The Feminine Shape

There are multitudes of studies and research articles online about how the feminine differs from the masculine.  I'm not going to go into all the differences in brain waves, body composition, and physical limitations, etc.  What I do want to look at is the feminine shape.  Lumping the majority of the human race together into gender groups, you can see vast differences in body shape alone.  Men tend to be linear.  Hard angles, lean muscle, broad shoulders...very geometric.  Women tend to be fluid.  Softer features, curves, finer bone structure.  If you've ever seen an old rendering of a woman's body, be it a nude or otherwise, it's like glimpsing the waves of the ocean.  Swells, dips, crests.  It's beautiful and in direct opposition to the hard lines of a man's body.

What I'm discovering as I get older (and farther away from trying to obtain the ever-elusive beauty ideals found in Hollywood and magazines) is that women of all shapes and sizes are beautiful, attractive and dare I say it...even sexy.  I loved the Dove commercials from the few years back depicting woman covered in freckles, or with abundant "curves", or scarred; and yet each of these women was beautiful and desirable.  As a Christian, I firmly believe that God gave me the body I have....this body that has a certain shape (not Hollywood lean), with a certain type hair (far from shampoo commercial worthy) with certain skin (let's just say I could keep a dermatologist in business for years with my issues) and a myriad of other characteristics with which I could be dissatisfied. And I have been dissatisfied in the past and still do struggle with these issues; as do most women, if truth be told.  But in my search for femininity, I am learning to embrace and even love this flawed body of which God has deemed me worthy to be a steward.  And part of learning to embrace the body you have is learning about the specific body SHAPE you've been given.  Your body shape will vary a bit based on age and/or weight, but your general body shape is genetic.  So you can thank your ancestors for your big butt or big boobs (or maybe both!).

I've observed 4 basic body types and will list them below.  We'll explore how best to approach your specific shape in separate posts.  Behold, I give you:

The Asparagus

This shape is what most would refer to as "androgynous".  Think supermodels (not the Victoria's Secret kind...the Prada, Ballenciaga, fashion model kind).  There are very few women, in my observation, who fall into this category naturally.  There are women who force themselves into this category due to eating disorders or extreme fitness routines.  Women with this natural shape tend to be tall, lean, willowy....with long legs, long necks, long torsos, etc.



The Apple

This is one of the 2 main body shapes for women.  If you gain weight primarily in your upper body (stomach), then you are an apple shape.  If you have a larger bust and stomach and then lean legs, you are an apple shape.  Some would refer to is as a triangle, if you tend to have broad shoulders as well.





The Pear

This is the other main body shape for women....and let me personally welcome you to my world.   Hi, my name is Heather and I'm a pear!  If you gain weight mostly in your lower half (hips, thighs, butt), then you are a pear.  Also, notice the significant lack of upper "pearness" in this picture.  Women of this body shape typically have very small busts which are out of proportion to their lower half.  We're the ones with an A/B cup and "junk in our trunks".





The Barbie

Finally, we have the much-coveted hourglass figure, made popular by Barbie dolls worldwide.  If your upper and lower body are proportionate with a tiny waist then you are an hourglass shape.  This would be what most people would describe as the feminine ideal shape...however, in actuality, there don't seem to be many people with this natural body shape.  Enter the corset - where everyone can achieve this sought-after look!

After looking at these pics/descriptions can you pick out your natural body shape?  Have you reached the point in life where you can look at your body shape objectively and appreciatively?  

I'll write more later about each individual shape and how to look for femininity in dressing your particular shape.