How to Style Your 8-Shaped Body (Hourglass Shape)
In the world of fashion design, the hourglass shape is considered the “ideal” body shape. This body shape is considered “perfect” when: the shoulders and hips are the same width, the breasts are well-defined, the waist is pronounced (even with a slight tummy), and the hips are defined and rounded.
What kinds of clothes suit the hourglass body type?
This type of body looks good in clothes that follow the body’s contours and emphasize the waist. It’s a good idea to choose materials that drape nicely, such as lightweight or medium-thickness fabrics. These include viscose, chiffon, silk, and georgette weaving.
Most clothing combinations work well for this body type.
Skirts
Although the 8-shaped body is considered to have ideal proportions, that doesn’t mean that every skirt model looks good on them. Try to emphasize the waist and have the skirt follow the body’s shape to highlight the beautiful proportions.
The classic pencil skirt is the perfect choice for this body shape. It is suitable for any occasion, whether for work or formal events.
Midi Pencil Skirt is available on amazon.com (S to 3XL)
If you want the skirt to have pleats or darts, we recommend to keep them at knee height or lower. Try to avoid darts and any significant pleats at hip level on the skirt because it will make the widest part look even wider.
This kind of skirt is best complemented with details like buttons, belt decorations, or uniquely weaved materials.
If you have a slight tummy, you can easily conceal it pleats or very subtle folds below the waist.
Pants
High-waist pants are a great choice, as well as a waist that will additionally emphasize the waist. Well-tailored pants with minimal pleats and details around the hip area will complement this body shape.
Cigarette Cut Pants are available on amazon.com (XS to 2XL)
The choice of pants depends on the shape of the legs. A flat cut goes well with ballet flats, and boot cuts are perfect for fuller legs, because they make the legs look longer when combined with high heels.
Dresses
Make sure to adapt the neckline to the shape of your face, not your body, because symmetrical shapes look as good as asymmetrical ones. We recommend a belt on the waist for slim women, to emphasize it.
Black Dress is available in different colors on amazon.com (S to XL)
Generally, women with this body shape can wear almost anything. Our only recommendation goes out to more prominent ladies: avoid bigger pleats and ruffles around the hips and breasts . On the other hand, subtle pleats “camouflage” any extra weight or a slight tummy.
Blazers
Both slimmer and more prominent-built ladies are characterized by an emphasized waist, so we recommend that you don’t try to hide it with a large blazer. Ideally, the blazer’s length should be above the widest part of your hips to avoid making them look wider.
Large lapels visually widen the upper part, and double-breasted fastening visually widens the entire figure.
Grey Blazer is available in different colors on amazon.com (S to 2XL)
If you feel uncomfortable spending the day in a buttoned blazer or if you wear it unbuttoned to visually elongate your figure, avoid double-breasted blazers.
In this case, it is best to avoid: anything that doesn’t follow the body contour, that is made from materials that don’t drape nicely, or that isn’t well-tailored. Any attempt to hide the body’s shape or layer clothing visually adds a few kilograms.
*Our point of view:
Since the beginning of mankind and clothes, we as humans have always tried to play with them and adapt them to our ideas of beauty. Fashion is ever-changing and cyclically moving. For example, pear shape was the symbol of beauty during the Renaissance, while the so-called “princess waist” was the symbol of the 19th century (think Bridgerton). This silhouette could complement both pear and apple shapes. In the 1960’s, on the other hand, H-shape was considered very interesting, thanks to Twiggy.
Today’s trends and business etiquette say that hourglass is the most balanced figure. This is by no means a rule, but it is a popular belief that the closer we are visually to this body shape, we will feel and look more confident.
All of the advice below are only recommendations that can bring you closer to the “ideal”; however, if something feels good, we should wear it, regardless of what is recommended by anyone.
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