Body Shape

Psalm 139:13-16 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately women in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

God created us all to be unique.  Creating our shape, sculpting our bones, knitting us together, God knew exactly what he was doing. God loves each of our unique shapes that he planned and crafted. If we put down our bodies and criticize ourselves, we are actually criticizing God, because he is the one who made us. We as humans don’t always see things from God’s perspective. Many of us have probably envied that gorgeous supermodel’s body. ;) However, if we take a step back and see things from God’s perspective, we can understand that all of us are beautiful in His eyes. We are all lovely because we were formed by THE master craftsman. Truly, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. J

The point? Every single shape and size is beautiful and unique. We need to stop criticizing our bodies and thank God for creating us perfectly for his will. He has a plan for our bodies, and we must take care of them. One way that we can do this “fashion-wise” is by learning to dress for our body shape, frame size, and torso.

Many of you have probably heard the terms “Hourglass”, “Pear”, and “Apple” tossed around. But body shape is not just a term. It is a way of life. When we find out our body shape etc, we have to dress in a way that flatter’s our unique body. Why wear something that flatters a supermodel when you are an hourglass? J Get it? Wearing something that looks good on your body is more important that squeezing into a size two, just for the number. Are you prepared to embark on this adventure? If you are, I need to ask you to leave preconceptions OUTSIDE!! Bon voyage! :D

Here are a few principles that every lady needs to know:

~Respect your body. No putting down here, ladies!

~You must know thy measurements. The key here is updates. You are not going to have the same measurements at eighteen and forty, so keep measuring!

~Never compare yourself to anyone else. We are all unique and beautifully made by God. Remember that!

Now that we have laid down the principles, it is time to get into the concrete. J Firstly, we have to get your measurements.

~Measure your waist. (this is usually a bit above your belly button) If you have no idea where to measure, stand up straight and bend from your waist sideways. A crease will appear at your side and that is your waist. Measure where the crease appeared. 

~Next, measure your hips. This will be around the fullest part of your derriere. (check the picture for more help)

~Finally, measure around the fullest part of your bust, while wearing your undergarments. If you need more help, check the photo for reference.

Now for the body shapes! (At the moment, I will only categorize, but later I will post about dressing for you body shape :)

~Middle Figure:

This body shape has an average to large bust, slimmer hips and legs, and a rounded, feminine abdomen. :) If you gain weight, you tend to gain it in your midsection, but your legs stay long and lithe for years. Your silhouette is beautifully soft and blooming. :D You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Your hip measurement should be the same as, or smaller than your bust measurement, since the apple shape is often somewhat top heavy. Your waist is 3 inches (at most) smaller than your hips and bust. More on this beautiful shape later!

~Hourglass:

With a small to large bust, small to large hips and legs, and a wasp waist, your shape is feminine to the core! You are curvy and beautiful, proportionate on the top and the bottom. With a ten inch difference between your hips/bust and your waist, this shape is not very common. Furthermore, there can only be a two inch difference between your hip and bust measurements. If you think this is you, I will post more on this gorgeous shape later. :D

~Inverted-Triangle:

With a large bust, small to medium abdomen, and slim hips, your shape is curvaceous on the top and slim on the bottom. You are robust and magnificent, beautifully focused on the top. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. :) Your hips should be at least 4 inches smaller than your bust, and your waist should be 7 inches smaller than your bust. If you think this lovely shape is yours, stay tuned!
~Lower-figure:
With beautifully rounded hips, a slim waist, and a dainty bust, you are slim on the top and curvy on the bottom. You have a exquisitely feminine on the bottom and svelte on top. :) Your waist is at least 7 inches smaller than your bust, and your bust is 4 inches smaller than your hips. You are magnificent! If this description rings true with you, stay tuned. :D
~Linear:
With slim hips, a vague waist, and a dainty bust, you are willowy and slender, like faerie or elf. When most people think of this shape, they usually associate it with models, but there are most certainly petite linears. :D Your shape is gorgeously svelte and you will stay slim for years. You have an almost identical hip and bust measurement, and a waist that is not more than 4 inches smaller than your bust/hip measurement. Think this is you? Well, check back later! :)
Any questions or suggestions? :)
God bless!
~Southern Belle
(Note: Some of this information was inspired by cardiganempire.com. Do check it out; it is amazing!)