Hourglass Shaped Body
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.
Bikinis for Hourglass Shape Women
To be able to choose the perfect bikini for the hourglass shaped figure you firstly need to understand your body shape and what areas you should draw attention to and also what areas you should pull attention away from.
Being hourglass your very lucky that most styles will suit you, however bikinis are a great choice for the hourglass figure and will allow you to show off that fabulous figure more than if you were to wear a tankini or swimsuit.
Under wiring in bikini tops will also help lift your large breasts. A longer tankini top can be a good choice as they come with supporting control panels to help suck you in and emphasise that tiny waist even more.
Underwear for the Hourglass Figure
The hourglass women may have a tendency to want to cover up their ample chest area as they feel they are too large at the top, some try to squeeze into bras with a smaller cup size as a hope to reduce the emphasis on the bust.
The hourglass may not have enough support wearing the strapless bra and triangle bras, the push-up bras and padded bras are also to be avoided as you simply do not need to emphasise your bust!
Wearing the right underwear for your body shape is essential. For the best results choose well fitting undergarments that will complement your hourglass figure. This will effect how good you look once you are dressed and will give you that great foundation.
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
Hourglass Shaped Body
Latest in the Forums
No posts to display.
Comments
5.6 (170cm)tall and weight 155. Am I hourglass shape? I love how pencil skirts look on me just i have thick calves (i was playing sport).Which skirt size should be good for me to make my calves thin + i love wearing high heals.
we seem to have the same height, measurements and weight. I agree that pencil skirts look great on girls like us! To make your calves look thin, stay away from skirts that hit below the knee. If you are athletic (like me too!) you probably have stunning legs and you want to show them off! I normally wear a size 8 or 10 depending on cut and style. I normally shop at The Limited, Express and Banana Republic, if that helps you gauge size. Remember that the fabric should hug your curves, not be painted on! Hourglasses are sexy as they are-we don't need to be over-done to be attractive (if it ever is).
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS4j2TAaC3mPwnIkSbYT5wwSWXnQeoVg61axi2qzUiR8sdChPMUyR6K0QOm
I'm 36HH 25" waist and a 39" Hip. I just look frumpy and fat in everything. Pencil skirts seem to look great but I just cant get a top that fit's right. I have to get quite big tops due to my bust but they make me look like I have a gazillion rolls and turns my waist from looking like:
) . ( to (((.)))
help
I get compliments all the time about it people say that "you're curvey for a white girl" so on and so fourth. Young girls on here DO NOT think you're any less because; you're beautiful no matter what anyone says to you. Hourglass or not. You're pefect. (: God made you this way for a reason.
umm first of all, if you have had two kids, that is obviously going to change your hips to make them wider, and second of all, i am 13 and i am rational enough to not bully curvy people into thinking they are fat and should go on a life changing diet and possibly hurt themselves in the process. have you ever thought about having a big bone structure?
Bye.
Wow, that's massively parochial. It's not about the size, it's about the shape. I've got 4 kiddies, a flat tummy, 5ft 9, 38, 26, 38, but I don't think I'm better than anyone else because of my measurements.
Quoting Lexi:
Great attitude! Hear Hear!
My waist is 32", hips 44", bust 43" (and altho I look just dandy, yowtch can I just mention the back pain such a title provides). I have an hourglass figure. As do several of the other ladies posting, and really, anyone who has at least that 9" difference.
Lets play nice and stop being jealous that the curvy girls look hot, too.
What does that mean? I probably qualify as fat going by your criteria, which doesn't bother me in the slightest, but remember there are girls out there who do not need that negative kind of talk.
I have what I prefer to call a 'balanced' body shape, basically shoulders and hips in proportion, as with an hourglass, with a defined waist but not conforming to any particular measurement. I cannot remember the last time I measured my waist, however I find this guidance on what styles to go for very helpful and it works.
It can make us balanced girls look fantastic. We shouldn't get hung up on what shapes we are, just try a few of the tips on this site and see if they work for you xxx
Have a nice day.
I am 5'11", with measurement of 41-31-42.
I am in the healthy range of the BMI, my doctor is very happy with my fat levels & overall health.... but according to some arbitrary measurement you pulled out of *somewhere, not only am I not an hourglass, I am fat?
Maybe if you had a waist measurement of 30 inches, that would mean you were "on the fat side". That doesn't make that true of the rest of the world. However what is true of everyone is that smug judgyness is not a good look!
This is about making women feel good about themselves no matter what their size and allow them to find clothes that make them feel confident!!
My friend has just had a baby and doesn't have a flat tummy but guess what, she still looks great.
Also, am I a plus size or not?? I feel like I'm awkwardly trapped in the middle of two sides- neither of which tailor to MY size because it's either one extreme or another. Another thing is that I'm horridly short. Morbidly really. I stand at a pathetic 5'2 if I'm lucky. How do you dress a short plus hourglass???
grr. I'm frustrated.
Average clothing shops sell sizes 0-12
then Plus size shops do 20+
some shops may do 14-18 but it's hit and miss all the time...
Dress yourself up by having waist coats or look at pin-up, also your young you still got a world of growing to do...
look at it like this; the cells in your body "refresh", if you will, constantly. so much so that the body you have now is completely different to your body 7 years ago...
I look pretty decent in pin up clothing.. just thought I'd mention that this article completely misses a whole style of dress specifically intended for the shape.
I'm a plus size, top heavy hourglass....wa ist is 34, hips 46, bust 48. I'm in my early twenties and am so sick of wearing non fashionable clothes, such as bootleg jeans all the time. I feel as though I have to wear 'older' type clothes as the fashionable clothes don't suit me. Also, at 5ft 7, I'm fairly tall so don't like to wear heels. Please, can anyone advise me on more stylish options that will suit me? Thanks!
As far as fashionable jeans go skinny jeans seem to be 'it', and hourglass can wear them, we just need to be a tad creative. Try to find high waist ones and wear them with a belt to cinch them in, and a tight tee tucked in.
Alternatively try a pencil skirt (or dress) that comes just past the knee.
Swing dresses too work brilliantly, the bodice goes right in at the waist and the flared skirt accentuates it. For top heavy, halternecks work wonders to add some balance.
As for shoes, try some knee high boots work tucked into jeans. Low top converse or similar shoes to that look good with bootleg jeans, and most things really; I don't know what I'd do without mine. They're bright red and I love them.
If you want a tad more glamour try a kitten heel. Although high ones are joyous, I'm 5'8 and still wear them.
There is nothing wrong with bootleg jeans they are fabulous but feeling bored get a dress or to i know that can be scary but a good dress in a moderd or the classic hourglass 1950s style can be achieved look for something that makes you say my waist is tiny and then go from there at 5'7'' you can were heels but look for cool boots combat girly nothing too tall or it will eat your legs in a bad way but pick ankle to slightly mid calf in dark colors or medium browns flats work to actual flats are changing the world get on the band wagon cardigans anything you can belt and aline all help you look more gorgeous!
just be happy to be blessed with such a figure even if it isnt a size 2 lol hope that helped
i guess i'm doubly confused because when looking at me from the front, i appear to have a large ribcage ... but from the side, i have a very rounded butt and a tiny waist... and from behind, my waist to hip ratio makes me look like i have a well-defined waist and fuller hips -- which i know sounds contradictory/impossible...
is it even possible to have small breasts and be considered an hourglass? i didn't think it was... again, i definitely don't look like Sophia Loren or any of the 'fuller' women featured in your photo examples... so i guess i am the boyish body-type???
If you google I am sure you can find more slender hourglass figures. I hope this helps!
Thanks
sam
Does this mean i am still an hourglass figure? or am I more closer to the pear shape.
I did an online test and it said I am hourglass.
How far out do the measurement differences between the bust and hips have to be before it is no longer considered hourglass?
Really useful details above, please can anyone tell me the best Uk stores to sell hourglass figure suited clothes? I'm on a mission to overhaul my wardrobe and create a capsule wardrobe for the yummy mummy that I strive to be! 38, 33, 40 at last measure, or has my lack of baby weightloss turned me into a pear??? Thanks for your help.