The Four Different Body Shapes: Find Yours!
There is a ton of literature on how to relate your measurements to your shape. By far the best one I've found is in "The Science of Sexy" by Bradley Bayou. This celebrity fashion designer uses percentages to determine different body shape proportions. These percentages are the ones you'll use to find your body shape -- so you can start putting your body type dressing rules into play.
Check out the following different body shapes to see where you fit in...
Hourglass Shaped Body
Shoulders and hips are within 5% of each other AND your waist is at least 25% SMALLER than your other measurements, then your body shape is an Hourglass.
Inverted Triangle Body Shape
Shoulders or bust measurement is LARGER than your hips by more than 5%, then your shape is an Inverted Triangle Body Shape (commonly known as the "apple" shape body).
Rectangle Body Shape
Shoulders, bust, hips, and waist measurements are roughly the SAME size -- within 5% of each other -- then your body shape is a Rectangle (sometimes referred to as a "ruler," "straight," or "banana" shape).
Triangle Body Shape
Hips are more than 5% BIGGER than your shoulder or bust measurement, then your body shape is a Triangle (often called the "pear shape").