The Banana Shaped Body
(aka The Rectangle Body Shape)
And How to Identify It

And what difference does that make, you may be wondering?

Well, knowing your body shape gives you some of what you need to know to dress your body type well...seriously, learn the three Artistry & Strategy Body Shape Fashion Tips and you will have a formula to dressing practically all different body types stellarly...if that's a word, but you get the picture...all I can say is, be prepared for gifts :).

Since women with a banana shaped body vary little in their shoulder, waist and hip measurements, according to the former hosts of BBC What Not To Wear, Trinny and Susannah's, Susannah Constantine, "a column is one of the easiest bodies to dress."

The Question

Are your measurements about the same for your shoulders, waist and hips?

Women with a banana shaped body tend to have bustline/shoulder, waist and hips measurements that may vary less than four inches from one of these three areas of the body to the other (e.g., Cameron Diaz, Nicole Kidman).

Technically, some people refer to the rectangle body shape as a plus size banana/ruler body shape. Since the body silhouettes are so similar, we've put them in the same classification. Besides, there's no special name for a fuller-figured pear.

Straight or banana body types do not tend to have narrow or sloping shoulders like the pear shaped woman, nor do they have particularly narrow waists or full hips and breasts like women with an hour glass figure do, or full waists like women with an apple body shape.

Due to her rectangle body shape, her waist-to-hip ratios vary little. However, with excessive weight gain, that could change quickly since banana shaped body types tend to gain weight in the mid-section first.

Some banana shaped women may also be ectomorphs.

Ecto What?

Sheldon defined three distinct body types: the ectomorph, endomorph, and the mesomorph. These body types, which technically differ from body shapes, are largely determined based upon body composition.

Ectomorphs tend to have lower body mass indexes than endomorphs or mesomporphs. They are often quite slender and may have a appearance that resembles the Penelope Cruz body type.

Endomorphs have a high fat to lean tissue ratio, giving them a rounded appearance.

Mesomorphs have a high ratio of muscle tissue and can achieve a well-defined, muscular appearance with little effort compared to an endomorph or ectomorph.

The Verdict

If you answered 'yes' to the question above, you probably have an banana body shape (to get how to dress it tips, click here). However, female body types aren't just about hip, waist and shoulder measurements.

There are different body types within the category of the banana body type. Some women with a ruler shaped figure have large breasts (see photo below, Trinny and Susannah's 12 Body Shape System call this the Lollipop body type), other ladies have small to medium size breasts. The same goes for the behinds, etc. They may also be petite, tall or plus sized and vary in their body proportions.

Comprehensive Body Shape Questionnaire

For a more sophisticated woman body type classification system, visit the Artistry & Strategy Body Shape Fashion Advice page.

You'll find out how your vertical and horizontal proportions can vary, even within the same woman body type, and how knowing what your body shape is can help you select women's business attire that will help you look your best in the world of business or the world at-large.

Return to Different Body Types page from Banana Shaped Body page.

Click here to go to the Artistry & Strategy Body Shape Fashion Tips page.

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