Tiffani Celestalis' Fashion and Beauty Page

Wearing the right clothes for your body shape is our daily challenge, and source of fun as well.

And our avatars are no different. The beauty of SL (compared to some less flexible avatar systems) is the ability to shape avatars into all sort of wonderful shapes.

We can have fat avatars, muscular avatars, thin avatars, tall avatars and short avatars.

After you've proportioned your avatar nicely (see my old posts on the subject), you have to fill in that height with something. A body shape!

SHOULDER WIDTH
In figure drawing it is often recommended to start with the shoulder width. They say you can more easily get the proportions correct by getting the shoulders right at the beginning.

Let's start with shoulders 1 head width apart. This is almost impossible in SL to achieve.
Here I am with head at maximum size and shoulders at 0 size.

1 shoulder width part (kind of)

1 additional head width on either side of the shoulders (kind of)

about 1/2 a head width on each side

Based on 7.5 head tall person:

Shoulder to fingertip - 3 and 1/2 heads (Collar bone to finger tips)
Armpit to fingertip - 3 heads (Armpit to the tip of the index finger)
The lower arm and hand - 2 heads (The distance between the elbow and the tip of the index finger)
The Upper Arm- 1 1/2 heads 
Hand - 3/4 heads
The Foot is roughly the length of a hand without the toes.

You can apply grade school ratio math to adjust this to your size.

	6 heads tall	6.5 heads tall	7 heads tall	7.5 heads tall	8 heads tall	8.5 heads tall	9 heads tall	9.5 heads tall	10 heads tall	10.5 heads tall	11 heads tall
Shoulder to fingertip	2.8	3.0	3.3	3.5	3.7	4.0	4.2	4.4	4.7	4.9	5.1
Armpit to fingertip	2.4	2.6	2.8	3.0	3.2	3.4	3.6	3.8	4.0	4.2	4.4
The lower arm and hand	1.6	1.7	1.9	2.0	2.1	2.3	2.4	2.5	2.7	2.8	2.9
The Upper Arm	1.2	1.3	1.4	1.5	1.6	1.7	1.8	1.9	2.0	2.1	2.2
Hand	0.6	0.7	0.7	0.75	0.8	0.9	0.9	1.0	1.0	1.1	1.1

armpit to fingertip, 3 head lengths.. this shape is 8 heads tall, so I mike stretch it a bit past the line.

BODY SHAPES: FEMALE

There are a lot of interpretations of body shapes. For example glam check (http://www.glamcheck.com/fashion/2011/03/16/women-body-shapes/) defines four body shapes in women:

The Rectangle / Lymphatic / Banana body shape The Triangle / Thyroid / Pear body shape The Tulip or Inverted Triangle/ Android / Apple body shape The Hour Glass/ Gynaeoid body shape

Some sites have gone even more detailed in the different shapes, including 12 shapes:

http://ninasquirrelly.deviantart.com/art/12-realistic-woman-body-shape-chart-301110737

But I like the four basics. Rectangle, Triangle, Spoon and Hourglass. Lots of shapes blur between these four basics as you will read (and might disagree on category) below:

RECTANGLE

A rectangular body is more or less straight up and down, like a brick.

shoulder width = hip width (more or less)

waist is almost aligned with hip and shoulder too

a rectangle's legs will seem long though

the waist is the feature that adds curves and differentiates upper body from lower body. so without a sharp distinction the lines seems longer.

In SL:

Shape > Torso > Shoulders

Shape > Torso > Love Handles

Shape > Legs > Hip Width

Are all pretty close in close to each other. This will give a rectangle.

You can have many types of rectangles including:

Slim Female Figure

Hips and shoulders are sharp edged.

Hips should curve with a noticeable groove between hip and the thigh.

Breast outline is within chest area.

Toned Female 

Wide to narrow quadrilateral on narrow to wide quadrilateral

Shoulder width same width as Hips

Waistline is less wide but there should not be a flagrant indent

Breast outline touches chest lines (not within)

Waist (hip length) stretched a touch to show separation between upper and lower body

What to Wear?

Clothes will look nice on you, but you can create curves by accentuating the waist (look for colours and patterns)

Wearing shoulder pads was also listed as a possibility to add dimension but.. gag (hello 80s). Some SL models go overboard on this with avant-garde/shock/bizarre styling.

Wide leg trousers are nice too and balance proportions to accent the slender upper body.

Show off some leg. The mini skirt is good with nice heels.

[INVERTED] TRIANGLE

In this shape you are top heavy.

Thighs and hips are smaller than bust-size and shoulders.

Waist-line is average and less defined.

Legs slimmer and bottom flatter.

In SL

Shape > Torso > Shoulders are wider than the others on this list

Shape > Torso > Love Handles

Shape > Legs > Hip Width

This will give a triangle.

You can have many types of inverted triangles including:

Athletic Female Figure

In athletic females, the hips are narrow compared to shoulder (shoulders are wider because of muscles)

Curve leading into hips starts higher, just below rib cage and has a straight line (increase love handles, decrease hip length)

In SL

As above but also..

Shape > Torso > Torso Length shorten this (because hips start higher)

Shape > Legs > Hip Length lengthen this if you want (to compensate for the shortened torso length and give you the lean look still)

What to Wear?

Clothes with designs at the bottom like frills, chains, tiers. It takes the strength of a heavy upper body and creates an effect that makes the hips seem wider.

Or some other design that creates a thinner waist look/wider hip

SPOON (also called TRIANGLE)

Narrow at the top and wide at the bottom.

Have full bottom, heavy thighs and hips are wider than waist and shoulders.

Upper half is proportionate and slim in comparison.

In SL

Shape > Torso > Shoulders are narrower than the hip width

Shape > Torso > Love Handles vary

Shape > Legs > Hip Width are wider than the others on this list

This will give a triangle.

You can have many types of spoons including:

Pear Figured Female

Hip width is wider than shoulders

Breast outline touches chest lines

Tummy noticeable (increase belly size)

Can allow more width in waist (hip length)

Voluptuous Figure (kind of.. this might fall also into other categories)

Body is made of a double quadrilateral + guitar

Shoulder and Hips are same width

Breast outline is bigger than chest line and rounded

Waist is longer (stretch it a bit)

Break the instant connection from waist to bottom with another curve – define love handles

Tummy should be close to waist, hip and thigh outlines

Have voluptuous bottom and rounded tummy

What to Wear?

Layer at the top or add volumes of ruffles, frills to create a well proportioned look

Also can expose skin with wider necklines

Mix solid darks at the bottom and lights at the top to balance off proportions

Wear prints only for shirts and blouses (to draw attention to the top, not bottom)

Wear pants with wider legs -- just as wide as the widest part of the hip and falls down to just touch the foot to make the legs look slim and long.

HOURGLASS

Curvey figure with breasts and hips in proportion and balance.

Shoulders are about proportioned with hips

Bust and Hip are about the same

Well defined with slim waistline that accentuates hips and bust

In SL

Shape > Torso > Shoulders are about same as hip

Shape > Torso > Love Handles slide down to create a curve between top and bottom

Shape > Legs > Hip Width are about same as shoulder

You can have many types of hourglasses including:

Guitar/Hourglass Female Figure

Waist (hip length) is short
Exaggerated curve inwards at waist
Shoulder and Hips are same width

Breast outline is bigger than chest line

Increase belly size to make it noticeable

BODY SHAPES: MALE

When considering typical body shapes, men will often fall into one of five categories:

1. trapezoid, 2. inverted triangle, 3. rectangle, 4. triangle or 5. oval.

THE TRAPEZOID broad shoulders broad chest narrow waist narrow hips upper and lower body are balanced

In SL Shape > Torso > Shoulders: wide Shape > Torso > Love Handles: appropriate.. avoid weird curves Shape > Legs > Hip Width: narrow

You can have many types of trapezoids including:

SLIM FIGURED MALE

- put a small curve/indent at the bottom of the ribcage area (this is done through love handles in SL or contrasting some chest and belly proportions )

- accentuate the sternum area

MUSCULAR FIGURED MALE

- create a square shape in the stomach area (try torso length sliders)

- the shoulders should curve a bit upwards (try playing with muscular sliders, thickness etc)

ATHLETIC FIGURED MALE

- this is identical to muscular except not as muscled and thick

TONED FIGURED MALE(almost rectangle)

- lessen the definition in the chest (shrink it a bit) and abs

- can show a bit of a curve between mid section line and where it connects to waist

What to Wear? - simpler shape to dress than others - most styles suit this shape because it is well proportioned - try everything. you have a good shape so you can try new trends, cuts, colours, bold prints, statement pieces

THE INVERTED TRIANGLE

broad shoulders broad chest even narrower hips and waist than trapezoid upper torso should be much wider than lower torso this is a common shape for athletic frames and weight lifter types/muscle men

In SL Shape > Torso > Shoulders: very wide Shape > Torso > Love Handles: appropriate.. avoid weird curves Shape > Legs > Hip Width: very narrow

You can have many types of inverted triangles including:

the above mentioned for trapezoid (if their upper is way larger than the lower)

What to Wear? as always in fashion, you want balance. since you're top heavy, you want details in the lower half to offset the big upper. try using belts, pockets -- manly stuff to draw some attention to the lower half away from the upper try V necks (they narrow the chest) and draw the eye down try graphic prints and logos -- they create a focal point that reduces the attention to the upper chest try pants that are straight or more relaxed slims (not skinny and slims) pants because you'll add some volume to your lower half try fancy pants to draw the eye down Don’t: Wear structured jackets with shoulder padding or wide lapels. This will only emphasise the widest area. Consider tops with wide scoop necklines. Again, this will only appear to widen that area. Wear three quarter length sleeves that will broaden the appearance of your chest. Try to stick with shorter sleeves for anything but formal shirts. Opt for skinny leg cuts as they will make the top half of your body appear even wider – throwing out your proportions further. Gravitate towards shoulder detailing/prints/colour-blocking. Pieces that incorporate such detailing will only draw the eyes to that area.

THE RECTANGLE

shoulders same width as waist and hips

In SL: Shape > Torso > Shoulders: aligned with hips Shape > Torso > Love Handles: forms a line between chest and hip Shape > Legs > Hip Width: aligned with shoulders
You can have many types of rectangles including:

Smooth Figured Male
the outline that defines the waist (love handles in SL) isntead of connecting the the hips and moving down to shape out the thighs, have them curve outwards a bit before rounding back in to connect back with the hips.

What to wear? men should have that V shape, so widen the shoulder and narrow the waist in comparison (try to look like the trapezoid shape)
try: jackets with padded shoulders but narrow down from the underarm scarves and circular necklines to widen the upper torso layer with shirts, jackets and undershirts to widen chest/shoulders and narrow down to the hips use prints and block that give emphasis to upper
don't wear anything that strengthens the rectangular shape Layer intelligently – shirts and fine knitwear in particular can be used to widen the chest/shoulders and then narrow down towards the hips. Utilise prints and patterns accordingly – intelligently placed colour-blocks and prints can be effective at emphasising the upper section of your body.

don't:
Wear double-breasted pieces as these will only strengthen the rectangular shape. don't wear photographic tees or large geometries - they will emphasize the rectangular shape (think a picture frame) wear sleeveless stuff (makes a rectangle in the middle) use bright primary block colours on the torso (unless print, detailing or an appropriate neckline is used)

THE TRIANGLE chest, shoulders are narrower than waist and hips (your bottom half is bigger) may result in sloping shoulder line

In SL: Shape > Torso > Shoulders: narrow Shape > Torso > Love Handles: maybe be chubby Shape > Legs > Hip Width: wide
You can have many types of triangles including:

VOLUPTUOUS FIGURED MALE
there should be a sideways oval around the belly area to show of a bit of a tummy
remember your profile view too, increase tummy size (weird to have a flat tummy that bulges at the sides)

What to wear? emphasize upper half must wear well-fitted clothing straighter leg pants give shape to shoulders wear darker colours on top try adding a scarf or bright layer (like tee or shirt)
Don't wear horizontal stripes across tummy wear polo necks or narrow crew-necks (emphasizes your shape) wear skinny jeans/tapered pants wear jackets with lots of pockets at the front (brings attention to tummy)

THE OVAL round at middle part of body narrower shoulders and slimmer legs shape of older men

In SL: Shape > Torso > Shoulders: narrower than mid section Shape > Torso > Love Handles: wide Shape > Legs > Hip Width: narrower than mid section
You can have many types of ovals including:

VOLUPTUOUS FIGURED MALE
this is the same as described in triangle
the difference is the bottom half is more proportioned with the upper. It's just the bulge in the middle.

What to wear?
wear vertical stripes and pinstripes (lengthens body) avoid pants that are too long (like prim cuffs), or too short wear prints or textures of dark hue to add point of interest in outfit wear fitted, loosely tapering trousers to lengthen legs wear low profile shoes
Don’t: Wear horizontal stripes anywhere on the body as they will make that part appear rounder. wear cowl necks wear wide crew necks wear polo necks wear shoes with white soles or trim (they widen feet and make your legs look shorter) wear boots that can make your legs look shorter wear double breasted jackets

FURTHER READING AND REFERENCES

http://www.realcolorwheel.com/human.htm

http://vector.tutsplus.com/articles/how-to-draw-different-body-types-for-males-and-females/

http://www.sheknows.com/beauty-and-style/articles/826747/dressing-for-your-body-type

http://www.insideoutstyleblog.com/2008/09/body-shapes-explained-h-shape-rectangle.html

http://www.examiner.com/article/clothing-and-colors-that-compliment-you

http://www.fashionbeans.com/2013/introduction-to-dressing-for-your-body-type/