Dressing for Your Pear Body Shape

Do you find yourself looking in the mirror after getting dressed and frowning? You're not alone. So many people struggle with getting the right look, or more specifically the look that flatters their unique body. When it comes to clothes and clothing styles one size definitely does not fit all. All you need is a little knowledge about your body and then a few simple tips.

First things first, you need to know a little something about your body shape. This article focuses on the "pear" body shape. This body type is an extremely common body shape. This shape is defined by their noticeably smaller top and larger bottom. When you gain weight, it will normally deposit around the hip and thigh area. Because of this fact, pear bodies appear larger around the hips and thighs. Your body may also have a slender neck with narrow shoulders, and you'll always have a curvaceous bottom. Does this sound familiar? Now all you need are a few tips.

Let's start by taking a look at some top tips. The goal here is to draw attention to your shoulders. You want to choose shirts that have wide necklines such as a boat neckline or a scoop neck. Square necklines will help to widen the shoulders and create a more balanced look. Buttons or ties at the neck will also help to bring the eyes up. You should avoid shirts that are too tight or too loose. Semi-fitted, tailored tops look best with a pear shaped body. Shirts that are defined at the waist will highlight your slimmer waist, a feature you want to show off. Belted and cinched tops work will with a pear shape as well. For a jacket or blazer, make sure that the bottom doesn't hit the widest part of your hips. You want it to fall slightly above or at waist level. Avoid jackets that have two slits or vents at the back, especially if you have a larger backside that needs a little extra coverage. Instead, go with a single vented jacket or a jacket without any slits at all.

For bottoms, avoid high-waisted, shapeless jeans and skirts and opt for the younger, slightly lower rise styles. Go with waistlines that rest slightly below your natural waistline (mid-rise). Flatter your defined waist and small backside with wide-legged pants and deep dark colors. Larger pockets on the back of your pants will make your butt look a bit smaller. Avoid flap pockets or pockets that have a lot of embellishment or decoration since this can make your butt look larger. Your perfect pair of pants or jeans would have oversized pockets that taper at the bottom. This makes your butt look rounder and your thighs look smaller. Try finding a pair of pants without front pockets or with slit pockets since this can make your hips look smaller as well. You should buy darker colors with stitching that is the same or very similar in color to the overall fabric color. Straight leg jeans that fall from the hips can give you the appearance of a longer leg-line as well, and boot-cut jeans can offset that extra width around your hips. Generally, longer styles will make your legs appear longer and slimmer. Try picking materials that skim your thighs instead of hugging them, and avoid those stretch fabrics or baggy looks. When choosing a skirt, choose flowing fabrics that minimize your larger bottom half. Straight, A-Line cut skirts are ideal for your body shape. The A-line cut will help to conceal some of your problem areas through the hip and thigh area.

When choosing a dress, to achieve a more balanced look, go with a full or a-line skirt (a slightly flared skirt that has a silhouette resembling the letter "A") or even a ball gown. These skirts will flatter a slim waistline and make the bust stand out while disguising your larger hips. You want to avoid thin straps and boat necklines, and stay away from pleated or gathered fabric at the waist as this will accentuate your broader hips. Choose fitted tops such as a strapless corset-style bodice as this style looks best with the pear body shape, especially in combination with that a-line skirt. You should try tops with some kind of embellishment also to add a little more volume to your bust line. If you don't want to go strapless, think about going with a halter that has a more circular neckline. And if you're flexible with color choice, wear light colors on top and dark colors on bottom. This will bring the eye up and away from your wider bottom. You could also go with an allover print. The goal here is to show off your upper body and bring the attention away from the problem areas of your lower body.

Lastly, for some swimsuit tips, go with a pattern or light color on top and a darker color on the bottom. This draws the eye to your bust line instead of your wider bottom. Color block swimsuits can focus attention on the center of your body rather than your curves as well. Swimdresses and two-pieces with a skirt or boy shorts work well for this shape too. As for tops, look for those with some padding or a demi-bra style (with underwire) to make your bust appears larger. Triangle tops and bandeau tops can be worn well with this body type but keep in mind that a top that adjusts at the shoulders/neck and around the back are best to help you in filling out. Wide straps can help to even things out as well. You should avoid tops that have too much fabric or that don't fit well. You also want to steer clear of those higher cut bottoms since these will emphasize your large hips. Pear bodies are best suited for separates so that the top and bottom fit properly. Go for a tankini if you want some extra coverage.

Hopefully these tips have helped you pear shaped girls out there. By applying just a few of these tips you can transform your look into something you smile about when you look in the mirror. Keep smiling everyone!