Dressing the Hourglass Woman Shape

The main traits of your Hourglass shaped body are:

• Bust and hips nearly the same size.
• Well defined waist - 9" or more smaller than bust.
• Full Bust.
• Shapely Legs.

Did you know that only 8.4% of women have the hourglass figure? Considered as the dream figure, the subject of many paintings and sculptures, the hourglass is probably the most envied of all the shapes we have discussed.

Contrary to the body shapes of most supermodels, the hourglass figure is round and curvy, with a well-defined waistline, fuller hips and bust and generous thighs. Probably because of this change in the concept of beauty, many hourglass figured women try to hide their curves. If not, some of these women find it difficult to find the right type of clothes for their body type.

Since the hourglass is considered the perfect feminine shape, there is not much to be done but to accentuate this particular figure. If you are one of these lucky few, all you really need is to dress smartly and look for clothes that silhouette your figure rather than hide it.

Hourglass Figure Measurements

The vital statistics of what was once considered to be the perfect figure of 36/24/36 are what the hourglass ladies are about. The credentials can be larger or smaller, but by comparison the waist will always be around 9" smaller than the bust giving that very curvaceous figure.

After reading this article, hourglass women can go ahead and reclaim their throne.

Tops for Hourglass Shaped Women:

Many women try to hide and cover up their curves in lose fitting clothes, now is the time to embrace them curves and show off your most envied assets; your perfect proportions and tiny waist!

Classic cuts teamed with trendy accessories will have you looking as fabulous as your less endowed sisters. Be careful not to overdo your clothes with ruffles, bows and other frills as your figure itself is enough to draw attention so keep everything simple and you’ll be smashing.

Ideal tops for the hourglass shape are scooped or V necks as these will accentuate your bust. Wrap tops and tops with belts are also good for the hour glass women, the belt or tie will be a feature and style will fall on your slender waistline.

When looking at fabrics aim to buy sheer, soft, clingy fabrics and avoid stiff bulky fabrics and design as they will not be figure hugging. The vertical striped tops can be a good way of elongating your body especially if the garment is fitted or gathered in, this will give the effect of drawing the stripes into your narrow waist area.

On tops and blouses you will need to avoid high necklines like turtlenecks as they draw attention away from the waist, also it would be a good idea to stay away from frills around the hem of a top as these will add width to your hips when you don’t need it making you look unbalanced.

Dresses and one piece outfits are a good choice for the hour glass woman, fitted ones are ideal and they should fit your bust most of all as well as your hips and your behind.

Never wear overly dramatic or ultra-blah big belts, batwing sleeves, smocks, flat lace-up shoes or other similar items.

Jackets and Coats for Hourglass Shaped Women:

Fitted and tailored coats and jackets will be one of the best choices for your hourglass figure and well fitted jacket will slim down into the waist will emphasize your figure beautifully.

As an hour glass you are able to pick any length. Tailored longer coats can work well, especially with belts or small pleated waist detail a simple button under the bust can draw attention in the right places.

Single breasted jackets are best for your shape; they just fasten the jacket like their meant to with out any of the extra bulk you would get from a double breasted jacket.

Simplicity is they key when looking for your perfect jacket or coat, try and avoid over accentuated shoulders or pocket detailing.

If you are one of the shorter hour glasses out there try and stick to shorter jackets that end at your hips. Make sure you don’t hide your shape under bulky jackets, stick to the fitted ones that follow the curves of your body. Try small, neat sleeves to soften your usually fleshy upper arms.

Your figure will do the talking when it comes to your coat so just make sure you find one the right fit, size and that nips in and out in all the right places and you can’t go wrong.

Skirts and Trousers for Hourglass Shaped Women:

For casual dressing, the hourglass is too much woman for trousers. I mean, really. However, if you really want to dress down for shopping or hiking in the woods, try to wear trousers that are wide-legged and loose fitting and wear a pretty top that ends just below your crotch. It not only looks good on you, you feel super comfortable in it, too.

Pencil skirts are the ones to go for; they will cling to your figure coming right in at your waist to show off your sexy curves.

If you feel you’re a little on the shorter side wear ¾ length or skirts just below the knee with a slit to make you look taller.

However it’s important to know what length skirt is right for you what ever your height, wearing skirts that end at the thickest part of your legs whether it be the widest part of your thighs or calves will just made you appear allot shorter and

wider then you actually are.

A-lines are another skirt great for you hourglasses. As long as they are fitted around the waist and hits and don’t flare out

from the waist you will look gorgeous in them.

Fitted jackets teamed with skirts or strapless dresses all suit those with an hourglass shape. Fitted dresses, trousers in drapy fabrics, slim skirts and heeled shoes with rounded or peep toes will have you looking great from day to night.

Jeans Styles for Hourglass Shaped Women:

Hourglass figures should ideally wear jeans that have a smaller cut waist, this will help you achieve that beautifully fitted look from waist to hips.

With fitting in mind stretch denim jeans can be the perfect choice and will give you movement and comfort for your shapely figure without having a bulky or tight look.

To balance out your hips choose jeans that have a slightly flared, wide leg or boot cut. Tailored jeans can make your legs appear longer and lift your bottom especially if worn with heals.

Stay away from belts or detailing such as pockets around the hips or bum, it will just add bulk. If your one of the cuddlier hour glasses out there opt for darker colour jeans, they will slim you down.

As long as you remember to make sure your jeans are fitted properly especially around your bum, hips, waist and not adding any width where it’s not needed you will look stunning.

Dresses for Hourglass Shaped Women.

As you should know by now you have been blessed with easiest body shape to dress. Nothing needs to be hidden or enhanced since your shape is already proportional and you can pull off just about any dress you choose!

Although you can pull off almost all dress styles and shapes you do need to be careful when it comes to pattern or embellishment. Stay away from heavily beaded or over embellished dresses, they tend to make you appear heavier than you actually are and can leave you looking unbalanced.

Bodices look great with your body shape as they will enhance your natural curves accentuating the waist and lifting your bust. As far as length goes stick to the same rules as when buying a skirt, remembering that if you’re a little on the shorter side wear ¾ length dresses or just below the knee with a slit to make you look taller.

Strapless or off-the shoulder necklines are perfect for an hourglass shape. You really do have a lot of options so feel lucky to have been blessed with such a great body shape.

Hourglass Shaped Celebrities

With the hourglass figure being so desired it is no wonder that the following celebrities, pop stars and actresses are hugely successful and also admired by so many.

Many embrace their curves and don't give in to the pressures and demands of being stick-thin that many stars do. Hourglass shapes stars include: Marilyn Monroe, Kate Winslet, Mariah Carey, Salma Hayek

The hourglass figure was known as the “wasp waist” and was highly fashionable during the 1800s and Victorian era. Fashionable women did literally everything and anything to achieve the desired bigger bust and hips and the tiny waist of the hourglass look.

Corsets, bustles, breast-enhancing bras and foundation garments were worn for long periods of time and were very uncomfortable for the wearer. Research now reveals that some women in this era probably suffered from a variety of serious health problems including the displacement of various organs caused by pressure from the corset and also deformed ribs, as the corset pulls the lower ribs to an unnatural position.

So there. There’s not much to do for the hourglass goddess - all you have to do is to regain your lost confidence and stay simple. Your body is already hot as it is so you don’t really need to try too hard. Thank God there are only 8.4% of you!

If you are unsure of your body shape then check out the article on finding out my body shape