A Snippet of Style

The hourglass shape is the one that we aim to recreate for the other body types. So consider yourself blessed if you have an hourglass figure — embrace your curves and flaunt them!

The characteristics of this type include:

• A shapely balanced figure
• Hips and shoulders are of similar width
• Well defined waist
• Big bust, small waist, big hips and generous thighs
• Weight gain is distributed over body

There are plenty of options to dress the hourglass figure. The main aim is to emphasize your curves and especially your waist. Don’t hide any part of your body but aim to show it off. Throughout history this has been the most admired body type, but these days hourglass women can be self conscious of their curves. But there is no need to hide those curves — instead, you should show them off, ladies! This is the ideal of feminine beauty so women should be proud to have this shape. Some famous hourglasses include Nigella Lawson, Salma Hayek, Charlotte Church, Jessica Simpson and of course, Marilyn Monroe.

General Tips

• Wear fitted clothes to showcase your curves
• Wear soft, clingy fabrics to highlight your figure
• Wear low to medium necklines
• Wear clothes that define the hourglass silhouette
• Avoid stiff fabrics and baggy styles
• Avoid high necklines (unless you have a relatively small bust)
• Avoid very tapered pants
• Avoid clothes with frills, flounces and bows because decorations add volume and hourglass figures don’t need this

Tops / Blouses / Shirts

• Wear fitted single and double-breasted jackets
• Wear deep v-necks, tuxedo and shawl collar necklines
• Wear v-neck or scooped necklines with mid length necklaces
• Wear wrap blouses to emphasize your naturally small waist
• Wear 3/4 sleeves and puff sleeves to add proportion to the bust and torso, as well as flattering big arms
• Wear color-blocked outfits to highlight your curves, such as wearing a dark bottom with a lighter top and a belt that matches the bottom
• Wear tops that are cropped or end at the waist
• Avoid batwing sleeves
• Avoid loose fitting tops as they will hide your outstanding curves
• Recommended Items
• Simone Lurex Blouse: This soft fitting white shirt fits well over your curves.
• Erin One Shoulder Blouse: Wear this black one shoulder blouse with a fitted pencil skirt to showcase your curves.
• Juliet Top: This wrap style blouse in black and bronze is ideal for a night out with friends.
• Veronica Blouse: A stylish ruffled black blouse in satin that is perfect for workwear.
• Shannon Satin Top: A loose-fitting geometric printed kimono style top with loads of lovely visual interest in the patterns! Cinch this top in with the matching belt for a stylish look.
• Kendra Blouse: Patterned satin and chiffon top looks great with a pair of wide leg jeans for a casual day out.
• Chloe Jacket: A dark-colored slimming, vertically striped short-sleeved jacket that is perfect for workwear!
• Leigh Tailored Jacket: This bright red jacket fits well and looks great layered over a simple top.
• Corduroy Vest, Viola Vest & Shawl Collar Vest: Layer these vests over simple white shirts for a stylish workwear look.

Skirts / Pants / Bottoms

• Wear trousers in drapey fabrics
• Wear wide leg or boot cut, loose fitting trousers paired with pretty tops that just reach the crotch. Flared pants will hide big calves.
• Wear low waisted pants to make the bottom area seem smaller
• Wear low-waisted a-line skirts that are knee length or longer to hide large legs and calves
• Wear pencil skirts
• Wear flat front, side zip, pocketless pants to minimize full hips and bottom
• Wear jeans and skirts rather than pants whenever possible
• Avoid skirts with open pleats
• Recommended Items
• Helen Navy Skirt: High-waisted, fitted skirt will flaunt your curves when worn with a fitted shirt and high heels!
• Jill Skirt: A lovely slightly flared workwear skirt in black and white polka dots.
• Kylie Skirt: A pencil skirt for work that looks great paired with a fitted shirt.
• Rita Wide Leg Trousers: Basic black wide leg trousers create a slimming effect. Pair with heels for an ideal look!
• Wide Leg Cargo Pants: Wide leg pants in a dark color for a wonderful silhouette.
• Diva Wide Leg Jeans: Wide leg low-waist jeans are well fitted and perfect for the hourglass shape.

Dresses

• Wear fitted dresses; these are ideal to showcase your hourglass shape since they fit well around the bust, cinch the waist and emphasize your hips
• Wear strapless dresses
• Wear dresses with defined waistlines
• Wear pretty dresses with peep toe shoes to give you a cute and feminine look
• Wear wrap dresses to highlight your small waist
• Wear belted shirtdresses
• Wear pretty fitted jackets on top of dresses to highlight your waist
• Wear bias cut dresses that will crease in at your natural waist
• Wear simple body hugging dresses to highlight the beauty of your body
• Wear short sheath dresses in body hugging fabrics to show off your proportionate figure and emphasize all the right body parts
• Recommended Items
• Penelope Dress: This dark blue dress with defined waist is lovely to flaunt your curves, especially when paired with boots.
• Stacey Dress: Printed low cut dress with cinched waist to define your curves.
• Madeline Dress: This fitted dark blue dress looks lovely with a slim belt at the waist. Perfect to wear to work.
• Satin Coat Dress: A cinched, belted waist lends sophistication to this style. Looks great with knee high boots or tights.
• Vanna Twill Dress: This belted sundress looks great for a casual day out.
• Angie Dress: Wear this belted summer dress with style and flair!
• Katya Dress: This little black dress is perfect for a night out.
• Smocked Off-Shoulder Dress: This simple printed dress will highlight your curves in the soft, clingy fabric.
• Divinity Dress: This belted cheongsam-style dress looks fabulous for a night out!
• Debbie Dress: Pair this simple houndstooth dress with tights and ballet flats for an ultra-feminine look!

Shoes / Accessories

• Wear belts or scarves at the waistline
• Wear wide belts to cinch in your waist (with loose fitting tops and dresses) if you want to highlight and play up your hourglass figure to the max. Otherwise avoid big belts.
• Wear shoes with heels
• Wear rounded or peep toe shoes
• Wear heeled boots to hide large ankles and calves; they look great with skirts and pants
• Avoid flat lace up shoes

fashion thoughts