https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:29:51 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape/page/2#post-37753 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:49:17 +0000 Eva 37753@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You got me curious...my WH ratio is .73. I'm sure it changes with what you ate, when you measured, etc. It would change if you drank bunch of water! But since it only measures hips and waists, it doesn't say whether you are a pear or hourglass. It also doesn't consider total inches. I thought the healthiest measurement stat now is the total waist size? The waist should be under 35 inches? Well, it was fun to try and an interesting discussion. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape/page/2#post-37744 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:25:53 +0000 yublocka 37744@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My ratio is 0.9 and I haven't even had kids!!!! *mega sigh*</p> <p>"it is what it is" is one of andrews favourite sayings too - so true young jedi! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape/page/2#post-37742 Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:24:53 +0000 anne 37742@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was about .8 when I measured last night on first reading this, and .78 in the morning.<br /> Our government in Australia is promoting smaller waists.<br /> See this page<br /> <a href="http://www.measureup.gov.au/internet/abhi/publishing.nsf/Content/How+do+I+measure+myself-lp" rel="nofollow">http://www.measureup.gov.au/in.....+myself-lp</a></p> <p>My waistline is about 3 inches bigger after 3 kids. About an inch for each pregancy! I feel more like a rectangle than a pear sometimes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape/page/2#post-37718 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:48:22 +0000 Patience 37718@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, Laura, it has got to be due to something! I'm pretty healthy as far as diet and exercise go (though not extreme) so I think I am fighting additional factors as well. I think age is a good culprit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape/page/2#post-37710 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:25:48 +0000 Laura 37710@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You know, I also think that aging and menopause in particular have a lot to do with your waistline. I really think that as you age you tend to accumulate fat around the abdominal area more easily due to hormones. (So now I am blaming my age! At least I'm shifting the blame around!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape/page/2#post-37696 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:46:58 +0000 Patience 37696@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Another ~.8 here. I don't have my exact measurements on hand but going from memory, I'm probably pretty close. The testosterone thing also make sense to me. I was thinking one day that there must be two types of moms-- those who collect their baby fat (Laura, I'm promoting the blame too and I hear you on the bouncing boys) around their bum and those who collect it at the waist. I'm one who gets it at the waist. It's probably genetic. I feel self conscious about my waist sometimes but if I had it in the bum I'd feel self conscious about that. So I just try to remember to be appreciative of all that my body does and has done for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape#post-37667 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:15:20 +0000 Ellen 37667@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My ratio is 0.825... yes, I am rectangular. And that is measuring up by my rib cage, since going even slightly lower would hit the baby belly and I'm guessing I don't even WANT to know what that ratio would be. I do handle stress well and I do tend to be a bit hairy in the chin and lip region - thank God I'm blond!</p> <p>I have ALWAYS admired and envied women with tiny waists. It just looks so feminine to me, in a way that my brick-shaped body really doesn't. I think we all tend to judge 'thinness' or 'beauty' in others by what we are most self-conscious in ourselves. I remember talking with a friend who was always worried about her arms - she said that I was 'skinny' because my arms were small and, she said, "arms are the first thing people notice'. I thought she was kidding because I've never looked at arms (I don't think about mine), I always look at waists!</p> <p>So you pears, your tiny waists, though perhaps a tailoring nightmare, are beautiful and feminine and never think otherwise! I'm with Shiny - I always have waistbands digging into my belly and sides and have to deal with loose jeans on the hips. Grrr... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape#post-37657 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:29:25 +0000 shiny 37657@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like to think the definition of hourglass isn't so much about your waist-to-hip; it's about having hips that are same width as chest! That way, you can still be an hourglass even if your waist is 0.8.... or 0.6. But, I could just be hoping. :-)</p> <p>Maya is right, Tanya... having a ratio around or lower than 0.7 is widely considered to be all those things she listed. There was a PBS special (filmed in the UK) about dating that showed this speed-dating and other intriguing research studies where, hands-down, men always went for the women with the tiniest waist. They even showed how one woman fared better at speed dating when she dressed in a way to make her *appear* to have a smaller waist than she really had!!</p> <p>Whereas, on the flip side, women - hand's down - all went for the tallest men, regardless of how they were dressed, how much hair they had, and even what the women *claimed* to value about potential mates. Height was a direct indicator of how attractive women rated men. Second best indicator was how wealthy he appeared to be (i.e., men in suits scored as more attractive than those in jeans and tee shirts). </p> <p>Bearing in mind: the study was about first impressions only (because it was speed dating). And the experiment was done in the UK, so if the article I posted has any merit, then there could be cultural differences (I am betting that is true). </p> <p>Thinking about the article I posted, I'm not sure the "apples handle stress better" would hold up to scientific scrutiny. It's widely believed that too much cortisol wreaks havoc on your body and shortens your life span. I know too much stress wreaks havoc on me. Although, it is true that I laugh a lot which helps me reduce and manage stress!</p> <p>No, I would not say my pear sisters handle stress worse than us apple females do! I know for sure that too much stress has a way of going straight to my waistline!!!! Yes, sometimes in the form of chocolate cake!! Actually, more often in the form of salty greasy chips.... I've always had more of a salt tooth than a sweet tooth... although all this talk of velvet cake did make me run for the chocolate ice cream late last night! :-)</p> <p>The increased testosterone makes sense to me though. It's probably why when I lift weights I become more mesomorphic in shape.... and why I'm getting pesky chin hairs as I grow older. Hee hee. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape#post-37650 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:00:52 +0000 Laura 37650@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh greenglove, divide the measurement for your waist by the measurement for your hips. i.e. 30 divided by 37.5 = 0.8 </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape#post-37649 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:57:42 +0000 Laura 37649@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, thanks to my two darling babies, my waist to hip ratio is 0.8. I used to be much more hourglassy. I think especially because I am petite and short-waisted, those bouncing baby boys really stretched out my waistline - I'm guessing that it increased by 2-3 inches, even though my weight is the same. (Don't you love how I pass the blame to my kids - maybe instead I should blame those morning bagels that I love so much!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape#post-37647 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:54:10 +0000 greenglove 37647@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How do you get this ratio?<br /> I am obviously not a math person. Thanks! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape#post-37645 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:52:39 +0000 Nicole 37645@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well I had never even give my H/W ratio a thought until now. I measured above 8 too, Shiny. (8.4!) I think I prefer to divide my waist measurement into my hip measurement--which would give me a W/H ratio of 1.1 I think that is a much better sounding ratio. :D</p> <p>I don't like red velvet cake--and I had never heard of it until a few years ago when a local grocery store started carrying it in their bakery department. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape#post-37636 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:20:26 +0000 Munequita 37636@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Laura, I think you do have to measure there. </p> <p>Ha! Tanya, I'm right there with you being 'fertile' looking, because my ratio is 0.68. Too bad I only want 2 children. Funny cause Ross (hubby) always tells me he loves my curvy hips too.</p> <p>I'm half hourglass and half pear... really weird body type and I seem to be better off following pear rules most of the time. I like that saying, 'it is what it is'. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape#post-37628 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:02:06 +0000 Laura 37628@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When you measure your hips, are you supposed to be measuring around what is the biggest part of your butt?</p> <p>(What an awful-sounding question!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape#post-37593 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:44:23 +0000 Maya 37593@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tanya, I think you probably come closest to a "true" hourglass out of anyone I can think of. </p> <p>There was one girl who posted here a long time ago who had the teeny tiniest little waist I had ever seen. Only 23" I think. She was VERY hourglassy. But I think was her only post.</p> <p>I feel more like a rectangle with boobs and a butt, especially since most hourglass "rules" don't work for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape#post-37591 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:38:55 +0000 Tanya 37591@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie &#38; Maya, thank you for the kind words. I actually do not take this study serious at all, I was just making fun of myself. I mean, according to them, I am qualified to be a centerfold :D</p> <p>Angie, I can not beleive you came out to be an apple! Out of all shapes in the word, that's one you are most certainly not. I think I turned out to be a 'vase' according to them, whatever that means. Looking forward to that recipe! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape#post-37589 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:28:30 +0000 Maya 37589@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tanya, take heart. I have read studies that say all this about women with curvy hips:</p> <p>1) men find them most attractive (as your boyfriend seems to prove)<br /> 2) they are smarter (look at you doing sciency things at MIT!)<br /> 3) they are healthier<br /> 4) even their offspring are smarter and healthier.</p> <p>Being stressed out isn't terribly appealing to me, and being resilient is hardly consoling. I think you win </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape#post-37588 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:28:25 +0000 Angie 37588@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I knew you'd be below 0.7 Tanya. You are very womanly. Lucky BF!</p> <p>I'm inclined to say that the ratio thing is codswallup but it has been entertaining to read. (The same way I came out ”apple shaped” in Trinny and Susannah’s online body type survey *chuckle*). </p> <p>recipe is on the way... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape#post-37579 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 04:19:41 +0000 Tanya 37579@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, I forgot to say that I'd also like Angie's to have Angie's famous pudding recipe </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape#post-37571 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:49:56 +0000 Ana 37571@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes! I was going to niggle you about that in the Thanksgiving thread, but I haven't had a chance yet. I'd love it! How did it turn out this year? Another big hit? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape#post-37570 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:48:57 +0000 Tanya 37570@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha, what an interesting text. For me it seems quite clear where I fall, my ratio is 0.67. I guess that explains all the waist taking in I have to do. If the study is true, than it also means that I am not competitive at all and handle stress badly :(<br /> Oh well, I guess it also explains why my BF always says that he loves my hips, I must look fairly fertile or something Every coin has it's both sides. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape#post-37569 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:42:06 +0000 Angie 37569@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Bravo! I like the way your Mum thinks, Ana. My version of that is: "it is what it is". You have to work with what you have and make the best of it. </p> <p>Hope you had your red velvet cake Maya. On that note, would you still like my pudding "recipe" Ana? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape#post-37565 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:26:39 +0000 Ana 37565@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Marianne. That's sort of why measurements aren't always accurate in telling body type. It's better to look and see what the person actually looks like. Maya's right too--I think that sums up the article pretty well. I've actually heard this before, but it was added when I had read it that it's better to store fat around your hips because if it's around your belly, it's also around your internal organs and they get squished. Eh, there are so many factors, aren't there? As my mom would say, "Well, if this doesn't get you, something else will." Just worry about the stuff you can change and you'll be fine. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape#post-37563 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:20:58 +0000 Maya 37563@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Marianne &#38; Shiny, I interpret this kind of research as saying that having fat stored on your hips is better than having it around your tummy. But if you really don't have a lot of fat anywhere in general, then I think you're fine, and both of you just seem pretty slim all over. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape#post-37560 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:09:05 +0000 marianne 37560@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm I am not sure this article makes me feel any better about not being hourglassy. Do I want people to think I am very resilient when they look at me?</p> <p>I think the ratio approach is flawed. For example, my ratio is 0.77, like Ana's, and yet she is clearly hourglassy and I'm not - and I never was even before babies when my waist was an inch smaller. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape#post-37555 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:58:54 +0000 Maya 37555@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sorry Shiny, somehow we veered off into a discussion about red velvet cake and cheesecake :p</p> <p>Anyway, you're sort of right. I am not even close to being an apple, but since my waist is high up and the transition from my waist to hips pretty drastic, most jeans cut me off across an unflattering spot. I also have a squishy tummy, but it's not that hard to keep it concealed. If I want my jeans to sit at my natural waist, they have to come up quite high, because that is where my waist is. I hope that made some sense...</p> <p>I don't even know if "pear" is accurate because pears have fuller hips. Mine are curvy but small.</p> <p>I also can't wear petite jeans! Even if the length is OK (which is rare), the rise is sooo short. I've seen petite rises as low as 6.5"! Good grief. Who can wear that? It seems obscene!</p> <p>As for the jeans, I got the Gold Sign jeans. I posted them somewhere else, but here they are again: <a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v35/ranabow/IMG_1424.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://img.photobucket.com/alb.....G_1424.jpg</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape#post-37551 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:49:43 +0000 shiny 37551@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>(slapping hand to forehead)</p> <p>Maya, all this time, I had this picture in my mind - MENTAL picture, mind you, based on what you write, not at all based on yoru photos - of you being more veering towards an apple shape and that's why you had problems with jeans and wanted a high rise!!!</p> <p>Duh... now I get it... you need the higher rise because you are a pear! </p> <p>This is exactly why my DD16 needs a higher rise too. Most jeans give her coinslot because she has such a tiny waist compared to her hips! She's only 0.7 ratio - *if* that!! A higher rise - in back - is what she needs. </p> <p>Whereas I like a higher rise - in *front* - because it locks and loads the wider part of me (many jeans are designed for slimmer waists so waistbands tend to be too tight on me - while too loose in the hips). </p> <p>As for the pockets being too low, I can totally relate to that as well.. I think that's also an issue of being petite... except oddly I cannot wear petite jeans at all.... not necessarily only a butt-size issue. Afterall, when I measure, there's only - just barely! - 2 inches between my waistband and the widest part of my hip (which I've always thought was totally bizarre...)</p> <p>Which jeans did you win???? Did you post pics???? I'm sooo behind on the group!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape#post-37550 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:46:03 +0000 Maya 37550@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ana, I never even heard of it until a couple of years ago. The cupcake place I went, Crumbs, made it pretty popular here. It's their most popular cupcake flavor. I was torn today between red velvet and German chocolate. Mmm.</p> <p>Also there is a cake shop in Brooklyn that's so famous for its red velvet cake that lines wrap around the block to get it. The first time I had it was because a girl from my class brought some in for us and I was sold. It looks kind of odd, but it tastes delicious. Just like chocolate cake with creamy frosting :D</p> <p>Wow that made me hungry. I'm going to eat it now :p </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape#post-37549 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:36:41 +0000 Ana 37549@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No way! Girl, if you're going to eat it, you should just eat it and not feel guilty. Otherwise, it's a waste! Like putting off studying to do something fun, but then feeling stressed out and worried the whole time. Put it off and have fun, or do your homework. (I wish I could follow my own advice!). </p> <p>Speaking of red velvet cake (sorry to go off track), that stuff weirds me out! They never had that where I was growing up, I had only ever heard of it on "Steel Magnolias." Cake is not supposed to be red! Here in Texas, you can walk into a grocery store and buy a red velvet cake, pre-made, the way you could buy a chocolate cake. I thought it was a southern thing, I had no idea they had it in New York (I guess you can get anything in NYC though). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-hourglass-may-not-be-the-ideal-shape#post-37548 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:32:35 +0000 Maya 37548@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>hehe, I have a giant red velvet cupcake waiting to be eaten in my backpack. All that ranting about my butt made me feel bad about eating it, but I'll probably eat it anyway :p </p>