Lapsed Hourglass?

Cindy S

I'm new to YLF, and have recently realized that a number of styles that were flattering even into my late 40s are no longer so. In trying to analyze why, it seems to me that my thicker midsection may be the culprit. I'm now approaching 55, and though my shape is essentially the same, its sort of redistributed a bit more thickly just below the waist...I measured my shoulders and hips and they're close to the same measurement (shoulders 37 and hips 36). My waist is 27...but my abdomen, which used to measure 30 is now 32 (and that's on a good day). So my question for anyone who'd like to comment is - do I still dress myself as an hourglass? Am I now more of a pear thanks to the redistribution below the waist? Thanks for your input!

10 years ago

Body Type

10 replies

Latest reply was from Cindy S

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I'm a pear, but I definitely became more of an apple as I got a little heavier. I lost some weight last year so it's not as severe as it was, but I've definitely still got that "above the waist tummy" thing going on, especially when I haven't been exercising as much. I've found that just the right amount of ease through the abdomen is key - no super clingy or lightweight fabrics but also nothing that's really stiff or oversized that hangs stiffly from the bust, because that just makes me look even bigger.

I would suggest to look at Angie's guidelines for the apple type, as well as Imogen Lamport's blog - she's posted some great ideas about outfits that minimize the tummy.

10 years ago

Jules

Veteran

I'm having the same issue - at 40! I have found that blazers that nip in at the waist at least a little help give me back my waist. I also like fluid tops over slim bottoms. A good bra helps with buttoned cardis and other tops that highlight the ribcage under the bustline which is my slimmest part these days.

10 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

In Angie's dressing tips for body types, she says that most of us tend to be a combo. And that some hourglasses may be verging on pears, and others may be verging on inverted triangles. (Sorry, Angie if I am misquoting you!) Perhaps you can review her tips and see which ones ring most true for you?

I am probably technically an hourglass (whose waist has grown over the decades), but my heavy thighs and legs lead me to follow her pear guidelines the most. I sometimes wear a smaller size on the bottom than the top, so following pear guidelines seems counter-intuitive, but it works for me. I guess you also need to decide how great a priority you want figure flatter to be. . .

Strange how the weight and inches redistribute themselves! I also remember reading somewhere that women lose weight from the top down and gain from the bottom up. It sure is true for me.

10 years ago

Cindy S

(website)

Active Member

Laura, I hadn't thought of looking at the apple tips, good suggestion! Donna, I will look back through all of Angie's body type tips...It would probably make the most sense to sit down with a notepad and write a list of all the ones that resonate most. Jules, I hear you - the fluid top over slim bottom is a better look right now, though if it's too voluminous it makes my waist seem bigger...I have some cute boho peasant tops that don't look as flattering as they used to - maybe because they are gathered from the neck instead of fit and flare.

10 years ago

Jeanie

Veteran

I am so glad you asked this question. Just over the last 4 months I have gained a muffin-y middle & thicker thighs on my hourglass body and I am not sure what to do with it. I will be taking in all the suggestions. Thanks!

10 years ago

cciele

Veteran

Heh, I'm in the same boat. Hello, middle-age midsection spread! Having kids didn't help either.

Anyhow, without seeing a photo, it's hard to say about your body type. But I can say that pears carrying their weight around their hips and thighs, and you seem to be mainly thickening around the waist. I'd definitely look into apple dressing as others have mentioned, but I find the rectangle tips helpful too!

10 years ago

SandyG

Veteran

Cindy, this happens to me also. It's probably because I'm a short waisted petite and extra weight or lack of usual exercise shows up in a nanosecond. Extra carbohydrates, typical of vacation weeks, have me squeezing into my normal sizes, uncomfortably. Then I have to hit the exercise re-set regime.

Knowing this happens over and over, I finally bought a pair of skinny jeans and nice shorts one size up for vacation and travel wear. Silly but it works in relieving that quiet despair of temporary extra pounds

10 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I'm 44 in a couple weeks and experiencing this. Almost exact measurements, too. I found dressing for an 8 shape instead of an X shape hourglass helpful. It's over at Imogen's http://www.insideoutstyle.com

10 years ago

carter

Veteran

Happens to all of us! It may sound antithetical, but I've found that a lower rise on pants helps to disquise this. My old mid-rise pants hit on my abdomen right wear the extra padding settled. This drew attention to the part that reallybugged me. With lower rise pants that sit on my hip bones, s spot that is supposed to be wider than my abdomen, the eye just seems to skim over the section I don't like. I hope that made sense!

10 years ago

Cindy S

(website)

Active Member

Your replies are all spot on and so helpful...the terrible irony of my life is that since I work from home, the only times I truly make the effort to look sharp are the very ones when I tend to overindulge, like vacation, or company visiting, or dinner out with my man...

cciele - working up my nerve for a figure photo...I just upgraded to active so I will do that shortly.

SandyG - smart to have a size up on hand, as these swings are also hormone induced, I may as well sit back and enjoy the ride, eh? I use to have a hard time believing my friends who described things like 5 lb overnight weight gain but now I'm seeing the evidence for myself...at least pregnancy was a linear process...!

Mo, thanks for the link, I'd been thinking about the 8...

Carter - I've noticed this too, some mid-rises can actually be painful if they squeeze too much muffin.

10 years ago

Category