Would I suit high waisted clothes?

fluffyshoppaholic

Hi guys,

So I am 159cm tall, I'm pretty curvy and have quite a large bust, and I'd say my torso:leg ratio is faily equal. I really like high waisted styles but I'm afraid of them making me looking shorter and stumpier?

What do you think?

10 years ago

Body Type

10 replies

Latest reply was from fluffyshoppaholic

unfrumped

Veteran

Hard to tell. I'm not long-legged so I use the high waist to give more of the 1/3 top and 2/3 bottom proportion, but I have no large bust! I would think it would work with the right tops and color combination. Perhaps tonal, if the waist tends to cut you off in the middle? Or you might match the belt (if belted) to your top and not the bottom.
Looking forward to some pics or some ideas from more knowledgable YLF'ers.

10 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

I think the only way to know is to try some on. My experience has been that they are easier if your waist is a little long, and can sometimes make your legs look longer (but also elongate your rear). They can also emphasize your bust if tops are shorter or dresses have empire waists. It kind of depends on the shape of your hips and belly and how they transition into your waist, some waist heights will look natural, where others will look artificial and like they aren't following your natural curves.

10 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

I agree with Rabbit—I think high-waisted pants work better on those who naturally have a longer torso.

One thing that might be worth a try is to get some and try them on, and measure your torso (from shoulders to top of pants) and your bottom half (from top of pants to bottom of feet). Generally, proportions look best if they are 2:3 or 3:5, so if you measure your two parts and come out with a similar ratio, the look will probably be pleasing.

When you try some on, you'll want to try a variety of styles, because things like having side-entry pockets at the top of the pants can sometimes visually add to the width of your hips, creating an unflattering look. So design really can play into appearances here too.

10 years ago

rute

Veteran

Give it a try! I have short torso and they look good on me! If you want you can post a photo and we will give you honest opinion

10 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think the only way to know is try it and take some photos.

High-waisted styles look awful on me, which is a shame because I think they look so cool on other women. But I have long legs and quite a short torso, with a largish bust and wide hips -- so high waists call way too much attention to the expanse of my hips and thighs.

10 years ago

fluffyshoppaholic

Active Member

Thank you all for the responses! Yeah sorry I didn't give much information, I have a petite hourglass figure if that helps? But I'm not very thin... So I don't know if I'd suit it

10 years ago

Emily

Veteran

I think that whether or not the style will be flattering is less about thin-ness and more about proportion. Like Janet, I am short waisted with some volume in the bust and hips, so higher waisted styles end up making my torso look strangely short - like I've pulled my pants/skirt up to my boobs. Know what I mean? To make the look work I need moderately high waisted style + bra that provides some lift, so that there is space between the waistband and my chest.

It sounds like you aren't short waisted, so this might not be an issue for you. Why not try some high-waisted styles and see what you think? Consider taking pictures - even if you don't post them. I find it easier to analyse an outfit in a photo later than in the mirror.

10 years ago

fluffyshoppaholic

Active Member

Yeah that's a good point. I wouldn't say I'm short waisted, I'm fairly proportionate, it just that my bust is quite large so my waist might look a little shorter, but I have really long hips (if that even makes sense) so my torso probably looks more proportionate even with the bust issue... So yeah I will have to try them out

Thank you!

10 years ago

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I am not tall at 5'4" (162 cm) and I have a short torso, a short neck, small head, and longer legs. I go ahead and wear the high waisted pants with cropped top look, even if it makes for more of a 1 to 4 ratio. I agree it's not my most flattering look but sometimes it's fun just to play and experiment with proportion. So go ahead and experiment, I say.

One thing I have learned is to pay attention to the actual rise. A 9 or 10 inch rise (23 to 25 cm) looks better on me than an 11 or 11.5" (28-29 cm) rise.

ETA -- like you I am also hourglass shape with longer hips. It's from the waist up where I'm really short, so cropped tops don't even look cropped on me.

10 years ago

fluffyshoppaholic

Active Member

Yeah that's a good point Cocolion... you are lucky having long legs! I usually wear high waisted skinny jeans but my tops are normal length so you can't see that the jeans are high waisted- I just like wearing them to cover my tummy and hips I feel more secure.

I had surgery a couple of years ago on my lower abdominal which gave a really long scar, so bikini wise, I would probably prefer a high waisted on to cover that up, but it doesn't have to be too high rises either...

I guess the best thing to do is try them on and have a look

Thank you for all the responses!

10 years ago

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