The Best T-Shirt for Every Body Shape

A t-shirt is just a t-shirt, right? You might think that until you put on one that ‘just doesn’t look right’. Keep reading to see which t-shirt will look best on each body shape and my favorite picks at every price level.

Please note: I use affiliate marketing partners to help make shopping easier for you. When you click on affiliate links, I will receive a small amount of compensation at no extra charge to you.

Pear-shaped women are smaller through the chest and shoulders, have a defined waist, and are wider through the hips and booty area. (Not sure what shape you are? Take the Quiz!)

Look for t-shirts that…

• Are fitted or semi-fitted. Loose t-shirts will hide your waist and make you look bigger on the bottom than you are. Choosing more fitted options helps define your curves.
• Are boat neck, square neck, or scoop neck. The more horizontal the neckline, the better the t-shirt will look on you. That’s because it visually makes your top half look wider and more in proportion to your bottom half.
• Have embellished necklines. If you love a little glitz- you’re in luck! Shirts with embellished necklines will look great on you.
• Have sleeves shorter than elbow length. The best sleeve length for you is the middle of the upper arm.

Avoid t-shirts that…

• End at the widest part of your hips. This will make you look wider than you are.
• Are baggy…unless you are tucking them into something right at the waist (like a pair of high waisted pants or a high waisted pencil skirt).
• Have basic crew necks.

Top T-shirt picks for Pear Shapes:

Want to know more about dressing your shape? You’re in luck- I wrote a blog post and created a whole e-book with outfit ideas just for Pears!

Apple shaped women have similar size chests/shoulders and hips/booty areas with a wider middle section. (Not sure what shape you are? Take the Quiz!)

Look for t-shirts that…

• Are made from a substantial fabric. A thicker fabric will not cling to your middle area.
• Are v-neck or scoop neck.
• With hemlines that hit around your hip bones.
• Have either short sleeves (middle of upper arm or shorter) or longer sleeves (middle of forearm or lower).   

Avoid t-shirts that…

• Made from a light-weight jersey. These will cling and accenuate your middle.
• Have bright prints or patterns across the middle.

Top T-shirt picks for Apple Shapes:

Want to know more about dressing your shape? You’re in luck- I wrote a whole blog post about how to dress your best as an Apple!

Hourglass shaped women are fuller through the chest and hips area and have a smaller, defined waist. (Not sure what shape you are? Take the Quiz!)

Look for t-shirts that…

• Are fitted or semi-fitted. Loose t-shirts will hide your waist and make you look bigger than you are. Choosing more fitted options helps define your curves.
• Have hemlines that fall around your belly button. I know this sounds short, but it’s the most flattering length! Just make sure the shirt doesn’t show any skin when you raise your arms in a normal manner.
• Have sleeves shorter than elbow length. The best sleeve length for you is the middle of the upper arm.

Avoid t-shirts that…

• End at the widest part of your hips. This will make you look wider than you are.
• Are baggy…unless you are tucking them into something right at the waist (like a pair of high waisted pants or a high waisted pencil skirt).

Top T-shirt picks for Hourglass Shapes:

Want to know more about dressing your shape? You’re in luck- I wrote a whole blog post about dressing hourglass ladies!

Inverted Triangle shaped women are wider through the chest and shoulders, have a defined waist, and have a smaller hip/booty area.
(Not sure what shape you are? Take the Quiz!)

Look for t-shirts that…

• Are fitted or semi-fitted. Loose t-shirts will hide your waist and give you a potato sack look.
• Are v-neck, deep scoop neck, or crew neck. Look for necklines that have more vertical lines (like a v-neck) than horizontal lines (like a boat neck). This keeps your shoulders from looking wider than they are.
• Have simple necklines and sleeves.
• Have longer sleeves. The most flattering T’s on you will have elbow length or longer sleeves.

Avoid t-shirts that…

• Have fancy sleeves (ruffles, poofy, etc.)
• Have really thick fabric. You will actually be better off in t-shirts with thinner fabric.
• Have boat necks.

Top T-shirt picks for Inverted Triangle Shapes:

Want to know more about dressing your shape? You’re in luck- I wrote a whole blog post about dressing inverted triangles!

Rectangle shaped women have equal size chest, waist, and hip areas.
(Not sure what shape you are? Take the Quiz!)

Look for t-shirts that…

• Are looser or semi-fitted styles.
• Have any neckline. You’re lucky because any neckline will look great on you!
• With hemlines that hit around your hip bones.
• Have either short sleeves (middle of upper arm or shorter) or longer sleeves (middle of forearm or lower). This visually makes your waist seem more defined.   

Avoid t-shirts that…

• Are really detailed on either the top or bottom. You want to have something that is equally visual on the top of the shirt and the bottom.

Top T-shirt picks for Rectangle Shapes:

Want to know more about dressing your shape? You’re in luck- I wrote a whole blog post about how to dress your best- just for Rectangles!