If your shoulders are broader than your hips, you may have an inverted triangle body shape. This often comes with a large bust and wider waist, so that your top size is a few numbers higher than your bottom size.
Your inverted triangle shape can complicate dress shopping, because dresses don’t give you the option to buy one size for the top and a different size for the bottom. There’s also the problem of finding a flattering fit, when dresses basically aren’t made for you.
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Inverted triangle shape: What to wear
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. Choose 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
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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
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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.
Read next: How to style a sweater dress
3. Fit and flare
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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
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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.
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5. V-neck dress
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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.
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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.