THE BODY TYPE : BELL

8/8/2013

Hillary Clinton is one of the very few Bell's I have seen out there. The typical Bell has small shoulders, small boobs, small and short waist, big thighs and a large bottom. It's hard for Bell's to find dresses that fit right because of the big difference between top and bottom, and their short waist will make a lot of tops to long for them. This is the body shape wich needs to invest in quality clothing that has the right fit instead of buying lots of different "doesn't really fit right" clothing.
For Bell's it is all about showing how feminine they are and creating a sense of balance to their figure.

The most important guidelines.
- Bell's need to balance the top and bottom half rather than simply cover everything up. The easiest way to do this is to make your top half more prominent with detail and color, and expanding it with the help of layers and shoulders enhancing cuts. Dress more plainly on the bottom half.
- Narrow necklines and princess collars are more flattering for your shape because it widens your shoulder line.
- Fussy necklines, colorful scarves, and elaborate necklaces helps focusing the attention to the right spot.
- A-line skirts, Kick pleat skirts and correctly fitted flowing wide-leg pants smooth and balance your figure.
- And again, don't cover yourself up, wide tops and big sleeves can make you look frumpy and bigger that you are. Bell's often have good arms and waist and should show them off.
- The worst mistake you can make is wearing cut on the bias chiffon dresses, or a wide V neck dress with elaborate decoration on the bottom half, paired up with a pair of stilettos.

In short, the key is to draw attention to the feminine small shoulders and neck, and love your fabulous bottom. Don't forget to show your curves, for they are after all very womanly.

YES

GOOD FOR YOUR SHAPE:
Narrow necklines.
Princess collar.
Cowl neck jumpers.
Thigh-length kaftan.
Shirts.
Ruffled shirts.
Bulky gilet.
Flowing side-fastening pants.
Kick pleat skirt.
A-line dresses.
Funnel coats.
Eye catching necklaces.
Cone heel shoes.

NEVER WEAR:
Wide V necklines.
Skimpy vests.
Large or ballon sleeves.
Bias-cut dresses.
Tapered trousers.
Anything elaborate or fussy on your bottom half.
Tiny neck chains.

Other Bell's: Adele and Mindy Kaling are also awesome Bell-specimen.
Since the Bell is a tough thing to find pictures of, I decided to add a few Yes and No examples of Adele as well.
I discovered the gorgeous Mindy Kaling after I made this post, but I needed to add her to the list since she is such great fashion Icon for the type. Mindy Kaling's outfits are not a yes and no section, just a addition for the type showing that a Bell figure can rock figure hugging shapes too.

YES

Mindy Kaling.

(The 12 body shapes and rules are mostly borrowed from Trinny and Susannah's Body Shape Bible. I have made some alterations. Photos in this post are borrowed from Google. Unknown source.)

Bootylicious.

7 Comments

Fashion Designer and Illustrator
from Norway, educated in Milan.

Idealistic Fashion Designer & Illustrator. Very nerdy about it. Creator of Eco-Fashion, Color and Style website, Idealist Style.
Born in Norway, educated in Milan, Italy.

I decided to name my page "Idealist Style", because I guess deep down I am an idealist, on a creative and a humanitarian level. 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.

On IDEALIST STYLE, you can find inspiration as well as information, and the hope is that it will make you feel good inside out.
I will try to post at least once a month.
The work on this site is mine unless specified.

caril

5/8/2016 07:31:43 am

I am a bell shaped lady due to the middle age spread Ugh but my breast are not small at all as matter of fact they are huge lol. My waist is short and some what defined. My problem is finding what kind of jeans to wear and what kind of tops to wear. I hate having this shape and I am trying to lose weight but it gets harder when you get older. Any suggestions on how I can minimize this horrible middle age spread known as the bell shape. So unhappy with it.

IDEALIST STYLE link

22/8/2016 06:19:40 am

Hi, Carli. The Bell is a very attractive body type, with wide feminine hips and thighs, and a delicate upper body. So, to avoid this feeling of not being comfortable with your shape, it's important to always wear flattering shapes that enhance your figure and don't cover it up. So you're already of to a great start.
It is possible too have larger boobs as a Bell as well, but this could also indicate that you are a Cello instead.
http://www.idealiststyle.com/blog/the-body-type-cello
http://www.idealiststyle.com/blog/body-type-cello-your-best-looks

The rules for the Bell is based a lot on avoiding certain things such as, Wide V necklines, Skimpy vests, Large or ballon sleeves, Bias-cut dresses, Tapered trousers, Anything elaborate or fussy on your bottom half, Tiny neck chains. And just go all in on the things that flatter you such as, tops and dresses with a fitted waist that shows of your hot curves, and combining this with Narrow necklines, Princess collars, Cowl neck jumpers, Thigh-length kaftans, Shirts, Ruffled shirts, Bulky gilets, Flowing side-fastening pants, Kick pleat skirts, A-line dresses, Funnel coats, Eye catching necklaces, and Cone heel shoes.

Here is a post with images of the specific styles that is flattering for the Bell figure:
http://www.idealiststyle.com/blog/body-type-bell-your-best-looks

For tops, look at the link above. For tummy flattening tips, I would suggest wearing something that follows your figure on the top, but widens from your waist, as that will minimize anything sticking out (A-line dresses, skirts and tops that flare gently from the waist). Also, spanks could be a good way of giving it a little shape help. As for jeans, I would look for a style called "high waist super skinny jeans". The kind with a waistline that stops at your actual waist (belly button), and is so elastic that they follow your curves and shape them at the same time (lift the but, and shapes your waist ans stomach). They also have a type with extra shaping effects, and I always feel great when wearing this type. It's kind of what panty hose does to your lower half.
Make sure there are back pockets and that they are placed in a way that lifts instead of flatten it. Details such as these are what will be the difference between feeling curvy and frumpy. I know a lot of "how to dress your shape" rules says that bottom heavy types should cover their legs, but the trends have changed- It used to be all about being slender, but now it's all about highlighting your best features.
To me, the Bell is a beautiful figure, and as I've mention in the post above, "For Bell's it's all about showing how feminine they are and creating a sense of balance to their figure".

I think Mindy Kaling and Adele, are great examples of how gorgeous this figure can look when wearing the right styles.
The first thing one has to do, is to embrace the fact that you will never be a straight figure, and rather focus on that you don't need to be a runway model when you can be a Marilyn Monroe or Jennifer Lopez type instead. So, enhance your curve and the sensuality that comes with this type. And you don't have to have a perfectly flat stomach or no cellulite either, as these things are so incredibly womanly and one of the natural things that come with the gift of curves. Just show off your figure, and makes sure the cuts, necklines, waist, and hemlines are placed in the correct places (see link and Bell rules).

I hope this answered your question. If you need more information or more specific help, let me know :-)

Xxx, Sun.

caril harris

23/8/2016 10:28:09 am

Thank you for responding to my question. My husband said the same thing. He loves my shape and he tells me all the time to stop trying to be skinny and accept my curves. I will try harder to embrace my figure.

23/8/2016 12:34:45 pm

Hi again, Carli. Yes, exactly. Your husband is right. There are so many people in this world who adore curves, in all shapes and sizes. And the notion that only one type of look is attractive, is created by advertising/businesses to sell products. By making the consumer belive that we need to buy more products to be attractive, they earn more money. If people like themselves the way they are, they don't sell any products.
Everyday there is a growing acceptance for a larger range of beauty ideals, as the money people too have come to realize that people like diversity. So, I think we will see more people that you can identify with, becoming models and actresses in the future.

My best advice to you for your journey towards accepting your body, is to
#1.Realize that as a woman, a Bell figure have all the right curves in all the right places. You are feminine, and femininity is attractive on it's own.
#2.Try and see if you can find a style icon that has a similar figure and look to yours. Someone that you can get style and beauty inspiration from, that can inspire you to just be you.

For example, every time I see curvy supermodel Tara Lynn, Ashley Graham (Cello), or actresses Rebel Wilson (Apple), Dasha Polanco (Cello), or Mindy Kaling (Bell) and so on, I am in awe of how beautiful their curvy bodies are, and can't understand why someone would think it was too much. They wear fitted clothes and show their legs all the time, and are not afraid to flaunt what they've got.

Finding one in you age group could also be helpful. Someone to remind you that there is beauty in all ages.
I think that through appreciating the beauty in others, it might be easier to recognize something beautiful that you yourself have too. This is the only time comparing yourself to others is a helpful thing. Just make sure you find the right style-icon.
This is also why it is so important to have a wide range of beauty ideals, so that everyone can find someone that looks like them.

I really hope you figure it out, and start feeling great about yourself. Clothes are meant to protect you or entertain you, so don't give them any more power than that.

Xxx, Sun.

23/8/2016 02:32:58 pm

Thank you. I will do that.

M.G

20/4/2017 01:47:14 pm

Hi, I think I might be a bell shape, but I'm not quite sure. I used to think I was a pear shape, but that classification never seemed to quite define me correctly. I'm plus size, 5'9", I have broad shoulders, a larger structure, as well as my bones being big as well. My measurements are 44-42-54. (Size 3x/20) I was wondering whether with exercise and losing weight, if a bell shaped body could become a pear shape or an hourglass shape?

25/4/2017 03:11:35 pm

Hi, M.G. I think it actually sounds like you might be a Cello. The fact that you have broad shoulders, feel like you have a type of pear shape, but not really pear either. The Cello is often referred to as the Pear shape of the Hourglass types, so that might fit. I think that some body types can change if your weight changes, but usually you stay the same body type, just have a less or more dramatic shape. A Bell usually have small boobs, small waist and narrow shoulders, so you're most likely not a Bell. If you happen to be a bottom heavy type, I would look at the Skittle.

However, I think the first thing you should check out, it the Cello: The Cello is all woman and the defining features are big boobs, short waist, big hips, big bottom, big thighs, broad shoulders and slim lower legs.

http://www.idealiststyle.com/blog/the-body-type-cello

http://www.idealiststyle.com/blog/body-type-cello-your-best-looks

If this doesn't fit either, I would try the Brick, as they too can have curves in their own way. I've seen many Bricks that appear to be hourglass like, but they have a straight waist. This also fits with having broad shoulders and a balanced figure.

To see all of the body types, see this link.
http://www.idealiststyle.com/the-body-types.html

It is possible to have a body type with some features that doesn't fit the mold, so there is always a possibility you could be a bottom heavy. There is probably millions of body types, the 12 types is just a way of trying to divide them up in the 12 general shapes.

I hope this helped :-)
Xxx, Sun.