Hip dips makes me wonder : am I a 8 or a X ?

Dolores

Hi there

My waist is defined and my shoulders and hips align which makes me think that I have an hourglass figure

However I struggle to determine is I am a X or an 8 since I have hip dips (and a bit of love handles :(( ) but I still have saddlebags

What do you think ?
Do you think those love handles can disappear if a lose a bit of weight ?
Thank you so much

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2 years ago

Body Type

42 replies

Latest reply was from Jenni NZ

April

Veteran

If you have a defined waist and shoulders and hips similar width (width across the front, not circumference), then yes, hourglass sounds correct.

2 years ago

Dolores

Active Member

You're right, thank you
But I was asking about the X or 8 hourglass distinction :
https://insideoutstyleblog.com.....shape.html

2 years ago

Liz

Veteran

You have elements of both, which I'm guessing is what you're seeing as well, and why you posted the question. This type of "somewhat this/somewhat that" blur between two shapes is what happens with body-shape systems v. our individual bodies. The body-shape systems are just broad generalities that our individual bodies don't necessarily fit neatly into.

2 years ago

Tanya

Veteran

You look like you have the “X” subtype of the hourglass body type to me.

2 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

What Liz said. I have sort of a hybrid hourglass-pear shape, and I adapt my dressing habits to suit one aspect or the other, depending on various factors. I think a definitive label is far less helpful than thinking of it as a general visual guide to help us figure out why some things flatter us and others don’t.

2 years ago

Dolores

Active Member

Thank you
It's just that I really struggle to find clothes that flatter my body shape so I figured if I knew a bit more about its subtype, that would get easier

For instance I love tight dresses (here's a picture of me wearing one) but I always find my hips look strange, and if I am indeed an 8 that makes sense since

But I love fit and flare dresses and think they are really flattering, which is unusual with this subtype

If I lose a bit of weight, is there any chance my love handles will shrink ? Or will low hip diminish in size as well ?

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2 years ago

kkards

Veteran

Isn’t this the answer
I love fit and flare dresses and think they are really flattering,

if you love the way these fit and you think they look flattering, than wear them.

as for losing weight to change body shape, no idea, but i would think that your weight lose would be pretty proportional.

2 years ago

Aquamarine

Veteran

Agree that weight loss doesn’t change your overall shape that much.

2 years ago

Dolores

Active Member

Kkards
Because I love tight dress as well lol Even though they don't look "good" on me
But okay I see, it's not that black and white

Aquamarine

Alright, thanks for your reply You also think I am in-between ?

2 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have found that weight gain and loss does very little to change my inherent body shape. I think in general only extreme loss or gain has that ability. You look to be a healthy weight so I would not torture yourself to try to change your basic shape.

2 years ago

Dolores

Active Member

Thank you Janet
Would you advise me any type of clothes ?
And could you give me an example on how you choose your outfit to suit both of your body shape components ?

2 years ago

Liz

Veteran

No, I don't see that weight loss will do what you'd like it to. At your weight (you're quite lean), what you're seeing in your hips (both high and low, as well as the inward curve between, is your bone structure, which --of course--isn't going to change.

Part of looking at body shape is cultivating an eye for what you think looks good on you, like those fit-and-flare dresses, and also coming to accept what simply "is," (like the shape/width of your pelvic bones).

2 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think we would need to have a better idea of your life and your preferences to help you choose outfits. Lots of people who post here on the forum post outfit photos, with a little info on what activities we are wearing these outfits for — that gives everyone an idea of their tastes and preferences, as well as getting to know what kind of weather and occasions we are dressing for.

As for an example from my own experience, I tend to dress in darker colors and simpler shapes on my bottom half, and more color, pattern, and interest on the top half to draw attention upward away from the areas I am more sensitive about. At the same time, I’m often dressing to downplay a curvy bust and a short torso, instead aiming for longer and leaner lines with vertical and diagonal elements such as open jackets, V-necklines, asymmetrical hemlines, scarves, etc., rather than styles that visually cut across me in horizontal lines.

Angie has some good posts on flattery for various body types in the archives!

2 years ago

Dolores

Active Member

Thank you Liz

I agree that I have to accept my bone structure

However, there's some fat on my high hip even though I am lean (you can't really tell in the picture, but I can definitely pinch it and make it jiggle lol)

I would like to make it disappear if that's possible, I don't mind my pelvis bone shape otherwise

2 years ago

nuancedream

Veteran

I think you are definitely leaning toward an X hourglass shape, which also happens to be my body shape. Losing weight will have virtually no impact on your bone structure. You have a defined waist, an enviable asset, so it's no surprise that you love fit and flare dresses. Learn to trust your eye and gut because you will know when something looks great on you and makes you feel self-confident. Also. Janet has a very helpful suggestion on searching the YLF archives for posts on flattery for various body shapes.

2 years ago

Dolores

Active Member

Thank you so much Janet, I didn't see your reply !! I will definitely look at the archives !

Nuancedream, thank you for your reply !
Yes, I am aware it's impossible to alter bone structure ! In my case, I seem to store fat at the high hip as well which is why I asked about the weight loss
I can easily grab it and even make it jiggle lol

On the other hand, the hip dip is purely due to my bone structure and it won't ever go away (not that I want it to)

2 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I say X. And fat at the high hip will not go away. That is just the female shape.

2 years ago

nuancedream

Veteran

I have the hip dip too. It's just a unique characteristic, not a figure flaw.

2 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I will never understand why women with some junk in the trunk want to have it hauled away. I think you look great!

2 years ago

Sal

Veteran

I had the same dilemma as I could not work out if I was X or 8. I went around in a circle and didn’t quite agree with the recommendations Imogen made. If fit and flare works - I think it works - wear it. It body con works - wear it. There are a lot of variables- length being a big one - fabric composition- and your own preferences.

I can wear fit and flare or straight dresses- but on me they both need to be below the knee to look right with my proportions. If I want a shorter dress- I like a loose shift dress. I am larger than you but an hourglass.

Good structured fabrics make a big difference- I have a black sheath in a scuba fabric that makes me feel great.

2 years ago

Brooklyn

Veteran

I have a similar shape (but you are leaner).

I echo what Sally says, for fitted items I look for thicker fabrics with structure. A thick ponte will skim over your hips and create a nice smooth line. Like my dress in Finds. I prefer a gentle A-line skirt but I do wear pencil styles occasionally.

(You look fantastic, BTW. Nothing to get worried about!)

Custom Find

by Brooklyn

View Info

2 years ago

Chiara

Active Member

As someone with a similar shape, I always found that weight loss that led to slimming in thighs/hips generally led to getting too thin in the face and neck, for my liking anyway.
Angie’s advice is to dress for the body you have now. enjoy experimenting with the clothes and styles you like, find what works on your current figure. being able to work out what clothes will work as your body shape changes is a good life skill, that helps with the changes that come with exercise (or lack of it), pregnancy, illness, ageing and so on. I’ve found I enjoy clothes so much more when I approach dressing with the perspective “this is my shape currently, this is the style I like, how do I adapt that style for my figure” instead of “if I was just differently shaped/sized here, I could wear...” The latter approach can sometimes be motivating, of course, but I find it stops you having fun with your style, in the present.

2 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

These type of dresses with ruching (gathers) from waist through hips are bodycon yet hide so-called flaws. You can find this style in short dresses as well, just not in my current Finds.

Nordstrom

Michael Stars Michael Stars Ruched Surplice Stretch Cotton Body-Con Dress (Regular & Petite) | Nordstrom

View Info

Top Pick

Nordstrom

Halogen Ruched Detail Sheath Dress

View Info

Top Pick

2 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

LOL! I didn’t know I had bunions or ‘hip dips’ until someone else pointed them out to me! Both are genetic, and don’t bother me - so what the hey! Rejoice in the fact that you have a wonderful health body and wear what you want.

2 years ago

Sally

Veteran

I have never heard of hip dips and have just gone to look up what they were. I'm not sure if I have them or if I ever had them. You look great to me and often losing weight doesn't change our basic shape. For the life of me, I've never been able to get a flat stomach and I wasted too much time trying.

2 years ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I have them all: love handles, hip dips and saddlebags. I first got them when I was about 17 years old and I was very slim then and a runner, but they were still there. Due to bone structure. I believe according to Imogen’s ideas I would be more of an “X” body shape, or a mixture, and fit/flare dresses do suit me. I think you look in between the two and thus will look good in clothes for either kind.

2 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I definitely see X... you have a stunning figure. People spend lots of money and go through painful surgery trying to look like you.

I see an X with a longer waist (lucky you) as the reason fit and flare look great on you. I am an X and with a short waist and fit and flare have never looked good on me.

2 years ago

Dolores

Active Member

CocoLion, thank you so much for your kind words ❤️

JennyNZ, thank you as well
I have always been insecure about my body because it didn't really fall into one category and thus, I thought almost everything looked weird on me ...

Sally, haha I empathize, sometimes the body can be stubborn regarding his fat storage But I am sure you look fine. Very few people naturally have a flat stomach

Runcarla, thank you I will try to do so

DonnaF oh I see ! Unfortunately, I am not a fan of the look but you're right that it probably helps to flatter the body
About that, I couldn't find those archives you were talking about ! Where do I have to look for them ?
Sorry, I am a newbie

Brooklyn, Yes !! I have to look for a thick fabric

Sal, thank you !! I have never thought of scuba fabric, but it's a great idea !

StagiaireFash, it's not that I don't like my curves, it's just that I sometimes find my fat distribution quite odd

Nuancedream, Indeed It's not a flaw and I am trying my best to embrace it

2 years ago

Anonymous

I think X too. I have a very curvy bottom half too, and hip dips- but you carry your weight lower than me. For me, tapered skirts are Much better than A line, unless the A line is maxi or midaxi. Agreeing that hip dips are just bone structure,

2 years ago

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