The Best Clothing To Make Your Hourglass Body Shape Look Amazing

Fashion

Well, we have finally arrived at the final major body type, the hourglass body shape. The one that we have been discussing this entire series, and the body shape you are most trying to achieve by strategic dressing. But just because you have the “ideal” body type, there are still certain clothing that you should gravitate towards and others that you should avoid to look your best.

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Description of the Hourglass Body Shape

A woman with an hourglass body shape has shoulder and hip measurements that are within 5% of each other.

The waist is at least 25% smaller than your shoulder or bust measurements.

To figure out your body type, click the highlighted link.

If you know your measurements, you can then fill them into this handy calculator which will tell you what your body shape is. What is my body shape?

Celebrities with An Hourglass Body Shape

Some of your favorite celebrities have a rectangle body shape! This includes, to name a few:

Dita Von Teese
Marilyn Monroe
Scarlett Johanssen
Sofia Vergara
Salma Hayek

They look stunning when they step out on the red carpet, right? That’s because they wear the best dresses for their straight body type! So read on to get tips on making your look red carpet-worthy consistently.

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General Rules for Dressing the Hourglass Body Shape

Since you are relatively proportional, the theme of dressing yourself is going to be to accentuate your symmetry. You will want to highlight the fact that you have a naturally curvy body shape, with a defined waist and wider shoulders and hips in comparison.

So you will need to avoid:

Any clothing that covers up your fabulous curvy shape.
Clothing that places attention on your bust and shoulders only, which will make you look top-heavy.
Clothing that places more attention on your hips, making you look bottom-heavy.

Dressing the Short (up to 5’2”) Hourglass Figure

You may want to look a little taller, which you will also be able to do with the right attire. Remember that wearing one color from top to bottom has a lengthening effect overall.

Tops and Dresses for the Short Hourglass Body

Wrap tops and surplice tops are great because of the V that they show off your collarbone and the small waistline of the hourglass shape.
Some of the best dresses for the hourglass figure are wrap dresses and are great for highlighting your natural figure. The V shape it produces emphasizes the width of your shoulders, the fabric skims over your hips and a belt or sash gives further definition to your waist.
Fitted sheaths with V-neck or sweetheart necklines are also flattering on the hourglass body

Surplice tops

Skirts for the Short Hourglass Shape

The best skirts for this body shape are those that flare out from the waist, like A-line, gored, godet, or pleated skirts

Skirts with handkerchiefs or asymmetric hems look great on you and will help to make your legs look longer!
Try a mini skirt if you love showing your legs
Otherwise, skirts look best on you when they are above or just below the knee

Jackets, Blazers, Coats for the Short Hourglass Figure

The most flattering outerwear for you has princess seams or a peplum shape. These cinch at the waist and follow your dangerous curves.
Also, try a basic trench with a belt to tie at the waist. It’s so classic and a great piece to have in your wardrobe.

Best Pants and Jeans for Short Hourglass Bodies

A great option for you is straight-leg pants and jeans. They visually lengthen your body to make you look a little taller.

Another great one is a bootcut style, which will help balance your hips, given your curvy body shape.

Accessories and Shoes for the Short Hourglass Shape

Peep toe or pointy toe help to lengthen the look of your body. You can also try a strappy stiletto–showing all that skin gives the visual illusion of more height.
Whether you have an hourglass shape or not, wearing a monochromatic look from head to toe creates a vertical line that gives the illusion of more height.

Additional Notes on Dressing the Short Petite Hourglass Figure

Tops and Dresses for the Short Petite Hourglass Body Shape

A great classic to have as part of your wardrobe is a button-down dress shirt. You can unbutton the top 2 buttons to create a sexy V shape.
Sleeveless tops or shells a great to show off your shoulders.

Accessories and Shoes for the Short Petite Hourglass Shape

Given your petite size, dainty jewelry is best for you. This brings attention to your slender neck.

Notes On Dressing the Short Hourglass Figure of Medium Build

Tops and Dresses for the Short Hourglass Body Shape with a Medium Build

With an hourglass shape, dresses and tops with V-necks, U-neck, or square neck are very flattering on you. Although the hourglass waist is smaller compared to the shoulder width, these necklines help accentuate this fact.
A great classic to have as part of your wardrobe is a button-down dress shirt. You can unbutton the top 2 buttons to create a sexy V shape

Best Pants and Jeans for Hourglass Bodies with a Medium Build

Mid-rise jeans are the best style of jeans to wear given your hourglass shape. This type of rise actually creates a much smoother line from your waist through the hips.
A stovepipe style of pants is great for the medium build hourglass body, as are men’s type slacks.

Gored skirts

Notes on Dressing the Short Full Figured Hourglass

Tops and Dresses for the Short Hourglass Body Shape with a Full figure

With an hourglass shape, dresses and tops with V-necks, U-neck, or square neck are very flattering on you. Although the hourglass waist is smaller compared to the shoulder width, these necklines help accentuate this fact.
A great classic to have as part of your wardrobe is a button-down dress shirt. You can unbutton the top 2 buttons to create a sexy V shape

Best Pants and Jeans for Hourglass Bodies with a Full Figure

Mid-rise jeans are the best style of jeans to wear given your hourglass shape. This type of rise creates a much smoother line from your waist through the hips.
A stovepipe style of pants is great for the medium build hourglass body, as are men’s type slacks.

Notes On Dressing the Short Plus Size Hourglass

Tops and Dresses for the Short Plus-size Hourglass Body Shape

Dresses for the plus-size hourglass that has either a boatneck or a scoop neck are the best because they will not only make the shoulders appear to be wider but make the waist look a little smaller when they are compared.
A-line dresses are also a great choice in dress style for the plus size hourglass body shape.

Skirts for the Short Plus Size Hourglass

Skirts should be knee-length or just above the widest part of your calves to be most flattering to this body shape.

Jackets, Blazers, and Coats for the Short Hourglass Plus-Size Figure

A High-stance blazer (meaning, the button is above the waist) widens shoulders and helps hold in your midsection.

Accessories and Shoes for the Short Plus Size Hourglass Shape

Try long pendant necklaces that produce a V-shape to flatter your naturally curvy body shape.
Remember to make accessories proportion in size.
Use wider belts to accentuate your waist, as opposed to thin belts.
Wear shoes with a pointy toe, and/or with thicker heels.

Dressing the Average Height Hourglass Figure (5’3” – 5’7”)

Dresses and Tops for the Average Height Hourglass

Wrap tops and surplice tops are great because of the V that they show off your collarbone and small waistline of the hourglass shape.

Some of the best dresses for the hourglass figure within the average height range are wrap dresses and are great for highlighting your natural figure. The V shape it produces emphasizes the width of your shoulders, the fabric skims over your hips and a belt or sash gives further definition to your waist.

Skirts for the Average Height Hourglass

The best skirts for this body shape are those that flare out from the waist, like A-line, gored, godet, or pleated skirts

Skirts with handkerchief hems or asymmetric hems look great on you and will help to make your legs look longer!

A pencil skirt is also a good choice to try.

Best Jackets, Blazers, and Coats for Average Height Hourglass

Opt for peplum or princess cut jackets that fit at the waist. These types of jackets highlight your figure.
Trench coats are great for you because of the structured shoulder and cinching at the waist.

Notes On Dressing the Hourglass Body Shape With An Average Height and Slim Build

Tops and Dresses for the Slim Average Height Hourglass Body Shape

A great classic to have as part of your wardrobe is a button-down dress shirt. You can unbutton the top 2 buttons to create a sexy V shape.
Good choices for dresses include halter dress, fitted sheaths (with a V-neck), and wrap dresses that make a V-shape at the neck, cinches at the waist, and drapes around hips.

Best Pants and Jeans for Hourglass Bodies with an Average Height and Slim Build

Stovepipe pants or skinny jeans draw more attention to your hip area and help highlight the natural curve of the hourglass body.
Straight-leg jeans are also great for creating a long, lean look and making you appear as if you are a little taller.
Try capris that stop just above the widest part of your calf to help make you look taller and slimmer.

Skirts for the Average Height and Slim Build Hourglass

Try a mini skirt to show off your legs and make yourself look a little taller.

Accessories and Shoes for the Slim Hourglass of Average Height

Try necklaces that fall into a long curve or a v-neck like a pendant or charm necklaces.
Wear smaller accessories, like dainty earrings or studs and a small clutch.
Wear shoes with pointy toes and thin heels or slingbacks to make calves look more shapely. Also, good options are open-toed shoes or wedges.

The Hourglass Body Shape With An Average Height and Medium build

The Best Dresses and Tops for Medium Built Hourglass-shaped Bodies of Average Height

Off the shoulder, a boatneck or a scoop neck are the best because they will not only make the shoulders appear to be wider but make the waist look a little smaller when they are compared.
A fitted sheath or A-line dress is also a great choice for complimenting the hourglass body.

The Best Skirts for this Body Type

Miniskirt to show off legs and hugs hips

Pants and Jeans for this Body Shape

Mid-rise jeans are the best style of jeans to wear given your hourglass shape. This type of rise creates a much smoother line from your waist through the hips.
Stovepipe pants draw more attention to your hip area and help you to look curvier.
Creased slacks give the illusion of longer legs.

The best Accessories and Shoe Choices for this Hourglass Type

Jewelry to draw the eye up to face, medium-sized pendant
The best shoes on you have a pointy toe or peep toe

The Hourglass Body Shape With An Average Height and Full Figure

The Most Flattering Tops and Dresses

Off the shoulder, a boatneck, sweetheart neckline, or a scoop neck are the best because they will not only make the shoulders appear to be wider but make the waist look a little smaller when they are compared.
A great classic to have as part of your wardrobe is a button-down dress shirt. You can unbutton the top 2 buttons to create a sexy V shape.

Skirts that Most Compliment this Body Shape

Skirts with a slit at the hem
Hem skirts at the knee or just above the knee

Accessories and Shoes to Try for the Full Figure Hourglass

Wear pendant necklaces that fall in V shape
Medium-sized earrings to draw attention to the face
Wear shoes with pointy toes or sling backs to make calves look more shapely.

The Plus Size Hourglass Body Shape Of Average Height

Best Options for Dresses and Tops

Try layering a brightly colored cami under a wrap top or blaze. This pop of color brings attention to the center of your body and helps to highlight your curves.
A fitted sheath is also a great choice for complimenting the plus-size hourglass shape.

Pants and Jeans that Most Compliment the Plus Size Hourglass of Average Height

Mid-rise jeans are the best style of jeans to wear given your hourglass shape. This type of rise creates a much smoother line from your waist through the hips.
Straight-leg pants or bootcut are great to give you more height and making your body look more elongated. A bootcut style adds volume to the lower leg to help balance the hips.

Skirt Options for the Plus Size Hourglass

Also, try a wrap or tulip skirts
Hem just above or at the knee

Accessories and Shoes for the Plus Size Hourglass

Wear full-size accessories, including large pendants and earrings
Big belts, large purse
Wear shoes with pointy toes or wedges to make calves look more shapely.

Godet skirts

Dressing the Tall Hourglass Figure

The Best Dresses and Tops for the Tall Hourglass in General

Wrap tops, V-neck, and surplice tops are great because the V that they make brings the eye to the center, which will make your shoulders appear to be wider and your waist to be smaller.
Good choices for dresses include halter dress, fitted sheaths (with a V-neck), and wrap dresses that make a V-shape at the neck, cinches at the waist, and drapes around hips.

Best Skirt Options for the Tall Hourglass Body Shape

A-line, Godet, tulip, fluted hems, ruffles are excellent options for skirts for the hourglass body shape.

The Most Flattering Blazers, Jackets, and coats for the Tall Hourglass Shape

Opt for peplum or princess cut jackets that fit at the waist. These types of jackets also give you the stronger looking shoulders you need and with a flare at the bottom will
Also, try a basic trench with a belt to tie at the waist. It’s so classic and a great piece to have in your wardrobe.

Are you dressing for your age? How to know if you are.

Pants and Jeans that Look Best on the Tall Hourglass Body Shape

A boot cut will make you look a little curvier.
A straight leg gives you more height and therefore elongates your body.
Creased slacks give the illusion of longer legs.
Mid-rise jeans

Additional Notes on the Tall Slim Hourglass Body

Dresses and Tops for the Tall Slim Hourglass

Shirts with princess seams or ruching around bust will highlight this area and accentuate your hourglass shape.
A great classic to have as part of your wardrobe is a button-down dress shirt. You can unbutton the top 2 buttons to create a sexy V shape.

Best Skirts for the Tall Slim Hourglass Body

Because of your height, you can wear skirts that stop at mid-calf and this will make your legs appear shapelier.

Accessories and Shoes Most Complimentary for this Hourglass

Simple necklaces like pendant or locket
Scarves that tie at the neck to add volume to the slender neck but still match the slim look
Peep toe, D’orsay, or pointy toe help to lengthen the look of your body.

Notes On Dressing the Tall Hourglass Figure With a Medium Build

The Best Dresses and Tops

Consider dresses with built-in corsets, because they help define your waist
Fitted sheath, wrap dress
Strapless

Skirt Options for the Medium Build, Tall Hourglass

Skirts look best for you when they are either knee-length or just below.

Accessories and Shoes that are Necessities

Wear bold necklaces.
Try scarves or necklaces with an open-neck top that hangs down your front, to draw eyes toward your face.
Try knee-high boots over skinny jeans and fitted tops.
Wedges, round-toe heels, peep toes, and ankle straps are good options as well.

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Dressing the Tall Full Figured Hourglass Body Shape (5’8” and above)

Best Tops and Dresses

Try layering a brightly colored cami under a wrap top or blaze. This pop of color brings attention to the center of your body and helps to highlight your curves.
A great classic to have as part of your wardrobe is a button-down dress shirt. You can unbutton the top 2 buttons to create a sexy V shape.

The Best Options for Accessories and Shoes

Wear full-size accessories, including bold necklaces, earrings, and scarves
Pointy toe, Medium height, and high heels help to thin the appearance of calves.

A Few Notes on Dressing the Tall Plus Size Hourglass Shape

Dresses that Work the Best with this Body Shape

The best tops and dresses for this body shape have either a boatneck or a scoop neck that will not only make your shoulders appear to be wider but make your waist look a little smaller when they are compared.
Consider dresses with built-in corsets, because they help define your waist

The Most Flattering Skirts

Skirt hems are best when they are at or below the knee.
Wear medium to large patterns.

Best Accessory Options

Wear full-size accessories, including large pendant necklaces and earrings, and large handbags
Wide belts and sashes
Wear shoes with pointy toes, wedge or pumps with a thicker heel

Final Thoughts on Dressing the Hourglass Shape

While the hourglass body shape is often considered the most “ideal” body type, there are still several guidelines to follow in order to find the most complimentary clothing out there. With careful attention to detail and embracing your body shape, you can look amazing whether you’re having a casual outing or a major event.

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Until next time!