Calling all Hourglasses - post your best outfits here! - YouLookFab Forum

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Calling all Hourglasses - post your best outfits here!

puffenstuff

(website)

Veteran

I am fairly new to YLF and I think the first thing I looked for inspiration on was trying to sort out my body type (hourglass) and then how to dress for it.

I started with Angie's terrific posts on how to identify your body type
http://youlookfab.com/2009/03/.....body-type/
http://youlookfab.com/2006/04/.....ng-act”/

I worked out I was an hourglass so went on to read this post from Angie
http://youlookfab.com/2006/04/.....hourglass/

After some discussion from some other YLF members I thought it would be nice to take it a step further and have forum members post their outfits for their bodytypes. It can be an easy way to provide some ideas for any new members, or help to inspire those that may be stuck about what other options they can have.

So without further ado, I would like to start the ball rolling with one of my favourite outfit pictures so far which I think suits my hourglass frame. This is a black shirt dress with a tan belt around my waist, I think without the belt my shape would get lost. http://www.flickr.com/photos/p.....otostream/

Like I said I am no expert on dressing as I am still learning as I go along but I received some good feedback from other forum members when I posted this and I trust their judgement so the outfit gets a thumbs up from me.

So all you hourglasses out there, come along and post your pictures that best highlight your frame. Cant wait to see you all

Body Type

21 replies

Latest reply was from Aparna

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Here is a semi-formal look for am afternoon event:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/c.....479665141/

and some casual MOTG looks for tansitional weather:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/c.....391119526/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/c.....391119518/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/c.....390350991/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/c.....370189381/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/c.....295722087/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/c.....188431376/

puffenstuff

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for posting those pics Chewy - I've got some more ideas now (boyfriend jacket and wearing a button down shirt).

Queen Mum

Veteran

I am a short waisted hourglass. This means I don't have the same defined waistline as many hourglasses do, but I still use many hourglass dressing guidelines. I just have to be careful when using belts.

One rule of thumb I often use when dressing is to create a deep V neckline. Here is an example of this. I actually rarely button this vest, but because I already had the V neck of the shirt, I could get away with it.
http://i959.photobucket.com/al.....1270494282

Here is an outfit where I used a necklace to create that v-neck effect. Tunics (like this one) need to be streamlined rather than flowy to be the most flattering on me.
http://i959.photobucket.com/al.....1270494408

With this outfit, I had the v-neck of the button down, plus I kept a long line effect with the opened jacket. This jacket does not work as well buttoned up because it adds too much bulk to my chest.
http://i959.photobucket.com/al.....1270494477

Actually, as I browsed my pictures, I realized the outfits that I was most happy with were ones with dresses. Dresses with simple lines such as sheath dresses are my absolute favorite, because they gently skim my curves and keep the balance between my hips and shoulders.
http://i959.photobucket.com/al.....1270494870
http://i959.photobucket.com/al.....1270500903

and then I can enjoy layering over a sheath dress with jackets or cardigans. I always have to keep my layering simple though, as too much froof creates volume where I don't want to add volume
http://i959.photobucket.com/al.....1270494972
http://i959.photobucket.com/al.....1270494988
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4.....otostream/
ignore the fact that I have no make up on in this next picture...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/4.....494495700/

so those are a few of my favorite outfits and it is no surprise that they are the outfits that follow the guidelines for dressing my hourglass figure.

puffenstuff

(website)

Veteran

Thanks heaps Queenie - these are all fabulous inspiration for me

rute

Veteran

here are mine:

Dresses are my No. one choice.. so flattering and practical.. I wear it almost all the time.
I choosed also an outfit with skinnies and leather.

http://s601.photobucket.com/al.....hourglass/

rute

Veteran

sorry I always forgot the password:
ylf2010

puffenstuff

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the photos Rute - those outfits are amazing! I had a lightbulb moment when I was looking through the pics from Queenie regarding tops with volume, your comment is spot on saying that you have to keep the volume streamlined. I think that has been my biggest problem, I went from the extreme of having all fitted tops to tops with all volume and wonder why I look shorter and fatter! It does get kind of hard though to have something with volume that will fit over my chest and then it still poofs out to the bottom.

I notice a recurring factor in these outfits, belts to define waist, use of necklace to create a V and using jackets/cardigans to create a V to bring the eye down to the waist. Does that sound about right?

Queen Mum

Veteran

Karen- Yes, you're hitting it right on the head. Think long, lean and streamlined when you shop. I avoid for the most part any gathering-it just adds curve and gives the appearance of being fluffy let your natural curves show through your outfit and you'll be great!

rute

Veteran

I couldn't agree more with you both, we hourglasses usually are big on the top and have hips, so too much volume will make us look fatter, our best outfits should be fitted and lean, the waist is our best asset and accentuating the waist will make us look thinner.

puffenstuff

(website)

Veteran

Well I am sitting here with a big grin on my face because I have just for the first time realised what it means to be an hourglass and how best to dress for my shape. Now I see it in pictures and have you lovely ladies explain it makes so much sense!

Queen Mum

Veteran

that aha moment is a turning point in dressing yourself

puffenstuff

(website)

Veteran

So just a question for the hourglass ladies, which items do you find yourself wearing more than anything?

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Dresses are my #1 item. I wear them all summer, and as long as the weather stays warm in spring and fall. Leggings for layering under the dresses extend their wearing time for me. Jackets are another item that I wear a lot- denim jackets, moto jackets, and boyfriend jackets all are key layering piece for me. In the warmer months, vests can serve a similar purpose as jackets, but at some point in the summer they just get too hot. Slim fitting jeans and tunics are more of my faves.
Unlike some hourglasses, I love volume and wear it a lot. I think it can look fab on hourglasses, but it can be tricky. I pair a voluminous piece with a very fitted piece like skinny jeans, make sure the volume is not all over (fitted in the top part- sleeve/shoulder/chest, then volume at the bottom usually), or reign in volume with a fitted piece over the top (vest, jacket, cardi).

Maya

Veteran

I'm with Khris on this. I am an hourglass but my waist is not even close to my best feature. My best features are probably my arms, shoulders, neck and legs. Volume helps disguise the bust and waist areas that I am a bit more self conscious of and highlight the things I do like.

rute

Veteran

The pieces I find more flattering are dresses and pencil skirts, I wear it a lot, dresses can be fun, trendy and easy to wear

Queen Mum

Veteran

oops, I was organizing my pictures in photobucket and broke the links I made.

Here is my post again with the correct links...

One rule of thumb I often use when dressing is to create a deep V neckline. Here is an example of this. I actually rarely button this vest, but because I already had the V neck of the shirt, I could get away with it.
http://i959.photobucket.com/al.....G_7204.jpg

Here is an outfit where I used a necklace to create that v-neck effect. Tunics (like this one) need to be streamlined rather than flowy to be the most flattering on me.
http://i959.photobucket.com/al.....G_1421.jpg

With this outfit, I had the v-neck of the button down, plus I kept a long line effect with the opened jacket. This jacket does not work as well buttoned up because it adds too much bulk to my chest.
http://i959.photobucket.com/al.....CN0021.jpg

Actually, as I browsed my pictures, I realized the outfits that I was most happy with were ones with dresses. Dresses with simple lines such as sheath dresses are my absolute favorite, because they gently skim my curves and keep the balance between my hips and shoulders.
http://i959.photobucket.com/al.....G_8001.jpg
http://i959.photobucket.com/al.....G_1897.jpg

and then I can enjoy layering over a sheath dress with jackets or cardigans. I always have to keep my layering simple though, as too much froof creates volume where I don't want to add volume
http://i959.photobucket.com/al.....G_1717.jpg
http://i959.photobucket.com/al.....G_7996.jpg
http://i959.photobucket.com/al.....cc28_b.jpg
ignore the fact that I have no make up on in this next picture...
http://i959.photobucket.com/al.....11d2_o.jpg

so those are a few of my favorite outfits and it is no surprise that they are the outfits that follow the guidelines for dressing my hourglass figure.

Aparna

Ok, so I thought I did pretty good with this dress but I was told I looked too old I am 29. How did I do?

http://i944.photobucket.com/al.....195855.jpg

Debora

Veteran

Welcome Aparna! I think your dress is beautiful and you are so pretty! It's hard to tell the length from the picture, but you could possibly shorten it to knee length, if it isn't already, and showcase your lovely legs. Hope to see more of your style!

Maya

Veteran

Aparna, that dress fits you beautifully. I think you could stand to shorten it quite a bit and still look perfectly decent, since you are young and petite. Not to mid-thigh or anything, but at least one or two inches above your knee.

Queen Mum

Veteran

Hi Aparna and welcome! I think that dress is beautiful on you! The shape highlights your beautiful figure and the colors are lovely on your skin. I love the print too. I do agree with the others that shortening it a couple of inches should help make it a bit more youthful--- but honestly its not bad at all just how it is.

Aparna

Thank you all for your comments...I cant find my camera battery ( grr), so I took the pic with my cell phone. It is not very clear ... I have a thunder thigh issue, so I never go above knee length.. I will post a more clearer pic with the dress soon.