I remember the moment everything suddenly made sense.

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I had heard about body types before, but it wasn’t until I had some kids B”H and put on some weight that I realized I’m a textbook “pear.” Whenever I gain a few pounds, they go straight to my hips and thighs.

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I didn’t like my new shape, and I couldn’t figure out how to “fix” it. I honestly thought most women were pear-shaped - that we all gain weight in our hips - and that women who gain weight in their stomachs are just… “fat.”

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What I hadn’t yet understood was that most women fall into a few different basic body shapes (no, we’re not all pears, or skinny). And that the real question isn’t “Am I thin or heavy?” It is: “What body shape was I blessed with?”

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One Motzaei Shabbos, I was out for my regular walk with a close friend, something we’ve been doing together for nearly twenty years. As we passed a streetlight, our shadows stretched out on the sidewalk in front of us. Both shadows looked very tall but something surprised me. My friend’s shadow looked straight and narrow, and mine looked like a large barrel.

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Wait… what? Yes, she’s taller than I am. But I had alwaysassumed that her weight struggles were more noticeable than mine. And suddenlyit was clear: yes, she has a stomach issue but she was narrow, and I was wide.I didn’t love that realization. I sped up my pace and avoided looking again atthat ridiculous shadow…

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Only later, when I really learned about body shapes in myFashion Design course, did everything finally make sense. She’s a Rectangle.I’m a Pear. She might carry more weight in her stomach, but her shoulders andhips are not wide, while my hips and lower body are more dominant, and that’swhy our silhouettes look so different.

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During my fashion design studies, we learned that while noone fits perfectly into a box, there are a few core body structures. Somepeople describe them with letters, since the letter’s shape visually matchesthe body; others use visuals: rectangle, apple, strawberry (or “invertedtriangle”), pear, and hourglass.

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When we talk about body types, it’s really all aboutunderstanding our natural proportions and how they create our uniquesilhouette. For instance, a Rectangle shape is beautifully balanced withshoulders and hips of similar width and a straighter waistline, offering a veryclean and modern look.

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Then there’s the Apple shape, where fullness is mostlyconcentrated around the midsection while the legs stay relatively slim. If theupper body is more dominant with broader shoulders that taper down to narrowerhips, we call that a Strawberry shape.

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On the flip side, a Pear shape features narrower shoulders and fuller hips, usually highlighted by a very clearly defined waist.

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Finally, there is the Hourglass, known for its classic symmetry between the top and bottom with a distinct curve at the middle. Each of these shapes has its own unique character and beauty, and knowing yours is just the first step in finding the style that makes you feel most confident.

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So why does knowing your body shape matter?

Because what usually bothers us isn’t weight, it’s imbalance. You know that outfit that’s beautiful and the right size, but somehow always makes you look heavier or shorter?

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Then there’s that older, not-so-trendy piece that gets you compliments every time you wear it: “Wow, Did you lose weight?”

Often, we feel that something is off, but we can’t quite explain why.

Maybe our hips feel too dominant. Maybe our upper body feels heavy.

Maybe tucking in a shirt or wearing a belt just doesn’t work for us but we don’t want to look like a shlump.

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Once you understand your body structure, and how to balance it out - everything

changes.

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If your challenge is a fuller bust, you can soften the upper body with darker colors and draw the eye downward - for example, with an interesting skirt or detail near the hem.

If your hips are more dominant, you can visually balance them by strengthening the shoulder line - a structured jacket, a meaningful scarf, or a short statement necklace.

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In my workshops, I explain this in depth with real-life examples, and I also share practical tips on my Instagram page. But honestly? Any thoughtful woman can learn to

identify her body shape, think strategically, and start shopping with intention.

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I also put together a special body shape guide where I break down each silhouette with tips on what to wear and what to avoid so you can always look and feel your best.

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Don’t hide your body.

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Don’t fight it.

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Work with what you’ve got. Dress in a way that creates balance and helps you feel confident, put together, and comfortable in your own skin.

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It’s so important for your happiness, and your happiness is so important for your Avodas HaShem.

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