Your guide to how to choose the right pattern for your body shape.

Choose the Best Pattern for You
Women’s bodies come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and most can be put into one of five categories. In fashion, the key to looking your best is to identify your body shape and learn which styles best flatter that shape.

The five basic body shapes are: the Hourglass, the Triangle, the Inverted Triangle, the Slim Rectangle, and the Wide Rectangle.

The Hourglass
Sometimes referred to as the ideal figure, this balanced figure is marked by wide shoulders, a full bust, a narrow waist and wide hips. It has a defined waistline, and the bust and hips are nearly the same size. The object is to show off your narrow waist and curves without overemphasizing your hips and bust.

With a thin waist, I’m sure you have lots in your wardrobe – and good thing, since belts are definitely back – and are perfect for your shape.  But you may also want to minimize other areas, such as a large bust or hips. Check out these patterns that flatter The Hourglass...

Knit in Country, the Toronto sweater worn with an interesting belt, is perfect. The shawl collar brings the eye to the neck area while the belt emphasizes your small waist.

Another great design for your body type is the Naples wrap, crocheted in Country.  Naples can be worn in a multitude of ways, but the best way for you is when worn belted.

And another great design for you is the Glasgow jacket in Country, again when worn belted. The wonderful oversized collar draws your eye there as does the belt. And it’s just long enough to cover your hips.

Crocheted in Spa, the Aqua Aloha top focuses on the center of the body especially when worn with a strong contrasting color beneath it. You could also wear this belted to emphasize your small waist.

The Triangle
Defined by narrow shoulders and a small bust extending to significantly wider hips, this figure is known as the pear shape. Give the upper body interest, drawing the eye up away from the hips. Create balance by accentuating the shoulders and bust and minimizing the hips.

You’ll want emphasis on your upper body, so you’re in luck, as sweaters of almost any kind are great for you.  Check out these patterns that flatter The Triangle...

With its yoke emphasis and dolman shaping, the Venice pullover is perfect for you.  You want the focus on the upper body and this design has it all just right for your body type.

Check out the Toronto pullover.  Worn straight (without a belt), the collar brings the eye to the face and upper body.  And with the body done in a solid color and a vertical stitch pattern, it’s slimming all around.

Another super design is the Barcello coat, crocheted in Spa.  This design is ideal for nearly any body type, especially yours. The shaping of the sleeves and upper body bring the eye to that area, which is exactly what you want.

Wraps such as our Sausalito wrap are also great for you, as the off-the-shoulder look brings the eye up and emphasizes the upper body as well. Plus the vertical lines of the cables in the Sausalito wrap also draw the eye up.

The Inverted Triangle
Defined by broad shoulders, a full bust and heavy upper arms extending to narrow hips, balance this figure by adding interest to the lower body.

You have an interesting body type for sweaters, but, if chosen carefully, knitwear can work well for you. Check out these patterns that flatter The Inverted Triangle...

Surprisingly, the Toronto pullover is a great shape for you but only when the main color is in a relatively dark shade.  With the emphasis in this sweater being in the shawl collar area, the dark main color would tend to minimize areas it covers.  You should wear this sweater unbelted for the best look for your body type.

The Portland jacket, with its vertical cable lines, solid color and disguising dolman sleeves will also bring the eye up – and when worn with a colorful or patterned skirt, the eye will travel where you want it to go.

Shawls, especially traditionally shaped ones, such as those pointed in the back, are perfect, as they draw the eye down.  A perfect example of this look is the Casurina shawl knitted in Spa.

The Naples wrap, when worn single layer and long, is also a great look for you.

The Slim Rectangle
In this lithe figure, the shoulders and hips are very similar in width with little definition at the waistline— straight up and down with a lack of curves. The object is to give the illusion of curves and define the waist or to enhance the look of the hips and bust.

Lucky for you, as you have lots of sweater choices.  While belts are OK, they’re best worn at the hip or loosely tied with a sash belt.  You just want to keep the interest toward the center. Check out these patterns that flatter The Slim Rectangle...

An ideal design for your body type would be the Barcello coat, as its vertical lines and solid ribbing up the front keep the look linear.

Another super look would be the Aqua Aloha top in Spa.  The shoulder focus, the single color and vertical patterning are perfect.

The Portland jacket is also very good, as it’s ideal length, just above the hip, unfitted style and collar emphasis work well for you.  And the options for buttoning also lend interest to the upper body.  The vertical cable patterning and slight dolman also work well.

And be sure to try one of the super shawls, such as the Sausalito wrap, all of which are ideal for you as well.

The Wide Rectangle
In this very common body shape, there is very little difference between the bust, waist and hip measurements—the hip measurement is at least 75% of the bust measurement and the waist and hips are the about the same.

While similar to the Slim Rectangle in shape, your proportions are greater. You’ll want solid colors, vertical lines and neckline emphasis. Check out these patterns that flatter The Wide Rectangle...

I can’t say enough how the Barcello coat must’ve been designed with you in mind.  Vertical lines, solid color, great over a solid color pants combo – it’s ideal.

The Toronto pullover is also perfect, especially when the main color is in the dark shades.  The shawl color in the four colors brings the eye to your face and the center of your body.

With its open front, collar emphasis and body in solid color, the Glasgow jacket is also ideal for your body type.

The Sausalito shawl is also ideal for you.  Worn however you like, the shawls bring a vertical line to whatever outfit you’re wearing with it.