How to dress the inverted triangle body shape

Do you have an inverted triangle body shape? Then you will love our dressing guidelines for the inverted triangle body shape. If you don’t know what your body shape is, please revert to my article: how to determine your body shape.

As always with these guidelines for the body types, you don’t have to follow them. You can look wonderfully stylish just trusting your instinct or ‘breaking’ these guidelines. However, if you like to have some guidance for the inverted rectangle body shape, you’ll find our guidelines below.

Characteristics of the inverted triangle are:

• Top part of your body is larger that your bottom part and you usually wear a bigger size on top
• Shoulders are wider than the hip
• Bust tends to be proportionally large
• Hips are small
• Your legs are likely to be great

What looks good on an inverted triangle body?

In this article, you’ll find all the tips you need for dressing your inverted triangle body type. In general, you’re trying to create a balanced silhouette, which means choosing clothes that downplay the look of wider shoulders and instead add width at the hips.

Greetje @no_fear_of_fashion above (read her style interview here)

Check out these wrap tops from Karmamia and Endless Rose that you can wear with this similar pair of jeans, flats and bag.

Is an inverted triangle body shape attractive?

Of course. All body shapes are beautiful! If you look at the catwalks, you’ll see that lots of models tend to be either rectangles or inverted triangles because lots of clothes look beautiful on this body type.

How do you fix an inverted triangle body shape?

You definitely don’t need to ‘fix’ your body type. But if you want to create the illusion of an hourglass, then wearing wider bottoms like wide pants or a-line skirts to create width on your bottom half and downplay your wide shoulders is a good idea.

What are the disadvantages of inverted triangle body shape?

This is quite a desirable shape as many clothes will look good on you. In fact, many models nowadays have this body shape. However, you do need to dress carefully so you don’t look ‘top heavy’.

The aim of dressing this shape

If you desire to have what is considered to be the most ideal body shape, hourglass, you will want to draw attention away from your broad shoulders or big upper chest and draw attention to your slim lower body and often lean legs.

This will give the illusion of your waist going in before you create volume on your lower half so your hips look shapely.

Marie-Louise @mrsmlmode above shows off a halterneck and a pair of wide jeans, which is a great look for inverted triangles.

Recreate her outfit with this similar top (other options here and here), jeans, sneakers and earrings.

Getting the balance right

As with most things in life, dressing to suit your body shape is all about balance.

For the inverted triangle, you will want to minimize your upper body and create volume on your lower body in order to harmonize your silhouette.

You are basically trying to do the opposite to the guidelines for a pear shape. Women with a pear shape are likely to want to minimize their lower half and add volume to their top half.

You can apply the following guidelines to dressing for the inverted triangle body type.

How to dress for your inverted triangle body type

Upper body

• Create vertical lines with vertical stripes
• Wear open necklines and collars, like halter necks, v-necks and scoop necks
• Wear soft feminine textures to soften the shoulder line
• Avoid extra width and wear single breasted tailored jackets
• Wear jackets open to create a vertical line
• Wear jackets that are well structured at the shoulder
• Look for tops that accentuate the waist, like tops with banding or nipping at the waist or wrap styles
• Wear tops that accentuate a vertical line, so go for V-necks and keep your shirts unbuttoned
• Also find tops that balance the bust with your hips (if you have a large bust)
• Wear tops just below the hip bone
• Wear a darker color on top
• Wear strapless gowns and tops
• Use belts to define your waist even more

Lower body

• Create more width and overall balance below with A-line or full skirts.
• Use bold textures to create more bulk.
• Horizontal stripes will make the lower body wider.
• Fuller leg width in trousers, full or bootleg pants. Culottes will work for you too.
• If trousers don’t fit your waist or bum, get them altered at the tailor.
• Have pockets or embellishments on your trousers or skirts.
• Wear bold and eye-catching shoes.
• If you like to emphasize your lean legs, skinnies will work too when combined with tighter fitting tops or tailored jackets

Melanie @melanie.rae.miller above chooses a slimline halterneck which minimizes the silhouette of the upper body, and adds a flared skirt to create curves on the lower body.

Check out this similar top (another option here), pleated skirt, sandals, clutch, earrings and bracelet.

Celebrities with this body type

Celebrities with this body shape include Angelina Jolie, Demi Moore, Rene Zellweger, Naomi Campbell and Teri Hatcher, so you’re definitely in good company.

You will also see plenty of professional swimmers who have this body shape as they develop strong shoulders.

Tops for the inverted triangle

When choosing your tops and jackets for your inverted triangle shape, look for pieces which nip in at the waist which are tailored, or which have a waist tie.

Stripes will also flatter your figure, and halter neck tops are particularly good for the inverted triangle because they balance out your wider shoulders.

You will want to make sure that the collars on your jackets aren’t too wide as this will create extra width that you don’t want.

Avoid anything which creates extra width on your shoulders such as shoulder pads, epaulets, embroidery and buttons as these will draw the eye outwards and make your shoulders look even wider.

To make the upper part of your body appear smaller, wear darker colors on top and lighter or brighter colors on the bottom.

Loveappella Faux Wrap Top – Vince Double Layer Tank – MANGO Halter-neck Knitted Top – MANGO Lyocell Halter Waistcoat

Elie Tahari Helena Striped Linen-Blend Blazer – MANGO Halter-neck Knitted Top – Franco Sarto Tilly Cork Platform Sandals – See by Chloé Mini Hana Leather Saddle Bag – Nadri Cubic Zirconia Hoop Earrings

jackets to suit your shape

When choosing jackets, remember to look for single-breasted styles which won’t add bulk to your upper half.

Collarless styles will also work well for you. You can either opt for straight styles or those which nip in at the waist.

Tailored blazers will look perfect on you as it creates more shape for your lower half.

Look for coats in darker or muted tones and avoid detailing such as shoulder pads or epaulets.

Elie Tahari Helena Striped Linen-Blend Blazer – Karmamia Rex Satin Belted Blazer – MANGO Contrasting Trims Blazer – J.Crew Emilie Sweater Lady Jacket

Suzie @suzie.richetti above opts for a striped jacket and wide leg pants. This is a good style for inverted triangles as stripes can ‘mirror’ the angles of your body type while slimming your shoulders, and wide pants create width on your bottom half to give your silhouette more balance.

Recreate her outfit with this similar top, blazer (another option here), pants, sandals, necklace and belt.

Pants and jeans for inverted triangle shape

Opt for wide-legged and bootcut pants rather than skinny styles which will only emphasize your inverted triangle shape.

You might wish to either add some extra emphasis to your bottom half through choosing some volume, or you can do the opposite to a pear shape and choose a darker shade on top and a lighter shade, such as white jeans, or a print on the bottom.

PAIGE Portia High-Rise Seamed Wide Flare Jeans – MANGO Tie Wide Leg Trousers – MANGO Wide Leg Printed Trousers – Mac Duggal Pleated Wide-Leg Pants

Karmamia Rex Satin Belted Blazer – PAIGE Portia High-Rise Seamed Wide Flare Jeans – Tory Burch Howell Court Sneakers – Cult Gaia Estrella Leather Shoulder Bag – Majorica Tender Baroque Pearls Knot Necklace

Dresses, jumpsuits and skirts for inverted triangle figures

The idea of dressing for the inverted triangle is to create some volume on your lower body, so that you balance out your wider shoulders.

The best dresses to choose, therefore, are those which add volume at the hips such as flared styles or peplums.

When choosing skirts, opt for those with some width or volume rather than a pencil style.

The inverted triangle also tends to look fabulous in a jumpsuit, so if you don’t already have one in your closet, it may be time to add one.

Favorite Daughter The Standout Floral Halter Maxi Dress – MANGO Pleated Halter Neck Dress – MANGO Ring Halter Jumpsuit – L’AGENCE Landry Button-Front Midi-Skirt

Tanasha @letsrecreatethelook above wears a halterneck dress which is a beautiful style for inverted triangles, and anyone who loves their shoulders.

Check out these pleated halter dresses from L’Idée, MANGO, Petal & Pup and Amazon, and this similar handbag and earrings.

Shoes and boots for the inverted triangle

Of course, you can wear whichever shoes you like. But, there are certain shoe styles which will look great if you are an inverted triangle.

You can help to draw attention to your bottom half by choosing bright or metallic shoe styles.

You could opt for a pop or color or wear shoes which are embellished in order to balance your bottom half with your wide shoulders.

Rather than emphasize the triangle nature of your body by wearing a pair of stilettos, you could opt for block heels. As you are likely to have slim legs and ankles, you can also wear ankle straps without worrying about making your legs look shorter.

Boots which add some volume, such as slouch and cowboy boots could also be a good option.

Franco Sarto Greene Gladiator Sandals – Franco Sarto Tilly Cork Platform Sandals – Naturalizer Cody Ballet Flats – Tory Burch Howell Court Sneakers

MANGO Pleated Halter Neck Dress – Franco Sarto Greene Gladiator Sandals – MICHAEL Michael Kors Metallic Leather Convertible Crossbody Bag – Michael Kors Statement Link Curb Chain Cuff – Argento Vivo Sterling Silver Oval Stud Earrings

Accessories to wear when you have an inverted triangle body

The old saying goes that opposites attract and this is true when it comes to styling your inverted triangle body.

Choose bag shapes which are curved rather than angular, such as round and hobo bags.

But, you can also choose to mirror the angles of your body and opt for structured styles.

Choosing bags and accessories which feature stripes will compliment your figure and the rest of your outfits.

When it comes to necklaces and scarfs, wear them in a long pendant or loosely-tied style to draw the attention down.

Statement rings and bracelets will also be good for you as they will draw attention to where your hands rest at hip level.

Cult Gaia Estrella Leather Shoulder Bag – MICHAEL Michael Kors Metallic Leather Convertible Crossbody Bag – See by Chloé Mini Hana Leather Saddle Bag – Majorica Tender Baroque Pearls Knot Necklace – Michael Kors Statement Link Curb Chain Cuff – Chan Luu Pearl Drop Earrings – Argento Vivo Sterling Silver Oval Stud Earrings – Nadri Cubic Zirconia Hoop Earrings

Above is another look from Greetje @no_fear_of_fashion who lets her print pants be the star of her outfit.

Recreate her outfit with this similar shirt, pants (another option here), pumps, handbag, necklace and earrings.

What not to wear inverted triangle shape?

• Avoid shoulder pads or anything that accentuates the shoulders
• Boat necks
• Horizontal lines on top
• Oversized collars or lapels on jackets
• Very chunky knits (if you want to wear these, choose a dark color)
• Big bold pattern and graphics on top as these can have a widening effect
• Tapered skirts

9 looks using the clothes for inverted triangle body shape featured above

There are plenty of flattering ways you can wear all of the clothes, shoes and accessories featured here for the inverted triangle.

Here are 9 ideas to get you started.

shop the inverted triangle capsule wardrobe below:

More CAPSULEs for inspiration

Below are some capsule wardrobes we created earlier for the inverted triangle body shape. Although these items are no longer available in stores, these outfits can still provide inspiration for creating your own outfits.

If you like to know more about how to create your unique capsule wardrobe, read our ultimate guide to creating a capsule wardrobe that works best for you.

Want more tips on dressing for the inverted triangle body type?

Continue reading:

1. How To Determine Your Body Shape
2. The Best Dress Styles For Your Body Shape
3. How To Dress The Rectangle Body Shape

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Feature image by Greetje @no_fear_of_fashion

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