Jackets – What Type Should I Buy for My Body Shape?
Finding the perfect jacket is more than just a style decision—it’s about understanding what works for your shape. Whether you’re shopping for a tailored blazer, a casual denim jacket, or a warm winter coat, the right silhouette can highlight your best features and instantly elevate your outfit. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the most flattering jacket styles for each body type—and how Tellar.co.uk can take the guesswork out of sizing and brand fit, so you can shop smarter.
Understanding Body Shapes: Why It Matters
Your body shape influences how different cuts, lengths, and styles sit on your frame. Some jackets will balance your proportions beautifully; others might overwhelm or hide your silhouette. Here are the most common body shapes:
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Hourglass: Defined waist, with bust and hips roughly the same width.
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Pear-shaped: Hips are wider than shoulders.
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Apple-shaped: Weight tends to be carried around the midsection.
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Rectangle: Straight up and down; waist is not much narrower than bust/hips.
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Inverted Triangle: Broader shoulders with narrower hips.
At Tellar.co.uk, we help you match your exact body measurements with over 1,500 brands, so once you’ve chosen your shape-based style, we’ll help you find your correct size instantly.
Best Jacket Styles for Each Body Shape
1. Hourglass: Define Your Waist
If you’ve got a naturally balanced figure, emphasising your waist is key.
What to wear:
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Belted jackets or trench coats – They cinch in the waist and highlight curves.
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Peplum styles – Add soft volume while maintaining proportion.
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Cropped leather jackets – Great for layering over dresses or high-waisted skirts.
Avoid: Oversized boxy cuts that hide your natural shape.
✅ Find your best-fitting size in belted coats from brands like Reiss, Hobbs, and Whistles with Tellar.co.uk’s free size matching tool.
2. Pear-Shaped: Balance Your Lower Half
Your goal is to balance wider hips with a bit more volume or structure up top.
What to wear:
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Structured shoulders or puff sleeves – Add visual interest to your upper half.
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A-line or swing coats – Skim the hips without clinging.
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Cropped denim jackets – End just above the widest part of your hips.
Avoid: Jackets that stop right at the widest point of your hips.
📌 Pair cropped jackets with your own measurements using Tellar’s sizing tool for perfect recommendations.
3. Apple-Shaped: Create a Waistline
Apple-shaped bodies benefit from elongating styles and jackets that don’t add bulk.
What to wear:
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Single-breasted styles – Avoid extra fabric around the middle.
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Longline blazers or duster coats – Draw the eye vertically.
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Jackets with subtle waist shaping – Not clingy, but slightly tailored.
Avoid: Double-breasted coats, boxy puffers, or anything overly cropped.
🎯 Tellar.co.uk can instantly show you which brands run generous or slim in the waist so you don’t have to size up unnecessarily—click here to create your profile.
4. Rectangle: Add Curves and Definition
This shape benefits from creating curves with the right layers and structure.
What to wear:
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Peacoats with a flare – Adds volume to hips.
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Cinched waists – Use belts or tailoring to create a shape.
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Double-breasted or boxy blazers – Add dimension without overwhelming.
Avoid: Straight boxy jackets unless paired with belts or accessories that add shape.
✨ Use Tellar.co.uk to compare how brands differ in cut. Some offer more generous fits that create shape without tailoring.
5. Inverted Triangle: Soften the Shoulders
For this shape, the goal is to minimise shoulder width and balance the lower body.
What to wear:
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A-line jackets or trenches – Flare out slightly at the hem.
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Simple shoulder designs – Avoid epaulettes or shoulder pads.
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Lower necklines or open collars – Draw attention downward.
Avoid: Bold shoulder embellishments, structured lapels, or cropped styles that emphasise the top half.
💡 Tellar.co.uk lets you enter chest, waist, and hips and shows which brands offer a better fit for broader shoulders. Try it here.
Jacket Lengths and Why They Matter
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Cropped jackets add height and work well on petites or hourglass shapes.
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Hip-length jackets are versatile but should end above the widest part of your hips if you’re pear-shaped.
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Longline jackets are perfect for elongating the torso, flattering apple and rectangle shapes.
Fabric & Fit: What to Keep in Mind
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Stretch fabrics (like ponte or elastane blends) are ideal if you’re between sizes.
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Heavy wool or structured leather adds bulk—great for rectangle or pear shapes, but not ideal for apples.
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Soft, unstructured fabrics work best for curvier frames needing less stiffness.
🌟 Tellar.co.uk uses your exact measurements to filter styles that will flatter your shape without clinging or gaping. You can even switch between cm and inches when creating your profile.
Sizing: Why Brand Matters More Than You Think
Did you know that a “UK 10” in one brand might fit like a UK 12 in another?
This is where Tellar.co.uk changes everything. Instead of guessing and returning wrong-sized jackets, you:
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Enter your chest, waist, and hip measurements once.
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Get matched instantly to your correct size in over 1,500 brands.
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See if a brand runs big or small, based on real user data.
📍 Start by measuring yourself accurately using Tellar.co.uk’s printable tape measure. It’s free and easy!
Brand Recommendations Based on Shape
Body Shape | Recommended Brands | Style Tips |
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Hourglass | Reiss, Karen Millen, Mango | Tailored blazers, wrap jackets |
Pear | Boden, FatFace, Hush | Cropped denim, fit-and-flare |
Apple | Uniqlo, Cos, Baukjen | Longline coats, single breasted |
Rectangle | & Other Stories, Zara, Whistles | Belted trenches, statement cuts |
Inverted Triangle | Massimo Dutti, Arket, Me+Em | A-line coats, soft shoulders |
🎁 See what size you’ll be in any of these brands with our free tool: https://www.tellar.co.uk.
Final Tips for Jacket Shopping Success
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Always check the return policy. But aim to reduce returns using Tellar’s smart fit engine.
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Layer accordingly. If you often wear knits, size up accordingly—Tellar can factor this into your recommendations.
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Trust your measurements, not the label. It’s far more reliable than picking a number.
Call to Action: Let Tellar.co.uk Help You Find the Perfect Fit
Stop second-guessing your size or wondering if a jacket will flatter your shape. With Tellar.co.uk, you can:
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Create a free profile with just 3 measurements
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Find your ideal size instantly across over 1,500 women’s and men’s brands
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Avoid returns and shop confidently—online or in store
👉 Try it now – it’s free and easy
🛍 Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.
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