Is upside-down lightbulb a body type? Pear-shaped isn’t quite right. It’s skinny legs, broad as a barn, little waist, bony top. I will say that lower-rise pants are a godsend.
I no longer try to accommodate myself to the retail/fashion industry. I have my clothes made, which allows me to choose styles that work for my body, instead of trying to make my body work for ready to wear clothing. It’s a relatively expensive solution, but really improves my quality of life. I’m short. I like bracelet length sleeves (because I wear bracelets) and a longer length dress. No problem.
If I was as talented as other women in my family, I’d make my own clothes, but I gave up on that idea years ago. I am just awful at handiwork. No matter how hard I try.
@conmama, don’t feel bad for me … I don’t dislike my body or anything. It’s just that I will put things on, and they will fit me fine, but they just don’t seem to look right on me - not to be confused with looking bad on me, though. I often feel that if I were to wear a particular outfit, I would look like I was trying too hard to look young. I guess my taste hasn’t caught up with my age yet! I really don’t have any body issues - I am not self-conscious about my wrinkles here & there, because I am probably the only one who notices them (aside from my S, who is blunt but learned in his childhood not to point out any flaws in his mama!) - I just feel silly in many of the things I like. To be honest, I have never been a fashion-plate, and I don’t always trust my taste. Maybe the issue is that I feel like I should have figured all of that out by now! For now, I play it safe most times. I work at an art school, so I try to dress a bit on the hip side at work … but I will only go so far. All in all, I am okay with myself; I just wish I could figure out my style.
Fat, overweight.
@kelsmom …ok, I get where you are coming from. I sort of went through that period of not knowing what my style was…for probably a decade. I loved the mid 80’s to mid 90’s fashions. I knew what I looked good in and how to dress, and young enough to pull things off. After kids and body changes, I feel like I lost my fashion sense. I didn’t really feel great in casual clothing. I’ve relearned it the past few years, the internet has helped. I look at over 40 and 50 fashion blogs and stretch myself a bit. I also love the young looks, but remember I’m not 35, let alone 25. I find those blogs helpful. I don’t even feel like I have a particular style anymore. I’ll wear a dress from WHBM, or slightly ripped jeans with cold shoulder tops with booties, to an athleta sportier dress. It’s sort of all over the place now…but trying to keep it youthful, but age appropriate…and fits my body type!
I am locked in skinny jeans and sweater with a collared shirt underneath during fall, winter, spring and polo-style dresses in the summer. I need a style, but whenever I try, I feel like it’s a total fail. What I think looks good in a mirror in the store makes me wonder what I was seeing when I get it home. Given the number of events I have upcoming, I am just a slight bit terrified. My daughter even told me I have to buy a dress for the wedding, have it photographed from all angles and show it to her and the bride and get the sign off from all before I take off the tags. She knows my propensity for love it, then hate it. And when that happens, I shy away from all photos, which won’t be a possibility at the wedding.
Long torso, short, muscular legs. I used to avoid leggings and patterned pants, but have decided I look okay in them (or at least no worse than anyone else). I think I look better in shorter shorts because they make my legs look balanced with my torso—and I have learned to embrace my muscular legs. My calves are ripped. Strangers, usually jealous men, will make comments on them. I also have trouble figuring out what new trends to follow because of my age and my changing body.
@runnersmom, can you go shopping with a trusted friend to help you or make appt with a personal shopper?
I do most of my shopping at a few boutiques who carry the brands and styles I like and whose owner and sales people ( who have been there for years) are very helpful. Much better and easier than shopping in a department store. They are great at picking out pieces that go together perfectly and knowing if something will look good on me or not…
I think I’m long torso, shorter legs. I’m tall and relatively thin, which I helps as far as wearing clothes.
My “worst” feature has always been the tops of my thighs, so I prefer longer shorts. (When I was less than 25, and was still very thin, I showed up at a picnic and was told by a very good male friend that I had “drumstick thighs” - my ankles and lower parts of my legs are very thin, but my thighs are normal to heavy. He is correct). I hope I don’t look terrible in longer shorts, because that’s what I wear when I wear shorts at all. I can where Capri pants, but they look goofy if they have wide bottoms, because my legs are so skinny. one thing I have never felt comfortable in are dresses or tops that have some kind of straight seem or band right under the chest. I’m ok of it slants down from middle to side. Another thing is tight pants, like the leggings most everyone (including me) wears now. I still don’t own any Lycra biking shorts -I will only wear them with baggy shorts on top.
I had to check some photos. I’m very slightly long legged. I used to be fairly pearlike, but have morphed into a more rectangular shape. I have always had a big bottom, small breasts (somewhat bigger thanks to breastfeeding!). My legs tend towards the sturdy. Unfortunately I’ve gained a good 10 pounds in the last couple of years. Most of that weight seems to be a pot belly and bigger thighs. I’ve noticed though that shirts that fit my bust all tend to be too narrow in the sleeves these days. I have small bones and a very narrow face, so I tend to look a little thinner than I really am.
I wear capris because skirts are not practical for my job and if I’m out in the hot weather looking at job sites I don’t always want to be wearing long pants. My style used to be LL Bean preppy. Plain tops, nice pants and a blazer. I usually wear sweaters and jeans these days except the first day I meet a client. I don’t tuck in my shirts any more because no one else does, not because I think it’s such a great look on me. I do have a couple of empire waist tops and don’t think they look good on me at all. So why did I buy them? I hate shopping.
@runnersmom, definitely go to a place with a personal shopper. I recommend Nordstroms. You just tell them the occasion, what your size is, and what colors you like, and when you show up for your appointment you’ll have ten garments to try on. You probably won’t like any of them, but your comments will lead the stylist to find an outfit that looks great on you and is perfect for the event.
I don’t fit into any of the body types. I have a short torso and long legs. No defined waist at all. I look best in skinny jeans. Since I have no waist I cannot wear anything that has a waistband. All my weight is in the belly which also adds to the anything with a waist looks ridiculous. I could be an apple shape but I have small breasts and the weight is all in the front. When I gain weight it is all in my belly. I need to lose a bit of weight but my weight is within range of healthy normal weight for my height. I have this belly whether I weigh 115 or 150. I also tend to get bloated easily. I am still sometimes asked when I am due. I guess the best description of my body is someone who is normal to thin who is three months pregnant. If I had a bigger bust my middle section weight would not be so noticeable.
I am on the short side (under 5’3"), have long legs, a very high waist and a large bust. I have to be very careful with the high waist/large bust issue. I used to be an hourglass and may still be but, with a more recent weight gain over the past year as I went through menopause, that middle is feeling more round. I also have abnormally skinny ankles and think capris look silly on me so I avoid them. Because my legs are thin, I like myself in leggings and skinny jeans and longer, looser tops. Outside of that look, I struggle a bit to find things I like that I think are flattering. Certain sheaths are flattering but not all and I have yet to figure out what, specifically, to look for.
Interesting but perhaps not surprising how so many of us have issues with our bodies/finding clothes we’re happy with. 
My mom once bought me a book called 40 Over 40 by Brenda Kinsel (might have the last name wrong) and it was great advice on dressing/buying clothes. And it isn’t a bunch of rules, it’s more like therapy for getting over the indecision and second-guessing. The best advice I still use today (I am waaaaay over 40, now) is “if you don’t love it, don’t buy it”.
I hate clothes shopping – giant scoop necks, plunging necklines, ridiculous skinny jeans, wondering “Is this a shirt? or a dress?” I liked Anne Taylor but the quality is kinda bad, Talbot’s is often fusty and WHY do their salespeople follow you around!!! I hate that. I’ve been trying stitchfix
If while visiting Seattle you run into a woman dressed in Lulu crops and a coat like this… that’ll be me 
I’m neither an apple nor a pear. I’m not sure I’m a fruit at all. 
I have wide shoulders and proportionate hips, not much of an obvious waist, and skinny legs. I’m kind of skinny and flat. Maybe I’m a popsicle?
I look good in skinny jeans with back flap pockets, capris, and anything that gives the illusion of a waist. Those belted shirt dresses and 1950s garden party dresses look great on me.
I am hideous in wide-legged trousers (actually, most pants don’t flatter me due to my flat bum) and look like a worn out bag in clothes from Chico’s, J Jill, Eileen Fisher or any other company that makes clothes for women my age.
I resemble Big Bird (or an apple, to everyone who uses more conventional shapes). Tall, skinny legs, short-waisted, all the weight in the middle. Leggings are good as long as there is a long, billowy shirt over it. The smallish chest makes everything else look bigger. I’ve long said that if I could move 5" from my waist to my bum, I’d drop two sizes instantly and look a lot better. Cannot wear pullover sweaters or tucked-in shirts. Chinos have to be slim cut in the legs and down to the ankles, otherwise there is too much fabric (though it will be snug at the waist and stomach).
Plus sizes assume curves and padding in places that I don’t have.