How to Balance Wide Shoulders? Enhance Your V-Shaped Figure!

Do you have broad shoulders and wonder how to dress? Would you like to know which types of clothing would balance out your frame to enhance your appearance?

I will help you.

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

It often happens that women with broad shoulders wish to soften their appearance for a more balanced silhouette. That’s why I’ve put together this guide on the topic, so you can learn how to enhance your figure.

If you have broad shoulders, it's easy to soften them by balancing your silhouette with flared clothing such as a peplum top, a fitted dress at the waist, or a short skater skirt. To enhance your V-shaped figure, you can also choose a top or dress with an asymmetric neckline. Lastly, don't forget to wear accessories to draw attention to your waist and bust: a belt, bracelets, a long necklace...

Want to learn more? Keep reading to discover:

• What body types have broad shoulders,
• Which clothing items to avoid if you want to create a slimmer appearance,
• Simple shopping tips to choose outfits that flatter you,
• Perfect feminine 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?

The width of your build does not necessarily depend on your weight: it depends on your body shape. You can be slim and athletic with broad shoulders, or a little rounder with narrower shoulders.

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

It's not a flaw! This body type is actually more typical of sporty women who take care of their bodies and stay active every day. However, it's quite normal to want to minimise the width of your shoulders to wear certain classy outfits or even just to feel good in your own skin every day.

Certain stars regarded as beauty icons often have this type of silhouette:

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

👉 Feel free to follow them on social media for some outfit inspiration!

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 neckline and create a more defined silhouette? Here’s a short list of clothing items that have the opposite effect:

• Crop tops with shoulder pads or decorative details (like lace, embroidery, or beads) on the shoulders,
• Tops with exposed shoulders or a Bardot neckline,
• Figure-hugging maxi dresses,
• Blazers and jackets with reinforced shoulder pads,

👉 Are you looking to wear a jacket or top with padded shoulders, or are you required to? If so, don’t hesitate to pair it with a flared skirt or trousers that will draw attention downwards and help to balance out the width of your shoulders.

5 Tips for Toning Your Shoulders

Knowing how to accentuate 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 look.

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

🔸 Opt for tops with wide straps: this will help to reveal less skin between your neck and shoulders, naturally creating a more refined look.

🔸 V-neck or wide round necklines are perfect for accentuating your bust: they will showcase your cleavage elegantly.

🔸 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, feel free to choose styles that widen towards the bottom.

🔸 A beautiful long necklace is perfect for completing an outfit and drawing attention downwards. In winter, you can choose to wear an open long scarf.

🔸 Lastly, by pairing a dark top with light bottoms, you can create the illusion that your shoulders appear slimmer. This works well with black and white, but also simply with a pastel top and jeans, for example. Following the same principle, it's better to choose solid-coloured tops and patterned bottoms (preferably horizontal).

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

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

• Asymmetrical tops with one shoulder exposed,
• Peplum tops that flare at the waist thanks to ruffles,
• Kimono jackets, worn loosely to accentuate your décolletage while balancing your figure.

Which skirt or dress to wear to slim your silhouette?

When you have broad shoulders, you might think that skirts and dresses are not meant for you, as your athletic figure can be tricky to match with this type of clothing. It's true that a fitted long dress or a pencil skirt may accentuate the V shape of your body type.

However, there are dress and skirt styles that, thanks to their cut, can balance 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 silhouette an hourglass shape, which is very sensual,
• 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 will enhance your figure, you can visit our online store dedicated to bohemian fashion. You'll find flowy and flared clothing, perfect for showcasing your body shape. 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, which will give you a very chic style by structuring your outfit. If you have bare arms or shoulders, another simple tip is to wear multiple bracelets, which will naturally draw the eye towards your hips and balance your look.

👉 Do you prefer trousers? If so, go for a straight-leg style like bootcut, or a trendy boyfriend fit. Unlike slim-fit and other body-hugging trousers, these options are ideal for balancing your silhouette by echoing the width at the lower part of your body, helping to prevent your shoulders from standing out too much.

What type of swimsuit should you wear to enhance a V-shaped figure?

Fitted and minimal, swimwear is a garment that needs to be selected carefully to accentuate your silhouette. If you have broad shoulders, opt for styles such as:

• A peplum swimsuit, which, like the top of the same name, flares out and accentuates your hips,
• A bandeau top, with a cut that's perfect for enhancing your shoulders,
• An asymmetrical bikini that beautifully highlights your cleavage.

👙 When wearing a bikini, it’s best to opt for a high-waisted style that complements a V-shaped body type.

I hope this article has helped you find tips and outfit ideas to make you feel beautiful and comfortable in your clothing. Self-confidence is often the key element in overcoming the little insecurities that can spoil our lives!

If you want to learn more about asymmetrical dresses and tops, which have been mentioned several times in this article, I invite you to check out this article I wrote about them, which will help you see if they might be a good fit for you!