Discover Your Unique Body Shape

Discover your body shape with personal stylist and image consultant Jenni Ryynanen of I on Image
Discover your body shape with personal stylist and image consultant Jenni @ I on Image

Discover Your Unique Body Shape

This blog will help you to discover your unique and beautiful body shape. Explore your dream style with Image Consultant and Personal Stylist Jenni at I on Image. Find out what suits your unique shape in a body positive way. Your best style should not be reserved only for special occasions. With my styling tips you can learn how to look amazing every single day!

This post contains professional insights on body shape theories and the way society observes women’s bodies. Some of them can be controversial and that’s why I will tell first my own views on this topic.

I on Image’s Take On Female Bodies

Let’s make this clear: I just want you to be you. Here at I on Image we are having none of the negativity surrounding female bodies. There’s sure enough of it out there already without my contribution. This blog is a safe place where you are allowed to explore your dream look. You are also allowed to express your fears and worries. Limiting thoughts can dim your light but you can also overcome them.

Yes, if you ask me how to camouflage of how to contour certain body areas, I will gladly help you to do so. After all, knowing and sharing all those insider tricks is my business. But I will not tell you to lose weight or to start exercising a certain body part because the society tells you to do so.

There are no wrong bodies, just wrong clothes.

– Jenni at I on Image

I am particularly protective of women recovering from birth, illness, major life events (such as moving or starting a new job) or trauma of any sort. Sometimes it might be an idea to wait a bit before jumping too fast into conclusions as your body evolves just like everything else in this world.

The body shape theory will still be there after you have gathered your strength so first things first. Your physical and mental wellbeing are always my priority. I will challenge you but I won’t push you against your will.

Let’s Celebrate Your Uniqueness

Here on I on Image’s blog and on social media we celebrate, respect and appreciate each body regardless of it’s shape and allow everyone to set their own limits and standards -or give them up altogether.

It’s 100% up to you as the sole owner of that gorgeous body.

Why People Hate Body Shape Guides

Dressing for your shape, and especially the process of discovering your body shape, can feel frustrating, restricting and judgemental. All the tabloids and social media is full of Who wore it better-type of content that is pushing us all down.

A lot of the style advice given, even by professionals, concentrate mainly on hiding flaws. I find that attitude so depressing and unnecessary. I prefer to celebrate what’s good an beautiful about you. Giving up ancient style rules and wearing what makes you happy is much better.

Yes, I know I am not perfect but must we talk about it all the time? I just want to be me.

– Jenni at I on Image

There has been a few strong cases against the  body shape theories. People call for more freedom and diversity when it comes to fashion. My favorite article on this is written by New York image consultant Sylvie Di Giusto who finds them irrelevant and unhelpful.

Instead she focuses on your confidence and the situation you are in. She does have a point in there! Our work and social situations give a realistic frame to our style choices. We are also limited to what is actually available in shops. Telling someone to wear something that can’t be bought is not helpful at all.

You Are Allowed To Rebel

I wear loads of items that I am “not supposed to wear” simply because I like them. Additionally I have the confidence to “get away” wearing those items. Others may not have the same level of confidence. I encourage my clients to rebel a bit because what better way to express yourself than your style. You too can look amazing in a so called “banned item of clothing”.

However, the questions about body shapes pop up in almost every conversation that I have with my clients so I have decided to still include the advice for now. Perhaps one day this category of posts is no longer relevant and I will adapt new ways to help my clients to look their best.

Until then I will work with body shape theories, but always with an open and inclusive mindset.

How To Determine Your Body Shape?

1. Look In The Mirror

Observe yourself in the mirror in privacy in a very intuitive way. If you look at the outlines of your body what kind of shape comes to your mind?

Is your top heavier than your bottom? Or the other way around? Think what shape of clothes would flatter your figure the most.

Perhaps you already know which shape of clothes make you feel happy, empowered and beautiful. Go with your instinct.

I have noticed that most people have a very good intuition about their style. Putting your intuition, experience and observations make you aware and intentional about your style.

2. Take The Easy Way And Do A Quizz

Quizzes are a fun and a lighthearted way to determine your body shape. Observe yourself in a mirror without clothes or in your underwear. Wearing fitted leggings and a top will also do. Just make sure that your bra has no padding and your clothing have no shapewear qualities that might alter your shape.

Based on your observations take this 100% Body Positive Body Shape Quizz by wonderful fellow style blogger Laurie Loo. Just a few clicks and you’ll know your shape!

3. Calculate Your Shape

There are several body shape calculators out there that will help you determine your shape. First measure yourself in front of the mirror to ensure that your tape measure sits straight and is not twisted. The tape measure should run straight around your body. You can use your underwear lines as guides to make sure that your measures are accurate.

Then enter your values into the body shape calculator and let it calculate your shape. Nice, easy and with a satisfyingly scientific note! I like to use this clear and easy Body Shape Calculator by Inch Calculators.

4. Do It Like Oprah

Use Oprah’s fashion expert Bradley Bayou’s method that, unlike many other methods, measures also your shoulders.

This method is a more in-depth approach to your body  shape and some might find it a bit intense, but with a little patience you will gain clarity of your real body shape.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: You might find that your shape is actually a combination of multiple different shapes. Or that your shape tends to change when you gain or drop some weight. This is all perfectly normal and you shouldn’t be too keen to put yourself in a narrow box too fast.

About I on Image’s Body Shape Guides

For the sake of practicality I am still relying on the popular body shape theories because I find the main guidelines of it solid and consistent.

I want to share my professional knowledge and experience with you. So I put together my tried and tested personal stylist advice in I on Image’s 4-episode BODY SHAPE GUIDE for the four most common body shapes: Apple, Pear, Rectangle and Hourglass.

Please excuse the funny sounding fruit names. On the other hand who doesn’t like an apple? It’s healthy, pretty and sweet -just like a person can be.

You could also call Apple a round body shape and Pear a triangle, if it makes more sense to you. The good news is that there are no rules cut in stone. Just guidelines that you can bend for your benefit, happiness and better style.

I on Image’s Body Shape Guides Per Body Type

APPLE Body Shape

  • Large bust vs. narrow hips ratio
  • Round silhouette, but this has nothing to do with your weight
  • Fuller midsection
  • Great legs

PEAR Body Shape

  • Narrow shoulders vs. wide hips
  • Elegant neck
  • Defined waistline
  • Curvy thighs

RECTANGLE Body Shape

  • Balanced bust vs. hips ratio
  • Long and lean silhouette
  • Elegant neck
  • Straight waistline

HOURGLASS Body Shape

  • Balanced bust vs. hips ratio
  • Clearly defined waistline
  • Feminine silhouette
  • Great legs

Personal Stylist Helps You To Discover Your Body Shape

If the task is too daunting to complete on your own or you would love a professional opinion on your style, remember that I am here for you. My image consulting and personal styling services are available for you, also online.

With my gentle, 100% female friendly and non-judgemental guidance you will learn to appreciate what is amazing about you and how you can flaunt it -or keep it just for yourself.

It’s up to you because it’s your body after all.

I believe that every body is beautiful!

Jenni at I on Image

My Image Consulting Services Will Help You To…

  1. Discover your own unique beautiful body shape
  2. Find out what suits your shape
  3. Learn to dress your shape
  4. Shop your shape like a stylist
  5. Look amazing every single day

TIP OF THE DAY: Remember to love your body a little every day!

Dressing nicely is an important way of self-care and will do miracles to your self-image! Other will certainly notice this and it can be a huge boost to your confidence.

Share this post with a friend who could use a self-confidence boost. It’s time to give up toxic talk about female bodies for good. Help me spread body positivity around the world!

This post was originally published on 14th May 2019 and updated on 15th February 2023.

Jenni @ I on Image - Content Creator Fuelled by Fashion

18 thoughts on “Discover Your Unique Body Shape

  1. I on Image says:

    Happy to hear you liked this Lauren! I am trying to create a safe space where women feel free to explore and open up about their style intention. So many of us would like to wear something nice but are afraid of judgement. There’s enough of it out there already so we don’t need it here xxx

  2. I on Image says:

    The body shape matters if you are still looking for what makes you happy and want to explore new styles. If your shopping already makes you happy then chances are that you have already discovered your unique shape in an intuitive manner. Well done Tea xxx

  3. Tea Spangsberg says:

    This is a great guide. I honestly have never thought about my body shape and wouldn’t have any idea what I am.
    My shopping style is mostly, to buy what ever make me feel good 😛

  4. I on Image says:

    Well most of us don’t fit in a box -and there lies the beauty of individuality! I just want to give my readers guidelines and ideas to help them build their style. In the end of the day it’s the woman who makes the dress, not the other way around. Glad you enjoyed my views xx

  5. I on Image says:

    Happy to hear you found this post helpful Katt! I am here to tell everyone that there are no wrong bodies, just wrong shape clothes. You are perfect just the way you are xx

  6. Katt Rodrigues says:

    I love your attitudes towards bodyshape, sometimes It can be really hard to buy things just so that it suits your shape because you can feel limited, however in the long run I find I always feel better! x

Chime in... I'd love to hear what you have to say!