The body shape most known for a small waist is the Hourglass, characterized by bust and hips that are nearly equal in width, with a significantly narrower, well-defined waist, creating a balanced, curvy silhouette (X-shape). Other shapes like the Pear (Triangle) and Strawberry also feature a defined waist but with different proportions in the upper/lower body.
Hourglass. If you have an hourglass body, you typically have a small waist in comparison to your hips and bust.
The Rectangle shape is characterized by shoulders and bust that are equal to the hips and a waist that is not well defined.
The rarest female body type is generally considered the hourglass, characterized by shoulders and hips of similar width with a significantly narrower, defined waist, with studies suggesting less than 10% of women naturally fit this description, while some data points to the inverted triangle (broad shoulders, narrow hips/waist) also being quite rare, potentially under 1% in some views, though hourglass is more consistently cited as the least common overall.
The waist by itself means nothing. It may be sexy and then again it may not. Sexiness in a woman is determined by what is known as the Waist-To-Hip ratio (WHR). This is because what makes a woman sexy is the classic 'hourglass' figure. Therefore, the ideal woman should have a waist distinctively smaller than her hips.
Waist size for women:
Ideal: < 80cm (32”) High risk: 80-88cm (32”-35”)
Many men prefer women who are “in between” skinny and curvy.
However, many men also said they prefer curvier women, and others said they prefer skinnier women. Some even said they don't care much about body types. Baller notes, “There's a wide range of body types that can be attractive.”
Body Shapes with the Highest Risk of Health Problems
Apple and pear body shapes tend to have the highest risk. Apples tend to be at greater risk for heart disease, diabetes, and strokes because they hold a larger amount of tummy fat.
Zendaya has an inverted triangle body shape with broader shoulder lines and narrower hips. Let's break down the styling secrets that compliment her body shape. She masterfully balances her frame by adding volume to her lower body.
Studies indicate that men generally prefer a body type that includes moderate breast size, a certain waist-to-hip ratio, and a slightly muscular shape ((Park and Park, 2010)).
The 3-3-3 clothing rule is a simple styling method for creating many outfits from few items: choose 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 shoes, which allows for 27 potential combinations (3x3x3) and reduces decision fatigue, often used for travel or building a minimalist capsule wardrobe. It's a versatile concept, sometimes expanded to include 3 layers (like jackets or cardigans) for even more looks, making dressing easier by focusing on mix-and-match versatility with core pieces.
Individuals classified as ectomorphic are often described as being thin, with small bones, narrow shoulders, and undefined musculature. Of the three body types, the ectomorph is considered to have the lowest risk for heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
The rectangle body shape is characterised by equal bust, waist and hip measurements. The lack of curves makes the body appear like a column or a rectangle.
Comparing a 70cm Waist with National Averages
For men, 70cm is considered small, as their average waist ranges from 75–85cm. People with waistlines under 70cm often have slender builds and engage in frequent exercise to maintain firm abdominal muscles.
The Hourglass Shape:
(Calculation example: You are an hourglass if your shoulders and hips measure 36 inches and your waist is 27 inches or smaller). Those of you with an hourglass body shape naturally have a balanced look with a defined waist.
The truth is, the size of your waist has a lot to do with genetics. Often it's not an issue of needing to "lose more fat" it's just simply how your body is built and that's okay. We can't change our bone structure but what we can do is build up certain parts of our body to create the illusion of a smaller waist.
Angelina Jolie: Angelina Jolie is often cited as an example of an inverted triangle body shape. She has broad shoulders and a toned upper body, which creates the classic V-shaped silhouette.
Zendaya has openly addressed her struggles with anxiety and the “dark cloud” of sadness, sharing her experiences to destigmatize discussions on mental health.
Who on earth has a 22-inch waist that isn't a small child? Transformers star Megan Fox publicly revealed that her 22-inch waist measurement is due to "an immense amount of Pilates." Yesterday, Jezebel scanned an article from the latest issue of US Weekly that estimates jean sizes for four celebs.
Women who exhibit the hourglass figure have been shown to be more admired, which can put pressure on women whose body shapes are noticeably different to strive to achieve the hourglass figure. This can lead to body dissatisfaction which can cause eating disorders in (often young) women from all over the globe.
Nevertheless, the least attractive (cluster 1—thin torso and thin legs; or cluster 2—large torso and large legs) and the most attractive images (thin torso and medium legs) can be established.
Hourglass is the rarest body type, with only estimated 8% of women having this figure. Here's the thing: hourglass bodies are versatile. The stereotypical hourglass is too narrow of a depiction that often fails to capture the true beauty and diversity of this shape.
So, what do men find attractive in women? Per Wikipedia: Men, on average, tend to be attracted to women who have a youthful appearance and exhibit features such as a symmetrical face, full breasts, full lips, and a low waist-hip ratio.
To get a rough idea, if your BMI is less than 18.5, you're considered underweight.
More importantly, men prefer girls with curves, as they feel more comfortable and secure when hugging or holding hands. And compared to skinny girls, chubby girls are more likely to be seen as sexy and feminine. Many men actually prefer girls with curves, as they think such girls are more lovable and charming.