pear with apple tendencies? Please help identify my shape - YouLookFab Forum

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pear with apple tendencies? Please help identify my shape

Meredith1953

Veteran

Hi,
I have been reading with interest for a few months and joined the forums about a month ago. Such fun and you are all so supportive and helpful to each other! On to my delimma....
I have had trouble trying to re-identify my body shape lately. I am 58 (post menopausal) and stand 5' 6 1/2" inches high, weight 136 lbs. My bust is a 35" D. I have about a 30" waist (never sure WHERE to actually measure this) and I have 38 inch hips with a 32" inseam standing barefoot. I feel that I am a tad short in the torso. Tops with spaghetti straps always are too low and I end up shortening the straps. I think I am also a little shortwaisted. I usually wear tops out slightly bloused or semi-tucked because I feel it makes my torso look longer. I can really use some assistance figuring out what shape I am now. I think I used to be a pear but am now a little thicker in the waist. Help in identifying my would be wonderful. I have attached some pics, sorry the quality is not very good.

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Body Type

32 replies

Latest reply was from Meredith1953

Stephanie

Veteran

Hi Meredith. I would have said that you were an hourglass, but I'm not an expert. I'm sure the experts will chime in, though.

Meredith1953

Veteran

HI Stephanie,
I read about the hourglass shape but it all seemed like they had small waistlines and I feel mine is kind of straight. Also I don't feel comfortable emphasizing my waist but it will be interesting to see what others have to say. I do appreciate you giving me your feedback. It's like I really want to try some new silhouettes but am a little chicken till I have a clear picture of what I am working with! Thanks again!

Isis

Veteran

M-- You definitely have a waist. I don't see much apple there. Waist measurements are generally taken at the smallest part.

I think you are either a pear or an hourglass. It's hard to see if your shoulders are wider than your hips because your hands are not by your side in the picture. If your shoulders ARE equal or wider than your hips, you are an hourglass. If they are smaller, you are a pear!

I'm not an expert, so I could be wrong!!!!

Meredith1953

Veteran

Hi Isis,
I have sloping somewhat narrow shoulders. Just now measured them and they are 37" around. They DO slope so that might make them look a little narrower than they are. I bet you I AM a pear with a somewhat short torso!!!! Thanks for the feedback!

cinnamon fern

Veteran

I definitely see a waist! I suspect that the smallest part of your waist is above where you are holding the tape measure in that picture, so maybe you are measuring too low?

rosee

Veteran

I think you look like an hourglass, even if your measurements indicate you might be a pear. Based on the shoulder to hips ratio, you look more hourglass.
I don't think you are an apple but if you have issues with your stomach area, you can always refer to the dressing tips for that type too to dress that area. But overall you should still refer to hourglass tips (or pear, if that ends up being the final analysis).

Kristine

Veteran

I would say hourglass. I definitely see a defined waist and I think it could be a great asset if you become more comfortable showing it off. I agree that you might be a bit short waisted but that isn't a negative. You have a very nice figure!

I think cropped tops or defined waists with full skirts or wide pants might be a good silhouette to experiment with.

Meredith1953

Veteran

Hi Cinnamon Fern- I am indeed measuring above my belly button at the smaller part of my waist. I thought that was where I am supposed to measure I re-measured down by bellybutton and am 31 1/2" Ugh! Used to be a 29 when I was more active. I NEED to up the exercise and get this area in shape!!!! I feel doughy around the middle.

Hi Rosee- I agree that I need to refer to overall guidelines, I'm just so sensitive about having a soft waist. I used to worry about rounded hips and thighs but now all I see is a little muffin top and it bums me out!!!

Hi Kiristine- Thanks for the compliment on my having a nice shape. Some days I feel the love and other days I don't. I haven't experimented with any of the shapes you suggested but am open. After all the department stores are free to look in and try any new silhouette just to see how I feel in them. Come to think of it, I do have one pair of "somewhat" wide legged trouses (small glen plaid patter in blackish gray and white) I quite like them because they have a low wide waistband and drop straight from the hip into a full leg. I usually wear them with a untucked turtleneck or top but will try them with tucked in and see how I feel.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

SO lovely to see you post...and you look great! I would never guess that you are 58.

I see a terrific hourglass shape here. You might be very slightly verging toward the pear but not much. (It's hard to tell because of the way you had to hold the camera).

Anyway...I'd start with Angie's hourglass suggestions. And then, if you feel self-conscious about a bit of muffin, you could consider some of the suggestions for that, as well.

Meredith1953

Veteran

HI Suz,
Thanks for the compliment. I just let my hair go gray and really short this last year. I had been dying it auburn for years but the grays just showing up earlier and earlier. I am still getting used to be 58 AND gray, AND having a little more tummy than I used to. I will check into the hourglass recommendations and also the little bit of muffin!

cinnamon fern

Veteran

Meredith, I think my last comment was confusing! Your waist is wherever you are smallest, not where your pants sit, that is all.

Meredith1953

Veteran

HI Cinnamon fern,
Well, I get a little confused because when I get a physical, the doc makes be measure around the navel, definitely NOT where I am smallest!! Thanks for the reply!

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Congrats, Meredith, on posting your body type so soon after being here. I think I'll do mine this week. I'm not an expert, but I see an hourglass with possible pear secondary. But, mostly, I think you could identify as an hourglass. You look great and and very natural in your "natural" hair color.

Meredith1953

Veteran

Hi Vicki,
Thanks for the kind words! I WAS going to post in hose and leotard but thought that might be too traumatic for me! I am really getting some great feedback and will be looking for you to post your silhouett pictures also!

ChelleNZ

Hi Meredith,

I think you're an X-shaped hourglass, maybe with some pear tendencies. See this link from Imogen at Inside Out Style

Real Life Body Shapes-X

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I see someone with a fab bod who is slap bang in the middle of pear and hourglass. So great to see you post, Meredith!

Anonymous

Meredith, you are so cute. Look at that great silhouette you have. Just what we all try to make our shapes look like! You look much younger in these pictures than 58. Are you *sure* you're 58? I love your natural hair color (but then again I'm biased). It's soft and pretty on you. Can't wait to see some more photos/ WIW's from you!

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Hi Meredith,
I do not see "thicker in the waist" at all...I see hourglass and pear-shape! I am also fall into the "X" category on Imogen's system. I found her thoughts helpful.

Meredith1953

Veteran

Hi ChelleNZ-
I will definitely check on Imogen's system. Sounds really interesting. I don't think I have heard of an "X" body type before.

Hi Angie,
Thanks so much for the sweet words of encouragement. I will check out recommendations for both hourglass and pear. I'm so glad I found this community! I have been loving this entire site.

Hi ClearlyClaire-
You are so sweet to think I don't look 58! I love the gray-haired sisterhood! Yours is beautiful! I look forward to posting some outfits. I don't do much with accessorizing and can really use advice! I amit to downloading pics of some of the amazing pictures on this site. I need them for inspiration when I go shopping next!

Hi Jeneva,
I am glad to find someone with the same body type! I'll definately check out Imogen's info on the "X" body type!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

You have a fuller bust and your shoulders aren't much different from your hips. I would say you are hourglass with pear tendencies. Which, incidentally, is my shape as well. I follow the guidelines for both body shapes.

ETA: I have the same tummy issues, I got them starting age 50. However, I don't follow apple dressing plans; I pick clothing that will not cling to this body part.

Meredith1953

Veteran

Hi Coco Lion-
I am indeed a little sensitive about my tummy. Doesn't stick out bad but I feel it is soft and I have little love handles. I think that what you say about picking things that "skim" this body part is really good advice. I dislike wearing "shapewear" and feel it actually forces the little bulges elsewhere! I'll check out some of your posts since you sound like a really similarly shaped person. Thanks for the advice!

taylor

Veteran

Welcome to another member of the FAB over 50 bunch!
You look amazing, Thanks for posting:)

Meredith1953

Veteran

Hi Taylor,
Thanks for the very warm welcome! I feel like I have my own personal fashion magazine to refer to with this group!

taylor

Veteran

You are part of this group!!
More like a fashion family:)

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Meredith, you have a lovely figure that appears very trim to me! I agree with the others who suggested that you have a combination of an hourglass and a pear figure. Do you feel that your hips are a little lower than average? Mine are higher, so I generally wear longer tops to make my upper torso appear longer than it is. I bet you'd look amazing in high-waisted pants and skirts, which don't work on me at all!

Meredith1953

Veteran

Hi Amy,
Actually I am always trying to lengthen my torso. It's strange but as I have gained more in the chest I feel shorter in the waist. Does that make sense? Anyway, I tend to like to keep tops untucked or semi-tucked to make my torso look longer. I realize my photos weren't the best. I am getting good feed back and it does re-inforce my idea of being somewhere between an hourglass and a pear. Darn my wimpy shoulders!! Thanks for the feedback! I havent' tried anything higher waisted in awhile but I am open to trying. The department stores are full of all kinds of silhouettes!

Amy

(website)

Veteran

What you say makes a lot of sense to me. I feel the same way you do about dressing my figure, i.e. elongating my upper torso. From your pictures, though, I don't see a need to do that.

I believe I have an hourglass figure with pear tendencies too. I also have narrow, sloping shoulders. However, there are some interesting differences between our figures. When I look in the mirror, I see a shape something like this lady's (8-shape):

http://www.insideoutstyleblog......pes-8.html

See how her hips come out right beneath her waist, leaving very little space between hips and bust? She and I have very little room there to wear things like wide belts and high waisted pants.

When I look at your pictures, I see something more like this lady's (X-shape):

http://www.insideoutstyleblog......pes-x.html

There's a nice side-by-side comparison there too.

While I find Angie's basic body types VERY helpful, learning about these particular variations within them helped me even more. I can't rely on the hourglass or pear recommendations, without modifying them for my hip placement. It may be helpful to you, too, to think about this as you experiment with new clothes!

Meredith1953

Veteran

Hi Amy,
Just checked out your links and I think you are right about where my hipline lies. Really interesting reading. I hadn't heard of the "X" until ChelleNZ and Jeneva mentioned it above. Maybe I should play around with belt loop placement? Angie mentioned that and I think lowering where my belt sits might make me more willing to tuck in some tops! Thanks for all the encouragement.

Taylor- Thanks for welcoming me so warmly to the "fashion family"!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Meredith, you are I are very close to being body twins, give or take an inch here and there. I consider myself to be pear/hourglass, so I hope that helps!

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