Last updated on September 12th, 2025 at 04:19 pm
Table Of Contents:
The Hourglass Body Shape Characteristics
In Between Body Shapes
- You can have 2 body shapes. In this case, consider guidelines for both body shapes when you get dressed.
- Hips slightly wider than your shoulders, make you a bottom hourglass.
You need to consider pear shape styling guidelines when you dress your lower body.
- If the opposite is true, and your shoulders are slightly wider than your hips you are a top hourglass.
Consider the inverted triangle shape guidelines to dress for the upper body.
- If your waist is not very defined while your hips and shoulders have the same width, you are slightly rectanglar.
The guidelines for both body shapes are similar. Dress normally.
Black Women With Hourglass Body Shape
Follow these women for inspiration on how to dress and see how outfits look on this body shape.
You can click each image to go to their respective Instagram profile.
I also made 3 part videos with all the black women with the hourglass body shape. Watch now.
Hourglass Body – Fashion Strategy
The hourglass body already has a balanced silhouette with a defined waist.
To best dress this shape, you can:Leave the upper and lower body untouched but instead belt the waistline to mark it.
- If you add volume on the upper body then you need to match the volume at the legs.
- This is strategizing with fashion to emphasize the defined silhouette, and has worked for many women for decades.
- You can try it first to see if you like it.
These are only suggestions on how to dress and not inflexible guidelines.
Tops for The Hourglass Body Shape
Role of Tops in your Closet: Tops emphasize the curves of your silhouette.
Feel: The right top will maintain the upper and lower body balance.
Tops should either draw the eye away from the shoulders and hips or highlight them both simultaneously.
What to Look for in tops? Look for tops that draw attention to the waist
Tops – How To Focus on The Waistline
– Tops should be tight-fitted at the waist and bust.
Avoid straight cuts and shapeless styles unless they can be belted.
– Mark the smallest area of your abdomen with accessories and styling.
It emphasizes the curves at the waist and hip.
Buy waist-tie tops. They are specifically constructed to create a more defined waist.
– Belt your clothes at the natural waist on top of your garments.
A big dark belt helps bring attention to the waistline.
Alternatively, a darker colour or texture around the waist has the same effect.
– Simple designs with no embellishments (except at the waist) work best and don’t distract from the curvy silhouette.
Tops – You Should Maintain the Body Proportions
– Don’t add volume to the upper body.
If you do, mirror the volume at the lower body.
– Fitted and skin-tight sleeves avoid adding any volume to your shoulders or around the hips.
If you choose to wear wide sleeves that emphasize the shoulders or arms, balance the added volume.
Peplum is an example of a top that simultaneously adds volume to the shoulders and hips.
– The neckline should be simple without embellishments and details like collars or shoulder pads.
That would add volume to your upper body and unbalance the silhouette.
V -necklines do this and naturally elongate the body.
Find the video resume below of the best tops for you with photos.
Coats/Jackets for The Hourglass Body Shape
Role of Coats/Jackets in your Closet: Coats/Jackets are used to create structure and emphasize your shape.
Feel: The right coats/jackets have structured lines that make you look longer.
What to Look for in Coats/Jackets? Look for coats/jackets that emphasize the waist.
Coats/Jackets – Should Be Fitted with Simple Designs That Focus on the Waistline
– The length of your coat/jacket depends on which body part you want to highlight.
Crop style accentuates your waist. Long (knee to calf) elongate the legs.
Short jackets that end at the waist or hipline emphasize the hip.
You have a lot to choose from, but the best coats accentuate the waistline.
– Shop for coats/jackets that are fitted and accentuate the waist.
Belted and wrap jackets are examples.
The ones that flare at the waist – A-line, princess cut styles, and trench – flatter your natural silhouette.
– Avoid straight-cut styles and loose fits unless they can be belted.
Find single-breasted styles because they avoid adding more volume to the upper body.
– Simple designs above the waist are a better fit.
Embellishments like collars would make you appear heavy on top and unbalance your proportions.
– If you choose to wear coats/jackets with embellishments, balance the top with volume to the lower body.
Flare coats are an example of how to do this.
Bottoms for The Hourglass Body Shape
Role of Bottoms in your Closet: Bottoms mirror the proportions of your top.
Feel: The right bottom styles for the hourglass accentuate the waistline and your natural curves.
What to Look for in Bottoms? Look for bottoms with simple designs that elongate the legs.
Best Jeans/Trousers
– Most styles are flattering as long as they match the proportions of your top.
– High or mid-waisted are the best rises.
They accentuate the waistline and elongate the legs.
Belted styles further enhance the waist.
– Skinny jeans and skin-tight fits show off your natural curves.
– For wide-leg styles, you want your jeans to go straight down from the widest part of your hips or flare at the bottom.
It adds width to your lower half and balances any volume added to the shoulders.
– Avoid low-waist jeans/trousers that make your hips wider and legs shorter.
Embellishments like pleats widen the hipline and should be avoided as well.
Simple styles maintain the proportions balanced.
Best Skirts:
– Skirts should accentuate the waist without adding too much volume at the bottom.
Tight-fit skirts show off your natural curves and maintain balanced proportions.
Pencil-skirt is an example.
– Skirts that flow away from the body also work.
A-line and full skirts make the waistline look even smaller.
Avoid straight cuts as well as stiff fabrics.
– Mid (knee) and maxi (calf) lengths flatter this body shape.
These skirts will hug the hips and naturally elongate the legs.
– High or mid-waisted are the best rises.
They accentuate the waistline. Belted styles further enhance the waist.
Low-waist skirts, just like low-waisted jeans, widen the hips and make legs shorter should be avoided.
– Embellishments like pleats widen the hipline and should be avoided as well unless you balance them with details around the chest. Simple styles maintain the proportions balanced.
Best Shorts
– The best short styles for the hourglass body are high-waisted and belted.
– Wide-leg shorts should define the waist and flare from the hip down.
This elongates the legs and highlights the waistline.
A slim fit shows off your curves.
– Avoid straight-cuts. Details, like ruches and drawings, should be avoided as they unbalance your figure.
Simple styles maintain the proportions balanced.
Find the video resume below of the best bottoms for you with photos.
One-Piece Outfits for The Hourglass Body Shape
Role of One-Piece Outfits in your Closet: One-piece outfits have the combined roles of tops and bottoms.
Dresses have the combined role of tops and skirts.
Jumpsuits have the combined roles of tops and jeans/trousers.
Playsuits have the combined roles of tops and shorts.
Feel: The right one-piece outfit should focus on the waist without adding extra volume to the upper body and hug your bust, waist, and hip area.
What to Look for in one-piece outfits? Look for one-piece outfits that are fitted and maintain balanced body proportions.
Best One-Piece Outfits
– A fitted one-piece outfit is the most flattering.
Wrap, Fit-and-flare and peplum are examples of dresses that highlight the waist and flow from your hips effortlessly, making the waistline look even smaller.
– Belted jumpsuits and playsuits that flare from the hip are the best to accentuate the natural body line.
– Add volume both to the bust and hip to appear even curvier and balance body proportions.
Alternatively, if you want to minimise your curves, use dresses in darker colours.
– Avoid straight-cuts that cover your curves.
A simple style is best since embellishments would unbalance the body.
Mid (knee) and maxi (calf) lengths flatter this body shape.
Find the video resume below of the best one-piece outfits for you with photos.
Outfit Ideas
What’s Next?
Now that you know the theory behind dressing better, it’s time to experiment with fashion.
This does not mean you have to go shopping for new clothes.
You should instead, take the clothes you have in your closet and adjust them to your body shape.
Belts, fitted shirts, slim-fit or wide-leg jeans/trousers are great cheap ways to get started that show you instant results.
There is no point in spending money before trying as much as you can and figuring out your new style.
Mixing and matching clothes according to the instructions in this guide is also a great way to start.
You can build your closet as you evolve on this fashion journey.
Remember that a learning curve is required, but practice makes perfect.
Don’t be discouraged and remember that if the clothes don’t look good, the problem lies with the clothes, not with you!
Change clothes or adjust them to your shape and try again.
You can look beautiful and confident with the outfit of your choice regardless of your body shape!
Find the video resume below of the main guidelines for you with photos.
I have seen the results of dressing for my body shape.
Not only my style but also my confidence improved.
I was no longer self-conscious or tried to cover my body.
Instead, I understood how to make the best of my features and use them in my favour to feel and look beautiful.
You too will see the results!
Thank you for reading this guide.
I sincerely hope it was helpful to you.
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Style Guides
The rectangle body already has a balanced silhouette. But it is flat with no curves. For this reason, you should focus on the waistline and create the illusion of curves there.
The hips are the widest part of the pear body. As we try to balance your proportions, the tendency is to narrow the hips and accentuate the upper body.
The waist is the widest part of the apple body. As we try to balance your proportions, the tendency is to narrow the waistline and create curves to the hips and butt.
The shoulders are the widest part of the inverted triangle body. As we try to balance your proportions,
the tendency is to narrow the shoulders and add volume to the lower body.
The hourglass body already has a balanced silhouette with a defined waist. To best dress this shape, you can leave the upper and lower body untouched and instead belt the waistline.