Confessions of an Hourglass Body Shape

Figuring out my body shape was not the easiest of tasks. Just like my fabulous colleagues have said, everyone has a different body type and mine is no different. At first I thought I might be a strawberry because I have a bigger bust, but then I thought of when I buy jeans and how the waist is always way too big while my thighs and butt fit perfectly, or vise versa.

My confession: I finally came to the conclusion that I am an hourglass body shape, which kind of surprised me. After all, when I was a teenager, I definitely was the shape of a ruler, literally flat all over. But once college started, I developed more curves and gained some weight, and my body started to change shape. After a period of disbelief, I morphed into the hourglass shape and I confess that I love it!

Yet, even the hourglass shape has its issues when it comes to finding clothes that flatter, and I am no exception. So here are some tips for our other hourglass body shaped ladies that I hope can help you find clothes that are becoming to you!

Tips for dressing for the Hourglass Body Shape:

Jeans, Shorts & Skirts

•  With one of the major problems for me being finding jeans, shorts or skirts to fit my waist and my thighs at the same time, sometimes I just bite the bullet and end up buying a pair that is too big in the waist and adapt by wearing a variety of belts. I usually do this when I just love the pair that much. I know that many women in this situation have the waistbands taken in by a tailor, so I think I might try that down the road.
• Since I have an hourglass body shape, I will say that I am very guilty of wearing a belt with every pair of jeans or shorts I own, but hey, belts are great excuse for sporting another fun accessory.
• One trick I started doing was buying jeans and shorts that are high waisted. They usually fit my waist perfectly and show off my legs, which is always fantastic because who doesn’t like to show a little leg!
• I also found that the best types of skirts to wear are high waisted and pencil skirts.  I spend 40 hours a week in an office and these skirts are my best friends. They’re great both because I can tuck shirts into them and because they accentuate my waist.
• I do the same thing with most of the dress pants I buy… I look for ones that have a higher waistline so I can tuck button-down shirts into them so much of the focus is once again on my waist.

 

Tops, Jackets & Bathing Suits

• When it comes to tops I always have to go up a size because my boobs are too big and it is so frustrating. Similar to what Kelly said, I stand in the dressing room and throw my clothes around thinking, “This sucks!” So many cute clothes just don’t fit!
•  Slimming necklines such as V-necks or scoop necks are good because they draw the eye down towards your waist instead of your top.
• Another great tip for an hourglass shape is a tailored jacket. I wear a ton of blazers and jackets to work. I found what works best for me are blazers that turned inward and are a bit shorter. I also wear light jackets to work and when I’m out and about for quick errands, and the best types are ones that have belts around them. The belts help draw attention again to my waist.
• Avoiding turtlenecks and high necklines is a must, because it makes you look top heavy.
• I’ve found that the best bathing suits are triangle shaped bikinis with details such as ruffles or prints. Both of these help draw attention to your top without being over powering. Bandeau type tops in my opinion make me look top heavy. I tend to stay away from those.

Everyone’s body type is different, but what I decided works best for me is sticking to clothes that draw most attention away from my top and bottom. Once you make peace with your body shape, finding clothes that work for you should be way more fun and enjoyable.

What are your hour glass confessions?!

Fashionably yours,

Sarah