The pointy toe thing (Pear shape) - YouLookFab Forum

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About: How to Dress the Pear Body Type

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The pointy toe thing (Pear shape)

anne

Veteran

I was long awaiting Angie's post on this, and of course appreciate the huge post on it, as I did the other 2 in this series.
I am not sure I have taken it all in yet, and need to revist, but I do recognise a fair bit from the 7 years (?) I have been on YLF.
And I know I am not really a typical pear either, because I have broad shoulders. Anyway 2 little points of concern that the post raised for me

1) moto jackets - I very often end up wearing mine closed whether I intend to or not, or because I get cold. Do you think the aforementioned shoulders mean I can get away with that?

2) I don't own a single pair of pointy toe shoes and have a sinking feeling that with my small budget and fussy feet I never will. Any compensatory ideas?

Body Type

16 replies

Latest reply was from Beth Ann

Adelfa

Veteran

No opinion on the moto but re: pointy toes, an almond toe can have an elegant, elongating effect as well!

Gigi

Veteran

Anne, are you sure you're a pear? I don't know that a pear can have broad shoulders...I think that the basic definition of pear is that the shoulders are narrower than the hips, whereas the inverted triangle has the opposite situation (hips narrower than shoulders). Do you think you are maybe an IT?

Lyn D.

Veteran

I think you can get away with a closed jacket because you are slim Anne.

anne

Veteran

Adelfa - I'll look out for almond toes

Gigi - it is hard to say!! i am certainly a mixture. Angie said I was a pear when I joined. Imogen over at IOS said X shape (in her system) I think my shoulders and hips are evenish but if I even wear a bigger size, it would be on the bottom not top, I have curvy thighs and bottom and my back and shoulders don't carry any extra fat. I feel that the rectangle tips for the top half are useful because I am flat chested.

Lyn - Thanks. Glad I can get away with it because it happens without my realising it.

Lantana

Veteran

Anne next time we do coffee you must bring your pear with you because I didn't spot it!
I would pin you as a racy rectangle; you have a slim, coltish figure and although you are not tall you look it.
Really, I think your broad shoulders preclude pear in your primary descriptor but that is not to say there aren't relevant points for you in Angie's post.
No shoe tips I'm afraid.

unfrumped

Veteran

For the mist part I'm passing on the pointy toes, too, because they are bad for me feet.
So, part if pointy- toe subbing is whether you want some of the effects of the shoe shape with certain clothes or whether it just represents staying current- and both of course.
I've tried to use almond or at least oval toe and ditch anything snubbed or square, as my compromise. Then think of other on- trend elements that work.
I am still wearing oxfords and I can't update to pointy oxfords, so I guess that could be limiting. For summer I will still wear a ballet- type flat but again, trying for more oval tie than the most blunt versions, and pale or nude. And there are changes in heel styles, trending colors, and so on.
It sounds like there are still a lot of ways to look current, so I'll also look forward to any other YLF tips on alternative styles.

anne

Veteran

Unfrumped you have some wise advice there! With colours and heels etc. I won't buy any more square toes, though I am hoping my square toed heeled black boots can make it through another winter!

Penny, you of course have the edge over everyone in this thread because you saw me only a few days ago! Yes there's no doubt in my mind that there's rectangle elements there. But the pearish bits were hidden! I was applying Angie's more traditional advice and wearing a fit and flare dress to our meetup

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Anne, I honestly think that pear is your secondary body type. I would call you a slim hourglass with pear tendencies when at your higher weight. And rectangle tendencies as well.

As you know, we have lots of body type similarities. I find that paying attention to the rectangle, hourglass, and even IT guidelines for my top can be helpful, while paying attention to the hourglass and pear guidelines for my curvier bottom half. And then I also focus on the modifiers -- in my case, long neck, short waist, etc.

I think for you, wearing a moto closed would work just fine. Your shoulders will balance it.

For footwear, I think you should continue to try stuff on in all styles. You just never know. I have been pleasantly surprised by many of the new pointy styles. They are cut quite differently to pointy footwear from a few years ago. There is more room in the toe box in most styles, the point is less exaggerated, and where there is a point it usually extends past the "trouble" area of the foot. So don't give up on that. Otherwise, look for a nice almond shape, which is classic anyway.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I am WAITING for your comment on that post. xo

Anne, to my eye you have square shoulders. Not broad shoulders. Una and Kelly have broad shoulders. I have square shoulders too - but they are far from broad.

I've noticed that you like to define your waist to the extreme, so it makes sense that you wear your moto closed. Try wearing it open with a warmer layer. More modern.

Don't worry about the pointy toes. If they tickle your fancy at some point budget-permitting - try them. If not. Move on.

Style Fan

Veteran

I pass on the pointy toes for comfort reasons. My feet are in bad shape for genetic reasons and because I continued to run despite pain. Now I pay the price (in more ways than I can count). I usually wear shoes that match my pants or the colour of my legs. I agree that square toes are not flattering but more of an almond shape would be. I wear heels that are about 1.5 inches because I can not tolerate anything higher unless it is a wedge.

I like jackets open because they draw the eye up and down. It also looks less contrived and I prefer that look.

AviaMariah

Veteran

Like others have said you might try some pointy toes just to see. I have feet/toe issue and thought pointed toes were out for me too. But I purchased a coupled pairs of pointy toed booties this winter that are so comfortable. I did buy one of them a size up so that my toes wouldn't be squished.

Diana

Veteran

I think of you more as an hourglass too.

But re: motos, I think it's OK to wear them closed if there is some other detail on them that visually widens the top and/or shoulders. I don't zip mine ALL the way up though. I leave the lapels open on top which provides some width and structure (see my WIW today actually for an illustration). Or some shoulder detailing like epaulettes would work too.

For pointed toes, I think you can do a subtler point, like an almond toe. My dress shoes currently are pointy kitten heels. Italian leather so they are very soft. I think the pointy toe is particularly nice with a low heel, so that helps with comfort too (less pressure on the front of your feet). You don't really need high heels AND pointy toes.

eds

I am most definitely a pear, but with strong shoulders...and I truly consider that a blessing! Do try a pointy or almond toe when you can. Amazing what it can do for a pear shape.

anne

Veteran

Thanks for all your contribution to this thread. Thanks for all the discussion on the body type. I didn't really mean to revisit it; I am, like Suz, actually fairly at home with my body type and all it's modifiers and how to pick and choose from the recommendations.

i did however feel that the pointy toe message was coming through loud and clear and that as I have short legs this was a suggestion that I would be applicable to me - but I just had little hope of doing it. Anyway Angie (and others), thanks for addressing that point.

Angie, it is true that at times I like extreme waist defining, but what I meant with the moto is that I just end up zipping (and buttoning up my cardigans) It is a habit of my fingers not a conscious choice. But if I wore such a bulky outfit underneath that it couldn't be zipped that could work!

And on the waist definition thing, I noted in my local mall on the weekend that about 3/4 of all looks on the mannequins were still waist defining. I also noted it in the high end shops around where I work. But I don't go for that look all the time by any means. I frequently have days when I don't want any emphasis on that area year round and especially in the moment when our days are over 100. I am in loose clothing whenever I am out of the office.

Am off to write a comment on the blog.

shiny

Veteran

My feet are fussy, and wide. Personally I've always adored the look of pointy toe shoes, not only because they elongate my legs, but also my small yet wide feet. I find that not all pointy toes are created equal -- not all are terribly uncomfortable and downright torture devices. You just have to try a lot of them on, to find the ones that work.

If it is a heel, the most important element seems to be the slope. Does it throw my weight backward on to the heel, or forward on to my toes? Not only will forward slope cause my foot to slide forward jamming toes into the pointy part, but also it puts all the pressure on the metatarsals which then spread while also being squashed into the toe box. This is a recipe for lots of pain, and even injury! If the slope is right then this doesn't happen and that applies no matter what the toe shape -- or even heel height (within limits -- you probably won't find me in 5 inch heels ever).

The second element is where the pointy part starts. It should start beyond the widest part of your foot -- beyond the metatarsals. This means a proper pointy toed shoe is going to be longer than your other shoes. You can't necessarily achieve this with sizing up either, though it's worth a try. Usually for me this doesn't work because the shoe is then too big all over and my toes just want to slide too far into the toe box, or the shoe just won't stay on.

I don't know if anyone remembers when extreme pointy toes were all the rage? I loved that trend and embraced it wholeheartedly (I felt like a little elf). I found plenty of comfortable options back then. It's all in how the shoe is designed.

My current favorite booties are pointy toed and they are the most comfortable heel in my closet right now. I have round toed heels that aren't nearly as comfortable. So, lesson is -- it's not the shape of the toe. It's the shape of the rest of the shoe.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Anne: Glad you posted! I wanted to say that, when I was much younger, I considered by self a pair. I'm about 20lbs heavier than in my young adulthood, but I also carry weight "higher" in my body than I did and, thanks to DS, I now have bosoms. It changes everything! As I look back, my shoulders have always basically matched my hips, from a framework point of view. Now that I'm older, I a full hourglass, probably with apple tendencies. I suspect you are an slim hourglass in the framework, with pear and rectangle tendencies.

In the past couple of years you have been doing beautifully with proportions. I'd encourage you to think of highlighting your favorite bits rather than indulging in what I call "camo" dressing -- dressing to hide flaws.

As for pointy toes, Shiny has some great ideas. I do size up 1/2 size when I try them on, and I place a ball of foot pad in the shoes to keep my toes back a bit into the shoes. Adelfa makes a good point (lol) too: almond toes, or just a more refined toe box can also be a great choice.