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Dress Styles to Flatter Your Inverted Triangle Shape Body

Dear Budget Fashionista,

I need advice! I love dresses, and my look is feminine classic with a chic edge (well that’s what I’m shooting for anyway). Note that I am an attorney, so I have to be a tad conservative.

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I guess I have the inverted triangle shaped body. My shoulders are broader than my hips. I have a pretty large bust and not much of a waist. I usually wear a 10-12 on top to accommodate the bust and a 6 on the bottom.

What styles of dresses should I wear that will flatter?

Inverted triangle shape: What to wear

Woman with inverted triangle shape shops for dresses.
Source: Envato.

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Hi there! The key to dressing your inverted triangle figure is selecting pieces that streamline your upper half and draw attention to your lower half.

1. Opt for garments with no embellishments up top.

Stay away from ruffles, large collars, shoulder pads, and bold patterns. All these elements draw the eye and add bulk. You already have curve up top, so you don’t need volume or a bullseye on your chest.

If you do want to wear a print, consider vertical stripes to elongate your frame.

2. Choose or add waist-defining features.

Dresses with belts or banded waists are good choices. You can also add a belt to pieces that don’t have one. Often, narrow, solid-colored belts and bands are more flattering, but you can experiment with widths, colors, and patterns to find the formula that suits you best.

3. Lean into volume on your bottom half

While you don’t want volume above the waist, you do want it below the waist. Full bottoms — say, an A-line skirt — will balance your broad shoulders and give the appearance of a curvier, more proportioned shape.

Dress styles to flatter the inverted triangle shape

Try these dress styles to balance your inverted triangle shape.

1. Wrap dress

Sale
Amazon Essentials Women’s Classic Cap Sleeve Wrap Dress (Available in Plus Size), Burgundy, Small
  • CLASSIC FIT: Close-but-comfortable…
  • MATTE JERSEY: Soft, compact…
  • CLASSIC WRAP DRESS: This…
  • DETAILS: Features an adjustable…
  • LENGTH: 40 1/2″ from side neck on…
Sale
WEACZZY Women’s Summer Casual Dresses Short Sleeve Wrap V-Neck Party Dress with Pockets, Army Green, X-Large
  • 【Material】 This womens dresses…
  • 【Features】 Short sleeve dress,…
  • 【Occasion】 This cute dress is…
  • 【Match】 The v-neck pattern…
  • 【Notice】 1. Before order,…

The wrap dress has the features you want: a cinched waist and fuller skirt. The thing to watch out for are the sleeves. Many wrap dresses have fluttery sleeves, which can backfire and make your shoulders look broader. Choose wrap dresses with sleek sleeves for your best look.

2. A-line sweater dress

ANRABESS Women 2023 Long Sleeve Fall Midi Dress Casual Elegant A-line Swing Pleated Skater Dresses Round Neck Ribbed Knit Slim Fit Sweater Dress 1180shenlv-S Green
  • Size – S=US(4-6), M=US(8-10),…
  • Design – Elevate your wardrobe with…
  • Occasion – Elevate your style with…
  • Match – The casual and fashionable…
  • Wash – Hand wash / Dry clean / Do…
Pink Queen Women’s Round Neck Slim Sweater Dress Ribbed High Waist Pleated Business Formal Knit Midi Dresses Blue S
  • Women elegant flowy pleated bodycon…
  • Cute crew neck design, sleeveless…
  • Bodycon slim fitted on tank top,…
  • Machine washable in cold water, do…
  • This summer dress for women is…

Experiment with sweater dresses that have fuller skirts. Knit is clingy so it will streamline your upper half. A fuller, pleated skirt adds balance to your shape, without giving up on sex appeal. For conservative work days, add a cropped blazer to the mix.

3. Fit and flare

Sale
Dress the Population Women’s Catalina Solid Sleeveless Fit & Flare Midi Dress, off off white, L
  • Textured crepe fabric
  • Built in pockets
  • Concealed back zipper
  • Skirt is lined
  • Made in the USA or imported

Like the wrap dress, fit and flare styles have a balanced shape — form-fitting up top and fuller on the bottom. Opt for dresses with patterns on the bottom half for extra visual support.

4. Empire waist

WOOSEA Women Sleeveless Deep V Neck Loose Plain Long Maxi Casual Dress Burgundy
  • Polyester/Spandex;Stretchy
  • Super Soft and Light weight,Can be…
  • Casual Style,Sleeveless ,Deep V…
  • Occasion:Casual/Beach/Party/Daily/Of…
  • Hand wash cold and hang dry
Calvin Klein Women’s Empire Waist, Capri, 2
  • This empire waist dress with a…
  • Flattering and comfortable fit
  • Suitable for daily wear, work,…
  • Dry Clean Only
  • Imported

Empire waist dresses have a hem or belt just below your bust paired with a full skirt. That combo gives the appearance of a smaller waist and fuller bottom, which balances a curvy top half nicely.

5. V-neck dress

GRACE KARIN Modest Cap Sleeve Midi Dresses for Women Classy V-Neck Bodycon Dresses for Work Elegant Tie Waist Business Dresses Semi Formal Royal Blue S
  • 【Features】V neck, Stylish front…
  • 【Simply Elegant Design】Based on…
  • 【Material】Anti-wrinkle,…
  • 【Occasions】This women’s summer…
  • 【Variety of Choice】Summer Work…
JASAMBAC Dresses for Women 2023 Work Midi Summer Dresses V Neck Twist Front Half Sleeve Bodycon Dresses Rose Red S
  • 【Features】Surplice V neck, Half…
  • 【Material】Anti-wrinkle,…
  • 【Simply Elegant Design】Based on…
  • 【Occasions】This is the elegant…
  • 【Variety of Choice】Summer work…

A v-neck may draw attention to your upper half, but in a good way. V-necklines add length to your upper body which creates balance for broad shoulders. Just don’t get too aggressive with that neckline, especially on work days.

Balance is the key

To flatter your inverted triangle shape, choose garments that downplay your top half, draw attention to your waist, and add volume to your narrow hips. You can achieve this with design elements or color. That means reserving busy patterns, bright colors, and embellishments for your bottom half. Keep things sleek and neutral on your top half. That should create the balanced look you want.

JUDY

Sunday 8th of July 2007

I ALWAYS STEERED CLEAR OF THE WRAP DRESSES IN THE STORES BECAUSE I DID’T WANT TO DRAW ATTENTION TO MY WIDE WAIST. BUT YOUR ADVISE MAKES ALOT OF SENSE BECAUSE MY SHOULDERS ARE BROADER THAN MY WAIST AND WITH MY HIGHER POWER SPANX I BELIEVE I WILL LOOK SEXY!!!

THANKS JUDY B. 7-7-07

bonnie

Thursday 17th of May 2007

B.Republic has great dresses for the top heavy and Plus sized!

jb

Wednesday 16th of May 2007

I have the exact same body type except I’m 8-10 on top and 4 on the bottom!  It’s refreshing to know I’m not the only one.  Today at work I happened to be in one of your recommendations—sized up in a wrap dress, tied more tightly.  I find it easier to wear separates to the office because then you can size properly.  Although suits tend to look awkward with a size 10 jacket and 4 skirt or pants, that’s for sure…

j

Wednesday 16th of May 2007

I’m built similarly. but my shoulders are narrow. streachy knits with a sash in the larger size is the only way to go. also investingin camisols and safety pins is a good idea

TBF

Wednesday 16th of May 2007

$68.00 is a lot better than $128.00 thanks heather for the tip.. BR always has a great sales

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