I have a strong dislike for the term “pear shaped“; thus, while this post could be taken as addressing that figure type, I will instead be using my own, more flattering, term: Type A. Well, that does have other associations as well, but what I mean is A as in A-line. Nothing unflattering about that!
Do you need a size at least two sizes greater on bottom than on top? If so, this post is for you.
Making the mental change from thinking of yourself as a pear to thinking of yourself as an A, or a triangle, is step one in the process of visualizing flattering looks. The reason? Your overall silhouette needs width at the hem, otherwise you risk appearing lumpy. Like a pear.
More do’s:
- choose A-line skirts
- wear dark jeans and trousers
- enjoy attention-getting details on top (accessories, necklines, sleeves)
- try slash pockets (I swear these can move me from a figure eight to an inverted triangle)
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Don’ts:
- tapered pants, UNLESS they are worn under a long A-line top
- tops that by-pass the waist and are tight on the hips (such as a sweatshirt)
- above the knee skirts with big horizontal lines going across the hips
What favorite tip would you share?
I’m an A, but resist those letter or shape definitions as they usually cover just two planes. An A with broad, square shoulders is so different from a sloped-shoulder A, or an A with a high, round seat differs from a low, flat-buttock A. And then there’s the chest: position, size, shape.
I do know a skirt with a broader top than bottom is essential for me, or I look like a refrigerator.
I’m with Duchesse on the two-dimensionality issue. I’m a figure 8 and narrow-enough appearing at the hips from the front or back. My shoulders are actually wider than my hips. But from the
side I am very thick on bottom and there are many styles I can’t wear, such as a skirt or culottes with stiffer fabric. I can’t wear any reasonably modest length shorts as they all tend to be constructed to fall straight down from the rear and make me look quite like that refrigerator and at least 2 sizes larger on bottom from the side. Though in reality I wear the same size top or bottom.
Any skirt gathered from the waist. Awful from the side. Looks like one of those
Fantasia hippos in tutus. But skirts fitted first before they flair or falling from a deep yoke are graceful and slimming on me.
Oh this is funny, I completely reversed what I meant to say. As a A I need a fit at the hip and flare- A or gore- at the bottom. Probably obvious.
lol. Actually thank you for that correction. I was slightly confused. 🙂