X or 8 hourglass? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Body Type

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

X or 8 hourglass?

Chrissie

A while ago I asked what my body shape was, and you all said I was a X hourglass. Now that I've looked into Imogen's body shape figure 8, I'm not 100% sure that I have the x body shape. I am short waisted and only 5'3. My waist gradually goes down to my high hip bone, then it goes in a little, than back out again where the fullest part of my thighs are. That is the widest point in my hips, where I can measure across and get the same measurement as when I go from shoulder to shoulder. I'm confused whether or not this is a X or 8. Help ladies?
I attached some pictures, sorry for the poor quality, I used my phone and it automatically put a filter on it.

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Body Type

21 replies

Latest reply was from star02

Marmee

Veteran

I'm not sure that I understand the difference between the two, but I am curious as to how you would dress the two body types differently. Either way, I think you have a super cute figure, and we should see some outfits!

Chrissie

Thanks Marmee. I made the mistake of assuming people would know what I'm talking about, I know silly me, but here are some links to see the differences. Hope it helps!
http://www.insideoutstyleblog......pes-x.html

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

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I would lean more toward X than 8, just because it doesn't seem like you have that high hip 'shelf' that I tend to think of 8's like myself having. But you may well be a fusion between the two - it's not like the types are a hard and fast rule, just a handy way to see patterns.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Heh, I went 'round and 'round on this one a few years back! http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....-hourglass Now that I'm a couple more years into my 40's I know I'm an 8. That middle aged shift to the middle and all (drats!). I think it's possible to be right between, or a mix of, shapes.

Vildy

Veteran

Looks like a definite X to me. I'm more an 8 - I go out fairly quickly from beneath my waist and then it's straight down from there.

unfrumped

Veteran

I think you are kind of in-between, which means you may have more options than one or the other, as in the links showing more exaggerated extremes. You have enough X that you can wear belts in a variety of widths compared to the extreme hourglass needing a narrow belt, and yet would probably look great in both classic pencil skirts or flirty a-lines. You can see from your links that some of the recommendations were exactly the same. Then, if something in a clothing item or outfit does look a bit "off" to your eye, you may be able to see that it's because the item skews a bit more one way or the other. So, just use it as a jumping-off point and then it's the IRL and mirror tests that count!

Gigi

Veteran

I think that Mo is right—you might be a mix. Some 8's are really obvious, but others less so (I think of Mo's as being less obvious, which is why she went "round and round" before figuring it out!). If I were you, I would probably compare the clothing guidelines for the two and see where they differ, and then I would try the differing guidelines on your own body and see if one or the other suits you better.

5miling

I see a very lovely X hourglass.

Aida

Veteran

I've a similar shape to you (though wider shoulders for me), and I'd say you're more X than 8. On your first link, you can see an image that shows the two side by side; the X has the widest point lower/near the thighs, as you do, versus up near/above the hip.

Chrissie

So I'm still a little confused because 3 of you say x and 4 say mixture. At least with these opinions I can declare that I am not a figure 8 completely. That has confused me for around a month. I'll go and follow the guidelines for both figures, and the hourglass on other sites without the option, and see what looks best on myself by trying it on. Thankyou everyone!

rachylou

Veteran

I say X. You're a strong hourglass, but not a sudden one.

Chrissie

With one more vote for X hourglass, I'm still confused. I think I'm just going to follow rules for both but pay more attention to the X's suggestions. Thanks everyone!

Beth Ann

Veteran

I see more of an hourglass, but I wanted to pop on and say that you can feel free to use these figure type guidelines as helpful hints, rather than true categories. They're more of a starting point really, and I make a point to think outside my category on a regular basis. I find there are so many other factors in play -- structure vs. drape, color, contrast, proportion, etc.

Have fun with fashion and wear what makes you happy!

anne

Veteran

Yes, Please take to heart what Beth Ann said.

For what it is worth. I instantly thought X. Although you aren't so pronounced an X as I am (see attached picture) where you are widest is around your lower hip/top of thigh area. And if you want it from the source, you can always email Imogen with a pic - it is her system so she can tell you (I did!)

But really the recommendations are pretty similar for the two types and the outfit I attach is an example of ignoring them (because the skirt if a slightly tapered one) which I don't think looks too bad.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

E

Veteran

I love Beth Ann's advice!

I have some hourglass tendencies & they're all towards the X shape (I'm your height too): I have a long rise and low widest hip point like you but I don't have quite as abrupt a transition from waist to hip as you. So I can see why you're confused: you do look like a mix.

My suggestion would be to reverse engineer it as it were: for instance, a major difference in suggestions is full skirts for X shapes vs straight/tapered skirts for 8 shapes. So which do you feel better in? If you're not sure, take some photos and ask the forum for input. That might help you decide. Otherwise most of the advice for the two isn't contradictory, so read both and let them influence your decisions. (I'm right on the cusp I think between IT and slender hourglass, but I don't spend a lot of time worrying about which one I am, I just read both of Angie's posts with interest!)

Chrissie

Thanks for making me realize that! I'll just go try on what is recommended for both types and see what flaters my shape the most! Thanks

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Chrissie, I found an a-line skirt that flares out from the waistband is terrible on me, precicesly because it accentuates that high hip. To make matters worse, it also does not come back in to show where my shape is smaller, so the eye imagines more 'meat' under there than is.
Put a tapered tube skirt on me, and it's all better.
That's how I knew I skewed to the 8 tendency, even though I am also a mix.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I can never figure out what body type I am. I just wear what I like. If that helps.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I also see X type. I like Anne's suggestion of emailing Imogen.

Lumi

I would say that u are the 8 shape. Because ur widest point is ur high hip, compared to the lower hip

star02

I see an 8 shape