Body shape · Shoulders wider than hips
The inverted triangle body shape
You carry width up top — broad shoulders or chest, narrower hips. The goal is to soften the upper half and add a little presence below so the silhouette evens out.
The goal
Soften the shoulder line; add volume and interest below the waist.
How to tell
- Shoulders or chest are wider than your hips.
- You gain weight in the upper body first.
- Tops fit tight across the shoulders; bottoms run loose.
Skip
- Shoulder pads and heavy top detail
- Skinny bottoms that exaggerate the contrast
- High, wide necklines
What to wear for an inverted triangle shape
- Softer shoulders, V and scoop necklines
- Volume and detail below the waist
- Wider or straight-leg bottoms
- Darker tops, lighter or patterned bottoms
How to dress an inverted triangle shape
The inverted triangle dresses to soften the top and build the bottom: V-necks and scoop necks break up the shoulder line, raglan and dropped seams de-emphasise it, while wider straight-leg or pleated trousers give the lower half the presence the shoulders already have. Avoid shoulder pads, epaulettes and boat necks — the frame supplies that width for free.
Dressing an inverted triangle shape casually
Casually: soft unstructured layers (open cardigan, unlined overshirt) over slim tees, with straight or wide-leg jeans and chunkier footwear. The chunkier shoe is an actual tool here — visual weight at the floor balances weight at the shoulders.
The most common inverted triangle-shape mistake
Buying jackets for the chest and shoulders that then billow everywhere else — or worse, adding structure up top 'because tailoring'. This shape suits soft construction; the structured shoulder that flatters a pear is the exact thing an inverted triangle should skip.
Pick a handful of the flattering pieces above as anchors and keep colours and formality consistent, and you have a capsule wardrobe cut for your shape. Not certain which shape you are? The 5-question body type quiz settles it in under a minute, or the body shape calculator reads it straight from your measurements.
The best pieces for an inverted triangle shape, by category
Necklines
V-necks and scoops that lengthen and narrow the neckline, softening a strong shoulder. Skip boat necks, halters and anything that runs wide across the collarbone — the shape supplies that width already.
Tops
Soft, unstructured tops with raglan or dropped seams that de-emphasise the shoulder. No shoulder pads, no horizontal stripes across the chest, no puff sleeves. The goal is to let the top half fall quietly.
Bottoms
This is where you build: wide-leg and pleated trousers, patterned or lighter-coloured bottoms, A-line and full skirts. Volume and interest below the waist balance the presence above it.
Outerwear & layers
Soft-shouldered, unstructured jackets — an unlined overshirt, a drapey cardigan, a soft blazer. The structured shoulder that flatters a pear is the exact thing to avoid here.
What not to wear for an inverted triangle shape
Structured shoulders, epaulettes, boat necks and skinny bottoms — anything that adds width up top or strips volume from below. The shape is already broad-shouldered; the whole game is not adding to it.
Not sure of your shape?
Take the 5-question body type quiz, then see the pieces on your own photo.
Frequently asked questions
What is an inverted triangle body shape?
You carry width up top — broad shoulders or chest, narrower hips. The goal is to soften the upper half and add a little presence below so the silhouette evens out.
How do I know if I have an inverted triangle body shape?
Shoulders or chest are wider than your hips. You gain weight in the upper body first. Tops fit tight across the shoulders; bottoms run loose.
How should an inverted triangle body shape dress?
Soften the shoulder line; add volume and interest below the waist. In practice: softer shoulders, v and scoop necklines; volume and detail below the waist; wider or straight-leg bottoms; darker tops, lighter or patterned bottoms.
What should an inverted triangle shape avoid?
Structured shoulders, epaulettes, boat necks and skinny bottoms — anything that adds width up top or strips volume from below. The shape is already broad-shouldered; the whole game is not adding to it.
What are the best pieces for an inverted triangle shape?
Necklines: V-necks and scoops that lengthen and narrow the neckline, softening a strong shoulder. Skip boat necks, halters and anything that runs wide across the collarbone — the shape supplies that width already. Tops: Soft, unstructured tops with raglan or dropped seams that de-emphasise the shoulder. No shoulder pads, no horizontal stripes across the chest, no puff sleeves. The goal is to let the top half fall quietly. Bottoms: This is where you build: wide-leg and pleated trousers, patterned or lighter-coloured bottoms, A-line and full skirts. Volume and interest below the waist balance the presence above it.