A thread over in LIW got me going on this... interesting stuff!
Don't we all like to say we have an "hourglass figure?" I thought that just meant curvy with a small waist. Shows what I know!
There are apparently pretty strict measurement ratios that dictate different female body shape labels:
Apple (triangle downward)
Apple shaped women have broader shoulders and bust, and narrower hips. Body fat is mainly distributed in the abdomen, chest, and face.
Banana or straight (rectangular)
The waist measurement is less than 9 inches smaller than the hips or bust measurement. Body fat is distributed predominantly in the abdomen, buttocks, chest and face.
Pear or spoon or bell (triangle upward)
The hip measurement is greater than the bust measurement. The distribution of body fat varies, with fat tending to deposit first in the buttocks, hips and thighs. As body fat percentage increases, an increasing proportion of body fat is distributed around the waist and upper abdomen.
Hourglass shape (triangles opposing, facing in)
The hip and bust are almost of equal size (within one inch) with a narrow waist (9" or more smaller than the hip and bust measurements). Body fat distribution tends to be around both the upper body and lower body. This body type enlarges the arms, chest, hips and rear before other parts, including waist and upper abdomen. Note: because of the preference shown to physical symmetry, many celebrities falsely claim hourglass measurements but actually rate closer to a straight figure or apple.
A study of over 6,000 women carried out by researchers at the North Carolina State University around 2005 found that 46% were banana (rectangular), just over 20% pear, just under 14% apple, and 8% hourglass. I'm interested to see if that's reflected on PS!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_body_shape
Don't we all like to say we have an "hourglass figure?" I thought that just meant curvy with a small waist. Shows what I know!

Apple (triangle downward)
Apple shaped women have broader shoulders and bust, and narrower hips. Body fat is mainly distributed in the abdomen, chest, and face.
Banana or straight (rectangular)
The waist measurement is less than 9 inches smaller than the hips or bust measurement. Body fat is distributed predominantly in the abdomen, buttocks, chest and face.
Pear or spoon or bell (triangle upward)
The hip measurement is greater than the bust measurement. The distribution of body fat varies, with fat tending to deposit first in the buttocks, hips and thighs. As body fat percentage increases, an increasing proportion of body fat is distributed around the waist and upper abdomen.
Hourglass shape (triangles opposing, facing in)
The hip and bust are almost of equal size (within one inch) with a narrow waist (9" or more smaller than the hip and bust measurements). Body fat distribution tends to be around both the upper body and lower body. This body type enlarges the arms, chest, hips and rear before other parts, including waist and upper abdomen. Note: because of the preference shown to physical symmetry, many celebrities falsely claim hourglass measurements but actually rate closer to a straight figure or apple.
A study of over 6,000 women carried out by researchers at the North Carolina State University around 2005 found that 46% were banana (rectangular), just over 20% pear, just under 14% apple, and 8% hourglass. I'm interested to see if that's reflected on PS!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Female_body_shape