What To Wear When You Have An Hourglass Body Shape

Welcome back to the What To Wear series which helps you figure out which styles and silhouettes will flatter you best based on your body type. Today I’m talking about the hourglass body shape.

Generally speaking, there are five different body shapes of women. But it’s important to note that most of us don’t fall neatly into one type. Often we are a combination which means it’s useful to know the different styling strategies for each shape to figure out what works for you. (If you need to know which shape you are, click here to grab my free style guide Dress Better For Your Body which will help you figure it out.) Remember that since most of us aren’t exclusively one shape, understanding the guidelines for each shape will be hugely valuable for you.

Hourglass Body Shape

You have an hourglass body shape if your bust and hips are about the same width, and you have a defined waist.  While some hourglasses may gain weight evenly through their bodies, others may find it goes to their bust, hips or thighs.

Style Goals

For an hourglass body shape, show off your feminine curves while highlighting your waist and balanced proportions. But if you don’t feel like emphasizing your shape, then go in the opposite direction and wear more flowy and loose silhouettes.

What To Wear For Your Hourglass Body Shape

• V-necks, scoop necks and boat necks
• Wrap dresses
• Structured and fitted clothing
• Puff sleeves or any details at the shoulders
• Belts
• Tailored jackets that nip in at the waist
• Bomber jackets with their fitted waistline
• Cropped jackets
• Pencil, flared or skater skirts
• Tops that end just below your hipline
• Fit and flare dresses
• High waisted pants
• Jumpsuits

 What Not To Wear For Your Hourglass Body Shape

• Boxy silhouettes
• High necklines if your bust is big
• Anything to fussy around your bust
• Double breasted jackets

**These are just guidelines. Your ultimate style goal is to wear things that make you happy and feel confident. Your personality is the most important aspect to satisfy when styling yourself so make sure you love what you wear.

In the video, I share more stylist tips to dress the hourglass body shape so you can see what to wear that flatters this figure best.

One of the first things I do with my clients is show them how to dress better for their body types. We look at what they’re currently wearing, and I show them how to make improvements so their clothes compliment them best. Then we go on to find the perfect fit between their personal preferences and their “right-now” body shapes to set the framework for a flattering style that they love AND that makes them look amazing.

If you want my eyes on your style, join my free private facebook group, Closet Shopping Collective. I share my top tips from my 20+ year fashion styling career so you look more polished and feel more pulled together in your clothes. Click here to join the group.

Not an hourglass? Perhaps you’ll relate more to the inverted triangle body shape, triangle body shape, rectangle body shape  or circle or apple shaped body.