BODY TYPE BRICK : YOUR BEST LOOKS

19/9/2013

The Brick has a slight or no waist, longer legs, small bust and bottom, and usually broad shoulders, rather thick thighs and calves. Shoulder width is the same as hip width, without any particularly prominent body area. This shape can come in many sizes and for some the tummy is more prominent.
For the Brick it's all about trying to stay feminine.

Chunky curvy shoes extends the illusion of curves to your legs as well. Go for a curved heel and rounded toe for shape, and the chunky heel/style looks great with the Brick silhouette.

Some Bricks can get away with figure hugging dresses. But since people with the Brick body type has a tendency to get a larger tummy when putting on weight, it can easily become unflattering.
Layering, thick or too stiff materials, or square silhouettes can leave the Brick looking boxy and unfeminine. Flowy or drapery fabric, gathers, knots and belts are great for creating curves and cover body-issues.
Stripes work well on a Brick, because varying the pace of stripes can create an optical illusion, adding shape (The wrong use of stripes will broaden you).
In general bricks need strong or graphic prints to break up their shape. Scarves, large lapels and wide neck-openings are also good for breaking up your top half and balancing broad shoulders.
Always shape your top half!

Fitted tank top or vest with wide neck opening. Use it under a jacket or over a shirt to enhance waist.

Round neckline top with graphic decoration. The open neckline balance the width of your shoulders.

Round neckline top with three-quarter sleeves. The cuts feminize your figure.

Draping knotted top. Creates curves and covers any tummy issue.

Draping empire line top. Creates curves and covers any tummy issue.

Round neckline empire line top with sequin decoration.

Draping fitted under boobs dress with tummy covering function. Best way to wear a figure hugging silhouette.

Cut that creates an illusion of a more curvy waist. When wearing figure hugging dresses use clever cuts, draping, strong prints or stripes to avoid looking boxy.

Peplum tops are good for creating curves. Three-quarter sleeves feminize your figure.

High wrap dress with a sweetheart neckline creates illusions of curves and boobs for the flat-chested. Strategic knot and drapery creates waist.

Strategic knot and drapery creates waist and gives illusions of curves. For the Bricks with big tummies, always go for empire-line or high cut waist.

Centered knot directly under boobs, directs the attention to the center of the waist. This gives an illusion of a defined waist and curves in general.

Wide diamond neckline opens the chest area and creates curves. The scarf is flowy adding softness to the silhouette while breaking up the broad shoulders.

Scarves are also good for breaking up your top half.

Asymmetric skirt gives the illusion of a figure that goes in and out. It also sculpts the but and hips.

Panelled skirt in a heavy flowy fabric will cover the tummy and and soften the Brick look.

Floppy trousers that flow. The material is soft and moves easily. This adds softness and femininity to your shape.

Belted jacket. The belt creates a line defining the waist and creating curves. A button is not enough to create a waist for the Brick, but a belt does the job.

Belted/tied blazer or wrap jacket in a fitted style.

Tied blazer in elastic form-fitting fabric. Floppy trousers that flow. The material is soft and moves easily. This adds softness and femininity to your shape.

Belted coat. The belt creates a line defining the waist and the skirt creates curves. Belt directly under boobs is more flattering for the Bricks with larger bellies.

Empire-line coat with wide lapels that go out almost to your shoulders. The empire cut nips in your waist and skims over your tummy and bum.
NB! Normal double breasted coats are bad for the Brick figure.

to learn more about the different body types
press here

to determine if you are a brick
press here

(The 12 body shapes and rules are mostly borrowed from Trinny and Susannah's Body Shape Bible. I have made some alterations. The Kate Moss in graphic print picture is a Patrick Demarchelier photo. The rest of the photos in this post are random pictures from Tumbler, Pinterest or borrowed from Google. Unknown source.)

26 Comments

ETHICAL AND PERSONALIZED STYLE, FOR A "GOOD FOR YOU" WARDROBE.

Idealist style is a website and "slow blog" dedicated to ethical fashion and personalized style, including tips on how to find your very own "slow fashion" style by using color analysis, the body types system, and other slow fashion tips.»
Created by an idealistic fashion designer, stylist, writer, and illustrator with a passion for "good for you" fashion.
Very nerdy about it.
Born in Norway, educated in Milan, Italy.

I decided to name my page "Idealist Style", because I'm an idealist. On both a creative. environmental, and a humanitarian level. So, I feel the title suits my message well.
i·de·al·ism
-The act or practice of envisioning things in an ideal form.
-Artist who treats subjects imaginatively.
-Belief in or pursuit of one's ideals, of high or noble principles, purposes, or goals.

The work on this site is mine unless specified.

Mathilde link

25/4/2017 11:08:17 am

Your guides are pretty outdated, don't you think? :)
This is what happens when you learn from one book, dear sheeple. Looooong way to go, all the best for it tho!

IDEALIST STYLE link

25/4/2017 11:52:00 am

Hi, Mathilde. Thank you for your concern. The clothes in this post are from 2013, yes. Unfortunately it's not sustainable for one person to keep updating everything to a current look all the time. I don't know why you are referring to learning from one book, as I have 6 years worth of education in fashion and design. I have to credit Trinny and Susannah's "Body Shape Bible" in my post, because that' the right thing to do, when they came up with the 12 types system. This is a free source of information, so that people from all walks of life can have access to styling tips. Your rude remarks is not welcome on this page. You're obviously just out to get attention through your negative behaviour, if not you would have phrased that comment differently (sheeple? how rude!). Good luck to you in life, it that's how you speak to people. If you comment anything with this kind of tone again, you will simply be deleted at once. There are enough bad comments on the internet, and so this will not be tolerated here.

IDEALIST STYLE.

Moretta

13/1/2018 12:05:22 pm

I'm looking at this in 2018 and even if the clothes aren't from this year, the basic rules of dressing for figure types remain consistent, which is the entire point of your post. Thanks for doing this. I'm actually an hourglass and you would be amazed at how many style sites recommend that I wear smock blouses and things without clearly defined waistlines. That's great if I've decided to feign pregnancy or want to add 20 pounds to my appearance, but otherwise, is fashion malpractice. Your advice, on the other hand, makes sense.

14/1/2018 12:48:38 pm

Hi, Moretta! Thank you so much for your lovely feedback, and you’re so right. That’s one of the things I love so much about dressing for my body type. It’s a lot more sustainable than changing everything evertime the trends change. Also, I’m so glad you found my page helful :-).

All the best to you.
Xxx, Sun.

Marisa

8/5/2017 05:04:32 pm

I'm a short waist, petite, brick shape with thin calfs. I give up! To top it off, flat chest and rather flat rear ended. Help!

9/5/2017 09:49:51 am

Hi, Marisa. It does sound like you could be a slender Brick, or maybe a short Column? You don't have to check every box perfectly to fit into a body type, as there is probably 12 million body types in reality. This is a generalisation, and so there can be some variations. The system works best when seen in grey tones, rather than black and white, so you might be a Brick with a little twist, or similar.
Check out both the posts on the Brick and both the posts on the Column, and see if that helps? http://www.idealiststyle.com/the-body-types.html

Xxx, Sun.

Ginny

28/10/2017 08:15:55 pm

Hi . I'm a girl with broad shoulders, wide back , thick thighs ,large tummy , big and droopy ? boobs and wide hips.I am not really sure what body type I am.Can you please help me?
Thank you

29/10/2017 06:15:45 am

Hi, Ginny. From what you’re describing, it sounds like you’re either a Brick or a Cello.

If your lower legs are slender compared to your thighs/the rest of your body, your but and things are very full and curvy, and If you have a short and small waist compared to your hips, chest and shoulders, that points to Cello.
If you don’t have a waist, or it’s more of a curved back and your tummy makes you straight or it’s dominating/belly larger than hips, and lower legs are heavy too, that points to Brick. This type will also usually have less of a but, but not always. Your lower legs and waistline are the two most important features to help you separate the two types, in this situation.

I hope this helped.
Xxx, Sun.

Laura

25/11/2017 02:57:31 am

Hi, I m a girl with big upper arms and big tights and have love handles and small tummy, but my hips are not broad and the bottom is flat. I have noticed that I cant wear anything with the stripes and boysh cuts. According to body calculator I m pear, but I cant wear the pears clotes, please help

29/11/2017 12:25:33 pm

Hi, Laura. It does sound a lot like you're describing a Brick body type. All of the things you mention is classic Brick. Also, body types calculators aren't always accurate. I'm guessing that you might have a small to average chest size, since you got Pear shape. So, that would exclude the Goblet body type, and the Cornet would have long legs. It really depends on your thighs, lower legs, and chest and shoulders size. But, I think it so far sounds like you're a Brick. It's not that different from a Pear sometimes, depending on which other body types you're leaning towards. Body types are all on a scale with many edges, leaning towards many other types. That's why it can sometimes be difficult to figure out. But, the overall look is the determining factor, as well what kind of clothes fit you and not.

Check out the Brick, and if not try the Goblet, Cornet, or maybe even Apple. There is a small chance you could also be a Skittle, but then Pear styles, would still work for you, as that's the sister-group of the Pear.

I hope this helped.
Xxx, Sun.

Ange link

9/12/2017 01:41:01 pm

Hi there - I was just wondering, what makes Kate Moss a Brick rather than a Column? Thanks :-)

21/12/2017 11:11:03 am

Hi, Ange! That is a very good question, as these two body types have a lot in common. There are actually two ends of the spectrum that is the Brick body type. You have the typical Brick that Trinny and Susannah features in their book, and the Soft Brick that is closer to the Column in that there is a bit more of a curve look even thought they actually have a straight shape. Eva Longoria is a good example of a Soft Brick.

The difference between the Column and Brick is that the Column has a narrow frame, while the Brick has wide shoulders with matching hips, and the Column has slender legs, while the Brick will have a bit heavier legs. This does not mean that a Brick must have thick legs or so on, but it's more about proportions in comparison to their height.

I hope this helped!
Xxx, Sun.

21/12/2017 11:14:30 am

Also! Kate Moss is quite short for being a model, and she does have wider shoulders and a wider frame in comprarison to her height that makes it easy to spot that she's actually not that tall. A Column will often look tall in photos even if they're not. It can sometimes be very difficult to separate a Brick from a Column in one is shorter/taller than average or fuller figured or very slender, as that can make certain features harder to separate.

Xxx, Sun.

Patti link

4/1/2018 04:10:04 pm

Why don't you show everyday women wearing everyday clothes in the pics showing body types instead of what you show here? You seem to over glamorize the types. To unrealistic.

4/1/2018 04:56:51 pm

I’m sorry you feel that way. However, I don’t have the recources to do my own photo shoots of all the body types in all the clothes (It’s a free page and I have a chronic illness). So, I have to use celeberties and photos found through the internet. I still write about it realisticly, so that people can know that there are more varieties within one body type. I do use some thin and some fuller figured women in the posts depending on what I could find. When I made this there were also less famous plus size models and actresses with the amount of outfit photos I needed to find the right examples I needed to show. So I hope you understand that it’s not as easy creating something accurately when you have limited choices to choose from. I would never want to exclude anyone. Maybe you could make your own page with a better range of »models»? I would love that as it would be great to be able to send my readers somewhere to see that wider size range. Not being sarcastic, I mean it, because my goal is to show all the types within a type. I have to save that for the future when I have those recources though.
If you want to see the body types on non famous people, you should get the Trinny and Susannah body shape Bible, as they have had the opertunity and budget to shoot some of it. They still have less examples though. You can also find some of it online. I can’t use their pictures though as that would be stealing their work, as they still sell that book.

I hope this cleared things up.
Best regards, Sun / IDEALIST STYLE.

4/1/2018 06:08:16 pm

Or did you mean the style of the clothes? I wear clothes like that, so I guess I have just picked clothes I would wear myself. Which is natural, as it’s me who made this. There are also street wear photos in several of the body types post. However, I’m no longer quite sure what you meant as your message could be interpret in several ways.

To sum it up! If you just look at the shapes, cuts, and weight of material, that’s the info you need to translate the look into whatever style you like.

Anyway, I hope this answered your question.
Best regards, Sun.

4/1/2018 08:33:03 pm

Oh! I realized I was maybe a bit unclear about one thing in my reply about the styles of the clothes. So, to add on to my previous answer. It’s also because I had to look through a ton of photos to find the right clothes on the right body type. It was not easy to find certain styles, and event photos and photo shoots are usually the ones that show the clothes the best. And sometimes the street photos were better. I did the best with what I could find, so it’s also a bit about recources again.

You felt that the body types were glamourized, and I’m not sure if I answered that, as that could mean any number things depending on what you’re reffering to?
Ultimately, what I want people to take away from the body types posts, is that it’s more about what clothes does what, and less about bodies. I say that because I belive the clothes should fit the body, and not the body that should fit the clothes. The body is perfect the way it is, and the clothes are there to clothe you, keep you warm, express personality, to have fun with.

There! At least one of these answers must have been what you asked about, I hope.
Lol! Be careful what you ask for, you might get a really long reply! ;-)

Sun.

Sara

7/6/2018 09:21:08 am

Hi There, I could really use your help in determining my shape... there are so many confusing messages out there that some clarification would be really great 👍🏻

I am 5’ 6, usually wear a size 14, have longer legs than torso, a fairly wobbly tummy (two big babies 👶🏻 😁), some good love handles, I wear a size 38b bra and have wide shoulders!

I never know what style of clothes to go for as I feel I am quite oddly shaped... any help would be the absolute best.

Thank you very much.

12/8/2018 12:46:14 pm

Hi, Sara! It does sound a lot like you're a Brick. Longer legs, a bit of a tummy. It depends on if your hips and shoulders are balanced, to figure out if you're top heavy, bottom heavy, or balanced. A Brick is balanced. Depending on how large that chest look on you, you could also be a Goblet, since they also have wide shoulders/a broad back. The Goblet is top heavy though. You could also be a Column, as they too come in all sizes (all body types do :-). First figure out if you are balanced or top heavy, and then look at these types and see which of the clothing and shoe styles that flatter you the most.

I hope this helped :-)
Xxx, Sun.

Corliss link

23/4/2019 07:52:47 am

Hello!
I am havin a bit of trouble finding my body type. I thought I might be a brick but my idea of my body type is still foggy. I have long legs with thick thighs and chunky calves, short, slight waist, broad shoulders, long, thin arms, small chest and rear.
What really am I and how should I dress?
Thank you!

18/8/2019 11:33:48 am

HI, Corliss! It does sound a lot you're a Brick. Have you seen the other post about Brick body type too? It has yes and no examples about how to dress I think that's the best way to show you how to dress other than the photos of best clothes above.
https://www.idealiststyle.com/blog/the-body-type-brick

Your best look sounds like the fit and flare styles. Like flared skirts and dresses, wide legged pants, and peplum tops with skinny jeans. Flowy materials is also best to avoid the flare and width to look boxy.

If that's not a fit, maybe also check out the Skittle.
https://www.idealiststyle.com/the-body-types.html

I hope this helped!

Xxx, Sun.

Talia

9/4/2020 07:19:04 pm

I’m reading this in 2020 and couldn’t be more grateful to read this! Thank you so much. I’ve been struggling to love my body shape, which is extremely long lanky legs, wide waist & stomach, no hips or curve and seeing it in more depth on your blog is comforting so thank you!

27/5/2020 03:58:08 pm

Hi, Talia! Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. You made my day! It makes me so happy that you found my post helpful. As helping people figure out and like their bodies and feel good in clothes, is what I share this for.
Figuring out that there are many options for what a normal body looks like, and that it's always the clothes and never you that's the "problem", for sure helped me accept my curves and height too. So I wanted to spread the word. Getting feedback on that it does the same for others too makes me so happy.

Xxx, Sun.

Jacqueline

28/5/2020 05:44:28 pm

Thank you for posting these guidelines! I’ve been down the body typing rabbit hole since I began wedding gown shopping and I’m thoroughly confused. I always thought I was an hourglass, but decided to take an online calculator which determined that I am a rectangle shape. Would you be willing to help me shed some light on my body type, please?

My measurements are:
Shoulders 38 inches or 96.52 cm
Bust 39 inches or 99 cm
Waist 30 inches or 76.2 cm
Hips 39 inches or 99 cm

I’m 5 ft 5 in or 1.65 m

Thanks in advance for whatever insight you can provide!

26/9/2020 01:00:09 pm

Hi, Jacqueline! Based on your description and measurements, it sounds like you could be either a Soft Brick. Examples of that is Jennifer Hudson, and Eva Longoria. They come off Hourglass like, but is actually Bricks. It's pretty much a Brick that is more balanced and is closer to a curvy type, while still being best in Brick clothing styles. They can usually wear both clothes from Hourglass types as well as Brick types.

The other alternative is that you are an Hourglass, or maybe even a stretched out one like a Vase. That type has a long waist and long legs. Or a Cello, which is very often confused with other types, as it is an Hourglass like type, but has more of a straight waist that is smaller than the hips and chest, because hips and chest are bigger. It also has dramatic thighs, with slimmer lower legs, and broad shoulders. So it kind of reminds me of many body types.
So look at those types.
If your hips and shoulders are the same width, then it's either one of the straight or curvy hourglass like body types.
If your bottom half is wider and curvier than your upper half, that points to bottom heavy ones.
If your chest or shoulders are wider than your shoulders, than top heavy are the most likely.
It's all about putting all the details together. Is your waist long or short, are your legs long or short, which body part is the most dominant, and so on. Hour measurements say that you are most likely one of the balanced ones. So either the straight types, or the curvy ones. So look at all of those to be sure, staring with the ones I mentioned.

I hope this helped! :-)
Xxx, Sun.

Ellie

14/7/2021 11:02:17 am

Hi! I would really appreciate some help with finding my body type. Originally I thought I was an inverted triangle, but then I found out about the column, cornet, and brick body shapes! I will provide my measurements to help you help me :) I am 5'4

Shoulder: 86 cm
Breast: 75 cm
Waist: 66 cm
Hip: 82 cm
Thighs: 48 cm
Calves: 33 cm

I would really appreciate if you could help me figure out what body shape I am so I get to online shop! Thanks in advance!

BODY TYPE BRICK : YOUR BEST LOOKS

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