An Hourglass Shaped Figure Is Ideal

Lucky you! If you have an hourglass shaped figure , you're among the few who have this ideal shape. Why is it ideal? Although other shapes, such as the tiny rectangle, have been considered ideal in other eras, fashion's darling right at the moment is the hourglass shaped figure.

Hourglass figures can be any size; it's the shape that determines the hourglass figure type. Women who have hourglass figures always have a defined waistline with and are equally balanced top and bottom.

Petite women who have hourglass figures have more of a challenge in dressing because they are short. So if you're a petite women who has an hourglass figure, you'll want to combine flattering styles for your figure types and also dress to look longer and leaner.

Here petite Salma Hayek flatters her hourglass figure in this long dark blue evening gown by wearing

1. a solid dark color.
2. a V-neckline.
3. her dress to the floor to create a longer vertical line.
4. three-quarter sleeves to show off slim forearms and wrists.
5. a dress that flows gracefully over her curves.
6. a style that shows off her tiny waist.

Tops to Flatter Your Hourglass Shaped Figure

The first thing to remember when selecting a top that will be flattering to your hourglass shaped figure is that the top shouldn't have elements that would over-emphasize bust or wide shoulders to the point that you would look top-heavy. So avoid features such as large ruffles, puffy sleeves, and thick shoulder pads, and look for flattering and elongating necklines, such as V-necklines, U-necklines, or sweetheart necklines. Avoid cowl and jewel necklines.

You want to follow your natural shape as much as possible because it's nice and curvy, so look for the more fitted styles and avoid straight, shapeless cuts in tops. The length of your top is another factor to consider. Avoid tops that are too long and end at the widest part of your hips.

Select sleeveless tops or tops with sleeves depending on your personal preferences, climate, and whether or not your arms are toned. If your top has straps, they shouldn't be too small in proportion to your size. Spaghetti straps are usually not a good idea for women who have hourglass figures because they look too tiny contrasted to wide shoulders and an ample bust.

Best styles to wear are those with:

1. surplice construction.
2. V-necklines.
3. wrap styling.
4. princess seaming.
5. close-fitted or semi-fitted styling.

In our example pictured above, this AK Anne Klein linen shirt (Buy Direct) features a flattering V-neckline, a tie at front waistline so that the defined waistline is maintained, and a hem that skims the top of the hips.

Jackets That Flatter Your Hourglass Shaped Figure

The key to a flattering jacket is great fit. For short women who have hourglass shaped figures, close-fitted and semi-fitted styles work best because they follow the natural curves of the body. It's especially important that the jacket be fitted in the waistline, so avoid straight-cut styles because they hide your shape rather than showing it. Look for: single-breasted styles.

1. princess seaming.
2. reasonable, rather than exaggerated, shaping at the shoulders.
3. styles that form a V-neckline rather than a rounded or high neckline.
4. no pockets or hidden pockets.
5. styles that don't hit at or below the hip.

In our example shown above, the blue jacket from Petite Sophisticate (Vendor's Site) is a fitted style, which follows the body's curvy shape nicely. It's also single-breasted, which avoids extra bulk where you don't need any if you have an hourglass figure. There are no pockets either to add extra bulk. The neckline shape is a flattering and elongating V, and there isn't excessive padding in the shoulders.

Skirts That Flatter Your Hourglass Shaped Figure

Try A-line styled skirts or straight skirts that are well fitted - neither too tight nor too loose. Skirts with princess seaming will enhance a vertical line.

Consider the length of the skirt because when the hem of a skirt falls across a thick part of the leg, either thigh or calf, it makes you look wider and shorter. So avoid mini-skirts unless you have slender legs, and keep the skirt length around the knee at the most flattering length. In most cases, the best skirt length for short women is just above the knee, at the knee, or just below the knee.

Most short women should avoid bias-cut skirts because they cling and show everything. If you are slender and want to really show off your figure, a bias-cut skirt or dress will certainly do it.

If you wear boots with a skirt, the boots should be high enough and your skirt hem low enough that there's no gap between them. This gives you an unbroken vertical line and helps you look taller.

In our example above, the printed silk georgette skirt from Petite Sophisticate (Vendor's Site) flows gently over the hips without over-emphasizing them. Godet insets at the hem add a bit of flare, and the print motifs are not too big for a petite woman.

Pants That Flatter Your Hourglass Shaped Figure

Dark-colored pants with straight legs work best for most petites, but they may present a bit of a challenge for short women who have hourglass shaped figures. Sometimes it's difficult to find pants that fit well at both the waist and hips, and it can be difficult to find pants with straight legs that are roomy enough in the hips. If you're 5'0" or under, you may also need to find pants with a shorter inseam than regular petite pants have.

Your best bet: try on lots of pants and jeans styles until you find the brands that fit you best. If you can't find a brand that fits in both the waist and hips, select pants that fit in the hips and have the waist altered. When you have alterations done, it's always easier to make something smaller than enlarge it in clothing because there usually isn't enough of a seam allowance to let out clothing.

When selecting pants or jeans, avoid:

1. print designs.
2. plaid
3. low-rise waistlines.
4. belting your pants or jeans at the hip.
5. pleated styles
6. cargo pants

In our example above, the classic fit straight leg pants (Vendor's Site) from Petite Sophisticate create a vertical line, which helps petites look taller. Although they're available in several colors, a dark color, such as charcoal or navy creates the thinnest appearance. Another benefit: these pants for petites come in two inseam lengths.

Dresses That Flatter Your Hourglass Shaped Figure

It can be difficult to find dresses that fit your short, hourglass shaped figure properly because most clothing designers and manufacturers size for triangle shaped figures. If you are buying a dress that will need to be altered for a good fit, make sure that it's big enough in both the bust and hip areas. If not, alterations will probably not be successful. Usually the seam allowances in commercially produced clothing are scant at best.

The only exception is bridal wear, but even with wedding gowns, be sure there are ample seam allowances if you're going to need alterations.

Best styles for an hourglass shape? Try dresses that follow your curvy lines without too much emphasis either on top or bottom. Your defined waistline is a great asset, so make sure dresses you choose will show off your waistline. Wrap dresses or fitted sheaths usually work well as long as they fit well.

If you can find a good dressmaker or tailor, it would be worth the extra investment. When you have clothing custom made for you, expect to get a great fit, and use the best fashion fabric you can afford. If custom clothing is too pricey, and you're having difficulty finding dresses to fit your shapely figure, you may need to wear separates. That way, you can select different sizes for tops and bottoms.

If you're wearing a long dress, steer clear of peasant styles that fall at the ankle. Opt for a more elegant look in a monochromatic column dress of soft, drapey fabric that falls to the floor.

In our example above, the Diane von Furstenberg silk wrap dress from Shopbop (Buy Direct) emphasizes a defined waistline, follows the body's natural curves, and has a flattering V-neckline.