What is The Body Matrix?

What if finding your best lines doesn’t have to be so confusing? I created this 27-type body system to help you breakdown the complicated task of finding your best lines into three easy steps

What if finding your best lines doesn’t have to be so confusing? Every body type system I have worked with seems to exclude large portions of the female population who find that their bodies don’t fit into the categories available. The body type systems I had discovered were trying to be too simplistic, to create clear boxes you could neatly slip into - except so many of us don’t.

When I started working as a virtual image consultant, I was using kibbe-based body types, which is an exciting theory that places women into ten categories based on their yin/yang balance. However after a while I realised that there were women I was working with who were not being represented by the system. They were left feeling lost after getting their typing as they felt so different from the archetype presented.

I realised there are three categories by which you can assess the best lines for a woman’s frame:

width: wide medium narrow

length: long medium short

shape: straight medium round

As such there are 27 combinations, 27 unique body types. For example, you might be..

wide medium straight

narrow long short

wide short round

Your body

Your width is found in your upper body and shoulders. If you are broad in your shoulders and upper back, you have width. If you are petite in your shoulders and upper back, you are narrow. If you are somewhere in between you are medium.

Your length combines your height and your vertical line (how tall you look). Those who are long tend to be 5”7 and above. They look tall, meaning their head is proportionally small compared to their body and they often have long limbs. Those who are short tend to be 5”3 and below. They look short and doll like, meaning their head is proportionally large compared to their body and they often have short limbs. Those who are medium tend to be 5”4-5”6. They look moderate in length so their head is proportionate to their frame and they often have medium limbs, with their body in proportion.

Your shape is found in your bone structure, and we often think of the shoulders, chest and hips playing an important role. Those who are straight tend to have squarish shoulders with sharp lines in the chest and hips, which also tend to be lean for their proportions. Those who are rounded tend to have circular shoulders with soft shapes in the chest and hips which tend to be full for their proportions. Those who are medium appear neither particularly sharp nor soft, neither very angular nor rounded in their shoulders, chest and hips, and could easily lean either way.

Your Style

The object of the body matrix is to help you dress in a way which honours your figure - and, ultimately, makes you look fantastic. By reflecting the key aspects of your frame, you honour your shape and will feel harmonious. These are the elements of your outfit which each of the body matrix categories affect:

Width

• neckline

• sleeve hem

• trouser leg

• jewellery weight and size

• shoe and handbag weight and size

• fabric weight

Length

• skirt and trouser length

• hem length

• sleeve length

• shoe height

• jewellery length

• bag length

Shape

• fabric texture

• waist definition

• fabric movement

• neckline

• sleeve shape

• leg shape

• jewellery shape

• accessory shape

• shape of the toe-point

• shape of heel

• clinginess to chest and hips

The idea is that you echo your key words in your styling. For example, if you are wide, short and round, your outfit might include:

• off shoulder (wide) neckline

• flared (wide) leg

• bell (wide) 3/4 length (short) sleeve

• cropped (short) trouser leg

• belted waist (hourglass shape)

• chiffon (round) top

• lightweight (round) denim jeans

• round toed chunky boot

• chunky (wide) bracelet with smooth (round) edges

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I hope you enjoyed my reminder of my body matrix system and how it works. I have expanded upon my system of The Body Matrix in my book ‘How to Dress Your Best’ which you can get here ! There are also free resources across my website which you can peruse at bodyandstyle.com

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