Cardigan Empire the Movie, reverses completely with
The Linear Figure
Thanks to Float Away Films for filming, editing, and making these beautiful films
and generous gratitude to Kristine of Kristine or Polly for modeling her darling linear figure
How to measure: waist/hip and waist/bust ratio greater than .75; your hips and bust are virtually the same
Grab your spectacles and click your mouse to read more here.
click to supersize
blair, atlantic-pacific
cameron diaz
elaine, clothed much
natalie portman
Nominate your favorite linear ladies in the comments.
Not
Linear (Straight, Athletic)
Try
Hourglass (Curvy)
Middle Figure (Soft Tummy)
Lower Figure (Full Hip, Bottom)
Upper Figure (Ample Bust)
Measure (Get Started)
Want a professional opinion? Purchase your own body type consultation below.
VIRTUAL BODY TYPE CONSULTATION $20
Discover which body type and which silhouettes and shape are the most and least flattering for your figure. Completely virtual based on pictures and digital survey.
oh you wonderful woman. i thought i’d always look like a boy. you’re the best. love you!
Loved this. Cute, helpful videos. Hope to see more!
I need you in my closet and when I go shopping! You taught me much from this video and I’ll keep figuring out how to dress this body of mine! Thank you!
These kinds of schematics always leave me a bit confused about which body type I have. I tend to wear size 4 to 6, and people’s impression of me tends to be “petite,” and my bust to waist and hip to waist ratios aren’t very high. Still, I wouldn’t call myself “lean” either. I’ve had babies, and I have to be careful to dress my squishy post-baby tummy, and I do have more curves than most of the pictures. Still, I don’t think I’d consider myself an apple either. Is there a category for “average”? Hahaha.
Brinestone, if you send me your measurements,
http://www.cardiganempire.com/2008/12/first-we-need-to-measure.html
I’d be happy to send you my diagnosis.
-Reachel
I probably need a friend to help me because every time I measure it’s different. First time was 34 bust, 32 waist, 37 hip.
Then I remeasured my waist because I was surprised how close it was to my bust measurement and got 30, so 34 bust, 30 waist, 37 hip. That sounds like pear.
Just now I got 35 bust, 30 waist, 36 hip. That might be hourglass?
Yeah, I probably need someone to make sure I’m measuring at the right places.
Brinestone,
I would go with the narrowest waist measurement you took. It’s a common mistake to measure to high or too low and get too large of a waist measurement.
When you take all your measurements, take the measurements in your dainties, with a full length mirror if possible. If you find someone to help, tell them to make sure the measuring tape is taut and parallel to the ground.
I calculated your measurements based on 34 bust (since you got that twice), 30 waist, and 37 hip, which comes out to be a delicate lower figure (pear).
Good luck!
Reachel
Thanks! Yeah, I think that’s about right. I do find that I don’t have to be TOO careful with dressing my lower half, because it isn’t that big except proportionally, but I do need to be careful to look balanced and to not overwhelm my small frame.
I just happened to come across your blog when I clicked a photo of Rita Hayworth I was looking at and I’ve been here for over an hour now! I did the measurement calculator you put up and quite surprisingly I was closest to an hourglass based on ratios. I know that can’t be right because I’m not curvy. I always thought I was linear because I’m quite lean, though I do have a waist. Then after I read the dressing a ripe figure I think I could be that. I’m so confused!
CJ,
It sounds like you’re either a delicate hourglass or slight upper figure. Either way, you don’t sound extreme enough in your curves to require vigilant adherence to figure dressing rules. You’d probably benefit most from the linear recommendations. When the numbers don’t make the situation clear, I always recommend studying your own experience. Feel free to e-mail me for an in-depth discussion.
You have a GREAT blog!Just a quick question….I fall under the linear category, but I don’t feel like I am petite. I am rather broad. Do the rules change for that? Do you know of any famous figures that are linear but broad? All the ones you show are very sender. Thanks!
Hi Becky,
Welcome and thank you for reading! The linear rules should apply regardless of your width. You want to round out angles with items like fluid pullovers and add curves with embellishments and or architecture. The only caution I would add is if you are particularly tall beware of anything too sweet. It can look silly and out of place.
Good luck dear!
Reachel
Hi Becky,
I love all the colour analysis and style tips, but as with all the body type quizzes, I just don’t fit in!
My measurements are –
5 ft.4inches
36/29/37
D cup bra and distinct inward curve to lower back.
On other sites, the definition of hourglass is a waist between 6 to 9 inches smaller than bust and hips. Also, the linear type usually has smaller breasts
Of the photos, I look most like Kendy Everday (though I have larger breasts), but she’s classed as hourglass.
I think she’s similar to me – i.e. somewhere between hourglass and linear, or a slightly straighter hourglass. I think that (like me) she doesn’t suit belts (someone should tell her!) – and definitely suits a look that scims and emphasises her curves, but isn’t too tight to her body.
It’s a hard look to get right at first, but I’m nearly there with it – slim v-neck, polo-neck or round-neck tops that fall below the waist and A line skirts work well. Loosely fitted blouses/jumpers and bootcut or palazzo trousers. Low-cut silk shift dresses that are loosely cut to emphasise waist (not tight) are very sensual looking. Fitted cocktail dresses are great but only if the fit is perfect and especially with a slight off-the shoulder cut to the decolletage and slight A-line , or a midi boho style dress that lightly draws in at the waist is very flattering too. Long boots or high wedges are a very good look too, whereas a true hourglass looks good in a classic pointy court shoe or very high heel.
Could another category be added?!
Lily
Hi Lily, I sound like you, but I am far from the lean lithe figure in the video…
What are your thoughts Becky? I always thought I was a pear.
My measurements
5ft 3 inches
34/28/35
Alexis, you waist and hip measurements could actually qualify you as a pear (35/28 = 1.25). It doesn’t quite qualify under b/h, (28/35 = .8), but that’s one of the reasons we do two ratios. If your experience leads you to believe you are a pear, I would go with your instincts. The numbers are just there to help you sort things out. Hopefully that helps.
Also Keira Knightley has a super linear body, and I appreciate how she can play with her minimal curves :))
Hi Raechel, great blog. I’ve just purchased your online colour consult and now looking at my body type. I’m in Australia so measured in cm, bust 99, waist 82, hips 99. It fits in linear but I’ve never considered myself petite, my bottom half is easy but I always struggle with my top half being (I think) on the large side. So would that make me an apple, or top half instead? My measurements fit that too… thanks 🙂
Hi Sarah, I’m so excited to work with you on your color analysis. Given that your hips and bust are 121% of your waist, I would actually lean towards a lower figure. Regarding your struggles dressing your top half, are your shoulders by chance broader than your hips? This could be more of an architectural difference. If you’re interested I also offer a virtual body type analysis, we could look at your situation in more detail. If you’re interested, there’s a link to purchase at the bottom of this post, above the comments.
I can’t figure if I am apple or linear. My measurements put me in both categories.
Hi Stephanie, that’s a good question. The measurements for both apple and linear are very similar. However, while apples tends to be soft and somewhat curvy, linear figures are sharp and angular, somewhat boyish. I hope that distinction helps.