I understand what you are saying now that I see the picture.. belts are not very good for you.
But I think that you can improve that by improving your posture. I did gimnastics for many years and we learn to walk always very straight and to contract the abbs. Try and you'll see a good improvment (it's great to you back too).

Anne, body type questions have become your signature thread post!

You can wear belts, Anne. The problem from the side is the fabric of the top, not the issue of the belt. It’s very slinky. A woven top, or something more voluminous would work better. Posture, unfortunately, makes a huge difference.

I think your body type, or types, are what they are from the front. You’ll need to adjust and modify each area of your body accordingly – and that’s where side view comes in.

Hourglasses and pretty pears with a little extra around the midriff (and where on the midriff can vary), is the most common body type that I deal with irl just because it’s usually a post pregnancy reality. There is still a waistline, but there’s the extra bits as well. I don’t think it’s wise to categorize a body type from the side. Too complicated and too many variables at play. Too much "boxing" and you know that’s not my preference. Dressing your body is and art and not a science! All you need is a starting point and go from there :0)

Hear hear for the "extra bits" around the waist line. ;) Anne, I think the reality (and what Angie is trying to say) is that no matter what your body type, the majority of women who have had children have that extra little belly right there. I know I do.

Angie's comment about posture made me remember this unintended experiment I did. My bed is across from my mirror in my room so when I wake up and stretch, I can see myself. Anyway, when I stretched my arms in the air I got to see what I looked like with a normal length torso! Tiny defined waist, flat tummy. It was pretty funny. Then as soon as I put my arms back down, I was back to my short, stubby, squishy self :( I got my mom to measure me while I had my arms in the air and my waist was 25"! So if I had a regular waist or long waist, I would probably be a lot thinner. Sigh. Anyway, the point is I have been trying to sit and stand as straight as possible to gain some extra length. And I can't even use pregnancy or children as an excuse :(

After seeing Khris' picture and comparing it to one I posted just a few days ago, I can't say I feel like calling myself an hourglass is a joke. I literally have no waist. I go straight up and down, no indentation at all. You can't even tell I have a large bust from the front, and my hips are not very curvy. It is only when I turn to the side that you see all the curves. If you guys didn't already know better, I doubt you would think I was an hourglass just from the front view. Angie had me nailed as an hourglass last year, when I was very different in size and shape. She added the apple modifier in January when she saw me in person. I never feel quite like any of the body types though, probably because my shape and size never seems to stabilize.

But like Angie said before, it's useless to do too much overanalysis. At this point I have a good idea what works and what doesn't, and if I'm not sure I just try it on and see.

Thanks for all your replies to this
Angie I fell a bit silly when you said this was my signature thread posting I think tit is because
1. I am not shopping, even window shopping right now and never seem to have the camera at home; I can't post about much else!

2. I do feel that I am very in between body types. If as you say I am an hourglass, it is by the skin of my teeth ! I am not like Rute, who is a classic hourglass. And I am so longwaisted it feels like my legs could belong to a different person.

However it is reassuring to know that you dress a lot of people in my position shape wise post baby! Oh and I am beginning to wish I never bought that jummer

Maya -I try to use the same logic on my thighs! (ie they'd be thinner if they weren't so short)

Rute - I could use some work on my posture (it isn't always as bad as in the photo, but it isn't great)