Body Shape Tip Sheet

Pear shape

The Style Guide

The Pear Shaped Body

If you have full hips or thighs and wear a smaller top size than your bottom size you are probably a pear shape. Often if the hips

of a skirt or trousers fit you the waist is too big.

While you may have to resort to getting garments altered in some cases there are some tricks you can use to balance out

your shape:

• Wear stripes in a top but not across your hips

• Choose darker colours for your bottom half and lighter or brighter tops

• Choose A-line skirts and dresses that show off your waist but flare out over wider hips or thighs

• Choose wide leg or straight trousers

• Avoid low slung belts or any details on the hips

• A trench is the perfect shape for you, with a small bust you can wear a double breasted style and shoulder details balance out the hips

• Choose jackets with wider lapels or shoulder details and stiffer fabrics like leather work better than a soft or floppy fabric

• Wear softer fabrics for skirts

• Finish tops and jackets above or below your widest part.

• Wear knits with a dropped shoulder.

Outfits to Suit Your ShapeWhy this works – Trousers with a straight or wide leg balance out

the shoulder and hip area. Brighter colours on top draw the eye

up. If you add a bright bag make sure it sits under the arm or is

held down by your lower leg – avoid one that sits on the hip as

that will draw attention to the area you want to conceal.

Choose straight or boot cut jeans and layer the top half of your

body. Pick a dark rinse pair of jeans and avoid any fading or

detailing on the hip or thigh area. Chunky knits work well if you

have small shoulders and bust. The lapels on the knit jacket give

the illusion of width and the necklace brings the eye up.

Outfits to Suit Your ShapeWhy this works – Choose softer fabrics for your bottom half and

A-line, flared or wider pleats that flow over the hips. Avoid Tulip

and tight pencil skirts. Layer a cardigan over a camisole and a

jacket over both. The busy pattern on the floral skirt will hide any

lumps and bumps.

For dresses choose shapes that show off your waist but as with

skirts have an A-line or flared skirt. Wear a lighter coloured or

detailed jacket to draw the eye away from your hip and make

sure the jacket doesn’t end at your widest point.

Pieces to Suit Your Shape