are deeper, narrower, or asymmetric can help balance your proportions and create a more flattering look.


Don’t: Wear a top with a puffy sleeve
Puffy sleeves can add extra volume to the upper body, which may further emphasize the broad shoulders.
To achieve a more balanced and flattering look, consider opting for tops with sleeves that are more streamlined and do not add excess volume to the shoulder area.


Do: Choose a top with a fitted sleeve
Fitted sleeves help create a balanced and streamlined appearance in the upper body, which complements the broader shoulders characteristic of this body shape.
This style choice can enhance your overall silhouette and contribute to a more flattering look.


Don’t: Pick fitted long sleeve
Fitted long sleeves can accentuate the broadness of the shoulders and create an imbalanced appearance. Instead, consider tops with sleeves that have a slightly looser or more relaxed fit to help achieve a more harmonious and proportionate look.


Do: Find a long sleeve with shape
Opting for long-sleeve tops that have shape and structure can be a great choice for individuals with an inverted triangle body shape. Look for tops with tailored or structured long sleeves that follow the natural lines of your arms.
These tops can add definition to the upper body while maintaining a balanced and flattering appearance, complementing your body shape effectively.


Do: Choose tops that are fitted, wrap, or peplum
These styles help accentuate the waist and create the illusion of more balanced proportions by adding volume and shape to the lower part of the body.
Fitted tops highlight the waist, wrap styles cinch it, and peplum tops add curves, all of which contribute to a more harmonious overall look.


Don’t: Wear ultra-tight skinny jeans
These jeans can emphasize the broadness of the shoulders and create an imbalanced look. Opting for jeans with a slightly looser or straight-leg fit can help create a more proportionate and flattering appearance, complementing your body shape effectively.


Do: Choose a flare or relaxed fit bottom
Opt for flare or relaxed-fit bottoms if you have an inverted triangle body shape. These styles of pants and jeans can help balance your proportions by adding volume and width to the lower part of your body.
Flare bottoms, in particular, widen toward the hem, creating a more harmonious silhouette and complementing your broader shoulders.


Do: Wear jeans that are cigarette, flared, or bootcut
Consider opting for flare or relaxed-fit bottoms. These styles of pants or jeans can help balance your proportions by adding volume and width to the lower part of your body, which complements the broader shoulders typically associated with an inverted triangle body shape.


Same rule for pants
The same rule applies to pants as well. When selecting pants for an inverted triangle body shape, it’s a good idea to choose styles that have a flare or relaxed fit.
These pant styles add volume and width to the lower part of your body, helping to balance out the broader shoulders characteristic of this body shape. This choice can result in a more harmonious and flattering overall appearance.


Do: Choose pants that are culottes, relaxed, or palazzo
These pant styles provide a comfortable and flattering option by adding volume and width to the lower part of your body, which helps balance the broader shoulders often associated with this body shape.
Don’t: Wear a tight or pencil skirt
It’s advisable to avoid wearing tight or pencil skirts if you have an inverted triangle body shape. These skirt styles can emphasize the broadness of the shoulders and create an imbalanced appearance.


Do: Choose a skirt with volume
Skirts that have volume, such as A-line or pleated styles, can help balance out the broader shoulders characteristic of this body shape. These skirts add fullness and width to the lower part of your body, creating a more harmonious and flattering overall look.
Do: Wear skirts that are tulipe, pleated, or A-line
When selecting skirts for an inverted triangle body shape, consider styles such as tulip, pleated, or A-line skirts.
These skirt styles can be quite flattering as they add volume and fullness to the lower body, helping to balance out the broader shoulders typically associated with this body shape.


Don’t: Wear shorts with tight fitting cuffs
Avoid wearing shorts with tight-fitting cuffs if you have an inverted triangle body shape. These shorts can draw attention to the broader shoulders and create an unbalanced look.
Instead, opt for shorts with a more relaxed or flowing fit to achieve a more proportionate and flattering appearance.


Do: Choose a short with a relaxed fit
Opt for shorts with a relaxed fit if you have an inverted triangle body shape. Shorts that offer a relaxed or looser fit can help create a more balanced appearance, particularly when you have broader shoulders.
This choice can contribute to a comfortable and flattering look that complements your body shape effectively.


Do: Choose shorts that are relaxed, pleated, or bermuda
Select shorts that are relaxed, pleated, or Bermuda in style if you have an inverted triangle body shape. These shorts’ designs add a comfortable and flattering option by providing a bit more volume to the lower part of your body.


Don’t: Choose a dress that is “top heavy and bottom light”
Opt for a dress that is “top-heavy and bottom-light” if you have an inverted triangle body shape. Such dresses typically feature more emphasis on the upper part.
Dresses with detailing, patterns, or embellishments on the upper part while having a simpler or more streamlined design on the lower part can create a more proportionate and flattering overall look.


Do: Wear a dress that balanced around the shoulders and hips
Choose a dress that is balanced around the shoulders and hips if you have an inverted triangle body shape. Look for dresses that create a sense of equilibrium between the upper and lower body by paying attention to details, such as waistlines, pleats, or A-line silhouettes.
These dresses help harmonize the broader shoulders and add fullness to the lower part, contributing to a more proportionate and flattering appearance.


Do: Choose dresses that are pleated, A-line, or paneled waist
These dress styles can work well to balance your proportions by adding volume to the lower part of your body, creating a more harmonious and flattering overall look.
The pleats, A-line cuts, or paneled waists contribute to achieving a well-proportioned appearance for women with broader shoulders.


Don’t: Wear a “top heavy” jacket
Avoid wearing a “top-heavy” jacket if you have an inverted triangle body shape. Jackets or outerwear that have excessive volume or detailing around the shoulders can accentuate the broader upper body, creating an unbalanced look.


Do: Choose a jacket that falls at the hip bone
Select a jacket that falls at the hip bone if you have an inverted triangle body shape. Jackets of this length can help create a more balanced and proportionate appearance by drawing attention away from the broader shoulders.
They add structure and style without overwhelming the upper body, contributing to a flattering overall look.


Do: Wear jackets that are wrap cardigans, belted blazers, or cutaway
These jacket designs can be quite flattering as they emphasize the waist and create a more balanced appearance between the upper and lower body.
The wrap cardigans and belted blazers, in particular, add definition to the waist, contributing to a more proportionate and visually appealing look.


Avoid Shoulder pads
These can further exaggerate the broadness of the shoulders.


Steer clear of big chest pockets or embellishments
Draws attention to the chest and shoulder area.


Avoid tight-fitting turtlenecks
Can create a stark contrast between the wide shoulders and narrower hips.


Empire waist dresses
They can make the upper body look disproportionately long.


Bright or light colors on top with dark colors on the bottom
This can highlight the difference in width.


Horizontal stripes on the upper body
Can widen the appearance of the shoulders and chest.


Necklaces that sit high on the neck
These can highlight the broadness of the shoulders.


Broad and heavy upper body layering
Wearing multiple heavy layers on the upper body can add more volume.


Shiny or metallic fabrics for tops
Reflective fabrics can make the upper body seem larger.


Large collars
Can add bulk to the upper half.


Watch Isabella explain each look in the video!
Learn more about this body type and how to get the most out of your look here!
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