How to Narrow Broad Shoulders? Enhance Your V-Shaped Figure!

Do you have broader shoulders and are wondering how to dress? Would you like to know what types of clothing could soften your silhouette to help you look your best?

I'll help you.

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

It's common for women with broad shoulders to want to soften their appearance, aiming for a more balanced silhouette. That’s why I’m offering you this guide on the topic, so you can learn how to enhance your figure.

If you have broad shoulders, it's easy to balance your silhouette with flared clothing like a peplum top, a fitted dress at the waist, or a short skater skirt. To enhance your V-shaped figure, you might also consider a top or dress with an asymmetrical neckline. Lastly, don't forget to wear accessories that draw attention to your waist and bust: a belt, bracelets, or a long necklace will do the trick...

Want to learn more? Keep reading to find out:

• What body shape do broad shoulders correspond to,
• Which clothing items to avoid if you want to slim down your frame,
• Simple shopping tips for choosing clothes that flatter you,
• Perfect styles of women's tops for those with broad shoulders,
• What type of dresses, skirts, or even swimwear to choose to enhance your silhouette.

How to Tell if You Have Broad Shoulders?

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

To determine if you have broad shoulders, start by looking at yourself in the mirror. People with strong shoulder builds have what is known as a V-shape: this means that the shoulders are wide, the waist is narrow, and the legs are relatively slim.

This isn't a flaw! This body type is actually quite common among sporty women who take care of their bodies and are active every day. However, it’s understandable to want to minimise the width of your shoulders to wear certain dressy outfits or simply to feel good in your own skin on a daily basis.

Some stars regarded as beauty icons have this type of silhouette:

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

👉 Feel free to follow them on social media for inspiration from their outfits!

Cameron Diaz / Angelina Jolie / Kendall Jenner

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

Are you looking to accentuate your neckline and slim down your silhouette? Here’s a quick list of clothing items that tend to have the opposite effect:

• Tops with shoulder pads or embellishments (like lace, embroidery, or beads) on the shoulders,
• Tops with off-shoulder designs or a Bardot neckline,
• Fitted long dresses,
• Blazers and jackets with enhanced shoulder pads,

👉 Do you want to wear a jacket or top with padded shoulders, or have to? If so, feel free to team it up with a flared skirt or pants that will draw the eye downwards and help balance out the width of your shoulders.

5 Tips for Toning Your Shoulders

Knowing how to enhance your silhouette doesn’t necessarily require you to be a stylist or a fashion expert. The key, once you’ve identified your body shape, is to understand the details that can highlight your best features.

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

🔸 Opt for tops with wide straps: this will prevent too much skin from being exposed between your neck and shoulders, and will naturally enhance the appearance of your shoulders.

🔸 V-neck or generously round necklines are perfect for accentuating your bust: they highlight your cleavage with elegance.

🔸 The types of clothing that will suit you best are generally those that are flared. Whether it's a t-shirt, a skirt, or a dress, don't hesitate to choose items that widen towards the hem.

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

🔸 Finally, by pairing a dark top with lighter bottoms, you can create the illusion that your shoulders appear slimmer. This works well with black and white, but also with a pastel top and a pair of jeans, for example. In line with this, it’s better to choose solid-coloured tops and patterned bottoms (preferably horizontal patterns).

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

Some top styles are perfect for enhancing a V-shaped body type. These include:

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

What skirt or dress should you wear to create a slimmer silhouette?

When you have broad shoulders, you might think that skirts and dresses aren't suited for you, as your athletic silhouette can be tricky to pair with this type of clothing. It's true that a fitted maxi dress or a pencil skirt may emphasise the V shape of your body type.

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

• The flared skater skirt, perfect for accentuating your waist and giving your figure that hourglass shape, very flattering,
• The bohemian flared dress, fitted at the waist, which creates the same effect as the skater skirt.

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

Long Boho Dress

To draw attention to your waist, you can also tie a scarf around it or choose a wide belt, which will give you a chic look by adding structure to your outfit. If you have bare arms or shoulders, another simple tip is to wear multiple bracelets to naturally draw the eye towards your hips and balance out your ensemble.

👉 Do you prefer trousers? In that case, go for a straight pair like a bootcut or a trendy boyfriend style. Unlike skinny jeans and other tight-fitting trousers, these options are great for softening your silhouette by balancing out your width towards the bottom, which helps to avoid making your shoulders stand out too much.

What type of swimsuit should you wear to flatter a V-shaped body?

Fitting snugly and offering minimal coverage, swimwear is a garment that should be chosen carefully to enhance your silhouette. If you have broad shoulders, it’s best to opt for styles such as:

• A peplum swimsuit, which, like the top of the same name, flares out and enhances your hips,
• A brassiere, with a cut that’s perfect for slimming your shoulders,
• An asymmetrical bikini that beautifully showcases your neckline.

👙 When wearing a bikini, it's best to opt for shorts-style bottoms, as they flatter V-shaped body types.

I hope this article has helped you discover tips and outfit ideas to help you feel beautiful and comfortable in your clothes. Self-confidence is often the key component in overcoming the little insecurities that can hold us back in life!

If you want to learn more about the asymmetrical dresses and tops mentioned throughout this article, I invite you to check out this article I wrote about them, which will help you decide if they might be right for you!