The difference between your Body size and your Body Type

“No one is hung up on your size but you. Start dressing the body you have now” - Christie Ressel. 

Fashion has a lot to do with biology and psychology because it is a reflection of who you are through your body and mind. A common issue I see as a fashion stylist is people shopping with their body size in mind. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with thinking about your size, however the issue with this mindset is that your size doesn’t reflect your shape. Your body type is what determines your shape and features. 

Body size consists of numbers that reflect your body weight and the size of clothes you wear while Body type consists of the features that make up your body. 

Body Size

Your body size highlights your weight and determines what type of clothes you wear. Designers can’t always create clothing pieces in one size (although a few items like tees, shawl are created in one size). However, clothing items like pants, skirts, dresses etc. have to be made in multiple sizes because we all have unique body features with different body weights.

Body sizes usually range from size 0 - 22 or XS - 3XL, and they fluctuate or change when people lose or add weight. Yet, the size of a dress doesn’t indicate what type of clothes will look good on you.

Body Type

Your body type highlights the features that make up your body. There is a lot of content around body type and there is a need to understand it. Stylists understand the differences.

There are five body types that are determined by the structure of bones and body compositions. It is more biology than we realise because your body composition comes from your family genetics. Body type is rarely altered since that is how you were created.

As a woman, you most likely have gone through phases of insecurity because of your body type or size. A woman's body is complex because it goes through the monthly cycle of ovulation, menstruation, pregnancy and then back to being normal. This process takes a toll on our bodies and as a result, we are very conscious about our physical appearance. Hence, the need to shed light on the woman's body because all these changes affect our body weight and size but we need to always remember that our body size doesn’t define our body type or mean we do not have a beautiful shape.

The truth is that a slim or small body type doesn’t automatically mean a beautiful body type and vice versa. What makes a beautiful body type is the unique features that make up the body eg your height, your hips, your broad shoulders, your boobs, your long legs etc. They all come together and make you look beautiful, even though you might not always feel like it.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s important to know your size because it helps you get the right fit for clothes. However, it’s important to remember that fit and style have two different meanings. So in order to keep reflecting your true personal style it is important to understand your body type as well as body size.

The media world has painted a picture perfect world to what a woman should look like but you and I know there’s more to that, so when next you go shopping I hope you remember to dress for the body you have.