Next up in our series is the turn of the triangles. Many triangles are actually pear shaped but this time, we’re focusing on the inverted triangle. We’ll look at some of the common features of all triangle shapes before diving into our styling tips featuring some of our favourite Rydale items. Let’s help to build you a wardrobe full of well-fitting, high quality pieces.
What are the characteristics of a triangle body shape?
If you think of an inverted or upside down triangle, it’s wider at the top and narrows towards the bottom. When you think of it in terms of body shape, here are a few features of someone with a triangular shape.
- Broad shoulders
- Slim hips
- No defined waist
- Bust can be small or large, so can be even more top heavy
- Often an athletic build
- Usually have long, toned legs
An athletic build doesn’t have to mean dressing like a tomboy. You can still be feminine and ladylike if that’s more your style.
You might find that you don’t fit every single characteristic but you’re thereabouts. If not, why not check out our other body shape outfit guides for rectangle, pear, hourglass and oval figures?
How to style a triangle body shape
Many triangle body shapes find it difficult to balance out their proportions in an outfit, especially if they have wider shoulders than most. We’re here to show you that there are many styling tips and tricks you can try to feel like your shape is a little more balanced. Here are some triangle body shape outfits for you to style yourself.
Focus on your lower body
Because of your toned, long legs, you get to go crazy on your bottom half items. You can pick just about any style or colour and even go crazy for patterns. It creates the illusion of volume on the bottom, therefore balancing out your proportions. You could even try trousers with lots of embellishments, such as pockets and rips, to pad you out around the hips.
If you want to show off your legs even more, a pair of dark wash straight fit jeans will elongate them and still draw attention away from your top half. Roll them up to add some bulk around your calves. If you’d rather balance out your proportions, you can still wear slim fitting trousers but make sure they have interesting features, like our Aike walking trousers with additional leg pockets. Adding colour is a great way to bring the focus down to your lower body. Our pink sorbet biker or embroidered jeans add a much-needed pop of colour to any outfit.
Add curves to your waist, hips and bottom
One of the best ways to do this is by adding a feminine touch to your outfit by wearing a skirt. Our fitted tweed skirts will hug your hips, giving you a much needed pop around your bottom due to the fit. The tweed pattern will also accentuate your slim build but show off your long legs at the same time. To keep the outfit streamlined, wear something plain and simple on top in a neutral shade or in one of the colours running through the tweed.
For a more casual, everyday look, our cotton skirts are a lovely option for running errands or having lunch out. The drawstring waist is perfect for adding some shape around your waist too. The black and khaki shades will go with just about every colour of top but if you want to add more colour, the navy and hot pink colourway will add some curve to your body without adding bulk.
Soften your shoulder line
Many triangle body shapes feel a little self-conscious about their broad shoulders so try to hide them completely. We’re here to tell you that instead of hiding them away, you can simply soften the look instead. That means lots of drapey fabrics, soft cuts and clean styles will help to take some of the top-heavy balance away.
If you love the structure of a shirt but find that they can be ill-fitting on your figure, how about trying a more boxy, short-sleeved style? Our floaty fabric is super comfortable and will also keep you cool with this fit. Tuck it into a pair of jeans, add a belt and you’ve created a more curvy look for yourself. If button-ups aren’t your thing, our V-neck style blouses might be more of your style. The country patterns are so small and subtle meaning they won’t add volume to your top half. They’re a more streamlined fit too so will feel fitted without being tight.
Deep necklines and fitted tops are super flattering
Alternatively, you can show off your decolletage with deeper necklines, such as V-necks, and tighter fits to accentuate your slim midriff. V-necks draw your attention down, rather than towards your broad shoulders, and give the illusion of a balanced torso. You can experiment with halter and asymmetrical necklines too if you’d rather show off your slender shoulders and neckline!
Avoid anything cropped
There are a lot of trends out there on the high street right now and many of them involve cropped items, from tops to jackets. Whilst you can get away with cropped pieces on your bottom half, top half items will simply just cut your body in half. For your triangle body shape, you want your tops to either hit just about your hips or to fit longer, possibly under your bottom. Shorter, fitted tops require a little more styling but you can always add a belt to break up your look.
A fitted polo shirt is one of our favourite casual items in our collection. The Charlie is our most versatile polo shirt as its plain, block colour is very easy to style. Go for a neutral shade or add in a pop of colour if you prefer. If you want to add some volume to your outfit without adding bulky items, our Lily diagonal polo shirt brings the attention away from your broad shoulders. Because each colourway is vibrant, choose darker jeans or trousers to allow the polo shirt to stand out more.
Longline items will be your friend
If you don’t like to wear fitted tops, a longline alternative will be your new best friend. Longline tops are great for casual looks because you just throw on some leggings underneath and head out the door (ideal for the school run)! However, they look just as lovely with a pair of skinny jeans. As always, you could take this look from day to night by switching up flat shoes for heeled boots and showing off those long, lean legs!
Triangle body shape outfits are all about getting your proportions balanced and adding volume to your bottom half to take attention away from your broad shoulders. However, lots of people would love your wider shoulder line so feel free to show them off if you want to!