Body Shape: The Fundamental Issue Of Your Style 

Annette here. Very helpful to remember that we are each unique. I'm somewhere between a rectangle and an apple... I think of myself as a "skinny apple". Looking straight on, I'm pretty straight up and down, but sideways, my tummy sticks out and I have to make adjustments when purchasing. Each of us has unique challenges. Thanks for helping us learn, Marie Anne! I'm here for it, and my style journey over the past year has been really fun! Most days I step out if the house feeling great! Learning more all the time!❤

Hello, Marie-Anne from Seattle, WA, USA. Love your videos and incredibly sage advice. You are a fashion (and life) diva, in a good way. Regarding body shape, I finally understood my shape after learning that an hourglass does not need a large bust to have that classification. I have a small chest but broad shoulders, small waste with hips the same width as my shoulders. That discovery finally helped me understand and dress for my shape.

This was a wonderful livestream with great answers on this topic, Marie-Anne. I enjoyed it thoroughly and I completely agree that knowing our body shape is fundamental to style it accordingly. I'm also a rectangle bodyshape like you and I prefer this simple basic method rather than Kibbe's which is more elaborated and complicated. You're looking absolutely gorgeous in your red Chanel style jacket. Merci beaucoup for your styling tips and e-course offers ❤

Thank you, finally I got it. Beauty is about balance/symmetry.

You’re brilliant and address these topics in a serious way -

I am a somewhat pear shaped hourglass. Tend to wear things to emphasize my waist. Love belts.

Thank you for your great videos. Your explanation of the body shapes really helps me visualize were I need to add and subtract, so that I create the illusion of an hourglass shape. I'm a petite (5' 4") plus size just turning 60 years. Most of my life I was closer to the hourglass figure like the 50's models, but I have a small thick short waist, broad shoulders/ hips and slightly longer than average arms and legs. At one point my bra size was 32 DDD. Now I have gained weight, but I am working diligently to lose the extra weight! So, if I do not chose my clothing wisely, I can easily look like an apple or "short" rectangle silhouette. Even though we have similar body attributes, my mother is a little shorter with a smaller bust and shoulders, thinner legs and larger tummy area, so she is closer to an apple shape. However, she always looks well put together with her style choices.

watched dozens of your videos, and this one is the best, ty

Hi Marie-Anne, your hairstyle in this video is really lovely. It's very flattering. I had thought that a slightly longer style would flatter you but I think I was wrong.

thank you for your delightful videos! I am at home in my pull-on clothing while I recover from shoulder surgery. You have inspired me to not give up, even when I am in this less than glamorous frame of mind. I also thought you might be amused by the ad which just preceded this video - Birkenstock!

I know my body shape, I have always known because my mum told me when I was young. My problem is getting clothes to fit me. I am a pear, size 12 and 5' 7" tall. Why can I get my trousers off without undoing them. ? Nearly all clothes are made for apple shape. Why are trousers made with the waist the same size as the hips. The biggest culprit of this is Marks and Spencer.

Marie-Anne’s quantitative definition of what makes an hourglass shape was really helpful for me: waist to hip ratio will be 0.75 or less for an hourglass. This is another way of saying the waist will be at least 25% narrower than the hips (and shoulders). Actual measurements I’ve heard, like 8, 10 or 12 inches difference are not very helpful, neither are qualitative ones like “a lot smaller waist”. I was always a slender hourglass until menopause, but since then my waist:hip ratio increased because of age-related waist thickening, not weight gain. The post-menopausal body simply stores more fat there. Even over a weight range of 70 lbs., it remains exactly the same at 0.80. Not an hourglass, but not a very straight rectangle, either. (My shoulders and hips are the same width, both narrow). I don’t find the bust size helpful for determining basic body shape, it’s mostly controlled by other factors than frame proportions. Mine happens to be naturally larger and fuller, but there are plenty of flat rectangles, too. Bust size and shape must be taken into account when choosing and styling clothes, of course. Most clothes that fit my shoulders are too tight in the bust.

Just saw this and am mid download of your free course - I m so excited with all this you are sharing! I love your French, your humor, and your style! And time will tell but my 73 old body has hope because along with my pretty wide hips I just learned that broad shoulders count since my tiny waist went away after my kids. So thank you for your generosity! A bientot.

Miss Marie-Anne great advice darling for the studio and your red jacket is nice too my Beautiful Teacher l love you 😘❤️

Your studio is so beautifull Marie-Anne 💙💙💙💙

Have you made a video about proper fitting bras/ undergarments?

tuning in late from Vancouver

My waistline isn’t very defined, so my trick is that if I need the shaping of a belt at the waist, I wear a matching-color belt to the dress or outfit. This gives shape without bringing as much attention to my thicker waist as a contrasting color or statement belt does. The self-belts that come with items can be good, too. Also, keep to a standard width (1.25 to 1.5 inch wide) belt, very skinny or wide ones can be very unflattering.

Thanks!

Bonjour I am from New Jersey but was born in Colmar Alsace !!

Happy Valentines Day, Marie-Anne❤ I love your channel! Your advice is so helpful and easy to follow. It’s too bad we were not all taught this while we were growing up. I was just watching your livestream and had to pause it and come back. I wanted to order a course and I no longer see the link or discount code. Did I miss my opportunity?

I am inverted triangle always have to have trousers tailored

I’m glad you said measure the shoulders, because I have broad shoulders.

Thank you! 😊

Cropped, flared-leg trousers/jeans are very much pushed by brands now, but I’ve never seen them look good on anyone, even those 6-foot tall, size 2 models. Brands get desperate to sell, so they keep coming up with weird designs and cheap fabrics. We vote with our wallets, ladies!

I'm petite, I have broad shoulders and a curvy bottom. Buying clothes is always tricky. Tight clothes make me look like a little gladiator. It's worst since now I'm in my late 40s. My body is changing. I'm rounder in the front and lower back.

Also from New Jersey

Ocala Florida

Watched all the way to the end for the best oval face bob and still not sure which bob would suit me? Over 60 and feeling lost 😞

I have a long torso and petit legs. Is this why I felt so uncomfortable in blazers and regular length jackets? I am going to try shorter jackets. Will this help?

I definitely agree with measuring the shoulders as opposed to the bust. Sometimes when you measure the bust instead, more of the measurement is measuring the back instead of the front, which I think makes a difference in the profile.

Where can we find that free link if we weren’t on the livestream?

I suppose the formula approach appealed to me more because I’m a scientist, we love to quantify everything into a math equation, if possible.

Yes. NZ

Boston Massachusetts

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Northern California

Hei, I am from Finland:)

Netherlands

Solana Beach California

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Im 5'3" 119 lbs, I consider myself a ladder.......boyish figure.

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One hour and 15 mins video is too long .... sorry .... live streams are very slow and a bit boring ... please go back to the shorter videos

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I am 175 cm tall and I have been both very heavy and very tiny. Now Im slim and small bust. Im looking to incoorporate more colors into my wardrobe. I used to wear only Black and now I look for color therapy in my clothes. 🥰🌿✨⭐️ Finding ways to wear color in cool ways is my 2024 hobby 💓 I think Im a rectangel too. And Im mostly Yan - boney and not so plump. :) Heeey Coco 🐶❤️ Ps. You look more stunning than ever! 😍❤️

Petite lines usually have slightly narrower shoulders. Both my shoulders and hips are narrow, so I do better with petites. Narrowing the shoulders of a lined blazer is the most expensive single alteration, it runs about $500 where I live (admittedly one of the two or three highest-income and cost areas in the US), almost the cost of a very good blazer. Unfortunately, many fast-fashion brands design for maximum shoulder width and long torsos, making V-necks on my short torso much too low-cut. I like Banana Republic for coats and blazers, they have petites and use breathable rayon linings, I can’t wear polyester. They used more natural fabrics overall, until this season, when they went to PolyesterTown.

Tuning in late from Texas, USA. 🥰🌺

Southeastern Texas: USA 🇺🇸: btw: Greetings 🫂: sincere Thoughts 💭 and as well May Almighty GOD BLess

Marie-Anne can you please tell me what is the colour wheel that you had at the start of the video?

Bonjour Marie-Anne. I am facing breast surgery soon. Your wonderful style advice is helping me to keep a positive attitude and look beyond the horizon. Merci bien! 😊

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There’s an entire movement out there saying that shape doesn’t matter and anyone can wear anything they want. That’s it’s not for others to determine what is looks good on a person or not. Of course I don’t agree with it. I think knowing what suits you enhances your unique features whereas wearing absolutely anything is not necessarily flattering. But this is the world we live in. “No” is no longer acceptable 🤷🏽‍♀️

Nederlands, short limbs and long back.

Wonderful class today, Marie Anne! PS, I love your dressing room! I am dealing with how my body is changing after age 70. My breasts are still quite full, yet my hips are slim. I dress to downplay my breasts and define my waist and hips. Thank you for helping women everywhere and all ages ❤️. I'm in North Carolina.

I am from Yonkers, N.Y Love your videos❤

Wonderful livestream! My suggestion for your next one is how to transition our fall wardrobe into spring with minimal spending. Can the colors and fabrics look fresh and springlike?

I can hear you from Pennsylvania!

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Watching now in Sydney Australia. Didn't wake up at 2 am for the live version 😂

Hello, merci pour cette vidéo très intéressante que je viens de terminer ! 🎉 Moi je n'aime pas ma silhouette en x ou "hourglass", je trouve que c'est pénible à habiller. Dès que je mets un vêtement un peu ample, je triple de volume (hello bonhomme Michelin que j'avais vu dans une de vos vidéos, je m'étais reconnue 😂😂😂). Je ne sais jamais quelle taille choisir, neuf fois sur dix si je prends un XS je serai "serrée" ou au mieux "moulée" au niveau du buste mais si je prends un S le tout sera ample (et la boucle est bouclée 😂). Je vis avec une ceinture ! Soit le jean est serré aux hanches, soit il baille à la taille. Bref, un petit casse-tête. Non pas que tout cela soit grave dans la vie, non plus ! 😂 mais puisqu'on en parle... 😅😄 Au final je me débrouille quand même, souvent je mets des jupes longues car elles sont féminines,marquent la taille et atténuent sont globalement flatteuses, je trouve ! J'ai lu ou vu que pour les petits formats comme moi cela avait tendance à manger la silhouette et n'était pas une bonne option, mais j'adore. 🤔😋 Cela permet aussi de porter des couleurs et des imprimés tout en laissant le haut plus sombre pour masquer un peu la poitrine trop saillante et les bras qui deviennent un peu "flappy".😆 Mais ce que je fais est peut-être à côté de la plaque ! A tout juste 40 ans je suis en train de tout revoir : je ne suis plus une trentenaire ! Adieu mes Birkenstock et autres chaussures trop bulky ? Adieu mes petits noeuds de gamine dans les cheveux ? Je suis en pleine réflexion ! 🥴😂 En tout cas merci pour vos vidéos, et votre façon d'être globalement comme je vous l'avais déjà dit ! 🦄😸🦋

Oh, I loooove your look here!❤

Merci for your advise !🎉

My body shape is huge belly due to surgery, with small bust and slim legs hanging off the belly. I have always been slim until surgery and no longer fit any shape. I can describe

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On holiday in Mexico but from UK Oxfordshire

The Cotswolds UK 🇬🇧 ❤

Fayetteville North Carolina

Hartland Michigan USA

I am naturally a pear shape---if I'm not adhering to a dedicated exercise/clean eating routine. When I'm 'on point' with my fitness regime for an extended period, my lower half whittles down/sculpts itself and I morph into an hourglass ---IF having tiny "A" cup breasts constitutes as part of the hourglass silhouette. LOL At 5ft 3in tall with a pinched waist---even during my 'bottom heavy' periods (lol), have learned long ago how high waist pants and fitted crop tops are usually flattering to me. :)

????QUESTION???? - Nice trousers. R they black or dark green?

I’m not sure what shape I am right now because I have a small top and large hips and a belly. It’a combination of a pear shape and an apple shape. I have to try on everything and mail order clothes usually don’t fit. Do you have any ideas for me? Thanks for the video. Love and Kindness, Teresa

I have a hourglass figure,but I’m short with thick calves . It’s very hard to find slacks that fit in the waist. Watching your videos always helps me.

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Saskatchewan

Kent

Hello Marie-Anne, My measurements are 38-31-38. I am short waisted and am between petite- regular in stature. My height is 5’ 2 1/2”. Am I right in saying I am a rectangle versus an hourglass as my waist measurement is not a quarter less then my hips or bust? I love to wear dresses but have always been unsure as to what style suits me best. My favorite style in dresses are cut on the bias but wonder if it is not suitable for my body shape. Your advice and knowledge is very helpful! Thank you so much!! By the way, your haircut is wonderful and makes you look younger. And red is a great color on you! ❤❤❤❤😊👍🏻

Wonderful video, Marie-Anne! Thank you for the helpful info. I measured and found that my shoulders are actually an inch wider than my hips. I've always thought I was a pear shape with narrow shoulders. I think exercising has added to my shoulders.