V-shape body: how to choose bottoms, tops and dresses for an athletic, inverted-triangle silhouette. The first instalment of our guide, devoted to everyday wardrobe staples — the second instalment covers coats, lingerie and swimwear.
Shoulders wider than the hips, a narrow pelvis and a barely defined waist: these are the hallmarks of an athletic silhouette — the inverted triangle, also known as the V-shape. The main challenge for women with this body type lies in the size difference between tops and bottoms. Like Cameron Diaz, Anna Kournikova or Princess Charlene of Monaco, the goal is to "streamline" the upper body while showcasing its greatest asset: the legs.
A reminder: body shapes are about body proportions, not weight. There are six families of women's body shapes: X (the hourglass), 8, H (the rectangle), A (the pyramid), V (the inverted triangle) and O (the round).
Which bottoms to wear for a V-shape body?
V-shape women can get away with almost anything on the bottom half: bright colours, ruffles, prints, frills, lace, flowing or heavier fabrics, velvet, suede, low-rise, statement styles. The idea is to draw the eye towards tapered legs and slim hips, and away from more pronounced shoulders.
| Item | Go for | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Skirts | Low-rise, flowing or heavier fabrics (suede, canvas, silk, jersey, leather), coloured, patterned, frilled, lace, ruffled, fringed, satin, pleated, pencil, flared, draped, puffball, cocoon, godet, skater, with pockets | Anything that accentuates the top/bottom difference: figure-hugging, straight mini-skirts |
| Jeans, trousers, shorts | Coloured, statement, close-fitting; low or regular rise; flap pockets (adding volume to the seat) or small high pockets; push-up skinny jeans or jeggings worn with longer tops; straight-leg, flared, bootcut; light or bright colours, satin, printed, cigarette, carrot, chino, pleated-front | Large or low pockets (flatten the seat); skinny jeans paired with a cropped top; high-rise; boyfriend fit; too tight or too baggy |
Which tops to wear for a V-shape body?
With tunics, tank tops, blouses and cardigans, the aim is to feminise the upper body to soften an athletic build: flowing fabrics, straight cuts, dark colours to slim the bust, wide straps for slender arms, long sleeves for more toned arms.
| Go for | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Dark colours, plain or with small patterns, flowing fabrics; straight cut with a V, cowl, asymmetric or round neckline; tops draped over the bust; batwing sleeves; kimono shape; tunics, shirt-dresses; fitted blouses with a small collar; long shirts; extra-wide straps; slightly fitted cardigans; peplum tops | Thin straps; too fitted or too cropped; large patterns or horizontal stripes; boleros, shoulder pads, puffed sleeves, bustiers; boat necklines or racerback cuts; square necklines; polo necks; hoods; tight-fitting tops |
Which dresses to wear for a V-shape body?
Since legs are the greatest asset for V-shape women, it's worth making the most of them. This athletic silhouette suits almost every dress style: asymmetric, peplum, slit, flared or long.
| Go for | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Flowing and long, peplum, A-line, flared, fitted straight, asymmetric, fitted-straight, V or round neckline, backless, wide straps or slightly draped sleeves, pinafore-style, slit | Bustier; shoulder pads; polo neck or boat neckline; racerback cuts; two-tone (light on top, dark on the bottom) |
