Many women find having broad shoulders to be undesirable, making them seem larger or wider than they actually are.
Moreover, many women even think there is nothing they can do about their broad shoulders – it is just something that you have to deal with forever.
This isn’t the case.
It is possible to narrow down your broad shoulders if you feel like they are too wide, and we are going to be telling you how to do this in this article.
Most people assume that having broad shoulders is just down to genetics.
This is partly true, but that’s not to say there is nothing you can do to minimise broad shoulders.
Barring surgery, there are two main reasons you can make your shoulders look smaller; losing body fat and improving your body’s proportions to give your shoulders a smaller appearance.
Cut Some Fat
One of the best ways you can make your shoulders smaller is to lose some body fat.
Of course, this will not help if you already have a slender physique – but if you have a little excess body fat, losing a few pounds can make a world of difference.
This is because some people can store a substantial amount of fat in their shoulders, making them look larger than they actually are.
Even if you don’t store a ton of fat in your shoulders, you will store some.
Lowering your body fat percentage WILL make your shoulders small.
So, how do we go about doing this?
There is a ton of misinformation about weight loss, but it really is quite simple.
The only factor that matters when it comes to losing weight is calories.
If you eat fewer calories than your body needs to maintain its current weight, you will lose fat. Everything else you may hear is just extra baggage.
To find out how many calories you need to eat to lose weight, head over to our free calorie calculator and get a rough estimate.
From here, simply stick to this number every day (barring a few cheat days) for a considerable period of time and you will lose weight.
The Key To Balancing Broad Shoulders And Narrow Hips Is To Generate More Volume From The Waist Down.
If you already have a slim build or feel like your broad shoulders are mainly a result of your bone structure rather than your fat distribution, then the next step you can take is to broaden everything below the waist.
By building up your glutes and your legs, you will alter your body’s proportions, giving you a more feminine look and physique.
It will give you the highly sought-after “hourglass figure” instead of the more boxy appearance you may have now.
For this reason, the best broad shoulders exercises are all lower-body exercises.
You’ll also need to be in a caloric surplus and eat in a caloric surplus if you want to build up your glutes and legs on top of following a good workout routine consisting of squats, deadlifts, and other lower body exercises.
It’s going to take some time and effort, but it will be more than worth it if you are truly unhappy with your body’s current proportions.
What Is Considered Broad Shoulders?
When we talk about broad shoulders in women, we’re referring to a physical trait where the width of the shoulders appears relatively wider compared to the average shoulder width for females.
It’s important to note that shoulder width can vary greatly among individuals, and what may be considered broad for one person might be completely normal for another.
Bone Structure Versus Muscle Mass
Broad shoulders can be influenced by both bone structure and muscle mass. Bone structure plays a significant role in determining shoulder width.
Individuals with wider clavicles (collarbones) and a broader skeletal structure naturally tend to have broader shoulders. On the other hand, muscle mass can also contribute to the appearance of broad shoulders.
Well-developed shoulder muscles, such as the deltoids, can create a more pronounced and muscular look.
Broad Shoulders Is A Ratio Of Shoulder-Span-To-Pelvis
The concept of broad shoulders is often associated with the ratio of shoulder span to pelvis, and it is a common solution given when someone asks “what are broad shoulders female”
This ratio is a measurement of how the width of the shoulders compares to the width of the pelvis. Typically, a higher ratio indicates broader shoulders.
However, it’s essential to consider that this ratio is not the sole determinant of broad shoulders, as individual variations in bone structure, muscle mass, and body shape can influence the overall appearance.
Estimating The Shoulder-Span-To-Pelvis Ratio
To estimate the shoulder-span-to-pelvis ratio, you can measure the width of your shoulders at their widest point and compare it to the width of your pelvis at its widest point.
It’s important to measure accurately, ensuring that the tape or measuring tool is parallel to the ground.
Divide the shoulder width by the pelvis width to calculate the ratio. Remember that this is just an estimation and can vary depending on an individual’s unique body proportions.
Shoulder-Span-To-Pelvis Ratio Guide
While there isn’t a strict guide that universally defines what constitutes broad shoulders, a higher shoulder-span-to-pelvis ratio often suggests a broader shoulder appearance.
However, it’s crucial to remember that beauty and attractiveness come in diverse forms, and what matters most is feeling comfortable and confident in your own body.
The Mystery of Bone Changes
Bone structure is largely determined by genetics and typically stops growing in length and width during early adulthood.
However, bone density and strength can be influenced by factors like nutrition and physical activity.
It’s important to note that significant changes in bone width or length in adulthood are unlikely.
Can You Change Bone Width Or Length?
When it comes to bone width or length, it is generally not possible to change them significantly in adulthood. The bones have a certain genetic blueprint that determines their size and shape.
However, focusing on exercises that target the shoulder muscles can enhance their strength and development, potentially giving the illusion of broader shoulders.
Strength training exercises like shoulder presses, lateral raises, and rows can help build and define the muscles surrounding the shoulders, contributing to a more prominent and shapely appearance.
So, you might want to give these exercises a miss if you already feel like you have prominent shoulders.
How to Dress when You Have Broad Shoulders
If you want to know how to dress with broad shoulders, there are several tips and tricks that can help you showcase your style and dress in a way that flatters your body shape.
Remember, fashion is all about expressing yourself and feeling confident in what you wear, so let’s dive into some suggestions!
Things You Should Know
Embrace Your Body: Broad shoulders are a unique and beautiful feature, so don’t be afraid to embrace them and celebrate your individuality.
Experiment and Find What Works for You: Fashion is subjective, and what works for one person may not work for another. Play around with different styles, cuts, and silhouettes to discover what makes you feel most comfortable and confident.
Proportions Matter: Balancing your proportions is key. The goal is to create a visual harmony between your shoulders and the rest of your body, rather than trying to hide or minimize your shoulders completely.
Steps
Tops and Jackets
V-Necks and Scoop Necks: Opt for tops and dresses with V-necks or scoop necklines. These styles create a vertical line that draws attention downward, balancing the width of your shoulders.
Off-Shoulder or One-Shoulder Tops: These styles can create a diagonal line across the shoulders, softening their appearance.
Avoid Boat Necks and High Necklines: Boat necks and high necklines tend to emphasize the width of the shoulders, so it’s best to steer clear of these styles.
Structured Jackets: Look for jackets or blazers with structured shoulders. This can help create a more defined shape and balance out your shoulder width.
Bottoms and Pants
Wide-Leg Pants: Opt for wide-leg or flared pants. These styles create volume in the lower body, helping to balance the proportions with your broad shoulders.
A-Line Skirts and Dresses: A-line skirts and dresses cinch at the waist and flare out, creating a more balanced silhouette.
Darker Colors on Top: Darker colors have a minimizing effect, so consider wearing darker hues on your upper body while opting for lighter or brighter colors on the bottom.
Ideal Dress Shapes
Fit-and-Flare Dresses: These dresses cinch at the waist and flare out, creating a beautiful hourglass shape and balancing out broad shoulders.
Wrap Dresses: Wrap dresses create a V-neckline, which draws attention downward and creates a more balanced look.
Empire Waist Dresses: Empire waist dresses cinch just below the bust, creating a focal point higher up and diverting attention from the shoulders.
Broad Shoulders – FAQs
What Does It Mean to Have Broad Shoulders?
Having broad shoulders likely means you have a larger bone structure.
Although, it could also be a result of excess body fat or having a disproportionally large upper body compared to your lower body.
Can Broad Shoulders Be Attractive?
Yes, broad shoulders can be attractive.
While a smaller frame is generally seen as more feminine, there are plenty of incredibly attractive women out there that have broader shoulders.
It is just one piece of the puzzle, and there are even certain people who prefer more prominent shoulders.
How to Get Rid of Broad Shoulders Woman?
Barring surgery, the only options you have for getting rid of broad shoulders are losing body fat or building up your lower body so your broad shoulders are not noticeable.
How Do You Know If Your Shoulders Are Broad?
While there are certain measurements and calculations you can do to see if your shoulders are broad, the best and easiest way is to just go off visuals.
If you feel like you have broad shoulders and the mirror reflects this, you may have broad shoulders for your frame (although, it is worth mentioning that body dysmorphia could cause you to think you have broad shoulders, so this isn’t always the case).
What Body Type Has Broad Shoulders?
The body type that has broad shoulders is ectomorph.
However, this model of categorising physiques has been proven to be incorrect, so take this into consideration when deciding what to do with this information.
What Causes Broad Shoulders Women?
Broad shoulders in women can be caused by genetics, excess weight, bone structure, or a disproportionate body.
Is There Anything You Can do for Broad Shoulders Female?
Yes, there are a few things women can do to minimize broad shoulders.
Losing body fat and building lower body muscle will change your body’s proportion and make broad shoulders much less noticeable.
We hope this article will help you.
Despite what you may think, there are a variety of steps you can take to get rid of your broad shoulders and get a more feminine appearance.
If you would like more fitness advice, feel free to check out the rest of the content we have at MovingForwards.
