For decades, body typing systems have tried to fit us into boxes labeled like items in a grocery aisle: apple, pear, banana. These systems often focused on “fixing” or “balancing” the body to mimic one idealized shape—usually tall, narrow, and hourglass-shaped. The advice sounded more like camouflage: “Minimize your hips,” “Hide your midsection,” “Lengthen your legs.”
But what if you didn’t need to fix your shape to be stylish? What if your unique proportions were the starting point—not the problem?
The Body Matrix offers a fresh, positive framework that helps you identify your body’s natural lines and dress in harmony with them. It’s not about hiding or correcting—it’s about echoing your real features in your clothing.
Introducing the Body Matrix
After years of working with various body systems, the creator of the Body Matrix noticed a simple truth: most people don’t fit perfectly into one rigid “type.” Instead, we each carry a blend of proportions, and the best styling advice comes from seeing ourselves clearly—not squeezing into someone else’s mold.
The Body Matrix focuses on three key aspects of your silhouette:
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Width, found in your shoulders and torso (Wide, Medium, or Narrow)
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Length; basically your height and limb length (Long, Medium, or Short)
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Shape; not about weight or size—it is literally whether your outline is made up of straighter lines or more curvy lines. Any size can lean either way! (Straight, Medium, or Round)
That’s it. These three elements—when echoed in your clothing—create flattering, comfortable, and cohesive outfits that feel like you. There are 27 possible combinations, but the goal is clarity, not complication.
If you’re unsure where you fall, try tracing your outline or looking at how clothing naturally sits on your frame. Try not to default to the middle/medium— look closely and lean slightly in one direction if you can see evidence of a little width in your shoulders or a little length in your legs, for example. The Body Matrix isn’t about perfection—it’s about getting close enough to make confident styling choices.
How to Dress for Your Matrix Type
Each element influences your clothing choices in intuitive ways:
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Width shows up in necklines, sleeves, hems, and accessories
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Length is reflected in the size and cut of your garments
- Shape determines whether you suit more structured or curvier silhouettes
For example:
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If you’re wide, go for flared sleeves, open necklines, and flowing or oversized accessories
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If you’re short, choose smaller, cropped, or petite-scale garments
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If you’re round, seek out soft, curved shapes like gathers, peplums, and gentle draping
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If you’re straight, lean into structure, clean lines, and geometric edges
- If you’re medium, aim for moderation—nothing too oversized or tight, too sharp or soft
It’s not about rules. It’s about resonance—when your clothes reflect your actual structure, everything just works better.
The Tibby Floral Dress in Pink is an example of a narrow-long-round (NLR) silhouette.
Mae Threads Meets the Matrix
Let’s bring this to life with a few of our favorite new arrivals from Mae Threads. Each one naturally suits a different Matrix combination, helping you visualize how this framework works in real outfits.
The Dete Two-Piece Set
Type: Wide + Short + Straight (WSS)
This structured yet relaxed set features wide-leg drawstring pants and a hi-low tee with pleated detail. The oversized pockets and dropped shoulders echo width, while the short length and angular lines complement a shorter, straighter frame. Perfect for grounded, confident ease. Kristen Bell is an example of this body type. We can totally see her wearing this set!
The June Top
Type: Narrow + Short + Round (NSR)
With its flouncy peplum, gathered waist, and delicate neckline tie, the June Top is ideal for those with a petite, softly curved silhouette. It keeps everything close to the body, light, and sweet—mirroring soft curves and a small frame without overwhelming it. Mila Kunis and Nicola Coughlan are both examples of this body type. They’d both look so sweet in this blouse!
The Lizeth Floral Midi Skirt
Type: Medium + Long + Straight (MLS)
This cream and black floral skirt offers clean structure with just the right amount of ease. The midi length and vertical button placket create a long, continuous line that flatters a longer vertical frame. Its straight waistband and lightly structured drape suit bodies that are naturally more angular than curvy. With a medium width and minimal volume, this skirt is a great match for those who feel best in balanced, unfussy shapes with a streamlined feel. Kate Middleton and Dakota Johnson are examples of the MLS body type. Can you see them wearing the Lizeth?
The Cloverfield Denim Dress
Type: Medium + Medium + Medium (MMM)
The Cloverfield Dress is the ultimate all-rounder, making it an ideal match for the balanced proportions of the MMM type. Its relaxed babydoll fit offers gentle ease without overwhelming, while the split collar and bow detail add personality without creating visual extremes. The dark-wash denim brings subtle structure, and the overall silhouette maintains a pleasing balance—neither too sharp nor too soft, too long nor too short. This dress flatters the harmonious lines of someone who thrives in versatile, uncomplicated shapes. Jennifer Aniston and Lupita Nyong’o are examples of this body type. They would look great in this dress!
The Katarine Dress
Type: Medium + Medium + Round (MMR)
Featuring mocha floral embroidery, puff sleeves, and tiered shaping, this dress is a lovely example of soft, round lines on a medium frame. The V-neckline is moderate, and the overall silhouette echoes feminine fullness while keeping things breezy and comfortable.
Dressing That Feels Like You
The Body Matrix offers a way out of comparison and into clarity. Instead of dressing to hide your body, you’re dressing with it—choosing lines and shapes that mirror what’s already there. No more trying to look taller, thinner, or “balanced.” Just dressing in a way that feels right.
Mae Threads is all about real women, real bodies, and real comfort. And when you combine thoughtfully made pieces with an intuitive styling system like the Body Matrix, the results speak for themselves.
Use code matrix10 to get 10% off the items linked in this article!
Style isn’t about changing who you are. It’s about showing up in what fits you—in every sense of the word.