Determining your current body shape

This is not rocket science. You don’t even need a tape measure. Just sand in front of a full-length mirror in your underwear, scary asthma may sound, and take a look at yourself.

Take a look at your body’s proportion. Women, scrutinize shoulders, chest, waistline, hips, and overall height. And don’t forget to turn around and check out your tush while you are at it. Men, see how your shoulders relate to your waistline and where you carry the bulk of your weight, if anywhere, and of course, take note of your height.

Then, think about how your clothes fit on the various parts of your body. Just because you can get a pair of pants on and fasten the button does not mean they fit. You have to be able to breathe, move without pain, and above all, sit down. If pants fit you in the hip, are they too tight at the waist? Chances are you have a little extra in the middle. Do you have problems finding jackets and shirts that fit you in the shoulder but not in the chest? You’re curvy on top. Do your pants gape at he waistline when they fit in the hips? You’re curvy on bottom. Is it impossible for you to find tailored clothing that doesn’t drown you frame? You’re most likely not curvy. Being able to isolate the area that gives you the most angst in the dressing room will aid you in figuring out which body type action in this book may apply to you.