How to dress petite, curvy, and short-waisted hourglass? - YouLookFab Forum

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How to dress petite, curvy, and short-waisted hourglass?

Imogen Morley

As I get more and more frustrated during my recent - and futile - attempts to find casual yet pretty clothes for the upcoming big trip, I also realize that I probably don't know as much as I'd thought about my own body type. I've been reading Angie and Imogen Lamport's advice religiously but I still have troubles finding clothes that fit and flatter in all the right places. I hope I'll be able to post some pictures later, but for now, I beg for your suggestions on how to dress my fussy body type based on the following description.
I'm 5 ft 2 in, hourglass (equal width of shoulders and hips, pretty defined waist and relatively flat tummy, smallish breasts), short-waisted, with wide, curvy hips, thighs, calves, and ankles. I believe that there's only one solution to my problems - A-line skirt or dress - but I also have ongoing problem with swelling legs and varicose/spider veins, so wearing anything but long pants in summer seems unthinkable (and unappealing) to me. Also, a lot of guidelines for short waists and hourglasses seem to contradict each other - how can I define my short waist, which also happens to be the slimmest point of my body, along with arms/wrists, without totally screwing up my proportions?
To add to my misery, I'm also blessed with rather large feet and muscular calves, and finding boots that fit them is also quite a challenge. I'd love to wear riding boots with skirts and dresses in colder months
Dear ladies, I know you're much more creative than I am - can you help me see the light at the end of the fashion tunnel? Any styles and cuts you recommend?

Body Type

29 replies

Latest reply was from Mazeraie

rute

Veteran

Take a deep breath! Everything is possible! You have a body type similar to mine and I have to trouble finding clothes!
Jackets are your best friend! Fit the shoulders and take it to a tailor to hem the sleeves or other adjustments.
Another solution is the a-line skirt with opaque dark tights!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Welcome! And never fear. Angie and YLF will get you sorted in no time, especially with pics!

In the meantime, deep breath. Rute makes a couple of great suggestions—at least for the cooler months.

So that is my next question: What is your dominant season (if you have one). Where do you live an what season are you moving into? Do you run hot or cold, typically?

Another question: have you had any luck in the petites departments? You might - or might not - find that the fit of some garments is better for you here. My best guess is that the jackets and shirts and dresses might work better...but the pants in the regular department might work better.

Trousers are a REALLY tough fit for most of us, especially those of us blessed with muscular legs. So you are not alone. However, with persistence, you'll find some great ones!

KikiG

Veteran

I'm 5'1", and I'm more busty and rectangle-y than you, but I think I have similar issues, and I have a good friend with your shape and we shop together.

A couple of ideas:

For your trip: I have this exact dress, but in a different color:

http://www.chicos.com/store/br.....#038;size=

What would be empire waist on a regular person hits me at my high waist/smallest part. There is perfect bra coverage, and it creates the flattering illusion of a v-neck, but with excellent modesty. The structured pleats control the fullness and it skims over my hips and thighs. I have a cropped 3/4 sleeve cardigan in the main color (for when I need a little something on my arms) and I push up the sleeves. I am a huge believe in "push up or roll up the sleeves" for short people inclined to roundness. For some magic reason, this visually subtracts weight from me.

What works for my friend with your shape is a fitted underlayer, belted, with a structured jacket that creates waist definition over it. She works hard to make sure the underlayer curves under her bust, instead of tenting off of it. Makes about 20lbs of visual difference, that.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Hi and welcome! You've gotten some great suggestions here. I'd love to hear about your climate and the weather where you are going on your trip.

Dark skinnies and tunics with tall boots, printed dresses, and knee length pencil skirts with nude shoes are my mainstays these days.

I am a very petite apple. I was in your shoes a year ago.... it will take some time to figure out what is flattering for your body, fits your style and your lifestyle. We were all where you are now. It is a long and sometimes difficult process but we will help you figure it out!

Imogen Morley

OK, so here's yours truly in all her curvy glory. Notice the lack of cleavage (even though I'm wearing a push-up bra) and please excuse the exposed bra straps!
I'm curious if you will confirm or contradict my observations.

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modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Where are you going on your vacation and what kind of events will you be attending there?

Anonymous

You and I are the same height. From the front, you look a lot like me, except you're less endowed than I. I don't understand why you can't find boots to fit your calves, but maybe that's because I can't see your calves in the pics.

I wear petite dresses, skirts, and long-sleeved tops/sweaters. However, because I have a long rise, I almost always wear misses' regular pants and have them shortened. I can usually wear misses' regular tops if they don't have long sleeves. I love the tunic tops that are semi-fitted so they skim over my curves. STAY AWAY FROM BOXY AND SHAPELESS TOPS! They do you no favors. Trust me.

Because you're smaller up top, I'm sure you could follow the rules for pears and wear tops that have pockets or ruffles in the chest area. That's something I can't do. I'm sure you can wear tops that emphasize the girls, while I have to divert the attention elsewhere.

Necklines: I prefer v-necks and scoopnecks. No turtlenecks or crew necks or boatnecks.

I agree that finding great trousers and jeans is tough. I personally prefer pants that have a wider leg so as not to emphasize my thighs. NEVER WEAR TAPERED PANTS! They will distort your hips and thighs in the absolute worst possible way you can imagine. I make sure to wear my pants long, with heels, to lengthen my legs. Wearing shoes that match or are very close in color value to the pants helps lengthen the leg line even further.

Certain empire-waisted tops and dresses work for me, but they have to be fitted so they don't make me look pregnant. The dresses I happen to love the most have shirred cummerbund-type waists that emphasize the smallest part of my torso. Wrap dresses don't always flatter; it depends on where they hit. I can really rock those fitted sheath dresses (not to be confused with the unfitted shift dresses that look best on rectangles and apples).

Because of my height, I try to wear tops and bottoms that match or are close in color value, though I occasionally get bored and ignore this rule. Monochromatic dressing seems to make me look slimmer and perhaps not as short.

Nothing frilly or whatever. Keep the look clean and sophisticated.

Hope this helps!

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Have you tried printed dresses like these -

http://www1.macys.com/shop/pro.....6slotId%3D

http://www1.macys.com/shop/pro.....Type=PDPZ1

With regard to boots, I always look for 14"-15" height. This seems to work best for petites. You can narrow down by shaft height on zappos and some other retailers.

Imogen Morley

I'm going for a two-week long vacation to Slovenia and Croatia, which will mainly involve walking - LOTS of walking - around different cities and resorts. There's a plan to visit a couple of caves and climb a (not too high) mountain or two as well. No sunbathing, thank goodness. I'm going by car, and it's going to be a long ride both ways. The weather is supposed to be pretty mild - Slovenia has a temperate climate, even a little on the cool side, and north Croatia is pleasantly warm, but not hot. I'm thick-skinned, so I prefer cooler climate, though.
In the everyday life, I work in the office as an assistant (pretty relaxed environment, no dress code), and sometimes have to do with VIP visits (yeah, I've got ONE dress for such occasions - I'm lucky they don't happen that often). Living in the medieval city centre paved with romantic, but terribly unpractical cobblestones, I walk about 5 miles a day - to and from work, running errands, meeting friends etc. - and comfy, flat shoes are a must. Oh, and I look much, much younger than 27 - some people can't believe I'm not finishing high school. Trench coats and booties make me swoon, but when I wear them, I feel like a clown - it's definitely difficult for me to find a balance between looking pretentiously professional and too casual. I love blazers, though, and navy is my staple.
Any ideas?

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Do you have an H&M or Zara where you are? Their clothes tend to run small. I've had a lot of success with H&M blazers in particular.

Are you familiar with a blog called extra petite? She has a great set of articles on a variety of petite issues including building confidence in the workplace, looking taller and looking older. This is a big issue for me too!

http://www.extrapetite.com/201.....dence.html

Imogen Morley

Thanks for all the suggestions. I certainly stay away from everything shapeless (I adore those voluminous, boho tunics from a safe distance), tapered, and cropped. I do have an H&M and Zara stores within walking distance, and although I used to love H&M, they have gone where every other manufacturer has - just yesterday I couldn't find there any other top than the shapeless, loose kind (well, with the exception of plain workout tees). Same for Zara, but their style has never appealed to me.
Extrapetite.com is wonderful, but I'd never, not in the million years wear anything she does - it's just SO not me, especially the heels. If I could get away with anything, I'd live in riding boots, skinnies, and flowy boho tunics. For now, I do with denim bootcut jeans, navy flats, simple tops, cardigans, and scarves. No earrings for me, because I wear bold, purple glasses.
For the reference, I live in Poland, and most stores here don't carry petite collections

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Perhaps stretching your style a bit into areas that you hadn't previously considered would open some doors for you both personally and at work.

I am wearing MANY things that I previously thought would NEVER EVER work for me.

Imogen Morley

You're right about never saying never... maybe there are heels and pearls down the road for me - just not now.
Thank you very much for all the helpful suggestions! I've arranged a shopping trip tomorrow with a stylish friend of mine, and I'm all excited! :)))

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You have a very cute figure! I sort of suspected as much. It never fails...we hear how "horrible" the person looks and then faced with the reality, we scratch our heads and say "She's lovely!!"

Meredith1953

Veteran

You have a lovely figure in these photos. Maybe I am wrong but it sounds like you are trying to develop a little more polished style than the casual look you mentioned. Besides fit and flatter issues, branching out and trying a different look or vibe is sometimes really difficult. I dress pretty casually myself and frequently tell myself that a particular item isn't really "my style". I need to remind myself that when I admire a look on someone else I shouldn't automatically think it won't work for me. In particular I have "issues" with dresses and skirts. Yep, I have spider veins and don't like showing my legs much. Nude microfishnets have been mentioned as a way to get around this problem so I am willing to check them out. If you just stay open to what you see that you think is pretty then maybe something will work for you that you hadn't considered before! Going shopping with a "stylish" friend is always great for helping you look at things in new ways. Sorry if this sounds like a sermon, because that surely isn't my intent. Have fun shopping!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Not sure this helps, but I've found those more tent like tops aren't such a problem if I put a more structured jacket or cardigan over them. I am a short waisted hourglass with a high hip and fuller thighs, also not much of a bust

Imogen Morley

Oops, I did sound whiney, I admit. Too much fashion-related frustration in recent days. I certainly don't think I look horrible (and I didn't say that), and have pretty positive body image... on most days It's just difficult to find something that would fit all my criteria of style... time to expand them a little, I suppose.
I had a fun afternoon with my awesome, stylish mom, and she made me wear some clothes and shoes from her wardrobe to check if I feel like myself wearing something fancier than flat shoes and jeans. So far, with your and her advice, I know that:
- I feel great wearing bootcut jeans tucked into knee-length boots on stacked, stable heel, plus a simple pullover, and shirt underneath it - with a nice necklace or scarf it has a chance of becoming my autumn/winter staple
- tailored blazers are a must - I tried wearing my favourite one over a voluminous, gathered top, and I looked fine (thanks, Mo!)
- I can get away with skirts in summer, as long as I wear nude wedge sandals and the skirt itself is simple in cut and colour (also, has anyone tried Sally Hansen Airbrushed Legs spray?)
- crew neck cardigans work better than V-necks, which cut right through my breasts, making them appear even smaller
- booties and hosiery in similar colours can expand my winter skirt/dress options
Still wondering where my tops should end (hipbone or lower, but above the leg break?).
OK, you got me excited about clothes shopping again

Aida

Veteran

Sounds like you got some great insight in your afternoon with mom! My shape is similar to yours, but I have broader shoulders and slim ankles. I have to disagree with the thought to avoid all tapered pants, skinnies and tapered hems are my favorites! But it's all about balance, and of course finding the right pair. Boxy shirts/tunics can be fun IF you are ok with waist surrender. Probably best to start with stuff that "fits the rules" before finding pieces that break them, though.

You generally want your shirt hems to end a couple inches above the crotch (Angie's post on this topic), unless it's a tunic and then of course longer is fine.

What's stopping you from your ideal outfits of "riding boots, skinnies, and flowy boho tunics"? Not finding the right pieces? Not sure you can wear this style (you can)? If you're going to tuck jeans into boots I would highly suggest getting a slim pair, even if it's just going to be used with boots, to avoid all that extra fabric stuffed in there. And with this silhouette you can easily add a breezy boho tunic

Anonymous

I don't think tapered pants balance out anything on an hourglass body type. All they do for me is make my hips look disproportionately wide. My shoulders are the same width as my hips, so it's not like I have narrow shoulders. I avoid tapered pants at all costs.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

How did your shopping trip go?

Vix

Veteran

Hi Imogen --

You've already gotten great advice upthread and it sounds as if you got a lot of information when trying on clothes with your mother. It's always good to play around with proportions!

My body type isn't much like yours (though I'm short-waisted and 5'4) but I hear you on the frustration one can experience when getting conflicting recommendations re "best for this body proportion etc." I've found that sometimes I have to pick my poison, so to speak, and choose to highlight one attribute at the expense of another.

Along those lines (IMObservation):

*I think being smaller up top is actually BETTER when a short-waisted person wants to belt as it gives the illusion of more "breathing room" between waist and bustline

* I think Hourglasses generally benefit more from belting than from not-belting

* Belts that blend vs contrast don't highlight the short-waisted thing as much

You said, "If I could get away with anything, I'd live in riding boots, skinnies, and flowy boho tunics. For now, I do with denim bootcut jeans, navy flats, simple tops, cardigans, and scarves."

I'd just encourage you to keep working towards your ideal -- but play around with the modifiers (again, great suggestions upthread) til you get the mix of "your personality/taste" + "proportions that please you."

Among the YLF crowd I tend to embrace the "rules" for flattering one's shape/proportion much more than others -- aside from throwing up my hands at the ones that conflict, ha -- but even I think it's much much better to wear something you love that's a bit "imperfect" than something that bores you terribly yet checks all the boxes.

Good luck working through all this. Would love to see how packing for your trip progresses!

DonnaF

Veteran

Hi, Imogen;

My daughter toured with her choir in Slovenia and Croatia a few years back and had a great time! She loved the ice cream in Croatia, but one of the girls twisted her ankle on the cobblestone streets.

My shape is similar to yours, but my feet would be sticking out where your pant leg ends, and I have bigger breasts that hang much lower. I'd love to have your figure!

I totally think you could rock the look you love, but you would need to search hard for the pieces that flatter your body, esp. since you don't have petite sizing where you live. Your top may need some structure at the shoulders or need a cropped jacket on top. You would also need to play around with the tunic length to find your sweet spot. The skinnies that may work for you could be a heavy ponte knit. Or try straight leg pants as a change of silhouette.

Have you ever tried a 1 - 2 inch heel? They give off a different vibe than flats, and with a good stacked heel can be just as comfortable for walking. Such shoes can be super hard to find, unfortunately. I just got the *Dani* lug-soled, heeled, shootie oxford by Soft Walk, and they are insanely stable and feel like flats!

shoppingisfun

(website)

Veteran

Hi Imogen,

I find it interesting that you say "crew neck cardigans work better than V-necks, which cut right through my breasts, making them appear even smaller." I'm built kinda like you (petite--shorter than you--short waisted, small busted, hourglass with pear tendencies, although my calves are really skinny, unlike yours). I find that I can rock a v-neck much better than girls who are more busty, because I don't have to worry about cleavage! Also, a v-neck can make you look taller, which might be important to you since you want to wear flats. If your calves are too wide for most tall boots, have you tried a flat boot that ends at mid-calf instead? A (relatively) pointy toe can also work to make you look a little taller when you are wearing flats...avoid square toes or super rounded toes if you want to look taller. Personally, I find that I get the "upside-down ice-cream cone effect" in skinnies, but this probably wouldn't be a problem for you since your calves are wider.

Would a knee-length a-line be long enough to cover up your spider veins? I have the same problem (plus cellulite, yeeks).

fashionstars

Member

i'd go with large waste sashes like a cumberbun those give the impression of height, also comfortable shoes with heels. btw you look really pretty, you have really nice full lips. http://cumberbun.net/tie-neck-blouse/

Shu

You've had some great advice so far - love how helpful your mom was! I just wanted to chime in that though my shortwaisted hourglass is more curvy than yours (my waist is smaller in proportion to my hips and shoulders) and I'm 5' 10", my dressing concerns are similar to yours. One of the first things the lovely ladies here taught me is that while my hips are wide, my leg line narrows quite a bit to the knee, so wearing pencil skirts, form-fitting dresses and skinnies (items that taper below the hip rather than flowing away from it) - a look that I was acutely afraid of - actually make me look LESS wide (and kind of hot ;)). It depends on the shape of your body, but I recommend that you don't write off these shapes without due experimentation (and some photos for us to help you evaluate ;)).

Imogen Morley

Thank you all SO very much for the replies!

As far as my shopping trip is concerned, it was totally unsuccessful I am not yet ready for the "waist surrender", and the vast majority of tops this season are exactly in the flowy/boxy/banded area - so frustrating! I took very basic tees with me, and they worked fine, especially paired with pretty scarves or necklaces... but they sure didn't make me feel fab. BTW, my trip was so wonderful that I hereby declare my new life goal: have a villa in Dalmatia in my old days, just as some retired Roman noblemen did Hot Croatian weather also inspired me to get a shorter, tomboy-ish haircut which I love
Though you keep showering me with many great suggestions, I can't get past "this has no waist! I can't wear it! This is banded! I can't wear it! " point, and my wardrobe isn't going to get updated soon that way. I eyed some clamdiggers and nude platform sandals, but didn't decide on anything. Pretty tops are my main priority (and my most elusive dream) right now. I can wear shapeless ones under tailored jackets, no problem, but it won't work in the summer... unless I get a rather long tunic, going past the widest point of my hips, and belt it, I think (with a skinny belt colour blended with my top?). That would probably require skinny pants, am I right? I'm also wondering if belting shorter, leg break length tunics would make my waist appear even shorter than it really is.
I'd like to know your opinion on this banded top I borrowed from a friend just for experimental purposes. I simply adore the print, but feel uncomfortable about the effect this piece has on my hips. With the jacket, though, it looks waaay better IMO - still, nothing I could wear solo, I fear.

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KikiG

Veteran

Do you have any tops that have definition under the bust?

http://www.anntaylor.com/ann/p.....Color=5058

Have you ever tried belting something on top of your bra band, or wearing a very, very cropped jacket or sweater?
See if that doesn't create a visual shift.

Anonymous

Welcome to my world!! I am so going to read the responses you get because girls like us seem to have the most frustration with fit and flatter....;)

Just saw your pics, and you have a cute shape! One of my biggest problems is that I'm short-waisted with DDD bust!! Yeah, I know.

Mazeraie

Member

So, I'm 5'2 1/2. I'm fifteen a bit young to be having the problems 'm having. But, unfortunately I am an hourglass shape. I'm extreamly busty, with hips, though my waist is small. I have short shapely but large legs and thighs. I do have a but, but my stomach isn't all that flat, it's not big, but it's not flat so I look oddly shaped. My chest out does all my other attributes because it's so big. I have a hard time finding out what to wear. I'm a medium to a small on the waist a medium to a large on the hips and a large to extra large on the chest. What should I wear to make my body more flattering?