Inverted Triangle

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Your Body Editorial

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• Spoon Body Shape - October 29, 2023
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• Definition
• Closely Related Shapes
• How to Determine if You Are an Inverted Triangle
• Inverted Triangle Measurements
• Celebrities
• Workouts
• How to Dress an Inverted Triangle
• History

The Inverted Triangle, also known as the “Strawberry” body shape, is a body shape where the upper body is larger than the lower part of the body. The Inverted Triangle figure generally has broad shoulders or a wide chest which creates an Inverted Triangle or strawberry-like silhouette.

Key characteristics of an Inverted Triangle body shape:

Inverted Triangle body shape can also be known as:

• A V-shaped body, Top-Heavy body, Strawberry body, Cone body shape or an Athletic body shape

Note: Without adding to the already confusing world of body shape terminology and classifications, the term “Triangle” is sometimes (misleadingly) used to refer to an Inverted Triangle. But generally, “Triangle” refers to a pear-like silhouette while “Inverted Triangle” refers to a V-shaped silhouette.

How Common is the Inverted Triangle Body Shape?

Approximately 12% to 16% of women are estimated to have the Inverted Triangle body shape.

It is common to see the Inverted Triangle figure among models, athletes, and celebrities. For models, broader shoulders and slim hips help clothing to drape well, creating the “hanger effect” that is ideal for high-end fashion modeling.

Shapes that are Closely Related to Inverted Triangle Shapes

How to Calculate if you are an Inverted Triangle Shape

There are a number of ways to determine if you are an Inverted Triangle shape. All methods work out if your proportions align with the characteristics of the Inverted Triangle body shape. This is determined by comparing your specific measurements with each other to understand the relative size of different areas of your body. This is commonly calculated by using an Inverted Triangle body shape formula. We have listed two methods below.

Select either Method 1 or Method 2 to determine if you have an Inverted Triangle shape:

Body Shape Calculations Disclaimer: Please note that each body shape category and its classification guidelines are subject to individual interpretation. The classification rules for determining a person’s body shape are established by fashion professionals and designers, and represent their approach to identifying individual body types.

Celebrities with an Inverted Triangle Shape

Celebrities with an Inverted Triangle figure often transition to other body shapes closely related to the Inverted Triangle, such as the Top Hourglass, Apple, and Diamond. This is because the Inverted Triangle shape shares characteristics of, and often borders on, these closely related shapes, making it easy to transition between the different shapes.

Determining celebrities’ body shapes using bust-waist-hip measurements, can produce incorrect results. Especially if the shoulder measurements surpasses the bust measurements. When you are attempting to determine your body shape using bust, waist, and hip measurements, it’s recommended to use the larger measurement of either the shoulder or the bust.

Angelina Jolie: Born June 4, 1975; Height: 5’6.5″ (169 cm); Weight: 119 pounds (54 kg). Angelina Jolie’s body measurements are reportedly around 36-27-36 inches.

Renée Zellweger: Born April 25, 1969; Height: 5’4″ (163 cm); Weight: 117 pounds (53 kg). Renee Zellweger’s body measurements are reportedly around 34-25-35 inches.

Demi Moore: Born November 11, 1962; Height: 5’5″ (165 cm); Weight: 125 pounds (57 kg). Demi Moore’s body measurements are reportedly around 34-25-33 inches.

Teri Hatcher: Born December 8, 1964; Height: 5’6″ (168 cm); Weight: 120 pounds (54 kg). Teri Hatcher’s body measurements are reportedly around 34-23-34 inches.

Naomi Campbell: Born May 22, 1970; Height: 5’9.5″ (177 cm); Weight: 128 pounds (58 kg). Naomi Campbell’s body measurements are reportedly around 33-24-34 inches.

Jessica Simpson: Born July 10, 1980; Height: 5’3″ (160 cm); Weight: 129 pounds (59 kg). Jessica Simpson’s body measurements are reportedly around 38-27-35 inches.

Audrina Patridge: Born May 9, 1985; Height: 5’7″ (170 cm); Weight: 119 pounds (54 kg). Audrina Patridge’s body measurements are reportedly around 35-24-36 inches.

Vicky Pattison: Born November 16, 1987; Height: 5’6″ (167 cm); Weight: 123 pounds (56 kg). Vicky Pattison’s body measurements are reportedly around 35-25-34 inches.

Catherine Zeta-Jones: Born September 25, 1969; Height: 5’7″ (170 cm); Weight: 128 pounds (58 kg). Catherine Zeta-Jones’s body measurements are reportedly around 37-25-36 inches

Workouts

Workouts to maintain or balance an Inverted Triangle’s natural body shape should focus on exercises that target the lower body, while still strengthening the core and upper body.

Lower Body Workouts: Focusing on exercises that work on your lower body can help create balance with your broader upper body.

• Hip thrusts: Add volume and shape your glutes. Help to balance out Inverted Triangles broad upper body.
• Squats: Add volume to your lower body, by targeting your thighs with resistance training
• Lunges: Tone your thighs and glutes.
• Deadlifts: Add strength and definition to your hamstrings, back, and glutes.
• Cycling: Tone and add shape to your quadriceps and glutes. Also promotes weight loss and increases your cardio.
• Leg press: Add volume to your quadriceps and glutes,
• Calf raises: Targets your calf muscles.

HITT Exercises: HIIT (High Intensity Interval) workouts function as a two-in-one training method. They provide the advantage of stimulating and strengthening your muscles while increasing your cardiovascular fitness.

• Jumping Jacks: Enhance lower body muscles to balance the Inverted Triangle shape.
• Mountain Climbers: Targets the core, glutes, and legs.
• Jump Squats: Add volume and tone to your quads and glutes, help build lower body muscles.
• Walking Lunges: Tone your glutes, quads, and hamstrings.

Core Workouts:

• Planks: Planks work the entire core. Planks also work on your shoulders and arms without adding size or volume.
• Bicycle crunches: Target the abs and the obliques with bicycle crunches.

Upper Body Workouts: Many designers and fashion experts advise those with an Inverted Triangle body shape to avoid exercises that excessively build up the upper body. The upper body can be maintained through full body workouts, low resistance exercises and stretching, forms of exercise which won’t widen or add size to the upper body.

• Rows: Help shape and tone your back without adding muscle or size to your upper chest or shoulders
• Reverse Fly: Very similar to rows, the reverse fly allows you to work out your upper body without adding size to your upper frame.
• Use light weights: When lifting weights during resistance training like dumbbell curls, use lighter weights. Lighter weights help you strengthen the muscle you are targeting without adding too much size.

How to Dress an Inverted Triangle Body Shape

There are also many variations within the Apple body shape and a number of related body shapes. It is advisable to always approach styling with consideration of your unique features. Your dressing strategies could look somewhat different to the dressing strategies of other Inverted Triangles. Experiment and find what works for you. This guide can be your base or starting point.

Consider that factors such as height, size, waist definition, and torso length can also greatly influence how clothes fit and appear on you.

Necklines:

1. V-Necks: V-necks are used to draw the eye to the upper body which sounds counter-intuitive for this body shape that already has a broader upper body. But V-necks can help center attention and move the focus away from the shoulders or bust.
2. Scoop Necks: Scoop necklines can help to minimize broad shoulders by drawing the eye inward and downward.
3. Halter Necks: Halter necklines can create the illusion of narrower shoulders. They can also be a great way of showing off the shoulders without the effect of widening them.
4. Strapless or Bardot Necks: These necklines can create the illusion of less broad shoulders by highlighting the collarbones and showcasing the shoulders.
5. Cowl Necks: Cowl necklines can effectively soften broad shoulder lines.
6. Asymmetric: The diagonal lines of asymmetrical necklines can help to balance out an Inverted Triangle’s shoulders. This can help to draw the eye up and down rather than side to side.
7. U-Neck: This neckline can effectively showcase the Inverted Triangle’s chest and collarbones without widening the look of the shoulders.

Shirts and Tops

1. V-neck Tops: V-necks draw the eye down which help to elongate the upper body. This helps balance out an Inverted Triangle’s wider shoulders.
2. Wrap Tops: Wrap tops naturally create a V-like neckline which gives a shoulder narrowing effect. Wrap tops also cinch in at your waist, helping to create a balanced overall look.
3. Dark Colored Tops: Dark colors tend to provide a slimming effect which can be helpful for the wider shoulders of an Inverted Triangle.
4. A-line Tops: A-line tops flare out at the bottom, creating the illusion of more volume at the hip level.
5. Thin Straps or Strapless Tops: Thin straps or strapless tops show off the shoulders without making them appear wide. Thin straps, or no straps at all, help draw the attention downwards, towards the waist.
6. Empire Waist Tops: Empire waist tops can help to balance the shoulders. They flare out at the bottom but come with many different necklines so you also need to check that the neckline is good for your Inverted Triangle shape.
7. Peplum Tops: Another top that flares out towards the bottom of the top is the Peplum top. Peplum tops add balance to a wider upper body.
8. Tops with Vertical Stripes or Detailing: This type of top draws the eye vertically, instead of horizontally which can help draw attention away from larger shoulders.

Jackets

1. Long Cardigans or Jackets: The vertical lines of long cardigans or jackets can help to elongate and slim an Inverted Triangle’s upper body.
2. Peplum Jackets: The flare of a peplum jacket adds balance to broad shoulders.
3. Single-Breasted Blazers: A slim fitting blazer cinches in at the waist, providing contrast with the upper and lower body.
4. Jackets that Cinch at the Waist: Jackets that either have buttons or are belted just below the bust create the illusion of a defined waist.
5. Hip-Length Jackets: Jackets that fall on your hipline adds volume to your hips and the lower body.
6. Belted Jackets: Create contrast with a belt the cinches in at the waist.
7. A-Line Coats: A-line coats flare out, which help add balance. Keep upper body embellishments or shoulder pads to a minimum.
8. Dark-Colored Jackets: The slimming effect a darker colored jacket provides can downplay an Inverted Triangle’s broad shoulders.

Coats

1. A-Line Coats: An A-line coat can create a sense of balance. The taper of an A-line coat creates an A-like shape which is the opposite of an Inverted Triangle’s V shape.
2. Belted Coats: A belt helps to cinch the coat in at the waist, adding balance.
3. Pea Coats: Like A-line coats, pea coats slightly flare out at the bottom.
4. Coats with details or volume at the bottom:  Ruffles, peplums, or other types of volume around the hip or lower body can balance out broader shoulders.
5. Single-Breasted Coats: Single-breasted coats help cinch the waist without adding too much detail or bulk to the upper body.
6. Coats that fall below the hip or mid-thigh: Longer coats can help to elongate and balance the overall silhouette.

Bottoms

For the Inverted Triangle shape, adding volume and drawing attention to your lower body can help visually balance out the broader upper body of a Inverted Triangle body shape. Styles that make the hips and thighs appear wider, or playing with patterns and colors that draw attention to the mid-section and downward, can achieve this balance.

Pants

1. Bootcut pants: Bootcut pants flare subtly at the ankle, balancing the hips and offering a more understated look than full flare pants.
2. Straight Leg Pants: Straight leg pants can help to balance the upper and lower body with the pant’s vertical lines.
3. Wide Leg Pants: Wide leg pants can add volume to the lower body.
4. Patterned or Brightly Colored Pants: Brightly patterned or colored pants draw attention to the lower body helping to create a balanced look.
5. Embellished Pants: Pants with embellishments or details at the hips or thighs can create the illusion of a wider lower body, balancing out broad shoulders.
6. Mid to High-Waist Pants: Pants with mid to high waists can elongate the Inverted Triangle’s body.
7. Harem Pants: Harem pants have a baggy fit, which can add volume to the lower body, providing balance for a broad-shouldered figure.
8. Culottes: Culottes add visual width to the lower half of the body, balancing broader shoulders.
9. Palazzo Pants: Like harem pants and culottes, Palazzo pants add volume to the lower body with their wide legs that taper out from the waist.

Jeans

1. Curvy Fit Jeans: Curvy fit jeans are a super comfortable jean fit, commonly smaller in the waist and wider in the hip and thigh area.
2. Bootcut Jeans: Bootcut jeans are a balancing jean style with a flare at the ankle that almost aligns with the hips.
3. Wide-Leg Jeans: Wide-leg pants add balance and are flowy in the hips, thigh, and leg area.
4. High-Waist Straight-Leg Jeans: Straight leg pants look good on most body shapes including the Inverted Triangle. High waisted jeans further add balance to the Inverted Triangle as they help to define the waist.
5. Flare Jeans: Flare jeans can add visual balancing with the extra width in the lower leg area.
6. Boyfriend Jeans: Boyfriend jeans have a relaxed, comfortable fit that works well with an Inverted Triangle’s figure.
7. Jeans in Lighter Washes or Fading: Lighter colored or faded jeans can draw attention to the legs and hips, balancing the wider upper torso.

Skirts

1. A-line Skirts: A-line skirts help balance out the upper body by adding volume to the hips and thighs. A-line skirts also cinch at the waist and taper out at the bottom.
2. Pleated Skirts: Pleated skirts add fullness to the lower half of the body, which can help add contrast with the waist and balance with the shoulders.
3. Full or Circle Skirts: Full or circle skirts create the illusion of wider hips.
4. Tulip Skirts: Tulip skirts create curves with the extra fabric and slight ruffles around the hip and lower hip area.
5. Skater Skirts: Skater skirts flare out from a narrow waist, creating the illusion of wider hips and a smaller waist.
6. Tiered Skirts: Tiered skirts can add volume through the slight ruffles of each tier. The horizontal panel lines also add a widening effect to help balance the upper body.
7. Printed and Horizontal Stripes Skirts: Skirts with prints or horizontal stripes can add visual volume and have a widening effect for the lower half.

Dresses

1. A-Line Dresses: A-line dresses cinch at the waist and taper out below the waist which helps to draw attention to the waist and away from the upper body.
2. Wrap Dresses: These dresses have a top that crosses over and ties at the waist, creating a V-neck and drawing attention to the waist.
3. Peplum Dresses: The flared ruffle at the waist of a peplum dress can add volume to the hips, balancing out broader shoulders.
4. Dresses with Full, Ruffled or Flared Skirts: Dresses with full or flared skirts help create balance to your shape by adding volume to the lower body.
5. Dresses with Detailing or Patterns at the Bottom: Dresses with a busy skirt area help draw attention to the lower body, which helps to balance out the upper body.
6. Fit and Flare Dresses: Fit and flare dresses are narrow at the waist and flare out at the hips, creating a balanced look for Inverted Triangle figures.
7. Shift Dresses: Shift dresses help de-emphasize broad shoulders. This loose-fitting dress does not hug any body part but falls from the shoulders to a knee-length hem.
8. Paneled Waist Dresses: A paneled waist dress has a panel at the waist that helps cinch in and define the waist, creating contrast with hips and bust.
9. Nipped Waist Dresses: Nipped waist dresses are great for Inverted Triangles as they cinch in at the waist creating contrast with the hips and upper body.
10. Pleated Dresses: A pleated dress will add volume and visual interest to your lower half.

Shorts

1. Wide-leg or Flared Shorts: Shorts that are wide leg or flared help to create balance for Inverted Triangle figures.
2. Cargo Shorts: Cargo shorts are a heavy type of shorts that feature prominent side pockets helping balance the broader upper body by adding volume on the lower body.
3. Printed or Patterned Shorts: Printed or patterned shorts draw attention to the lower body which helps balance a broader upper body.
4. Bright or Light-Colored Shorts: As with printed or patterned shorts, bright or light-colored shorts draw attention down away from the upper body.
5. Shorts with Embellishments: Adding details like ruffles, bows, or pleats can create a more balanced silhouette.
6. High-waisted Shorts: High waisted shorts sit close to the narrowest part of your waist helping to add contrast between your upper body and hips.

Accessories

1. Belts: Belts wither slim, colorful or wide obi-style belts, attract visual attention to your waist, and help define your waistline. Belts help create a contrast between your upper and lower body.
2. Long Necklaces: Long necklaces can draw attention downwards towards your waist and hips.
3. Hip-level Handbags: Handbags or cross body bags that fall or rest at the hip, can add volume to your lower body.
4. Statement Shoes: Statement shoes with bold colors, unique designs, or embellishments add balance by drawing attention down towards the lower body.
5. Scarves Tied at the Waist: Scarves can add visual interest but can also add more bulk to the upper body. Consider light, thin, and flowing scarves. Longer scarves can help draw the eye downwards providing an elongating and slimming effect.
6. Earrings: Draw attention to your face, and away from your shoulder line, with long, dangling, or statement earrings.

Measurements of an Inverted Triangle Shape

The following measurements serve as examples of an Inverted Triangle body shape. Please note that these are only a few representations and do not encapsulate all possibilities. Please try our body shape calculators, here for more.

24″ Waist Inverted Triangle:
If your waist is 24″, your shoulder or bust could be anywhere from 29″ up to 34″.
If your waist is 24″, your hips could be anywhere from 19″ up to 24″.
If your shoulder or bust is at the maximum of 34″, your hips should be no more than 24″.

25″ Waist Inverted Triangle:
If your waist is 25″, your shoulder or bust could be anywhere from 30″ up to 35″.
If your waist is 25″, your hips could be anywhere from 20″ up to 25″.
If your shoulder or bust is at the maximum of 35″, your hips should be no more than 25″.

26″ Waist Inverted Triangle:
If your waist is 26″, your shoulder or bust could be anywhere from 31″ up to 36″.
If your waist is 26″, your hips could be anywhere from 21″ up to 26″.
If your shoulder or bust is at the maximum of 36″, your hips should be no more than 26″.

27″ Waist Inverted Triangle:
If your waist is 27″, your shoulder or bust could be anywhere from 32″ up to 37″.
If your waist is 27″, your hips could be anywhere from 22″ up to 27″.
If your shoulder or bust is at the maximum of 37″, your hips should be no more than 27″.

28″ Waist Inverted Triangle:
If your waist is 28″, your shoulder or bust could be anywhere from 33″ up to 38″.
If your waist is 28″, your hips could be anywhere from 23″ up to 28″.
If your shoulder or bust is at the maximum of 38″, your hips should be no more than 28″.

29″ Waist Inverted Triangle:
If your waist is 29″, your shoulder or bust could be anywhere from 34″ up to 39″.
If your waist is 29″, your hips could be anywhere from 24″ up to 29″.
If your shoulder or bust is at the maximum of 39″, your hips should be no more than 29″.

30″ Waist Inverted Triangle:
If your waist is 30″, your shoulder or bust could be anywhere from 35″ up to 40″.
If your waist is 30″, your hips could be anywhere from 25″ up to 30″.
If your shoulder or bust is at the maximum of 40″, your hips should be no more than 30″.

For more try our body shape calculator, here.

History of the Inverted Triangle Body Shape

The Inverted Triangle body shape has historically been a well celebrated and received body shape.

Over the years western societies have celebrated a diverse range of desired or popular body shapes and the Inverted Triangle really came into pre-eminence around the late 1980’s, a shift that can largely be attributed to the growing prominence of female athletes, models, and celebrities during this time. With their athletic and toned physiques, these highly visible Inverted Triangles began to redefine beauty standards.

The Inverted Triangle and the Rectangle body shape were so popular during the 1980’s and 2000’s that other body shapes, particularly plus sized and curvy figures, were sometimes alienated and subject to body shaming. Today, the Inverted Triangle shape is celebrated and admired along with other body shapes and there is a growing acceptance and appreciation of all types and shapes.

Inverted Triangle Shape Thoughts

Embracing your Inverted Triangle shape is about highlighting your natural assets and feeling comfortable and confident in your own skin. This guide has a wide range of clothing and styling suggestions for how to dress an Inverted Triangle body shape, but always defer to your personal taste and comfort.