Am I An Hourglass?

tarzy

Okay - I'm throwing myself on your mercy. I'm open to any advice/suggestions/ideas.

Unfortunately my camera is broken, so these photos are about a year old. I've lost almost 10 pounds since these pics (give or take) and hope to keep going.

I'm pretty sure I'm an hourglass. I'm 51 years old, 5'4", currently weigh about 155 (but working on it!). I took these measurements myself so they may not be accurate -
B=38
W=31
H=41
thighs=40 1/2
inseam=29"

I am short with short legs and big hips and thighs and have a very hard time finding jeans that look good.

I think I'm going to return the tall boots I bought. They are the type you tuck into jeans and I just don't think that's a good look for me. I think it makes me look shorter and fatter. I've also worked on my shoe wardrobe since these photos were taken!

I look forward to your excellent advice!

http://s387.photobucket.com/albums/oo313/tarzyYLF/
password = 2008ylf

17 years ago

Body Type

11 replies

Latest reply was from evergreen07

cinncali

Active Member

I’m not an expert, but you look like an hourglass shape to me, especially in the boot cut jeans and blazer outfit.

I like the leggings outfit! The printed top looks great over black. Very cute!

17 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I would say you're almost a pear.

17 years ago

Antje

Veteran

Hourglass is my guess.

Kudos for posting pics, I know it takes courage the first time! You look great; I love your hair and you are one peppy 51 year old.

I think you wear jeans well and have good pants length in most of them - which is especially important if your legs are on the shorter side. The white ones look a bit short, though. Contrary to your comment they do not look wide in the hips to me. You're curvy, enjoy it and make the best of it.

Generally, if you want your jeans to make you look long and lean, pick a dark wash, wear them long, and pair them with heels if those are comfortable for you. Avoid wide legs; a moderate bootcut or straight jeans should be most flattering.

In your casual look, I think the length of the top layer and the horizontal line created by the layering around your hips makes you look wider. I find the other looks more flattering, e.g. longer jacket, or the single tops on the last photo and the white denim photo.

Hope this is helpful. It's hard to make more comments knowing that you lost 10 lbs and changed your wardrobe.

17 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

I'd say you are an hourglass, with maybe very slight pear tendencies.

17 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I vote for hourglass. I think your hips are fine--they don't look big to me.

17 years ago

tarzy

Veteran

Thanks, ladies! You are all so stylish and a great inspiration. I look forward to asking specific outfit questions when I get a new camera.

I definitely think a darker wash jean is the ticket for me. Any advice about what brand I should look at?

17 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Hmm...are you looking for a bootcut, you think? I know Angie recommends "the amber cut" from Citizens of Humanity:

http://youlookfab.com/2008/10/.....amber-cut/

I haven't gotten a chance to try those, but they are on my list next time I'm at Nordie's.

17 years ago

tarzy

Veteran

I bought a pair of skinnies that actually look okay! They're from Calvin Klein and they're called low-rise, but they're not really that low. They actually fit very well. I'm shocked. I bought them specifically to wear tucked into tall boots for a casual look, so I'm fine with them not being premium denim.

Now I have to find the right length top to disguise my lovely thighs. I can't find any tunics anywhere. The search is on!

17 years ago

Antje

Veteran

Yay! Here is one suggestion for a look that looks great with skinnies: a long tunic length white button down shirt (many stores have them now, e.g. Express, Club Monaco, H&M for sure, but I bet also Macy's and other departement stores and chains) and either a waist coat or a jacket or blazer over it. I could imagine this looking really nice on you. You can keep it classy or more funky, depending on how "styled" the items are. For example, a plain button down with a sleek black blazer will be classic, while a ruffled shirt with a short jacket in a patterned fabric will be more trendy/funky. Just an idea...

17 years ago

tarzy

Veteran

Thanks so much Antje. I will play around with that look. I'm having a hard time coming up with tunics. That sounds like something I could look good in. I just have to find the right shirt that doesn't make me look too busty.

Do you remember that other white shirt I posted? Here it is again:

http://www.whitehouseblackmark.....i499000737

You had mentioned that you thought the sleeves might be a little bit cutesy, and I'm glad you said that. I tried the shirt on and there are a lot of things I love about it, but ultimately it just is a bit too much for me.

I love that the seams along the front - very slimming. And the v-neck is great, and the ruffles along the neck actually lie flat so they don't add any bulk, just a nice decoration . However, adding in the sleeves - it does veer slightly into "cutesy" on me. And I don't want cutesy!

It reminds me a bit of when I was an actress (my salad days) and I did a lot of period plays. I looked great in those costumes - especially anything Victorian. It felt a bit too young, and a bit like it was wearing me.

Anyway, thanks for giving your honest opinion. It really helped.

17 years ago

evergreen07

Active Member

Hello, I think the white trousers you wear on pic n0 3 are the best shape for you ie with some ease around your thighs then straight down to the bottom, so trousers slightly wide . Have you tried this sort of shape for jeans? That shape really make your legs and hips look more streamlined and more balanced with your upper body. Worst shape would be tight from thighs to knees and flaring to the bottom or anything too clingy. And ultra worse if I may say so, skinnies and tapered trousers.

17 years ago

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