Find your Hip Shape first...

Identify your HIP SHAPE and it will direct you to your Body Type.

There are only 2 basic hip shapes - and it's easy to find yours. It has nothing to do with SIZE it's just your SHAPE that counts

Don't worry if you're not as slender as the pictures below, we're only looking at basic bone structure. It's really easy to find your Hip Shape... or the closest to it!

Just identify your HIP SHAPE
I bet you'll easily recognize yourself...

Don't recognize yourself?

Don't know your hip shape...

1 Stand in underwear or something close fitting in front of a mirror. Look at your silhouette and identify the widest part of your bottom half.

2 Undecided? Ask a friend to stand behind you and run her hands each side of your waist down your hips to find the widest part. Disregard body fat, you're feeling for bone structure. 

3 Your hip shape may not be exact but choose the closest shape. 

How to fit different HIP SHAPES... 

If some women have HIPS in one place and some in another - how do we ever find anything to fit?

Did you know that clothes are designed and specially made for these two very distinct hip shapes? Unless a garment is completely minute and stretchy it will be cut to fit either one of these. 

Some manufacturers will design for one shape of woman and some for another. Crazy isn't it? Why has no-one ever thought to tell us that? You probably haven't even realized the shapes that you have in your closet...

The women above are different shapes and sizes but if you look carefully you will be able to tell their hip shapes as I've done.

The clue to a curved hip (if it's not obvious) is that most women like to wear a more relaxed fit and a belt around their slimmer waist. A straight hip may carry extra weight around the midriff but her thighs stay slim and she's likely to wear a straight trouser leg with more confidence. 

But remember, whatever your age shape or size, your bone structure always stays the same!

Look how different - this skirt is for Curved hips

This skirt is cut for CURVED HIPS - the waist is neat and the darts are long and deep. 

The widest part is at thigh level (7 to 10 inches below the waist) just about at the top of her left hand.

The skirt then tapers in to slim the silhouette. If it did not taper in there would be no curves but would just appear wide all the way down.  

If a straight hip shape wears this skirt, there is excess fabric on the thighs, giving the appearance of 'jodpurs'.

A bias cut skirt is particularly figure flattering for a curved hip shape. The fabric is cut at a 45 degree angle so that it drapes to the shape of the body. 

and this is for STRAIGHT hips

This skirt is cut for STRAIGHT HIPS. 

Because there is little waist definition, there is likely to be only a narrow waistband or sometimes no waistband at all.  

The darts are short as the skirt widens immediately below the waist to accommodate the high hipbone.

Because the thighs are roughly the same width as the hips, there is no need for further shaping.

If a Curved hip tries to wear this skirt, it will ride up as there's not enough fabric in the thigh area.

This shaping can be on any length skirt, not just a mini!

Do you have changing room problems?

Can you look at a skirt and know if it's the right shape for you? When you do find a brand that fits you well and is comfortable, remember the name!

But... Have you ever been in a changing room trying to squeeze into a skirt - standing sideways breathing in - holding in your tummy - blaming yourself that you're too fat!!

You know what? It's not your fault - It's just the WRONG SKIRT for you!

But now you can find out how to fit CURVED HIPS or STRAIGHT HIPS...

Found your HIPS? Now find your BODY TYPE!

Once you've identified your Hip Shape it's really easy to find your Body Type - CLICK THE IMAGE to take the BODY TYPE QUIZ. 

Just two questions and follow through to tips and techniques to dress your Body Type. 

Already know your Body Type - off you go!

Your Body Shape is something completely different!

HIPS are how we identify BODY TYPE, but your overall Body Shape is completely different. 

Although there are only 5 generic Body Types we are all completely different with a unique and individual Body Shape of our own.

We all have 'figure challenges', lumps and bumps, things we like and things we don't like! So once you find your Body Type you can address your own figure challenges and discover how to Dress your own Body Shape.

Skirts for Curves

and Skirts for Straights