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

Got slightly broad shoulders and wondering how to dress? Would you like to know which types of clothing could balance out your frame and enhance your look?

I'll help you out.

As a fashion enthusiast, I pay attention to the details that enhance the physique of various models, celebrities, and even people around me!

It’s common for women with broader shoulders to look for ways to soften their appearance for a more balanced silhouette. That’s why I’m sharing this guide focused on this topic, so you can learn how to enhance your figure beautifully.

If you have broad shoulders, it's easy to balance your figure with flared clothing like a peplum top, a fitted dress at the waist, or a flared skater skirt. To enhance your V-shaped silhouette, you can also choose a top or dress with an asymmetric neckline. And don't forget to wear accessories to draw attention to your waist and bust: belts, bracelets, long necklaces...

Want to find out more? Keep reading to discover:

• What body type do broad shoulders correspond to,
• Which clothing items to avoid if you want to create a more streamlined figure,
• Simple shopping tips to choose outfits that flatter you,
• Some perfect styles of women's tops for those with broad shoulders,
• What type of dresses, skirts, or even swimsuits to choose to enhance your silhouette.

How to Tell if You Have Broad Shoulders?

The width of your frame doesn’t necessarily depend on your weight: it’s based on your body shape. You can be slim and athletic with broad shoulders, or a bit on the round side with rather slender shoulders.

To check if you have broad shoulders, start by looking at yourself in a mirror. People with strong shoulder build have what is known as a V-shape body type: this means the shoulders are square, 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 stay active every day. However, it’s perfectly natural to want to reduce the width of your shoulders for certain smart outfits or even just to feel good in your own skin on a daily basis.

Some stars regarded as beauty icons have this kind of figure:

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

👉 Don't hesitate to follow them on social media to get inspired by their outfits!

Cameron Diaz / Angelina Jolie / Kendall Jenner

What Clothes to Avoid If You Have Broad Shoulders?

Looking to enhance your neckline and slim down your silhouette? Here’s a quick list of clothing items that might do the opposite:

• Tops with shoulder pads or embellishments (like lace, embroidery, or beads) on the shoulders,
• Tops with off-the-shoulder styles or a bardot neckline,
• Body-hugging long 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? In that case, feel free to pair it with a flared skirt or wide-leg trousers that will draw attention downwards and help balance out the width of your shoulders.

5 Tips to Sculpt 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 identified your body type, is to understand the details that can enhance your appearance.

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

🔸 Opt for tops with wider straps: this will help prevent you from revealing too much skin between your neck and shoulders, while naturally enhancing your shoulder shape.

🔸 V-neck or wide round necklines are great for showcasing your bust: they highlight your figure gracefully.

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

🔸 A nice long necklace is perfect for completing your outfit and drawing attention to the lower part of your body. In the chilly season, you can also go for a long scarf worn loosely.

🔸 Finally, by pairing a dark top with light bottoms, you can create the illusion of having slimmer shoulders. This works well with black and white, but it can also be achieved with a pastel top and jeans, for example. Similarly, it's better to opt for solid tops and patterned bottoms (preferably horizontal patterns, if possible).

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

Some styles of tops are perfect for enhancing a V-shaped body. These include:

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

Which skirt or dress to wear to enhance your silhouette?

When you have broad shoulders, you might feel that skirts and dresses aren't suited for you, as your athletic build can be tricky to match with these types of clothing. It's true that a fitted long dress or a pencil skirt may accentuate the V shape of your figure.

However, there are dress and skirt styles that 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 a curvy hourglass shape, very flattering,
• The bohemian flared dress, fitted at the waist, which creates a similar effect to the skater skirt.

👗 To explore more unique outfit ideas that enhance your figure, you can check out our online boutique dedicated to bohemian fashion. You'll find flowy and flared clothing, perfect for showcasing your silhouette. Plus, delivery is free!

Long Bohemian Dress

To draw attention to your waist, you can tie a scarf around it or opt for a wide thick belt that will give you a chic look while structuring your outfit. If you have bare arms or shoulders, another simple tip is to wear several bracelets to naturally draw the eye towards your hips and balance out your overall look.

👉 Prefer wearing pants? In that case, go for a straight-leg bootcut jean or a trendy boyfriend style. Unlike slim or tight-fitting pants, these options are great for balancing your silhouette by echoing the width of your body at the bottom, helping to prevent your shoulders from looking too broad.

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

Fitted and minimal, a swimsuit is a garment that should be chosen carefully to enhance your silhouette. If you have broader shoulders, it's better to opt for styles like:

• A peplum swimsuit, which, like its top counterpart, flares out and beautifully enhances your hips,
• A bralette, with a cut that’s perfect for slimming your shoulders,
• An asymmetrical bikini that accentuates 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 find tips and outfit ideas to feel beautiful and comfortable in your clothes. Self-confidence is often the key element in overcoming those little insecurities that can ruin our day!

If you're keen to learn more about asymmetrical dresses and tops, which I've mentioned several times in this article, I invite you to check out this article I wrote about them. It will help you determine if they might be a good fit for you!