The inverted triangle body shape, also known as the V shape, athletic body shape, or strawberry shape, is characterised by broad shoulders and chest that taper down to a narrower waist and hips.
The inverted triangle body, or the V-shaped body, has two subcategories:
- Broad-shouldered V shape – Defined by very broad shoulders compared to hips.
- Bust-dominant V shape – Fuller bust with comparatively smaller hips and waist.
This athletic silhouette is considered the ideal male physique, and unlike other body shapes, inverted triangle men require specific styling techniques to balance and proportion their athletic build.
In this article, we’ll detail how to dress the inverted triangle body shape to achieve a polished appearance that complements your muscular upper body, creates visual balance, and boosts your confidence, ensuring you look impeccable for any occasion.
Inverted Triangle Body Shape Specifics
In fashion, most men fall into one of the following six body shapes, each with different physical characteristics and styling challenges.
- Inverted Triangle – Broad shoulders and chest, narrower waist.
- Rectangle – Straight up and down for shoulders, chest, and waist.
- Oval – Wider midsection, narrower shoulders.
- Trapezoid – Shoulders slightly wider than hips, with a gradual taper.
- Triangle – Narrower shoulders and chest, wider waist and hips.
- Hourglass – Broad shoulders, thin waists, and hips matching shoulders’ width.
If you don’t know your body shape, take our quick and accurate body shape quiz.
That’s why it is crucial to understand this body shape’s unique characteristics and how they compare to other male body shapes.
The table below outlines the key features of the inverted triangle shape alongside the rectangle and oval shapes, highlighting the distinct differences in proportions and styling approaches.
This comparison will help you confidently identify your body shape and understand why specific styling techniques are particularly effective for the inverted triangle silhouette.
| Body Part | Hourglass | Inverted Triangle | Rectangle | Oval (Apple) | Triangle (Pear) | Trapezoid (Rhomboid) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoulders | Broad, aligning with hips | Broader than waist and hips | Similar width to waist and hips | Narrower than midsection | Narrower than hips | Broad and well-defined |
| Chest | Well-defined, broader than waist | Well-defined, muscular, larger bust | Straight, less defined | Less defined, fuller | Less pronounced, smaller bust | Well-developed, slightly broader than waist |
| Waist | Significantly narrower than shoulders and hips | Narrower than shoulders, defined | Similar to shoulders and hips | Fuller, rounded midsection | Defined, narrower than hips | Slightly narrower than chest and shoulders |
| Hips | Broader than waist, aligning with shoulders | Narrower than shoulders, less pronounced | Similar to shoulders and waist | Narrower than midsection | Broader than shoulders, fuller | Balanced with shoulders |
| Legs | Proportional to upper body | Lean and proportional to upper body | Straight, proportional to upper body | Slimmer compared to upper body | Fuller thighs, shapely | Proportional to torso |
| Overall Shape | Balanced, curved silhouette with defined waist | V-shaped, athletic, top-heavy | Straight, athletic, balanced | Round, fuller midsection | Wider lower body, narrow upper body | Balanced, slightly broader upper body |
| Styling Tip | Enhance curves or create a more angular silhouette | Balance proportions, emphasise lower body | Create definition, add shape | Elongate the torso, define the waist | Emphasise upper body, balance proportions | Enhance natural proportions with well-fitted clothing |
Inverted Triangle Body Shape Celebrities
Chris Hemsworth
Chris Hemsworth, especially in his role as Thor, showcases extremely broad shoulders and a powerful chest that dramatically narrows at the waist and hips, forming the classic inverted triangle shape.
Hugh Jackman
In his portrayal of Wolverine, Hugh Jackman demonstrates a heavily built upper body, with wide shoulders and chest that narrow down significantly toward his waist, perfectly fitting the inverted triangle silhouette.
Michael B. Jordan
Known for his roles in Creed and Black Panther, Michael B. Jordan has an incredibly muscular upper body with wide shoulders and chest, paired with a lean waist and narrow hips, giving him a well-defined inverted triangle shape.
Chris Evans
As Captain America, Chris Evans showcases wide shoulders, a defined chest, and a slim waist, creating a clear inverted triangle shape. His muscular upper body is much broader than his lower torso, fitting the archetype perfectly.
Inverted Triangle Body Styling Tips
Dressing an inverted triangle body shape requires a strategic approach to create visual balance and showcase your athletic build.
Here are the fundamental styling principles for the inverted triangle body shape to keep in mind:
| Principle | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Balance Upper and Lower Body | Choose clothing that adds volume to the lower body to balance broad shoulders |
| Emphasise the Waist | Use tailoring and belts to accentuate your trim waistline |
| Choose Appropriate Necklines | Opt for V-necks and narrow collars to soften broad shoulders |
| Select Fitted Upper Wear | Wear well-fitted shirts and jackets to showcase your athletic build without overwhelming your frame |
| Focus on Leg Wear | Choose trousers and jeans that add volume to your lower half |
Balance Upper and Lower Body
The key to dressing an inverted triangle body shape is creating a balance between your broad upper body and narrower lower body.
Choose straight or bootcut trousers to add volume to your legs. A pair of dark wash bootcut jeans can create a more proportionate silhouette.
Waist Emphasis
Highlight your trim waistline to accentuate your V-shaped torso. Wear tailored jackets that nip in at the waist.
A single-breasted blazer in navy with subtle waist suppression can effectively showcase your athletic build.
Choose Appropriate Necklines
Select the right necklines to soften your broad shoulders. V-neck t-shirts and sweaters work well to break up the width of your chest – try a burgundy V-neck merino wool sweater.
Select Fitted Upper Wear
Showcase your athletic build with well-fitted shirts and jackets. Avoid overly loose tops that can make your upper body appear bulky.
A slim-fit dress shirt in light blue can highlight your physique without clinging.
Leg Wear Focus
Wear trousers and jeans to balance proportions and add volume to your lower half.
Pleated trousers or pants with wider legs, such as khaki chinos with a slight width at the leg, can create a balanced look and help achieve this.
Inverted Triangle Body Shape – Essential Clothes
Building a versatile wardrobe that flatters your inverted triangle body shape is key to consistently looking your best.
Here’s a curated list of essential garments to form the foundation of your future wardrobe:
| Category | Essential Garments |
|---|---|
| Outerwear | Tailored blazers, bomber jackets, unstructured sport coats |
| Tops | V-neck sweaters, fitted dress shirts, horizontal striped tees |
| Bottoms | Straight-leg trousers, bootcut jeans, pleated pants |
| Accessories | Narrow ties, pocket squares, statement belts |
| Footwear | Oxford shoes, loafers, boots with substantial soles |
Outerwear
Invest in a well-tailored blazer in charcoal grey to define your waist without adding bulk to your shoulders.
A bomber jacket in olive green can provide a casual option that doesn’t overemphasise your upper body.
An unstructured sport coat in a textured fabric like tweed can add interest without broadening your shoulders further.
Tops
V-neck sweaters in fine merino wool can soften your broad chest. Fitted dress shirts in solid colours or subtle patterns work well for formal occasions.
For casual wear, horizontal striped tees can add visual width to your lower torso, balancing your proportions.
Trousers
Straight-leg trousers in wool blends are versatile for various occasions. Bootcut jeans in a dark wash can add volume to your lower half for a balanced silhouette.
Pleated khaki or navy pants can provide comfort and style while complementing your upper body.
Accessories
Narrow ties can help to visually narrow your broad chest. Pocket squares add a pop of colour without drawing attention to your shoulders.
A statement belt can draw the eye to your trim waistline and break up your torso.
Footwear
Oxford shoes in black or brown leather are the classic option for formal wear, while suede loafers are best for casual and smart-casual occasions.
Boots with substantial soles can add visual weight to your lower half, balancing your overall silhouette.
Inverted Triangle Body Outfit Ideas by Occasion
Putting together flattering outfits for your inverted triangle body shape becomes effortless once you understand the key principles.
Here are three looks curated by our stylists for different occasions, demonstrating how to apply your styling knowledge effectively.
Office Attire
Start with a charcoal grey suit featuring a single-breasted jacket with slight waist suppression to highlight your V-shaped torso.
Pair this with a light blue dress shirt featuring a narrow spread collar to minimise the width of your shoulders.
Add a burgundy tie with a subtle pattern to draw the eye vertically.
Layer a V-neck sweater vest in a complementary shade of grey between the shirt and jacket for extra warmth without bulk.
Complete the look with black Oxford shoes and a matching leather belt. This outfit showcases your athletic build while maintaining a professional appearance.
Weekend Brunch
Begin with a horizontal striped long-sleeve t-shirt in navy and white to add visual width to your lower torso.
Layer this under an unstructured camel-coloured cardigan to soften your shoulder line.
Pair these with straight-leg jeans in a medium wash, providing a balanced lower half.
For a smart-casual finish, accessorise with a woven leather belt, a vintage-style watch, and brown leather Chelsea boots.
Wedding Guest
Opt for a light grey linen suit with a soft shoulder to minimise upper body bulk. The jacket should be slightly fitted at the waist to accentuate your V-shape.
Pair this with a pale pink dress shirt, leaving the top button undone for a relaxed summer look.
Choose trousers with a slight break to add volume to your lower half. For a stylish summer touch, step into brown suede loafers without socks.
Accessorise with a patterned pocket square in shades of pink and grey, echoing the colours of your shirt and suit. Add a final touch with a slim leather watch.
Inverted Triangle Body Outfit Ideas by Season
Dressing your inverted triangle body shape effectively throughout the year requires seasonal adjustments.
Here’s how to maintain your style and balance your physique across different weather conditions:
Inverted Triangle Body Outfit for Spring
Focus on lightweight layers to balance your proportions without adding bulk. Opt for an unstructured blazer in a light fabric like cotton or linen.
Pair with chinos in a contrasting colour to add visual interest to your lower body.
Experiment with pastel colours and subtle patterns in your shirts to soften your upper body. A gingham check shirt under a lightweight V-neck sweater can create a stylish, balanced look.
Inverted Triangle Body Outfit for Summer
In the summer, wear breathable garments that don’t cling to your upper body, such as polo shirts with minimal details on the chest, to avoid emphasising your shoulders.
Pair with tailored shorts just above the knee to balance your proportions.
For beach wear, choose swim shorts with vertical stripes or colour-blocking to elongate your lower body.
Inverted Triangle Body for Autumn
Autumn is ideal for adding texture and layers to balance your silhouette.
Try a chunky knit cardigan over a fitted shirt to add bulk to your lower torso without emphasising shoulders.
Pair with straight-leg corduroy trousers for added texture and volume in your lower half. Experiment with earth tones and rich textures like suede or wool to add depth to your outfits.
Inverted Triangle Body for Winter
Winter offers opportunities to balance your frame with heavier fabrics and layering. A well-fitted peacoat can provide warmth without adding excessive bulk to your shoulders.
Layer with V-neck sweaters and cardigans to create a streamlined look.
Wear heavier-weight trousers or jeans with a straight or boot cut to balance your upper body.
Don’t shy away from textured scarves to add interest around your neck without broadening your shoulders.
Inverted Triangle Body Shape Do’s and Don’ts
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Wear V-necks and narrow collars | Choose wide lapels or bulky turtlenecks |
| Opt for straight-leg or boot-cut trousers | Wear skinny jeans or very tight-fitting pants |
| Choose fitted upper wear | Wear oversized or baggy tops |
| Use horizontal stripes on the lower body | Wear horizontal stripes on the upper body |
| Experiment with textured lower-wear | Over-accessorise your upper body |
| Emphasise your waistline | Wear double-breasted jackets |
| Choose darker colours for the upper body | Wear shoulder pads or heavily structured jackets |
| Opt for low-rise trousers | Choose high-waisted pants |
Understanding and dressing for your inverted triangle body shape is a style exploration and refinement journey.
By applying the principles, tips, and outfit ideas we’ve explored, you can create a wardrobe that enhances your athletic physique and expresses your unique personality.
Remember, the key is to balance your proportions, emphasise your trim waistline, and choose pieces that make you feel confident and comfortable.
Style Like a True Gentleman
Before we say goodbye, here’s one of the best-kept secrets in men’s styling circles, a secret that only a few expert image consultants know or are willing to share.
First and foremost, professional styling requires knowing your unique body shape and seasonal colour palette – paramount factors in choosing perfectly fitting clothes in colours that complement your skin, eyes, and hair.
Only then can a stylist engage in styling by occasion, location, season, and time of day, with garments, footwear, and accessories from stylistically relevant, heritage fashion brands to depict high confidence and success.
Best part? You can find your body shape, seasonal colour palette, and ideal fashion style, in less than 5 minutes, by yourself, for free, thanks to our 4 simple steps:
1. Find Your Body Shape
Different garments flatter different silhouettes, so knowing your body shape is the first step in dressing like a confident man.
To find out your unique body shape, take our free body shape quiz for men.
Once you know your unique body shape, take the second free quiz to discover your unique colour palette.
2. Find Your Unique Colour Palette
Remember, the garments that compose your outfits come in various colours and you have to make sure that each hue complements your natural colour.
For that, you have to find out your seasonal colour palette, and you can do it by taking our free seasonal colour quiz for men.
3. Find Your Ideal Fashion Style
By now, you should already know your body shape and unique colour palette; the next step is to discover your ideal personal fashion style.
The fastest and simplest way is to take our free fashion style quiz for men; it includes your ideal style, outfit ideas, relevant fashion brands, and much more.
4. Professional Image Consultancy with The VOU
And if you want to style like a professional, by occasion, location, season, and time of the day, you can always ask our expert image consultants and fashion stylists for help.
Our styling services for men are the most comprehensive and detailed on the market, backed up by leading stylists who will guide you step by step in creating looks that communicate affluence, elegance, and endless accomplishments.
Remember, wearing luxury brands isn’t enough; to look stylish, confident, and successful, you must first know your body shape, colour palette, and ideal personal style, and only then style by occasion, location, season, and time of day.
Contact us today to save headaches, time, and money – it’s time to dress like a confident, successful gentleman of exquisite fashion taste –Â the first styling assessment is on us!