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Body type equivication - and which outfit would you have worn?

anne

Veteran

We had a recent trip to Sydney and our hotel room had a section of mirror walling that gave me a much clearer insight into how I looked than I am used to. And looking at myself I though, oh yes, I am clearly a pear - that is what Angie told me when I joined up (3 months after a baby) but inbetween I have been thinking I might be either an hourglass or a rectangle.
I forgot to take a picture there so have tried to recreate that in pictures 1 and 2 ( two pics included because in 1 you can see where my legs begin and in 2 you can't see my waist on one side) From these pics I am unsure again!

We went to visit an old friend and I had planned to wear outfit 3. But once I had seen myself I thought I was crazy to wear an empire waisted dress that was bulky at the waist, was short and cut across the thighs, Seemed so unflattering! So I went for outfit 4, which has a very fitted top and a longer skirt. (Pic 5 is from the actual day)

BUT I didn't feel as up to date as I would have in outfit 3. In fact I felt almost frumpy.

So my questions are
1) Body type?
2) would you have gone for 3 or 4?
2) How do you weigh up feeling current with feeling flattering?

Thanks

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Body Type

29 replies

Latest reply was from anne

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I think you do tend to pear.

#3 the skirt does not cut across the widest part of you...it clears the curve of your hip...so I think it works and I would totally wear it!

#4 is fine, too, but I prefer 3. You do look more "balanced" in 4, FWIW, but I prefer 3 as more modern.

I think your instincts are right, but remember these rules are not set in stone...in fact they are quite easy to bend.

HeleenH

Veteran

In this picture I would say you are an hourglass. No rectangle because you have a nice waist and beautiful curves in the hip area.

bran888

From photos 1 and 2, you do look like a pear to me. I don't think that outfits 3 or 4 look bad, but i think you can do better. Have you tried the fail proof fitted top, a-line skirt option?

anne

Veteran

Thanks for the responses

bran888 here is one bad example of me in what used to be my favourite option.

I have been searching for some better examples (in a dress) but can't seem to find the pics I am thinking of (gets hard after 3 years on YLF!)

I think I feel better in straight skirts now. Not sure how that works WRT body type guidelines!

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bran888

Are you petite, Anne? I can't tell from the photo...maybe a somewhat shorter skirt would work better? Also, if you want to go strictly by pear guidelines, you could try pattern on the top and a simple dark colored bottom. Of course rules are meant to be broken...if you feel great in something, that's what really matters.

anne

Veteran

I am on the Petite Border! 5"4. As for shortening that skirt, I have already shortened it twice since YLF and it has been pinned up in the cupboard since I posted that picture originally (I am trying to decide if I can be bothered keeping the skirt at all - it is 5 years old) so yes, I think I do much better with shorter skirts!

Fruitful

Veteran

Anne I think you're a pear. You look good in the tunic though.

I'm a pear but more obviously than you (about 2 sizes difference between my bust and my hip/seat) and I find I'm much better proportioned in shorter hemlines.

That favourite outfit of your shows your slender waist which is a good thing. The skirt does shorten your legs somewhat but I don't think it's a dealbreaker for MOTG. Anyway you've shortened it

Regarding figure flattery versus current-ness, I think it is just a matter of playing with all your wardrobe and striving to fill the gaps until you can achieve both - but don't sweat it if you're not 100% there, it's a work in progress.

Fruitful

Veteran

Just a thought - I always photograph my outfits from 4 angles (front, back and both sides). As a strong pear I need to know how I look on those angles. Maybe from another angle your #4 outfit really does look better than the tunic (tunics look ok on me from the front but from the side I am all belly and bum - I'm not as lean as you though!)

anne

Veteran

Thanks Fruitful. I do sometimes wear a bigger size on the bottom but if so it is only 1 size up. But I don't really have any excess body anywhere except between ribcage and my knees, and my hips aren't that big - I am a bottom/thighs sort of pear. And I have square shoulders - in Imogen's system I am an X

I forgot to do side views - I can tell you that I look bigger from the side than the front - it isn't (primarily) fat, just a fairly deep body if that makes sense!

Fruitful

Veteran

Yes, deep body makes sense! Hope you don't think I was calling you fat as you're not at all! I will have a look at Imogen's system, sounds interesting (though I expect with my pronounced measurement differences I am a pear in any system lol)

Isis

Veteran

Anne, you have a cute figure!

From these pics, I think you are a pretty pear. In #1, your hips are a little wider than your shoulders, to my eye.....

I love the outfit in #3 and would definitely wear it! The way the black shoulder straps peak out of the curved neck of the grey top draws the eyes up, and balances the bottom. Perfect outfit for a pretty pear!

I also like #4, but prefer #3 because I like the streamlined look and simplicity of #3. But that's my preference.....

Tessera

Anne - You have a very pretty figure. It looks to me like your actual hips are proportional to your broad shoulder line and curvy waist, which would be hourglass, but your upper thighs are larger than your hips, which is where the pear comes in. So I would think you don't need to visually broaden your shoulders to balance your hips, just make sure whatever you're wearing has ease over the hip-to-upper thigh transition. Waist definition is also flattering on you. Both outfits are cute, and #3 looks fine.

Queen Mum

Veteran

I prefer outfit 4 by a mile Anne. Much more polished, interesting and cheerful. Outfit 3 is fine for a casual day of running errands, but for seeing an old friend I'm glad you chose outfit 4. I don't see a bit of frumpy at all in that outfit.

Mellllls

Veteran

i think you are a pear but not an overly exaggerated pear (kind of like me ) i prefer the last outfit and you look really happy wearing it on the actual day so i think it's a winner.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I think you are a bit of both X shape and pear tendencies. Like QM, I like the second outfit a lot more than the first choice. Maybe a change of accessories would make it feel more hip to you and less frumpy?

anne

Veteran

Tessera "make sure whatever you're wearing has ease over the hip-to-upper thigh transition" -Couldn't agree more!

Mells and Mo I think you are both right re body type!

Isis I think actaully I was going to wear the tunic with a black turtleneck (couldn't find to recreate as it was in the wash) As in this picture.

Kim, you seemed to have turned the tide in favour of #4!

BTW has anyone noticed that my shoulders are not above my hips exactly evenly - presumably because of my mild scoliosis

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Anne, you have a very nice figure! To me, you look like a pretty pear, but not a pronounced one, because of your strong shoulder line and that fact that your hipbones are about equal to it. So you can certainly follow X guidelines.

When I was younger, my shape was almost exactly like yours, and like you, I carried my weight more in my upper thigh/bum than in my hips. (I still do, but not to the same degree.) And I am your height, too.

I MUCH prefer the outfit in 4. I think you can certainly wear the boots/tunic/leggings look, but to my eye, at least, outfit 3 doesn't do you justice. Partly it's the colour. I think you can wear this taupey sort of grey, but would probably need some other colours to pep it up a bit near your face. Also, the tunic's fabric doesn't seem to drape nicely on you. So I am glad you wore outfit 4. Those colours are fab for you. What might have helped a bit would be to tie the boot colour into something else you were wearing up top - a sort of bookending effect, if you know what I mean? Perhaps a scarf that picked up that colour, rather than the pearls.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ah, yes, I remember the turtleneck with tunic - I like that much better. I wonder also about a stretchy black or cognac belt instead of the self-tie?

Kat

Veteran

Looks like you're getting tons of helpful advice and I am reading with great interest because I think I am built quite a bit like you (shoulders and hips about even, bit of a bum out back though) and will follow carefully for tips. I think you look just fine, no frump, in either outfit, I suspect you are advanced enough in your YLF journey that you can detect where subtle changes and fine-tuning can make a big difference.

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Hello Anne

I hope you are well, I love when you have the time to drop by YLF.

You know that I think you have a killer figure but because I know you are particularly interested in body shape (and revisit the subject) I will let you know exactly what I see,
* Fabulous shoulder line and arms
* small to mid size bust line (perfect for fashion)
* shorter in the waist and longer in the rise
* longer rise possibly gives the impression of a longer torso in general but I think you are very even.
* widest part below your natural hips (snap I am the same)

You look athletic (which I now you are), very slim and slightly pear when stripped down to your legging and vest. In photo #2 where your feet are slightly wider apart you do not look pear shaped.

I actually love both looks #3 and #4

I love the tunic over the polo neck and really like the black ankle boots with the black leggings as it is a very leg lengthening look.

I think that in look #4 you look very warm and inviting which is the perfect look for meeting with friends.

I do struggle with the flattering versus fashionable conundrum Anne as my curves are small and it easy for looks to make my torso very brick like. I feel my best if my arms or legs are on view when wearing a less flattering option because it makes me feel slimmer.

I hope you do not mind my complete honesty Anne.

anne

Veteran

Suz, Kat and Julie, thanks so much for your thoughtful responses. Julie I always welcome your honesty!

Lenni A

I really like you in #4. I don't think it is frumpy at all and it seems more festive than #3. I also think the colors look fun and pretty on you.

Marley

Veteran

Hi Anne. Actually, I like both of these outfits. It would be easier to judge if you posted side-views as well - but I think they are both just fine. The tunic top looks GREAt in your second version of it, with the booties rather than the cognac boots. Makes your legs look longer! In your 2nd outfit (the one that you wore) the colors are beautiful, love the skirt with the boots - the only thing that I would change is the necklace - I would try something a little bit more streamlined or simple. Also, I love the close-up picture of you! Your hair, your glasses - you're just so cute!

anne

Veteran

I wanted to return to this thread to go through Julie's comments a bit more
"small to mid bust" hmm - definitely small. I barely fill an A cup. Thank goodness for padded bras
"shorter in the waist and longer in the rise" I saw this in the picture too. I think actually though, I am long in the waist (based on the Imogen 2 hands theory and the fact that waistlines in clothes often hit too high) but EVEN longer in the rise
"longer in torso" at 5"4 my inseam is 29" which I think must make my torso long (happy to look otherwise though!)
"widest part below natural hips - yes, absolutely right!

I wanted to give a bit of background as to why I was bringing up the whole body type thing again. After 3+ years on YLF I was pretty settled in what I though (despite some changes of mind) and in following, mostly, the guidelines for pears on the bottom half and rectangles on the top.

The last few months, however I had put on some weight (too much watching and trying to emulate Masterchef!) and I always notice this around my waistline. I was wearing a lot of tunic and legging outfits, which as well as being comfy, felt contemporary.
And then I planned to see an old school friend who I hadn't seen for 9 years and realized how much weight I had put on since 2002! (and not only because of the 3 kids I had had, as I always lost that weight). I started trying to lose it and did go down somewhat. In the meantime I packed for my trip, and with the sole exception of outfit #4 packed leggings/jeggings and tunics outfits.
Then I suddenly saw myself whole (usually at home just from the hips up when undressed) and started to doubt my theories.

Anyway that is all backstory to the my original thread above.

Julie, I am glad I am not the only one to struggle with flattery versus fashion (not that I can tell it is a struggle when you post your lovely looks)

Marley - I agree re the necklace. I think it looked better with the scarf in pic #5

Thanks Lenni - I like the colours too.

Another thought on the frumpy angle - maybe it is because all the clothes in #4 are about 3 years old, bought when I was on YLF. I have just decided to stsp getting those boots mended and replace them next aussie winter. The tunic, however, was new this season!

rachylou

Veteran

Wait! What is X-shape?

Ok, even tho I don't know all the shapes, I think Tessera is right, about how the "pear" category comes into play. As for outfits, my preference is #4. The thing about #3, for me, isn't the shape but the tie cord. The cord makes the top look unfinished and the cord is a distracting bright white. I agree on shortening the hem of the print skirt - it's a cute outfit and would be that much more cute with a shorter hem.

Last but not least, I like the question - fit or fashion? It's one I feel confronts me all the time. I think I probably look best in dresses with lots of seams, June Cleaver clothing, but this is definitely dated and dowdy. So I wear skirts more than dresses.

anne

Veteran

Imogen writes the blog Inside Out Style. Read here re X shapes
http://www.insideoutstyleblog......pes-x.html

I love lots of seams too (though don't know June Cleaver's style:-)

rachylou

Veteran

ohmigosh, I think the shape thing may be too complicated for my small brain, LOL.

But no June Cleaver? From the 1950s tv show, *Leave It To Beaver*? The infamous homemaker who vacuumed in pearls?

Haha! A little different from *I Love Lucy* - but basically the same clothes with the princess seams. Although, actually, maybe June wore a lot of shirtwaists...

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I like the outfit you wore. You can really over-think it! Don't drive yourself crazy! You look like you are having fun

anne

Veteran

Thanks Modgrl - I do overanalysize! (I am often reviewing my cooking at the dinner table!)
Rachylou. I had heard of the TV show and character ( and I just googled her to see pictures of her dresses) but didn't have a TV for much of my childhood, so I have some gaps in my pop culture knowledge!