Hourglass body shape
Shoulders and hips are around the same size, with a very defined waistline. ⌛️
A slim waist in relation to the bust/shoulders and hips
Shape is naturally well-proportioned, with shoulders and hips being a similar measurement
Waist is clearly visible and tends to not gain weight as much as the other parts of the body — waist is eight to 12 inches smaller than your hip or bust measurement
Shoulder and hip measurements are within 5% of each other
Average to full bust
What to wear for an hourglass-shaped figure:
You have a very well-proportioned, even body with a great waist so draw the eye to the waist and avoid anything that’s too shapeless! If you want to wear something more shapeless, balance it with fitted pieces (like fitted pants) because you don’t want your figure to be lost under too much fabric or volume. Your best closet pieces are those that display your beautifully balanced silhouette such as a jumpsuit (wide leg is great), a shirt dress, or simply tucking in a T-shirt with jeans. Other amazing items for you are wrap dresses, cropped jackets, and slim leg pants.
Celebrities:
Scarlett Johansson, Salma Hayek, Eva Longoria, Dita Von Teese, Halle Berry, Kate Winslet, Megan Fox, Marilyn Monroe, Eva Mendes, Demi Lovato, Shakira, Nigella Lawson, Myleene Klass, Vanessa Minnillo, Christina Hendricks, Jennifer Lawrence, Jessica Alba, Sophia Vergara, Jessica Biel, Selena Gomez, Amber Rose, Katy Perry, Kim Kardashian
Goal:
Highlight your curves, don’t hide them, by emphasizing your waist.
Dresses:
Formfitting dresses that nip in at the waist, hug the hips, and fall loosely over the thighs and calves. Wrap dresses. Fit-and-flare dresses. Bodycon dresses. Strapless with a defined waist and pencil or circle silhouette worn at knee length. Look for dresses that fit your bustline and elongate your waist. They should fit very snugly around that your middle. If you have some weight around the abdomen, make sure you buy your dress in supportive fabric.
And jumpsuits! Wide-leg jumpsuits will elongate you and make you feel taller.
Gowns:
An A-line out from a defined waist.
Tops:
Wrap tops are great on you — in cropped or flowy cuts — they accentuate your waist and enhance your hourglass figure. Smooth tops in soft fabrics such as knits and drapey silk blends, stretch fabrics that flow with your curves. V-necks and other low necklines, tops that are relatively simple and figure-hugging. Bust-enhancing and eye-catching necklines such as scoop neck, sweetheart, bustier, V-neck. Slimming necklines such as open shirt collars, V-necks, halters, cowls. Crop tops that show a peek of your slim midsection. T-shirts look best when they fit your waist, have a V-neck and have some accents on the shoulders. Shirts that accentuate your bustline and that don’t have buttons all the way to the top. Tops that flare just below the bustline and go to below your crotch can be very flattering with trouser pants. Wear darker colors on top to make your bustline appear smaller, if needed. You will want to wear mostly vertical necklines to break up the line of your chest—V-shaped tops or tops with a deep neckline or blouses with the top two buttons undone. High necklines will make your bust area too bulky, if you are large-breasted. Shoulder pads are good. Sweaters should lie flat and not bulk up.
Toppers:
Cropped jackets put focus on your slimmest part—your waist! Avoid baggy and oversized jackets. Also great are belted jackets/coats, belted vests. Little fitted jackets that tuck in your larger bust. Tailored single-breasted jackets, which will often look best when left open to create a nice elongating vertical line. Don’t hide your shape under a traditional boxy-cut jean jacket, get one in a more shaped style and softer cottons. Shawl collars work well on you. Single-breasted coats. Coats that highlight your waist and feature a V-neck, like a wrap coat or a classic, single breasted coat. Slightly fitted simple cardigans falling to around your hipbone.
Skirts:
Formfitting skirts that nip in at the waist, hug the hips, and fall loosely over the thighs. Tailored A-line skirts. Pencil skirts that fit well accentuate your wonderful curves. Voluminous skirts such as full circle or tulip skirt, as well as structured pieces with flare. Short skater skirts.
Pants & jeans:
Slim leg, cigarette pants are better than skinny leg to help balance your curves visually. Mid-rise and high-rise bottoms. Straight leg, bootcut, wide-leg, and flare pants/jeans. Wide-leg pants with a belted waist. Flat front bootcut trousers are one of your best options, preferably with stretch for a snug fit. Stretch bootcut jeans with a high-waist are great on you. Short shorts show off your legs and curves.
Shoes:
Heeled shoes to elongate the curves of your body. Medium to chunky heels, platforms, wedges. To mimic and flatter your curves, choose shoes like those with rounded or peep toes, or shoes that showcase bows. Wear color and detail in your shoes!
Handbags:
Any handbag choice will work.
Accessories:
Light scarves in winter to cover your open V-neck. Slim, non-contrasting belts. Long and short necklaces.
Undergarments:
A good bra is essential for this body type. Make sure you get a good supportive bra that will thrust your bust forwards and up.
Hair:
Being so balanced top to bottom, you can wear most hairstyles! Curls, waves, messy, straight — you name it (think of Salma Hayek’s changing many different hairstyles).
Active clothes:
Fitted tops and jackets are good on you. Wear tops with a V-neck or scoop neck and detailing near your midsection to show off your trim waist. You can try a sporty fitted halter tank to emphasize your shapeliness. Tops with banding or nipping at the waist will highlight your slim waist. A skort is cute to show your fit thighs, or running shorts. Or try tights or fitted, cropped Capri pants with just a hint of pretty ruching on the sides. You can have fun with prints and colors, as well as wide waistbands, on your bottoms. Go with thicker strapped sports bras to ensure your chest is fully supported when working out. To spice it up, choose sports bras that have fun patterns and different styles and shapes in the back. You may be tempted to cover up with high necks and loose clothes but covering yourself and hiding your shape is actually not flattering!
Careful:
Too tight/clinging tops or bottoms. Voluminous cuts, baggy clothes, boxy dresses — or anything else that hides your shapely middle. If you do wear an oversized silhouette, make sure to expose another body part to counter all that fabric and give definition to the body. Chunky knit sweaters add too much volume on top. Avoid anything stiff and anything that makes you look boxy. Sack-like styles such as oversized blazers and boyfriend shirts need to be paired with sleek bottoms and heels. Wide necklines such as boatneck and square can widen your shoulder area and make you appear heavier, but wearing them with long necklaces and earrings can make a high neckline look flattering. If your bust is large, avoid high necklines, such as a polo neck. Pants or tops that are too fussy (think ruffles, pleats, ultra chunky knits and embellishments) can draw too much attention to your hips or bust, making them look bigger. Flat lace-up shoes.
What is your body shape?
