How to Minimise Broad Shoulders: Flatter Your V-Shaped Figure!

Do you have slightly broad shoulders and are wondering how to dress? Would you like to know what types of clothing could soften your silhouette and enhance your features?

I'll help you out.

As a fashion enthusiast, I try to pay attention to the details that enhance the figure of certain models, celebrities, or even people around me!

It’s common for women with broader shoulders to want to downplay them in order to achieve a more balanced silhouette. That’s why I’m bringing you this guide dedicated to this topic, so you can learn how to enhance your figure.

If you have broad shoulders, you can easily soften their appearance by balancing your silhouette with flared clothing such as a peplum top, a fitted waist dress, or a short skater skirt. To enhance your V-shaped figure, you might also consider choosing a top or dress with an asymmetric neckline. Finally, don't forget to wear accessories to draw attention to your waist and bust: belts, bracelets, long necklaces...

Want to know more? Keep reading to discover:

• What body shape corresponds to broad shoulders,
• Which clothing items to avoid if you want to create a more streamlined silhouette,
• Simple shopping tips to choose clothes that flatter your figure,
• Perfect styles of women's tops for those with broad shoulders,
• What type of dresses, skirts, or even swimwear to select to enhance your shape.

How to Tell if You Have Broad Shoulders?

Your shoulder width is not necessarily determined by your weight: it depends on your body shape. You can be slim and athletic with broad shoulders, or a bit curvier with narrower shoulders.

To find out if you have broad shoulders, start by looking at yourself in the mirror. People with strong shoulder frames have what is known as a V-shaped body type: this means that the shoulders are square, the waist is slim, and the legs are relatively slender.

It’s not a flaw! This body type is actually quite typical of athletic women who take care of their bodies and stay active every day. However, it’s perfectly normal to want to reduce the width of your shoulders to wear certain dressy outfits or even to feel comfortable in your own skin on a daily basis.

Some stars considered beauty icons have this type of figure:

• Kendall Jenner,
• Jennifer Lawrence,
• Angelina Jolie,
• Cameron Diaz,
• Amal Clooney…

👉 Feel free to follow them on social media to get inspired by their outfits!

Cameron Diaz / Angelina Jolie / Kendall Jenner

What clothes should you avoid at all costs if you have broad shoulders?

Do you want to enhance your décolletage and refine your figure? Here’s a quick list of clothing items that can actually have the opposite effect:

• Shirts with shoulder pads or decorative elements (like lace, embroidery, or beads) on the shoulders,
• Tops with exposed shoulders or a Bardot neckline,
• Fitted maxi dresses,
• Blazers and jackets with reinforced shoulder pads,

👉 Are you looking to wear a jacket or top with padded shoulders, or is it a requirement? If so, feel free to pair it with a flared skirt or pants that will draw attention downwards and help balance out the width of your shoulders.

5 Tips to Tone Your Shoulders

Knowing how to highlight your figure doesn't necessarily require you to be a stylist or a fashion expert. The key, once you've determined your body type, is to understand the details that can enhance your shape.

To help you out, I've put together a list of five key things to keep in mind while shopping for clothes that will make you feel beautiful:

🔸 Opt for tops with wide straps: this will help avoid exposing too much skin between your neck and shoulders and will naturally elongate your shoulders.

🔸 V-neck or loose round necklines are perfect for showcasing your bust: they will highlight your cleavage with elegance.

🔸 The styles of clothing that will suit you best are generally those that are flared. Whether it's a t-shirt, a skirt, or a dress, feel free to opt for designs that widen towards the bottom.

🔸 A lovely long necklace is perfect for completing an outfit and drawing attention down to your lower body. In winter, you might choose a long open scarf.

🔸 Finally, by pairing a dark top with light-coloured bottoms, you can create the illusion of narrower shoulders. This works well with black and white, but also simply with a pastel top and jeans, for instance. In the same vein, it's better to opt for plain tops and patterned bottoms (preferably horizontal patterns) where possible.

What type of top should you wear if you have broad shoulders?

Certain styles of tops are perfect for enhancing a V-shaped figure. These include:

• Asymmetrical tops with one bare shoulder,
• Peplum tops that flare out at the waist with ruffles,
• Kimono jackets worn loosely to accentuate your neckline while balancing your silhouette.

What skirt or dress should you wear to flatter your figure?

When you have broad shoulders, you might tend to think that skirts and dresses aren't for you, as your athletic figure can be a bit challenging to match with these types of clothing. It's true that a fitted maxi dress or a pencil skirt may accentuate the V shape of your body shape.

However, there are styles of dresses and skirts that, due to their cut, can balance the width of your shoulders and give you a very feminine look. Consider the following:

• The fit-and-flare skirt, perfect for accentuating your waist and giving your silhouette an hourglass shape, very sensual,
• The bohemian-style dress, fitted at the waist, which creates the same effect as the fit-and-flare skirt.

👗 To discover more examples of unique outfits that enhance your figure, feel free to check out our online store dedicated to bohemian fashion. You'll find flowy and flared clothing, perfect for showcasing your shape. Plus, delivery is free!

Long Bohemian Dress

To draw attention to your waist, you can also tie a scarf around it or choose a wide thick belt, which will give you a very chic style while structuring your outfit. If you have bare arms or shoulders, another simple tip is to wear multiple bracelets to naturally direct the eye towards your hips and balance your overall look.

👉 Prefering trousers? In that case, go for a straight-fit pair like bootcut jeans or a trendy boyfriend style. Unlike skinny jeans and other form-fitting trousers, these options are great for balancing your frame by reflecting the width of your body at the bottom, which helps to prevent your shoulders from appearing too broad.

What type of swimwear should you wear to enhance a V-shaped body type?

Form-fitting and minimal, a swimsuit is a garment that should be selected carefully to enhance your shape. If you have broad shoulders, opt for styles such as:

• A peplum swimsuit, which, like the top of the same name, flares out and flatters your hips,
• A bra, with a shape that's perfect for accentuating your shoulders,
• An asymmetrical bikini that enhances your décolletage.

👙 When wearing a bikini, it’s best to opt for a shorts style bottom, as it flatters V-shaped body types.

I hope this article has helped you discover some tips and outfit ideas to help you feel beautiful and comfortable in your clothing. Self-confidence is often the key ingredient in overcoming those little insecurities that can spoil our day!

If you'd like to learn more about asymmetrical dresses and tops, which have been mentioned several times in this article, I encourage you to check out this article I wrote about them. It will help you see if they might suit you!