You have a Pear Shaped Body

What is a PEAR SHAPED figure?

Well if you have CURVED HIPS that are wider than your more narrow shoulders then you are a PEAR SHAPE.

You will usually keep a neat waistline but it's your Hip Shape that initially leads to deciding your Body Type. If you need to check anything take a step back to that hip shape page.

Body shape has little to do with your size or weight, it's just your bone structure that dictates your frame. And whether you are a size 6 or 26 you will still have a pear shaped body!  

It's Shape not Size that counts!

Would you put a square tablecloth on a round table? Of course not because the shapes don't fit and a square tablecloth would look awkward! 

A round table needs a round tablecloth and your body needs to be dressed in exactly the same way with curved and fluid fabrics to skim your body. 

A pear shaped body has beautiful curves all over with your hips being wider than your more narrow shoulders or even slightly sloping shoulders.  

Your hips and thighs are roughly around the same measurement with the widest part being about 7 inches down from your waist.   

Sometimes referred to as a TRIANGLE shape because you're bottom heavy but there are certainly no angular lines to your figure.

Your Pear shape has beautiful curves and straight lines just don't cut it! 

Curved shapes, curved seams, fabric that moves with you, straight lines just don't work with a curved body! 

If this is the nearest body type to your figure, you'll find some easy tips below which will help to balance your figure.

Don't worry if you're not exactly the same size as the women in the pictures below, we're only looking at basic bone structure. Even so we are all different shapes and sizes and it's important to choose the styling tips that suit you and your figure. 

Focus the eye upwards! 

There is no way you can change your basic bone structure but you can learn how to balance your beautiful curves and dress to your advantage.

The key to dressing is to focus attention on the top part of your body and slender waist drawing attention away from the wider hips.  

Although a Pear has many plus points, it's the nature of the beast that your tummy hips and thighs will store any excess weight.

AND it's been proved that processed foods, refined carbohydrates and sugary drinks will result in stuborn fat on your abdomen hips and buttocks. These types of foods lead to insulin resistance which leads to increased fat storage, ending in fat that's hard to lose. 

Pear shaped divas

The gorgeous Mariah Carey (above left) works hard to keep her body looking perfect with an innate confidence and infectious smile. She does, however, frequently choose dark clothes particularly on the bottom half which helps to slenderise her figure.

One of the best actresses of her generation, Meryl Streep (center above), has a successful career spanning over five decades. She frequently wears long dresses and will often choose to wear a wide V neckline and puff sleeves to balance the width of her hips.   

Acclaimed actress Kate Winslet (above right) is unimpressed by the attention that the press gives to body shape. She was recently interviewed on BBC TV and said that women should celebrate "being a real shape, being soft and maybe having a few extra rolls". You will often see her wearing more dramatic shapes at the top of the body to draw the eye upwards. 

Look at your Positives

• You have beautifully feminine curvaceous hips and bottom

• a slender upper body and often an elegant neck

• You always keep a well defined and neat waistline. 

• it's the most popular shape to be!

and create figure balance 

• keep interest high on your body with detail, color and shape e.g. shoulder detail, pattern and design to widen

• take care with makeup and hair

• visually widen your slender shoulder line with cut, style and color

• keep your hipline sleek and free of detail 

Maximize shoulders - minimize hips! 

It's vital to look your best on the red carpet so let's work that figure! 

• A V-neck or wider neckline is flattering

• Softer floaty fabrics will 'bulk out' your top half, avoid tight fitting tops

• Shoulder pads give instant balance 

• tailored set-in sleeves give structure and width

• Enhance and lift your bustline and define your waistline with a well-fitting bra
  

• Show off a slim waistline with belts and waist interest

You can see below how straight fitting hiplines are far more flattering than exposing the hipline in a tight dress or indeed widening the area.  

Displaying and disguising wide hips

Style can change your shape

• Deflect attention away from your heavier bottom half

• Wear Spanx foundation wear to slim and smooth (it's not mandatory!)
  

• Avoid all detail below the waist - keep it as plain and fluid as possible

• Avoid low pockets, low slung belts, color edged jackets - all add width to hips

• Avoid stretchy or clingy fabrics, particularly in light colors

• Avoid skinny trousers that cling to hips and thighs

• Avoid tapered trousers that come in at the ankles, it emphasises hips

• Wider leg trousers/pants create a straight line 

• Boot cut pants give shape and balance the shoulders

• An A line or preferably a bias cut skirt will skim over your curves to minimize

The perfect dresses

Jennifer Lopez (left) has a typical pear shaped body and, fortunately, has the pick of designers who know how to use shapes to the best advantage.     

The glorious beading draped across the top of this dress widens the shoulder area, keeps the interest high and detracts from her hipline. 

The high waisted empire line appears to make her look taller and the sumptuous fabric creates vertical pleats which further lengthen the frame.

The luxurious drape of the skirt shows off curves without adding bulk to the hip or thighline.

Thus, the shoulders and the hips are completely balanced creating a perfect figure.  

Always choose dresses to widen the shoulders with V or wider neckline, ruffles or cap sleeves. Set-in sleeves will also help to accentuate the shoulder line. 

A wrap dress is perfect as it keeps the interest high, always has a V neckline and it fastens high under the bust. This allows the fabric to skim over the hips and lengthen the body with plenty of movement.  

An A-line dress will also work as it has a defined waistline and flares out over the hips. A fit and flare dress works the same but, even better, often has the waist shaping a bit higher.  

If you want/need to disguise your wider hips/thighs

Many celebrities are now paving the way and endorsing the range of Spanx body shapewear to streamline the figure when you want to feel your best. In fact many people use this type of foundation wear daily. Or there are plenty of inexpensive copycat products around.  

We forget that up until the 60's nearly all women, as a matter of course, expected to use some kind of help to keep their tummy in check.  

For some reason we seem to expect that following childbirth and the rigours of life that a woman's body should spring back to teenage shape. Sadly it doesn't! 

So forget trying to change your body shape just learn to balance your beautiful self and dress to your advantage.  

"God made women for their curves and baby-making hips!"
"I know but I wish he'd included the pattern for adjustment?"