The Importance of Words (and BodyShapes)

One frequent question I get when explaining body shapes with my unique terms is Why? Why all the bother to change the terms referring to the various body shapes? The ones we use are descriptive and accurate.

Why??

Some years back I studied (among many fascinating topics) the effects of words and images on our attitudes and mindsets. The current terms we use to describe body shapes: hourglass, rectangle, inverted triangle, pear, and apple create images that are, at the very least, not empowering. While we can state that words are just words, they have a definite (if subtle) effect on the person who “owns” the term. We hold ourselves up to the implications in our minds of the term.

Let’s Look At It Differently

The way we move around, hold us, and position our bodies over the course of a day affects the shape of our figure. Leaning over a book or computer terminal will promote the shoulders moving forward and discourage the posture that will display the bust. These actions also requires a lot of sitting which will spread the hips. Being someone who moves around a lot, stretches, exercises and runs keeps the figure long and lean. The exercise tends to inhibit the growth of bust and hip. Every body habit affect our figure in some way. To me that is a better way to describe someone’s body  shape.

Why not describe what they are rather than some numbers held against and ideal? Why not use an empowering term describing their essence rather than pointing to a negative aspect that essence has created?

Compare Them

Hourglass

The fact is any figure where the hips and bust are within 2 inches of each other and the waist is 8 inches or smaller. The waist can be 34″ as long as the bust is 42″ or more.

The implication is that to be an hourglass has a wasp waist that few of us can ever hope to obtain.

Tend to be created by the person who loves being social and loves to be the center of attention. Posturing and wiggling are used to great advantage.

The message is you are only really an hourglass if your waist is smaller than you can every hope to obtain. You are too think in the waist

Lady Diva Message

Implication is the person has developed this figure because they are comfortable around people and being the center of attention. Posturing and wiggling hips are part of the personality

The message is you love center stage and look best dressing  to enhance that.

Pear

The fact – any figure where the hips are more than 4″ larger than the bust and the waist is smaller than either.

Implication is the hips are the biggest part of your figure and is all anyone can see.

Tend to be created by bing very into books, numbers, writing and studious attention to details

The message is that your hips are grossly too big.

Lady Peacock Message

The best look for you to offset the figure created by your habits are to draw all the attention to your face and shoulders. A peacock fans its tail feathers to draw attention. If you had similar feathers they would be around your shoulders drawing attention. Do the same with your clothes.

Inverted Triangle

The fact – any figure where the bust is more than 4″ larger than the hips and the waist is smaller than either.

Implication is that the bust and shoulders are the biggest part of your figure and is all anyone can see.

Tend to be created by women with strong personalities. They hold themselves regally and strongly so not to be dismissed and are often in fields requiring a strong forceful personalities like sales. This regal posture encourages broad shoulders and bust to match. It also encourages long legs to stand tall on.

The message is that you have football shoulders, nothing matches and you are out of proportion.

Sassy Gal Message

You are a strong person and often overpower the people around you. You are sassy. Dress to give the people around you a chance to shine. Look for styles that take advantage of your strong stance and create a long lean look. Reduce the shoulders to allow others in so you are sassy rather than overpowering.

Apple

The fact – any figure where the waist is larger than the bust or hips.

Implication is that you are just flat out FAT!

Tend to be created by women who have mothering personalities. They adopt the role of earth mother nurturing everyone around them. There is a reason that the image we have of ‘big mama’ in our society is rotund – she is nurturing and feeding us.

Earth Goddess Message

Just because you have such a nurturing personality you should allow yourself to be seen by the people around you. Following the rule of thirds and dividing your figure into vertical thirds and using brighter colors in the inside third draws attention to your face and to you. This bring you out into the world for you.

Rectangle

The fact – any figure where the bust and waist is within 2″ of each other and the waist is less than 8″ smaller than either

Implication is that you have no figure. You are nothing. You are not feminine.

Tend to be created by women who love movement. They are into sports and fitness or just have too much energy to sit still and are constantly in motion.

Lady Of Movement Message

Don’t deny that movement. Clothes moving around the figure will create curves and enhance your femininity by adding visually to the bust and hips.

Which Would You Like to Be?

Compare those different messages – the disempowering negative description of one part of your body or a positive view of you. The words you use to describe yourself get internalized and create your self image. Lets make those words beautiful and empowering – creating a positive you.

More Info

For a better understanding of your body shape visit What is All This About Bodyshapes? on my website IstinaDesign . To determine what your body shape is check out my Find Your Bodyshape. Then over to my Shop that is displayed by bodyshapes!

 

 

 

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