Curvy hourglass looking for relaxed/casual outfit ideas

Hi, all! I'm new to the forum but have been reading the blog for a few years, so I thought I'd take the leap.

To jump right in with a question, I'm a curvy (somewhat plus-sized, about size 14) hourglass. I'm also tall (5'10") so I'm just a large person in general.

I've read lots of books/articles/etc about dressing the hourglass figure, and it seems that there's agreement that especially curvy hourglass ladies should consider dressing like Joan Holloway: fitted, structured, fairly formal. And I can see that. And I do look good in that type of outfit. A standard for me is a pencil skirt, a camisole or other shirt with an open neckline, and a fitted cardigan.

But here's the rub: because I am very curvy (or whatever you want to call this: I have very big boobs and a big bottom and a relatively much narrower waist that is also super short), I tend to feel that by dressing in a form-fitting, structured, formal, show some skin at the neckline to open things up way, I look more sexy than I really feel comfortable with. My personality is kind of goofy and silly, and I work in a creative field where people dress very casually, so I feel quite awkward in these formal/sexy outfits. Just not myself, you know?

(Left to my own devices, I really want to dress like an androgynous hipster, or maybe go totally Mori-style and wear floaty muslins under enormous tweed things, but of course these things make me look incredibly frumpy.)

Does anyone have any ideas for this body-type/personality intersection? My personal taste tends toward arty, layers, semi-bohemian, natural fabrics. This is not my Pinterest board, but I love a lot of the looks here (even as I recognize that they would look really awful on me): http://pinterest.com/mdrev/style/

As I said, my standard go-to is flats, a pencil skirt, and a fitted cardigan over a shirt or camisole/tank with an open neckline. I also wear fit-and-flare dresses, but I'd like to find a few more options!

I would really appreciate any guidance. Thank you all!

12 years ago

Kalli

Active Member

Welcome to YLF!

I guess it's a bit much to want to be something that your body doesn't lend itself to like androgyny. Androgyny could simply mean picking up more men's type clothing like bf jeans into your wardrobe or shoes like oxfords or chucks. Fashion is a form of expression, if left to your devices do you actually care what people think if you are a little frumpy if you are happy with your look?

Diana

Veteran

Welcome! I can totally sympathize with you... I am a pear and not really an hourglass although I do have the waist for it, and I also prefer to dress in a non-bombshell way since I feel like on my body, it's just over the top sexy and I'm not at all comfortable with that. I also think that you and I might have some similarities in terms of our taste and style - I like arty, eclectic, retro, and steampunk/victoriana styles.

Anyway, lately I've really been loving looser, drapey styles (the key being drapey, as just oversized/boxy hides my curves and makes me look bigger) paired with more structured, fitted pieces. I love contrast and juxtaposition!

If I could toot my own horn for a minute, I think you might like to look through some of my WIWs to see if anything grabs your fancy...

http://lookfab.com/browse/diana

Antje

Welcome, laEmma, and what a great question. I'm an hour glass too, though less curvy and less tall. And I find that some of the looks I enjoy on others just don't work for me. For casual looks, have you tried boyfriend jeans? I found those surprisingly flattering, since they accentuate the waist, and the I tuck all kinds of tops in them. It's been my go-to casual staple for months. Also, you could try some variations on your current pencil skirt/fitted cardi outfit formula (which I adore) by switching to a denim skirt (in pencil cut, or flared/A-line) and choosing a trendy cropped jacket like a bomber jacket instead of the cardi. Or what about a cropped denim jacket over a fit and flare dress?

Oh, one more: How about a knotted button down over your pencil skirt? The knotting at the waist gives it a more casual and fun vibe.

Adelfa

Oh, I feel your pain. I've been trying to "debombshell" for so many years.

Ideas...

It's good that you wear flat shoes. They are casual and not sexy. You can also express quite a bit of artsyness through them.... multicolored, etc.

Wear a woven shirt over your cami instead of a fitted cardigan. Button it halfway to the top.

Take your same silhouette in very informal fabrics. So.... do a ponte pencil skirt in a dull neutral, do a batik print layering tee, and top with a denim or chambray shirt.

Just for fun try a looser tunic-style top over narrower bottoms. You might find this works for you.

Good luck!

Agnes

Hi laEmma, my Bff is very hourglass bombshell and fairly tall. And she carries of a lot or eclectics looks by following a rule of always have one fitted element, like her waist or a fitted top or bottom. She will do a floaty element combined with the fitted.

If she buys an all over loose look, she ends up gifting away [usually to me] becasue it does indeed look a bit frumpy on her. Because its ends up just being too much. I looked at the pinterest page, and I think you could work elements of it as long as you don't go all over floaty.

And yes I know what you mean about not wanting to alwyas look sexy bomshell. Sometimes you want something else to be the primary flavour.

Aida

Another hourglass (and IT) who doesn't like to wear bombshell stuff most of the time! In general, I tend to pick key points to be fitted in an outfit and then leave the rest relaxed/oversized/slouchy. For example, a top: keep the shoulders and arms fitted, and make sure the hip is wide enough, then if the cut is straight or semi-straight the body will be nicely loose; then I'll usually push the sleeves up to expose wrists/forearms to show a more delicate bit and pair with skinnies. I also like to wear baggy flared jeans with fitted tops, slouchy shorts with slouchy tops, boxy button-ups with slim pants, etc.

My WIWs might give you some ideas: http://aida.lookfab.com/catego.....ore-today/

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Welcome! We sound like we have similar shapes - I'm a size ~16 and 5'9". Like you, a pencil skirt is a good look on me but it's also rather formal and more classic than I feel like doing for my more casual days. And the loose all over look also doesn't work for me.

Throwing stuff out there, I could be totally be missing the aesthetic you're aiming for - do jeans work for you? Fitted jeans with an arty-type top could be a good formula, as the idea that someone else mentioned about a denim skirt.

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