How to dress an inverted triangle shape
Your shoulders or bust are wider than your hips. A little volume below and clean lines up top bring it all into balance.
Capsoire may earn a commission when you shop through our links.
If you're an inverted triangle, your shoulders or bust are wider than your hips. You might have a strong, athletic upper body and narrower hips. Some people build this shape through sport, and plenty are simply born with it.
You might find that shirts pull across the shoulders while pants feel loose at the hip, or that jackets fit your arms but swamp your waist. Once you know the trick, which is balancing your top and bottom, dressing gets a lot easier.
Haven't measured yet? Our body shape guide shows you how, step by step.
The basics
- Keep the top clean. Skip extra padding or frills at the shoulders.
- Add volume and interest below. Wide-leg pants, full skirts and prints on the bottom half balance your frame.
- Choose necklines that break up the shoulder line. V-necks and scoop necks are great.
- Show off your legs. They're often a great feature.
Tops
V-necks, scoop necks and wrap tops create a vertical line and soften the width across your shoulders.
Raglan sleeves, where the seam runs diagonally from the neck to the underarm, soften the shoulder line.
Plain tops in darker or solid colors keep the top calm. Save bold prints for your bottom half.
Halter necks and one-shoulder tops can look striking on you too, since they draw the eye inward.
Puff sleeves, shoulder pads and wide boat necks add more width to the top, so they're the pieces to be choosy with.
Bottoms
Wide-leg and palazzo pants are wonderful for you. They add movement and balance your shoulders.
Bootcut and flared jeans do the same in a more casual way.
Cargo pants, pleated pants and pocket details add a little volume at the hip.
A-line, pleated and full skirts add shape below. Try a midi skirt with movement.
Brighter colors and prints look great on your bottom half.
Dresses
Fit-and-flare dresses with a V-neck are close to perfect: clean on top, full below.
Wrap dresses create a V-neck and a waist.
Drop-waist dresses and dresses with full skirts add volume where you want it.
Look for soft, fluid fabrics on top and fuller shapes from the waist down.
Layers
Single-breasted, unstructured blazers with soft shoulders look sharp without adding width.
Longer jackets and coats that flare slightly toward the hem bring balance.
Open cardigans and waterfall jackets create a long vertical line.
Peplum jackets add a little volume at the hip.
Shoes and accessories
Chunkier shoes, like block heels, loafers and boots with a bit of weight, balance a strong upper body.
Long necklaces create a vertical line. Bags at hip height, like a crossbody or a shoulder bag that sits at the hip, add interest lower down.
Belts worn on fuller skirts or wide pants show off your waist.
A sample inverted triangle capsule
- V-neck knit sweater
- Plain scoop-neck tee
- Wrap top
- Wide-leg pants
- Bootcut jeans
- Pleated or A-line midi skirt
- Fit-and-flare dress with a V-neck
- Soft single-breasted blazer
- Long open cardigan
- Loafers and block-heel boots
- A long necklace and a crossbody bag
Three outfits to try
- Weekend: a plain scoop-neck tee, bootcut jeans, block-heel boots and a crossbody bag at the hip.
- Work: a V-neck knit with wide-leg pants and a soft single-breasted blazer, plus loafers.
- Evening: a fit-and-flare dress with a V-neck, a long necklace and block heels.
Own your shoulders
Strong shoulders are a great feature, and lots of people would love to have them. If you want to wear a bold-shouldered blazer and own it, go for it. These tips are about options, not limits.
What's next
Coming soon: the Capsoire quiz. For an inverted triangle, it will line up V-neck knits, wide-leg pants and full skirts, and you'll be able to set your own price tier.