The I body shape is characterised by a long lean body, shoulders are similar to hips, though sometimes marginally wider, (but never linebacker).
There isn’t a particularly defied waist, many describe themselves as boyish. Here are 3 examples.
How to dress your I shape body:
- If you want to create more curves, look for volume or detail in the areas you want to enhance.
- Layers can work well, as can flounces and volume. Trapeze styles work on your frame.
- If you have a longer neck, high neck tops work well for you, crews, turtle and boat necks are all great options.
- You don’t need to shy away from horizontal stripes.
- Double breasted styles can work well for, whether in jackets or coats.
- Trench coats are ideal for your shape. Any sort of belted jacket or coat should work on you.
- Jeans can be wide, skinny or straight, bootleg can also work.
- If you have a flat bottom look for flaps on back pockets. You can also wear jeans with pockets that sit on the outside, or pocket detail on the hips.
- You can rock the cargo pant too, pockets on thighs will add extra shape.
- Don’t shy away from trousers that are lighter than your tops.
- Skirts can come in many shapes, from tulips to straight, circle, gypsy and flared. Pleats and gathers work for you too.
- Shift dresses can look gorgeous, also try shirt dresses and empire-baby-doll styles, though you’ll most likely find that styles like wrap dresses don’t work so well as you are too straight for their curve loving shape.
- Try prints and patterns to add extra shape, don’t shy away from either swirls or even geometrics.
- If you like sharply tailored styles, button-up shirts with collars will fit your shape and flatter.
- Tops with volume and banded hems can work.
- Avoid clothes that really need curves to fill them out.
- Avoid chunky heeled shoes, they will appear to weigh you down.
Celebrities with I shaped bodies include Cameron Diaz, Rachel Zoe, Kate Hudson and Nicole Kidman.
Here is more about dressing your I shape.
Again, Imogen, the pictures are invaluable. It's really striking how clear it is when there is a good visual. I see the differences between the shapes much better now. And you're right, the I is very streamlined–nothing screams line backer. That's for certain!
I think that many of us by nature, turn to clothes, which suit us best. It is like with colors, of which I had a small post yesterday. I have not placed myself yet to any body shape. But, reading your description of the clothes, for the I shape, I recognized myself there. The cargo pants, tulip skirts and the belted coat. I also favor texture. Thank you!
This is me, all right. And I also have a very flat chest. I'm just one straight line. I like layers and volume, so I'm glad to hear that's recommended! Your posts are very helpful. Thank you.
Interesting! How does the I differ from the H? They appear very similar, yet the H is advised not to belt at the waist but the I can? The real people photos really help to see the real shapes in the "raw" so to speak.
Ditto Vicki's question – how do you tell an H from an I?
Ah, I wish I was an 'I', I think it'd suit my personality. Instead I am an X …
Imogen: Thank you for joining in with my blog followers. I am honored : )
Thank you so much for this! Now that I know what shape I am I need to find more clothing.
Tried to send you an email but it didn't work :c.
Here it is:
I was looking at your body shapes post, and am a bit confused as to which exactly is my shape. I've got really, really broad, square shoulders and basically, I look like a guy from the front. My chest isn't small, it just looks like it because of the shoulder width(d cup). I've got a defined waist, and a fairly hefty butt. So in side view, curves like a mountain road. From the front…manly.
What would you call that?
Also, how can I subscribe to this?
Wow, thank you! These posts are invaluable!!! Speaking as an “I” (now I know), I did click on the “H” shape first and kept thinking, “Gosh, this isn’t me.” The “I” I just knew it was me when I clicked. I think the main difference (I could be wrong here) is how streamlined, petite, and fine-boned the I’s look. Also, for years I’ve thought it funny/odd that my shoulders are actually a little broad. You hit the nail on the head and confirmed that I am indeed an “I” by pointing out that subtle broad shoulder feature. I actually like the broad shoulder feature by the way, as it makes for a nice contrast when I wear a belt or waist-defining top… aids to the illusion of an hourglass, if that makes sense.
Thanks Sarah, so glad you’ve found the information useful and relevant to your body!
hi i would discribe myself as an I but with boobs,so now i am confused as to what shape i am?
You can be an I shape with boobs as breasts are not related to body shape, which is related to your skeletal structure.
This is me.. I all the way.. sucks that we gotta be called boyish and linebacker…seems like this site looks down on this shape…
maybe you can add on here a few exercises to enchance your shape..
Victoria – not sure why you think that we look down on the I shape – models are I shaped most of the time! I only mention Boyish as that’s a word that my clients who are I shaped have mentioned to me about how they view their shape. I’m not an exercise physiologist and can’t recommend exercises. I believe you should love your shape, whatever it is. Learn to dress it in a way that makes you happy. It’s an easy shape to dress!
Oh ok…idk why women refer to themselves as boyish but this is a great website …I’ve been dressing myself wrong for years lol ty for the response …took many years for me to love my body
Please , Please help me !!!
I think I am a mix of two different shapes, I just think I have it right when I read another web site and get all confused again ! Could I mail you my exact measurements, and would you tell me what I am?
Would really help, think I have been getting it wrong all my life
Measurements don’t get an accurate shape. I need to see a photo
I think the lady in the second photo has a defined waist…she looks more like an X shape than an I (to me anyway.) Her waist goes in (especially on the right side) and seems clearly defined- I think.
In comparison to an X shape she is more undefined. You can still have some waist definition and be a straighter body shape
I am an ‘I’ shape and I really like how I look in clothes. In a bathing suit however, I do feel very boyish, it’s true. Very…pre-pubescent.
I guess another thing about me is that I have short legs and a long torso, so I tend to look a bit ‘stumpy’ on the bottom, so I look just ‘ok’ in skinnies.
Chris, I feel the same way. I’m an I, but since I have short legs (long rise,) I feel stumpy if I don’t wear heels. I never wear skinnies:-(
Is there a way of wearing leggings or skinnies if you’re an I with short legs??
I’d like to camouflage my tummy a bit since having a baby, but it’s harder with shorter legs, particularly if you don’t always want to wear heels.
Wear a column of colour – this will elongate your body. Then add a short or cropped jacket/cardigan or top to draw the eye up the body and away from where your pants end. Or wear skirts!
I don’t understand why the majority of body shape calculators use the chest measurement instead of shoulders. Like you’re defined by your boobs and anything above them is irrelevant?! I love how that’s handled here. With a 34B chest, even though I’m slim, my hips are slightly wider than my chest, so all the calculators insist I must be pear-shaped, or hourglass at best, and that has always felt wrong. I mean, I’ve always been aware that my shoulders are fairly wide, turns out they’re actually slightly wider than my hips – so I don’t look like a pear at all. Also the example pictures help, my waist is like the second picture but I always thought it’s too defined to be an I shape – and yet that’s how I see myself, and it’s so good to finally get validation. BTW I would totally describe my shape as boyish, nothing wrong with that. 🙂
Is there such a thing as an overweight I shape or does the person become an H with evenly distributed extra weight?
Depends how the weight goes on – an I could turn into many shapes – an H, O, A or X
I’m thinking in terms of evenly distributed weight, so no part gets wider than another, thus not an A shape. Does that mean an I is always thin or does height make an I? If Nicole Kidman gained 50 lbs evenly, is she a plus sized I or does she become H?