Summer Shorts, Capris and Flood Pants for a Pear Shape

With spring and summer just around the corner, it is almost time to break out clam-diggers, capris, flood pants and short shorts. While we all appreciate short pants for the comfy appeal and cooling effort they put in for us during the hot weather months, we must equally appreciate that, when dressing for fashion, all body types are not created equal. If you have a pear shape like myself, there are certain styles or cuts of each short pant type that we should avoid.

Remember, however, that nothing is 100%. Depending on your particular body weight distribution, one of these guidelines may not be specific to you or may not apply to your favorite pair of killers capris, but for many pear shapes they are a jumping off point.

Shopping for Capris

Capris are a touchy fit for a pear shape that has more than just hips and thighs. If your lower body thickness extends to below the hips and thighs and creates thicker calves, you need to look for a capri that does not remain snug to the hem. Look for a pair of capris that fits smoothly across the hips and thighs and continues down to the mid-calf with a smooth flow instead of a tight fight. Pear shapes who are generally fit and toned can also consider a wide leg capri. Make sure your capri ends mid-calf though, or you are branching into flood pant territory.

Flood Pants

While some people consider flood plants and capris to be one and the same, they are not. Flood pants are more traditionally considered to be pants that fall just above the ankle. They typically fit like a pair of pants that are one size too short in terms of length but are styled to demonstrate to the public you made a purposeful shopping decision. Pear shapes should look for flood pants that fit identically to their best fitting dress slacks. I would also recommend pairing a flood pant with a heel. The heel will add definition to the exposed ankle area. With a capri this isn't as necessary because the calf muscle is on display.

Short Shorts

Some pear shapes are all hips, some are all lower body and some are all hips and thighs. If you are all hips and thighs, look for a pair of shorts that falls to the point on your leg where the thigh muscle begins to taper in towards the knee. Because shorts are usually sold as micro-shorts or knee-length, you may need to purchase a pair of knee length shorts with a flattering hip-hug and then hem them to match your body. By avoiding shorts that show off your fleshier thighs, you show off your silhouette to better effect while emphasizing your gams.

These tips should have you looking fashionable while staying comfortable in the heat!