The inverted triangle body shape (V body shape) is characterized by a wider upper body than the lower body. The distinguishing features of this silhouette are the broad shoulders and / or bust that narrow down to the hips, which makes the body appear like an inverted triangle shape. Women with this silhouette have narrower hips and pelvis, slim and well-shaped legs, and a waist that is not very well defined and, over time, can become the area where weight is most easily accumulated, along with the shoulders, arms and bust. Thus, it is not uncommon for an inverted triangle to have clothes for the upper body that are larger than the lower body. The legs, on the other hand, will tend to remain thinner (sometimes even “bony”) and, in most cases, longer than the torso.
The purpose when dressing the inverted triangle body shape is to balance the broader shoulders, more
The purpose when dressing the inverted triangle body shape is to balance the broader shoulders, more
bust and back with the narrower lower body to create a balanced silhouette in width. This is achieved by putting greater emphasis and creating the illusion of curves on the lower body (choosing clothes that add curves to the hips and bottom) and de-emphasising the upper body, while creating a more defined waist at the same time.
At the same time, as this body shape has longer legs, and a shorter torso, it also has to be balanced in length. A balanced body shape in length means that your upper and lower body halves are in proportion, or your torso and legs are roughly equal in length, creating a harmonious vertical balance. This can be identified by checking if the distance from your head to your crotch matches the distance from your crotch to your ankle. If yes, you have a balanced body shape in length, while if not, there are some tricks to balance it.
Below, you will find some dressing tips for the inverted triangle body shape.
Best Clothes for the Inverted Triangle Body Shape
Tops and Shirts: V-neck top, oval neckline top, U-neck top, diagonal one-shoulder neckline top, trapeze shirt, wrap shirt, peplum shirt, shirt with vertical stripes, kimono sleeve top, raglan sleeve top, top with wide straps.
Tops and shirts for the inverted triangle body shape should emphasise the waist and draw the attention away from the upper body and broad shoulders. All wrap-around tops in flowing fabrics, tops with vertical stripes, or low-waisted peplum tops (that flare from the waist to the hips to give the illusion of shape) are great in this sense. Deep and narrow oval, U-neck or V-neck tops are fine too, as their necklines are slim and long and can reduce the width of the upper body visually. Kimono sleeve and raglan sleeve tops help deconstruct and soften the shoulder line. As this silhouette has a shorter torso, a top with vertical lines will elongate it to achieve a balanced shape in length. Asymmetric styles, such as the diagonal one-shoulder neckline, will bring a greater movement into your body shape, help break up the chest and elongate your torso.
Opt for tops and shirts which extend past the hipline and take away the attention from the shoulders. Avoid shirts that end at the waist and shorten the already short torso and any details or embellishments around the upper body and shoulder area, as this silhouette doesn’t need them. At the same time, avoid high and wide necklines (off-shoulder, bateau, square) and large collars (very small collars are acceptable) that would additionally add to the width of the already broad shoulders.
Jackets and Sweaters: peplum jacket, single-breasted jacket, waterfall jacket, belted jacket, cutaway jacket, wrap cardigan.
The best jackets for the inverted triangle body shape are the single-breasted jackets, belted jackets, and peplum jackets that de-emphasise the shoulders and upper body whilst accentuating the waist. Waterfall jackets with fluid lines that draw the attention away from the shoulders also flatter this silhouette.
Opt for jackets that extend beyond the hipline to balance out the wide shoulders. Avoid details and embellishments like double-breasted buttoning, big collars, shoulder pads and epaulettes, as they make the broad shoulders appear even broader.
Sweaters should be made from warm but thin yarns (cashmere, worsted wool) in darker colours for a slimming effect on the upper body, because thicker yarns or details like cables and other appliqués will add volume to it.
Coats: single-breasted belted trench coat, trapeze coat, princess coat, one-button coat.
Coats that add volume around the hips, flare at the hipline and create a waist at the same time are ideal for the inverted triangle body shape. Opt for longer coats ideally ending below the knee. Avoid details and embellishments on and around the shoulders and big collars that would add volume to your upper body.
Trousers: baggy trousers, turn-up trousers, wide-leg trousers (jeans), bootcut trousers (jeans), palazzo trousers.
Legs are the strongest point par excellence of this body shape, and this is why any style that will accentuate and add volume to the bottom and leg line is great for the inverted triangle. As the torso of this figure is shorter than the legs, the low-waisted trousers such as the baggy trousers that elongate the torso, are definitely a winner. Trouser styles that flare at the bottom, like bootcut or wide-leg trousers, bring volume to the lower body of the inverted triangle and slim down the waist.
Opt for trousers in brighter and/or lighter colours to draw attention to your legs and add details such as pockets, embellishments on the pockets, turn-ups, patterns and prints to add volume to your lower body.
Skirts: miniskirt, flared skirt, godet skirt, bias skirt, pleated skirt, A-line skirt.
Even though the pants are very good, the skirts are way better to highlight the beautiful legs of the inverted triangle. Pleated, flared, bias or godet skirts are perfect, as their movement at the hem balances the volumes of the upper body and the general proportions of the figure. Both mini and longer skirts are truly perfect, the important thing is that they add volume to the hips and balance out the shoulders. Choose low-waisted skirts or those with dropped waistlines in brighter colours than your top, horizontal stripes and patterns and details such as panels, pleats, and pockets in the hip area.
Dresses: wrap dress, A-line dress, shift dress, pleated dress, flared dress.
The ideal dresses for this silhouette are those that add volume to the hips to balance the shoulders, such as wrap dresses, A-line dresses, pleated dresses or flared dresses. Because of its clean lines and tailoring, a shift dress with pocket details below the waist will also sit great on an inverted triangle body shape. Choose a belt tied lower than the waist or a v-shaped belt, that will elongate the torso. If you like strapless dresses, balance them out by adding volume to the hips.
Opt for dresses with details on the lower part of the dress (patterns, pleats, pockets and lighter colours) and avoid dresses that emphasise the shoulder area and upper body.
Make sure that you follow your natural silhouette, don't unbalance the body shape by making it top-heavy, and visually narrow the waist area.
When choosing an outfit, make sure that you always emphasize your lower body and de-emphasize your upper body to achieve a balanced body shape. Opt for flared styles that add volume on the bottom to balance the top, and stay away from tight-fitted styles on the lower body.
At the same time, as this body shape has longer legs, and a shorter torso, it also has to be balanced in length. A balanced body shape in length means that your upper and lower body halves are in proportion, or your torso and legs are roughly equal in length, creating a harmonious vertical balance. This can be identified by checking if the distance from your head to your crotch matches the distance from your crotch to your ankle. If yes, you have a balanced body shape in length, while if not, there are some tricks to balance it.
Below, you will find some dressing tips for the inverted triangle body shape.
Best Clothes for the Inverted Triangle Body Shape
Tops and Shirts: V-neck top, oval neckline top, U-neck top, diagonal one-shoulder neckline top, trapeze shirt, wrap shirt, peplum shirt, shirt with vertical stripes, kimono sleeve top, raglan sleeve top, top with wide straps.
Tops and shirts for the inverted triangle body shape should emphasise the waist and draw the attention away from the upper body and broad shoulders. All wrap-around tops in flowing fabrics, tops with vertical stripes, or low-waisted peplum tops (that flare from the waist to the hips to give the illusion of shape) are great in this sense. Deep and narrow oval, U-neck or V-neck tops are fine too, as their necklines are slim and long and can reduce the width of the upper body visually. Kimono sleeve and raglan sleeve tops help deconstruct and soften the shoulder line. As this silhouette has a shorter torso, a top with vertical lines will elongate it to achieve a balanced shape in length. Asymmetric styles, such as the diagonal one-shoulder neckline, will bring a greater movement into your body shape, help break up the chest and elongate your torso.
Opt for tops and shirts which extend past the hipline and take away the attention from the shoulders. Avoid shirts that end at the waist and shorten the already short torso and any details or embellishments around the upper body and shoulder area, as this silhouette doesn’t need them. At the same time, avoid high and wide necklines (off-shoulder, bateau, square) and large collars (very small collars are acceptable) that would additionally add to the width of the already broad shoulders.
Jackets and Sweaters: peplum jacket, single-breasted jacket, waterfall jacket, belted jacket, cutaway jacket, wrap cardigan.
The best jackets for the inverted triangle body shape are the single-breasted jackets, belted jackets, and peplum jackets that de-emphasise the shoulders and upper body whilst accentuating the waist. Waterfall jackets with fluid lines that draw the attention away from the shoulders also flatter this silhouette.
Opt for jackets that extend beyond the hipline to balance out the wide shoulders. Avoid details and embellishments like double-breasted buttoning, big collars, shoulder pads and epaulettes, as they make the broad shoulders appear even broader.
Sweaters should be made from warm but thin yarns (cashmere, worsted wool) in darker colours for a slimming effect on the upper body, because thicker yarns or details like cables and other appliqués will add volume to it.
Coats: single-breasted belted trench coat, trapeze coat, princess coat, one-button coat.
Coats that add volume around the hips, flare at the hipline and create a waist at the same time are ideal for the inverted triangle body shape. Opt for longer coats ideally ending below the knee. Avoid details and embellishments on and around the shoulders and big collars that would add volume to your upper body.
Trousers: baggy trousers, turn-up trousers, wide-leg trousers (jeans), bootcut trousers (jeans), palazzo trousers.
Legs are the strongest point par excellence of this body shape, and this is why any style that will accentuate and add volume to the bottom and leg line is great for the inverted triangle. As the torso of this figure is shorter than the legs, the low-waisted trousers such as the baggy trousers that elongate the torso, are definitely a winner. Trouser styles that flare at the bottom, like bootcut or wide-leg trousers, bring volume to the lower body of the inverted triangle and slim down the waist.
Opt for trousers in brighter and/or lighter colours to draw attention to your legs and add details such as pockets, embellishments on the pockets, turn-ups, patterns and prints to add volume to your lower body.
Skirts: miniskirt, flared skirt, godet skirt, bias skirt, pleated skirt, A-line skirt.
Even though the pants are very good, the skirts are way better to highlight the beautiful legs of the inverted triangle. Pleated, flared, bias or godet skirts are perfect, as their movement at the hem balances the volumes of the upper body and the general proportions of the figure. Both mini and longer skirts are truly perfect, the important thing is that they add volume to the hips and balance out the shoulders. Choose low-waisted skirts or those with dropped waistlines in brighter colours than your top, horizontal stripes and patterns and details such as panels, pleats, and pockets in the hip area.
Dresses: wrap dress, A-line dress, shift dress, pleated dress, flared dress.
The ideal dresses for this silhouette are those that add volume to the hips to balance the shoulders, such as wrap dresses, A-line dresses, pleated dresses or flared dresses. Because of its clean lines and tailoring, a shift dress with pocket details below the waist will also sit great on an inverted triangle body shape. Choose a belt tied lower than the waist or a v-shaped belt, that will elongate the torso. If you like strapless dresses, balance them out by adding volume to the hips.
Opt for dresses with details on the lower part of the dress (patterns, pleats, pockets and lighter colours) and avoid dresses that emphasise the shoulder area and upper body.
Make sure that you follow your natural silhouette, don't unbalance the body shape by making it top-heavy, and visually narrow the waist area.
When choosing an outfit, make sure that you always emphasize your lower body and de-emphasize your upper body to achieve a balanced body shape. Opt for flared styles that add volume on the bottom to balance the top, and stay away from tight-fitted styles on the lower body.
Since the inverted triangle shape is characterized by broad shoulders and slim legs, fabrics are very important for balancing the volumes of this shape. The fabrics for the top are thinner in weight and smooth in appearance. Tops in fluid fabrics, in darker and more opaque colours will slim the upper body. Avoid thick fabrics and shiny colours for the top, which accentuate the flaws and imperfections of the figure.
As for the bottom of your body, opt for thicker fabrics in lighter and brighter colours with a smooth appearance or with a relief. A lightweight top made of chiffon and a pair of wide-leg cotton trousers can balance your upper body with your lower body.
When it comes to patterns, opt for patterns including thinner stripes, more
As for the bottom of your body, opt for thicker fabrics in lighter and brighter colours with a smooth appearance or with a relief. A lightweight top made of chiffon and a pair of wide-leg cotton trousers can balance your upper body with your lower body.
When it comes to patterns, opt for patterns including thinner stripes, more
vertical lines and small and dense elements with a low contrast between them for your upper body. Choosing tops with vertical stripes, darker in colour than the clothes at the bottom, is one of the best ways to elongate your torso. Instead, opt for patterns that include medium to large elements, from bold floral to tartan, from stripes to animal prints for the lower body. As you have an angular body shape (opposite to rounded body shapes such as hourglass or pear), patterns with geometric shapes (plaids, horizontal stripes) or asymmetric, irregular shapes are especially suitable to create interest in your outfits. Wild colour combinations also help break up your body shape and give you a more unconstructed look. Leave polka dot patterns to the rounded body shapes, but if you like them, opt instead for patterns with mixed round shapes and more geometric shapes.
At the same time, you can check your best patterns based on your sub-season after taking our Seasonal Colour Analysis Quiz, choosing our professional Online Seasonal Colour Analysis or performing a self-colour analysis at home with the help of our Self Seasonal Colour Analysis Guide.
At the same time, you can check your best patterns based on your sub-season after taking our Seasonal Colour Analysis Quiz, choosing our professional Online Seasonal Colour Analysis or performing a self-colour analysis at home with the help of our Self Seasonal Colour Analysis Guide.
When choosing a swimsuit for this body shape, you have to take into consideration the verticality of the torso, usually shorter than the legs, and the broad shoulders. Therefore, the low-waisted bikini bottoms are best, as we have seen for the rest of the clothing. At the same time, bras with medium-wide or wide straps are winning straps both for support and for scale proportions. Avoid strapless/bandeau tops, as well as bateau necklines and horizontal lines, as they will make broad shoulders seem wider than they really are.
As for bikini bottoms, opt for those that add volume to your hips and balance your upper body with your lower body. Details such as horizontal lines, striped prints, bold patterns, ruffles and side ties on your low-waisted bikini bottoms will all add volume and curves to your hips. more
As for bikini bottoms, opt for those that add volume to your hips and balance your upper body with your lower body. Details such as horizontal lines, striped prints, bold patterns, ruffles and side ties on your low-waisted bikini bottoms will all add volume and curves to your hips. more
You can combine simple, dark tops in neutral colours with fancy, colourful bottoms, including any of the details just mentioned, to draw attention down from shoulders to the hips and legs.
A one-piece swimsuit is often more strategic than a two-piece bikini because of its plunging V-neck that plunges deep into the centre of the body and creates a narrowing effect. The vertical line down the centre of the body visually elongates the upper body and tones down the broadness of your shoulders. This will help your upper body look more in line with your lower body. Opt for a plunging V-neck swimsuit with wider straps that will minimize broad shoulders while emphasizing cleavage. You can also try an asymmetrical one-piece to visually soften broad shoulders. One-piece swimsuits with cut-out sides (monokini) can add definition to small hips and enhance curves.
A one-piece swimsuit is often more strategic than a two-piece bikini because of its plunging V-neck that plunges deep into the centre of the body and creates a narrowing effect. The vertical line down the centre of the body visually elongates the upper body and tones down the broadness of your shoulders. This will help your upper body look more in line with your lower body. Opt for a plunging V-neck swimsuit with wider straps that will minimize broad shoulders while emphasizing cleavage. You can also try an asymmetrical one-piece to visually soften broad shoulders. One-piece swimsuits with cut-out sides (monokini) can add definition to small hips and enhance curves.
Inverted triangle-shaped women have a lot of choices when it comes to shoes, as they can easily wear shoes that are generally considered controversial, such as ballet flats or moccasins, or boots or ankle boots, classic pumps or gladiator-style sandals, even in unique colours and patterns to create focal points. As the torso of this shape is often shorter than the legs, you can easily break up the leg at the ankle with a colourful pair of shoes, ankle boots, or strappy sandals to balance the silhouette in length. Thus, more than other body shapes, the inverted triangle's ankle can be enhanced by shoes, sandals, and boots with laces (corset sandals, rope-style sandals or crisscross ankle strap sandals).
You can opt for shoes with thinner heels that will beautifully harmonize with your slender legs or shoes with thicker (chunky) heels and wedges that will give a weightier look to your lower body to balance the silhouette in length. more
You can opt for shoes with thinner heels that will beautifully harmonize with your slender legs or shoes with thicker (chunky) heels and wedges that will give a weightier look to your lower body to balance the silhouette in length. more
Both pointed and oval-toe shoes are good options for your silhouette. Pointed-toe shoes will give you a more sophisticated and sharper look, while oval-toe shoes will give you a more feminine and gentle appearance.
As for bags, we can undoubtedly say that a shoulder strap worn straight across the torso is very elegant and balanced, redistributing the weight and verticalizing the torso. Choose a small to medium shoulder bag with long straps that adds weight around your hips, or a big shoulder bag with shorter straps that will make the shoulders appear narrower. Bags with trapezoid shapes are great, as they will look like your reversed body shape and add volume to your lower body.
Carrying a bag in the hand or under the arm is also good, without forgetting the scale proportions. Very small clutches carried under the arm will make the shoulder area appear bigger. So, opt for bigger envelope clutches to be worn under your arm.
As for bags, we can undoubtedly say that a shoulder strap worn straight across the torso is very elegant and balanced, redistributing the weight and verticalizing the torso. Choose a small to medium shoulder bag with long straps that adds weight around your hips, or a big shoulder bag with shorter straps that will make the shoulders appear narrower. Bags with trapezoid shapes are great, as they will look like your reversed body shape and add volume to your lower body.
Carrying a bag in the hand or under the arm is also good, without forgetting the scale proportions. Very small clutches carried under the arm will make the shoulder area appear bigger. So, opt for bigger envelope clutches to be worn under your arm.