STYLEWATCH: Dressing To Suit Your Body Shape...HOURGLASS

Last time on Stylewatch we talked about choosing necklines that suit your face shape, body type and bust size . This week we  are going to look at the various body shapes and how to dress to flatter your shape, knowing the clothes that will highlight your assets and minimise your flaws. Today we'll talk about the hourglass shape.

Not sure of your shape?

Celebrity style gurus Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine in their brilliant new book, The Body Shape Bible, have identified 12 body shapes - not just the classic Pear, Apple and Hourglass.

 HOURGLASS SHAPE:

 

Trinny and Susannah’s the Hourglass is described as big tits, small waist, short waist, big hips and generous thighs.
An hourglass, in Trinny and Susannah’s array of shapes, is curvy and has a tiny waist. Of course so does the Vase but the difference between a Vase and an Hourglass is the waist. Both have a narrow waist but in an Hourglass the waist is short creating the illusion that the waist is narrower. You have an actual Hourglass shape.
An Hourglass’s waist is tiny in comparison with breasts and hips. This is the main difference between an Hourglass and a Cello. A Cello has similar proportions but with a wider waist and rounder bottom.

Dressing the hourglass
For an Hourglass the biggest issue is likely to be breasts. They’re there, they’re big and they attract attention. It’s a bit of a conundrum, particularly if you don’t want that kind of attention, but the best strategy for an Hourglass is to work the figure that you have. The key is to work with your curves in a way that feels comfortable and sexy without overemphasising them or throwing off your balanced frame.
Do – get a good supportive bra and lift and separate your breasts. Get fitted. Without proper undergarments nothing will look right.
Don’t – try and cover up as all that happens is you throw off your propoprtion and end up looking and feeling frumpy.
Do – embrace your femininity and take advantage of your curves; make peace with your shape and strut your stuff.
Don’t – avoid all volume and bulk in your clothes, like chunky knits, frilly shirts or big bows.
Do – go for simple classic lines. The Hourglass should be the most formally dressed person in the room. Casual is harder because you have a more formal shape and it just looks out of place.
Don’t – wear high necklines ever. Ever, ever. It makes your breasts look large and cumbersome rather than feminine and beautiful.

Clothes – what to avoid
Baggy clothes – baggy clothes are never a good idea for anyone but where a Column or Pear might be able to pull it off you will not. You must work with your shape for best results and that means fitted clothes.
Tops with extras – avoid an flounces, frills, bows or other decorations on your tops. Also be aware of printed t-shirts. What looks great on the rack may take on a life of it’s own when introduced to your breasts.
Big belts – you have a short waist so putting a big belt in it will make it entirely disappear.
Pointy shoes – a pointed shoe will contrast with your curves and make you look curvier, something you don’t need any help with.
Clothes – what shapes to look for
Deep v neck fitted cardigan – the v-neck will open up your breasts giving you definition on your top half whilst the clinging material of the knit will highlight your waist. Wear it buttoned if you can as a great alternative to a jacket. It’s a very retro look that, despite it’s casualness can be very elegant, and an Hourglass can pull off with the greatest of ease.
Drapey trousers – finding pants that fit can be quite the challenge for the hourglass as your waist is smaller than your hips and thighs. Opt for a soft flexible fabric that fits and flows over your bottom half rather than one that fits your middle. Wear the waist band covered with a good top that ends just at the bottom of your crotch to cover.


Fitted blouse – a big issue for hourglasses is finding a shirt that will fit over your breasts without ballooning around your narrow waist. Look for a shirt that’s fitted under your bust for best effect but make sure the fitting actually starts under your bust. Even then you may need to get it tailored to fit.
Fitted dress that elongates the waist – as is always the case with an Hourglass choose an open neckline to open up your chest and minimize your bust. From there look for a dress that fits your shape, nipping in at the waist at a lower point. It works with your shape whilst making your waist look longer and consequently the whole shape thinner.
Two button jacket – choose a open necked jacket that’s nipped in at the waist. A two button fitted jacket works perfectly as the buttons contain and elongate your waist, again giving the illusion that your waist is longer and making your look slimmer.


Pencil skirt – a pencil skirt is made for an hourglass. The way it moulds itself around your curves is perfect to show off your feminine shape and you have the shape to carry it off. Wear it with a fitted top to show off your tiny waist and full top half and maintain balance.
Scoop neck t-shirt – a scoop neck or a deep v-neck are the Hourglass’s ideal t-shirts. The neckline opens up your chest, and though you have quite a bit of cleavage on show it’s actually much more slimming and comfortable than a higher necked shirt that highlight’s the breasts. Select a fitted shirt that will mould itself to your shape so you work that tiny waist. On this shirt the cropped sleeve finishes at the waist drawing further attention.

Curvy shoes – an Hourglass is all curves so the best shoes will be ones that echo those curves. Avoid pointed stiletto’s – they will be a jarring item in an otherwise pulled together look. Opt for a heel that’s in keeping with your frame. Look for rounded toes or peep toes.

 

 

 bodyshapestyle.com