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Hourglass Body Shape : Styling Tips and Fashion Advice

Hourglass Body Shape : Styling Tips and Fashion Advice

X - HOURGLASS BODY SHAPE

Your bust and hip have similar width and balance; you have a well-defined waistline (min 25% smaller) and curvy frame, fuller bust and hips, and slightly rounded shoulders.

Hourglass figures have well-defined waists, and this asset should be accentuated.

Below you can find some basic recommendations that you can follow to balance your silhouette and enhance your look.

Necklines: Keep the natural balance, do not go to extreme wide or narrow lines and embellishments. Round shape low necklines such as scoop, oval, jewel, sweetheart, and v style. Avoid high necklines with collars, and turtlenecks.

Scoop Neckline
Jewel Neckline
Sweet Heart Neckline
V Neckline
Bateau Neckline

Sleeves: Fitted sleeves would follow your natural curve; use elbow-length sleeves; cap or flutter sleeves to draw attention to the waist area. Avoid loose and wide sleeves with embellishments, they draw too much attention to your upper body.

Bracelet Sleeves
Shirt Sleeves
Kimono Sleeves
Raglan Sleeves
Bell Sleeves

Shirts: Form-fitting tops that will accentuate your waistline and maintain your balance look; mid-length that hits the hip bone or crop tops; wrap tops; peplum style or belted tops, lightweight jersey knits. Avoid loose sweaters, chunky knits and embellishments in your bust area.

Bust Pockets Shirts
Jabot Shirts
Pussy Bow Shirts
Ruffle Shirts
Knot Front Shirts

Jackets: Fitted layers that follow the natural body line; single-breasted fitted blazers; leather jackets, cropped silhouettes; bomber jackets with elastic waistbands, belted jackets.

Leather Jackets
Single Breasted Jackets
Cropped Jacket
Bomber Jacket
Peplum Jacket

Coats: Form-fitted, tailored classic styles, such as trenches or wrapped coats. Avoid straight, boxy styles, they hide your natural waistline. Also, avoid too many details which make you look unbalanced. 

Chesterfield Style Coat
Trench Coat Single Breasted
Single Breasted Belted Coat
Princess Coat
Single Breasted Military Coat

Skirts: Maintain the natural waistline and avoid adding too much volume to the bottom. High waist skirts hit below the knee; pencil or tube skirts or voluminous skirts that define the waist such as godet gored or circle skirts. 

Circle Skirt
Pencil Skirt
Godet Skirt
Tube Skirt
Gored Skirt

Dresses: Dresses that follow your curves and focus on your waistlines such as bodycon, tulip, wrap and peplum style dresses; flowy dresses with a belt, knee-length. Avoid volumes around the hip such as pockets or ruffles, empire vests, straight or boxy styles and oversize dresses.

A Line Dress
Shirt Dresses
Tulip Style Dress
Peplum Dress
Wrap Style Dress

Pants & Jeans: Medium to high waist flares; wide leg loose-fitting pants; jumpsuits; mid-rise slim, straight, flared or boot-cut jeans; leggings. Avoid pleats or pockets around the hip, baggy pants, large seams or cargo pockets and low waist styles.

Boot Cut Pants
Flared Leg Pants
Tapered Pants
Skinny Trousers
Classic Trousers

Fabrics: Use soft, flowy, or stretchy fabrics that would follow your natural body silhouettes such as fine silk, jersey, cotton, and stretchy denim. Avoid stiff, thick, and textured fabrics.

Accessories: Since you have a balanced silhouette, your shoe selection would depend on your outfit. If your outfit is heavy on the top then you would balance it with your chunky shoes, wedges, and platforms. If you have a balanced outfit, then you can choose more classic shoes like flats and medium heels.

Your bags should sit on your natural waist, not too close to your bust or below your hip. Shoulder bags, satchel bags, cross body bags and hobo bags are good options.

Use medium-length scarves that stay around your neck area, not over your bust or hip. You can use small to medium-scale soft belts that follow your natural waistline.

Choose necklaces that are very short or very long that reach your tummy area. Avoid the wide, chunky ones that lie over your chest area.

Dressing Guides for Your Body Type

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