Triangle Body Shape: How to Dress When Hips Are Wider
The goal isn't to hide your hips, but to balance them with volume up top. Learn your body type, what to buy, and three ready-to-wear looks.
How to Dress If Your Body Type Is a Triangle?🤔
We've already covered the "Oval," so let's move on. Today it's all about the "Triangle."
The main distinction: a narrow rib cage and waist, with hips wider than the shoulders.
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How to Tell If This Is Your Type
Compare your bust measurement to your hip measurement at its widest point. A triangle (also called a pear) is when the hips are wider than the bust by 5 cm or more, with a defined waist.
If the waist barely narrows while the hips are wider, the silhouette is closer to an oval, and the advice will be different.
Trousers
It's best to avoid cropped trousers and skinnies. This silhouette visually adds volume to the hips and shortens the legs. The best option is palazzo pants or straight-leg trousers with a high waist, floor-length.
The most reliable cuts: palazzo, straight with a crease, flared from the knee, floor-length or ankle-length. Hip pockets and light-colored bottoms add extra volume exactly where it's already there.
Rise
The best option is a high waist rise, with mid-rise also acceptable. A low-rise waistline will widen the hip area even further and throw off the balance of the silhouette, especially with fitted pieces and skinnies.
A high rise matters more here than the cut itself: it places the narrowest line at the waist rather than mid-hip. A tucked-in top keeps that line visible.
Necklines
Since women with this body type usually have a petite bust, there are no restrictions on plunging necklines. If you want to balance the silhouette and visually widen the upper body, a boat neckline, deep necklines, and off-the-shoulder styles are ideal.
Necklines aren't the only way to widen the upper body: horizontal stripes, epaulettes, puff sleeves, and a voluminous shoulder all work in favor of balance for this type — the very trick that's off-limits for an inverted triangle.
Outerwear
In cold weather, choose long coats and trench coats with a waist tie. When picking outerwear, keep one important detail in mind: it shouldn't end at the widest part of the hip. Otherwise, the horizontal line will visually add volume.
The length of the outerwear is what matters most: above or below the widest point of the hip, never right at it. A belted trench, a straight-cut coat to mid-calf, a short jacket that ends at the waist.
Accents
It's best to avoid decorative and applied elements like pockets, patches, draping, or wide belts in the hip area. This technique adds volume to whichever zone it's placed on, and for a triangle, it should be used on the upper body instead.
A light top and dark bottom achieve the same effect as decor, only more simply. A scarf, a statement necklace, or a bold collar keeps the eye up top.
Skirts and Dresses
The most ideal option is an A-line that sits at the waist and covers the knees. The top can be anything — for the bolder among us, a crop top, a knotted shirt, a cropped long-sleeve, a dropped shoulder line, and so on.
Besides the A-line, circle and half-circle skirts work well, along with wrap dresses and belted shirt dresses. Fitted knee-length skirts with a slit are also an option if the top is voluminous.
Details
Vertical lines in clothing (stripes, pressed creases, slits, and so on) will elongate the silhouette and make it look slimmer.
Use accessories like long necklaces, scarves, or earrings to draw attention to the upper body and create balance between top and bottom.
Shoes with a small heel or a pointed toe extend the line of the leg — this works for balance just as much as an accent up top.
Three Outfits That Work
For everyday. A striped long-sleeve, straight dark high-rise jeans, white sneakers.
For work. A blouse with a voluminous sleeve, palazzo pants, pumps.
For a night out. A wrap dress or an off-the-shoulder dress with a flared skirt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you wear skinny jeans? Yes, with an elongated top that reaches mid-thigh or with tall boots.
What if there's a big size difference between top and bottom? Buy tops and bottoms separately, and choose dresses with a fitted waist seam — they forgive up to a two-size difference.
Which swimsuit should you choose? A top with ruffles or a bold print, paired with solid-colored high-waisted bottoms.
