https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:08:01 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you/page/2#post-490359 Sun, 18 Dec 2011 04:10:46 +0000 Turkey Vulture 490359@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have observed the same thing, Shu -- silhouettes that follow my curves, especially on the bottom, tend to look the best on me. I wear a lot of sheath dresses (which I love!! So easy to just put on a dress and some tights and shoes and be out the door!) and pencil skirts. I've been able to wear some non-sheath/pencil (a.k.a. not curve-hugging) skirts and dresses, but the cut has to be just right. A-lines made out of fairly stiff fabric work well...as long as they don't get too "floaty" they flatter my hips. Pleated skirts I have to take on a case-by-case basis. Sometimes they look great but more often they throw my proportions out of whack.</p> <p>On the top, I have to be very careful about keeping a defined waist or I end up with a very boxy look or I look pregnant. I go for longer cut tops or peplum tops. Surplice cuts also help keep the waist defined and the proportions balanced.</p> <p>Some other hourglass gals are okay with not defining the waist but I feel my bust is so large that if I don't it makes me look really topheavy, like I'm about to fall over if a breeze comes along!</p> <p>With pants I like to wear trouser cut or boot cut at the very skinniest. I wear a lot of trousers (non-denim, that is) and sometimes go for a high waist because it allows me to tuck in a blouse but still keep a defined waist. I find that the wider cut on the leg balances the curves up top very well and looks better to my eye than a skinny pant that can make the ankle seem so much smaller than the hip, and therefore top-heavy.</p> <p>Overall I've found that if I stick to 1940s and 1950s-inspired looks (not necessarily vintage in feel, it can be totally modern -- but the same silhouettes as popular 40s/50s styles) I can't go wrong. The current trends like very large, flowy sweaters, skinny pants, and cropped top hemlines just do not flatter me.</p> <p>I hope that helps! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you/page/2#post-489630 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:36:26 +0000 CocoLion 489630@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I ignore many hourglass dressing rules. I almost always surrender my waist. And, I never wear fit-and-flare dresses or skirts, I never liked the way they look on me.</p> <p>The "rules" I do obey about hourglass dressing are this:</p> <p>I stick to open neck, scoop neck, or v-neck tops to work better with my fuller bust.</p> <p>And, I often wear tunic length jackets or tops so that the top ends at a slender part of my thigh, not the fullest part (where many/most tops actually end).</p> <p>So, I would say make your own rules. By taking lots of pictures, I figured out what rules I could ignore and which were important for me to "obey." </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you/page/2#post-489619 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:09:13 +0000 bran888 489619@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've started altering my jeans and skirts...if it's only the waist that's too big and it fits everywhere else, it's relatively cheap (just $10 for jeans) to fix and then it will fit perfectly. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you/page/2#post-489579 Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:47:55 +0000 DragonflyJane 489579@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I may be an hourglass - my husband &amp; work colleagues all refer to me that way. </p> <p>Does anyone else have the problem that their waist size is tiny compared to their bust &amp; hip size? </p> <p>For that reason I've been wearing wrap-top-flared-skirt dresses but am so bored. </p> <p>I haven't worn fitted skirts for years because the waist is always miles too big if the hips fit - any suggestions? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-489002 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:20:02 +0000 Lantana 489002@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I agree, great topic with much to mull over. For starters I'm heading right on over to Imogen's - again - to check out the X and the 8 of things. Thanks a lot, Shu </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-488964 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:26:14 +0000 mrseccentric 488964@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>answering on the fly here - but wanted to say yes a more form fitting silhouette is very much more flattering. i've big hips, bigger bust, even bigger shoulders - if i don't define my waist, ribcage, SOMEthing i look like a beefy linebacker!! i've found (thru a class i took years ago on French pattern fitting techniques) that even defining the space between the breasts - as in ruching or wrap tops or dress - helps a lot to tone down the 'Ka-Wong!' effect and give a more graceful silhouettte.</p> <p>i think it's important to define as opposed to squashing yourself into something skintight, as well. That can backfire and make you look like you're busting out all over! Great topic!! steph </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-488884 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:52:48 +0000 teri 488884@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>belts are my best friend..... lol </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-488881 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:49:55 +0000 mamaKate 488881@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hooray for liberation and embracing curvy hips! </p> <p>I am a low-hipped hourglass (I haven't brushed up on Imogen's X vs 8, I'm guessing I would be an X) and I feel most fab wearing skirts or dresses with a high-waist fitted pencil or fit-and-flare silhouette, or high-waisted trousers fitted through the hip and wide-leg/straight-leg below the hip. </p> <p>I like A-lines if they continue to be fitted down through the full hip and flare out only thereafter.</p> <p>Seems like you have found your groove, Shu! Hats off! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-488836 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:21:28 +0000 HelenInCanada 488836@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fitted jacket over a dress always works wonders for me! </p> <p>P.S. Hourglass is my secondary shape. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-488824 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:01:10 +0000 Di 488824@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I find that things need to be fitted from ribcage to waist-- so bootcuts, even widelegged jeans are fine, as long as I have a waist. I cannot easily wear things that are loose on top but have a waist (think banded tops) unless they drape very well and lay fairly close to my body. I often find that fabric makes more difference than form-- things that are stiff don't look as nice as things that are drape well (unless they're stiff and form-fitting, in which case, wowza!). I LOVE fit and flare dresses, they're probably my favorite thing to wear. (Of course, that's coming from someone who wants Grace Kelly's wardrobe, so maybe take it with a grain of salt.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-488817 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:53:12 +0000 Anonymous 488817@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Pencil skirts, sheath (not shift) dresses, wrap dresses, empire waist dresses depending on how they're cut below the bust (not too much fabric or else you'll look pregnant!) and straight-legged pants. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-450584 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 21:23:33 +0000 Kari 450584@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shu, I think I missed your posts the first time around, but looking at the links my favorite outfit above all is this one: <a href="http://youlookfab.com/upload/images/photo4426_image.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/upload/i....._image.jpg</a><br /> I love that you are embracing your curves with an outfit that hugs your gorgeous figure, but that jacket on top is the PERFECT over-layer to give the outfit a waist-defining shape without being too tight or body-hugging.</p> <p>I'm a larger-framed curvy hourglass with a large bust and hips and a very short, high waist, and I'm a not-at-all-reformed pencil skirt addict - I like the fact that they emphasize my hips and waist without making me feel larger than I am. Like many others on the YLF forum, I'm a huge fan of the <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/halogen-seamed-pencil-skirt/3093787">Halogen seamed ponte pencil skirt</a>, which I've bought in a few different colors - I wear at least one a week, and often different colors multiple times throughout the same week. These skirts have pretty much replaced pants in my wardrobe.</p> <p>I *do* wear fit-and-flare dresses, but they have to be cut and drape just right - not too voluminous, otherwise I do look very large. (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nine-West-Dresses-Womens-Print/dp/B004ZRUT6E/ref=sr_1_21?s=apparel&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1319404842&amp;sr=1-21">This</a> is actually a fit-and-flare dress I found a couple months ago that I LOVE.)</p> <p>I am biased because I'm 100% totally a fan of the pencil skirt, but I definitely think they are worth trying. Because my hips are quite curvaceous, I look for pencil skirt that lie flat when I'm not wearing them - they look quite straight if I have the skirts laid out flat on the floor - because I know that my hips will cause the skirts to fit in a curvier way once I'm wearing them. If I try a pencil skirt that has a more exaggerated shape - one that looks like it curves before I'm wearing it - it tends to pull in *too* much below the hips and isn't very flattering. Since your frame is somewhat similar to mine, I hope maybe that will help you as you're starting to look.</p> <p>Wishing you well, and I'd love to see what you find! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-450576 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 21:05:05 +0000 rae 450576@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shu, you will ROCK a pencil skirt! Please share pics when you find the one for you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-450524 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:58:46 +0000 Janet 450524@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shu and Jonesy, I like the sound of that -- "liberation from body neurosis"! I've been working on some of that myself. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-450512 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:26:43 +0000 Scarlet 450512@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shu, I am cheering you on! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-450430 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 16:15:03 +0000 Jonesy 450430@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shu, that sounds so fantastic! Yay for liberation from body neurosis!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-450417 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:40:30 +0000 Shu 450417@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is so helpful, I'm feeling the beginnings of a fashion liberation - more than that, a neurosis about my body liberation - coming on. I've been apologizing to the world for my hips all these years with a closet full of flowy a line skirts you could fit two of me under. I MUST get a pencil skirt. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-450353 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 12:35:05 +0000 ButterflyLady 450353@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with bran888 - I am a high hip hourglass, and any item for my bottom half that flares (skirts/dresses) will flare from just under my waist, where my high hip starts, which adds at least 10 pounds to my frame. I really don't like the look on me at all.</p> <p>For that reason, I don't wear flared, full or A-line skirts (A-lines in particular look completely awful) or dresses with skirts constructed like that. For pants, I will wear slim bootcut or straight jeans or pants - it doesn't matter so much with pants, as they don't do that 'hitting my high hip and then carrying on outwards' thing that is so unflattering. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-450299 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 04:38:15 +0000 Adelfa 450299@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have been an hourglass for most of my life, but am currently an apple. As I've tried to do some deep thinking on what flatters me and what I feel good in, I find it's the trim silhouettes that you are talking about. A pencil skirt hands down is my favorite skirt shape no matter what my weight. And my happy fashion memories often involve slim-cut jeans or slim black pants. So yes, I think you're on to something! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-450217 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 01:48:11 +0000 rae 450217@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>In a word: yes. My most flattering bootcuts are very slim to the knee before flaring out, and I also prefer my jackets to stay fairly slim to my frame. I think this is because it lets the eye see the narrowest points as well as the widest points, whereas cuts that flow away from the body show the eye the widest points *and then some.* </p> <p>I still like to wear volume sometimes to feel more current, but I still like to ground the volume on a narrow point of my body. For me, this might mean a flowy tunic that hugs my narrow shoulders or a tailored jacket over a loose top. I prefer pencil skirts on myself that taper toward the knees, because I'm narrow there as well. HOWEVER, I also really like A-line midis that hit at the smallest part of the waist, because I have pretty small ankles. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-450147 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 00:50:03 +0000 Mo 450147@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, Janet. Me me me!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-450139 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 00:41:55 +0000 Janet 450139@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a theory on this, based on my own recent feelings when looking at myself in A-line and fit-and-flare silhouettes lately. I find them basically flattering to my shape, BUT I also find them a bit too conservative for my current style. They seem to be a little more difficult to "edge up" and dress down than straighter styles. Anybody else feel this way? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-450106 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 23:46:20 +0000 bran888 450106@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Shu, I think because you have a high hip, fitted skirts are more flattering than a-line skirts. (Imogen explains this in her blog, 8's vs. X's) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-449890 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 19:24:54 +0000 Irene 449890@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am a quite slimish hourglass, so I actually love it when a flared skirt makes my hips look bigger than what they really are because I feel they accentuate my waist. Also, I feel too va-va-voom in fitted dresses because I feel like an Audrey Hepburn with the shape of a Marilyn Monroe. I don't like getting attention -especially the wrong kind- and it's easy for me to get that given my curvy shape. Flared dresses give me a sort of more feminine and innocent look. Of course I know this is all psychological, but it makes me feel more relaxed, so that's it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-449851 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 18:22:50 +0000 Mo 449851@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I gave away a cobalt dress that was fit and flare just last month. It didn't look bad - I actually got plenty of compliments in it - but it didn't feel right on me. The hem ending in what look like a wide triangle to me was what threw me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-449846 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 17:52:49 +0000 Scarlet 449846@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You know what though, thinking about this more, I never feel as good in fit and flare dresses as in more fitted silhouettes, even though objectively I don't think they make my figure look better/worse. I am not sure if it is just my taste or if it is really a question of proportions. I am interested to read what others say about this. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-449833 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 17:31:42 +0000 lyn67 449833@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Shu, this resonates so well with me:-)).<br /> I missed your last 2 threads, but I have just seen them now, and I think you look equally well both in skinnies and bootcuts, too. :-))</p> <p>I don't really know if I am a regular hourglass, as I have a bit of apple tendencies, too, but my shoulders and hips are wide, and have usually a defined waist, so that's it for the start.<br /> I have worn bootcuts and flared dresses and skirts for years now, but for one or another reason last year have totally switched to straight leg and skinnies and fitted pencil skirts.<br /> There are more flaterring for my eyes, now-and like you I have put me the same questions and wonderring about the reasons. IMO the answer has to do more with the current trends, than with the knowledge...I noticed, all current clothings are much more fitted so do think our eyes have adjusted to this, too.That's why we do find ourselves looking better in such siluettes, too.<br /> I dunno about others, but all my flared dresses start to look dated on me despite I have a few I very much love. May happen we just got borred of them already, and willing to try something new, the same thing as when we often long for a new hairstyle. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-449830 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 17:15:41 +0000 Barbara 449830@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My tall, slim hourglass body DEMANDS fitted clothing. Surrendering my waistline IS an option, but I rarely surrender!</p> <p>I definitely feel sloppy if something is too loose. Skinny jeans and A-line skirts are at the top of my list. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-449828 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 17:03:06 +0000 PalmFronds 449828@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>definitely: I am a "small/slender hourglass" and I find I look and feel best when there is atleast some waist definition.Otherwise I look very blocky and about 10 pounds heavier...or pregnant...All of the outfit does not need to be fitted, but some portion needs it , usually the waist. Otherwise outfits like your skinny jeans version work great </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/hourglasses-most-flattering-sillhouette-on-you#post-449822 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 16:55:15 +0000 Scarlet 449822@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I actually feel like fitted or flared skirts/dresses work equally well for me, but in general I stick to fitted silhouettes. I like wearing bootcuts as well. I also surrender my waist often, but then I would keep the rest of the outfit fitted. I think you look good in bootcuts too, but in the ones you show they could possibly be more fitted at the knee. I really like your skinny outfit with the oversized coat. </p>