Body shapes · Female & male
Triangle Body Shape
A triangle body shape is clearly wider at the hips than at the bust or shoulders, more so than a typical pear. The upper body is narrow, the lower body is full, and the waist is only moderately defined. This guide explains how the triangle body type differs from a pear, the measurements behind it, and how women and men can dress it.
What is a triangle body shape?
A triangle shape body is narrow at the top and wide at the bottom, like a triangle standing on its base. The shoulders and bust are slim, the hips, seat and thighs are full, and the waist doesn’t curve in as sharply as an hourglass.
Typical triangle body shape characteristics in women:
- Narrow or sloping shoulders and a small bust
- Hips that are much wider than the shoulders
- A waist that’s present but not dramatic
- Full thighs and seat, often with slim arms and upper back
Because the width comes from the pelvis, the shape stays the same at any weight. Weight gain tends to show on the hips and thighs first.
Triangle vs pear body shape
Many style guides use “triangle” and “pear” for the same shape, and the advice overlaps. Fit research separates them by how much wider the hips are, because that changes how clothes fit. A pear triangle body shape sits right on the line between the two.
| Triangle | Pear | Spoon | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hips vs bust | 7+ in wider | 3.6–7 in wider | 2+ in wider |
| Waist | Moderate | Defined | Defined |
| Hip line | Wide, smooth | Rounded, widest low | Shelf at the high hip |
| Size gap top to bottom | Often 2+ sizes | Often 1–2 sizes | Often 1–2 sizes |
If your hips are 3.6 to 7 inches wider than your bust, read the pear body shape guide instead; it covers the same styling ideas in more detail.
Triangle body shape measurements
On a tape, you’re a triangle when your hips are at least 7 inches (18 cm) bigger than your bust and less than 9 inches (23 cm) bigger than your waist. If the waist is more defined than that, you’re a bottom hourglass.
| Example | Bust | Waist | Hips | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triangle | 32 in | 33 in | 40 in | Hips 8 in over bust, 7 in over waist |
| Triangle (cm) | 81 cm | 84 cm | 102 cm | Hips 21 cm over bust |
| Pear, not triangle | 34 in | 31 in | 39 in | Hips only 5 in over bust |
| Bottom hourglass | 32 in | 29 in | 40 in | Waist 11 in under hips |
Check yours with the body type calculator.
Signs you have a triangle body type
- Your trousers and skirts are two or more sizes bigger than your tops.
- Dresses fit your shoulders but won’t zip over your hips, or fit your hips and swamp your shoulders.
- Jeans that fit your thighs are loose at the waist.
- Your shoulders look narrow next to your hips in photos.
How to dress a triangle body shape
Build out the top half so it matches the hips, keep the lower half simple, and pick separates over dresses when the size gap is large.
Tops
- Wide boat necks, square necks and off-the-shoulder styles.
- Puff sleeves, epaulettes, ruffles and bold prints.
- Structured jackets with defined shoulders.
- Light, bright colours on top.
Dresses
- A-line and fit-and-flare dresses with detail at the bodice.
- Wrap dresses with a full skirt.
- Look for brands that sell separates, or have the bodice taken in.
Trousers, jeans and skirts
- Straight-leg, bootcut and wide-leg trousers in dark colours.
- Curvy-fit jeans for the waist-to-hip gap.
- A-line and gored skirts that skim the hips.
- Plain fronts with no hip pockets or bulky detail.
For full looks, see the pear and triangle outfit ideas.
What to avoid
| Avoid | Why | Try instead |
|---|---|---|
| Halter and narrow V-necks | Make shoulders look narrower | Boat or square necks |
| Skinny jeans with a plain top | Exaggerate the hips | Straight or bootcut, detailed top |
| Bright or patterned bottoms | Pull the eye to the widest part | Dark, plain bottoms |
| Tops ending at the hips | Line across the widest point | Waist-length or tucked |
| Pencil skirts in thin fabric | Cling to the hips and thighs | A-line in structured fabric |
Triangle body shape in men
In men, a triangle body shape means the hips and waist are wider than the shoulders, with weight often gathering at the lower stomach, hips and thighs. On the male body type calculator it shows when your hips are more than 3% wider than your shoulders. It’s the opposite of the athletic inverted triangle. See all five male body types.
- Structured blazers and jackets with light shoulder padding build the shoulder line.
- Crew necks, horizontal stripes and chest pockets add width on top.
- Straight-leg trousers in dark colours keep the lower half quiet.
- Training the shoulders and back with presses and rows helps balance the frame.
Frequently asked questions
Is a triangle body shape the same as a pear?
Close, but not quite. Both have hips wider than the bust; a triangle’s hips are 7 inches or more wider, while a pear’s are 3.6 to 7 inches wider.
How do you dress a triangle body type?
Add width and detail on top with boat necks, puff sleeves and structured jackets, and keep the lower half dark and simple with straight-leg trousers or A-line skirts.
What is the difference between a triangle and an inverted triangle body shape?
They’re opposites. A triangle is wider at the hips; an inverted triangle, sometimes called an upside down triangle, is wider at the shoulders. See the inverted triangle guide.
Is a triangle a good body shape?
Yes. Every shape is a good shape; the triangle simply needs clothes that balance the top and bottom, and it often comes with slim arms and a small waist.
Which celebrities have a triangle body shape?
Stylists usually list the same curvy, hip-led celebrities for triangle and pear. See the pear body shape celebrities.