In our society, we all embrace the hourglass shape as the ideal female body form – full bust, small waist, and a curvy hip.  Basically, we’re idolizing Beyonce Knowles and Salma Hayek.  But exactly how many of us have that type of body?  Unfortunately not too many, I have to say.

Beyonce Knowles (left) and Salma Hayek (right) are the classic examples of having the perfect hourglass figures.

So, if you don’t have the right assets, does it mean you cannot achieve the ultimate female body form?  Absolutely not.  You just need to know a few tricks to balance your body and you will look fabulous and sexy in any outfit that you wear.  You do not need to be a size 2 to look smoking hot.  It all comes down to how you wear your clothes and the confidence that comes with it.

Flatter Your Body Shape is a series discussing ways to enhance your body type.  Each post will talk about one specific body shape and how you can flatter your figures by using some simple tricks.

The pear shape is the most popular body type in America – smaller bust in comparison to your hip.  In order to balance out your lower half, you need to increase your bust.  This doesn’t mean you have to make an appointment with a plastic surgeon to make it happen.  There are ways to enhance your bust without making physical changes to your body.

Kelly Clarkson (left) and Alicia Keys (right) are embracing their pear shape bodies.

Yesterday I had a fitting with a model for an upcoming photo shoot.  She has a smaller chest but a fuller hip – the classic pear shape.  When I told her that it will look better if we enhance her bust by stuffing, she gave me a funny look and thought I was crazy especially the part where I said that we can use paper towels to do the trick.  But once we tried it, she was surprised how natural it looked by simply using paper towels!

You can purchase gel inserts at the stores like Target or Nordstrom but you can always use paper towels or cotton clothes.  Just mold them into the right shapes so they will sit right on the sides inside your bras so they will push your breasts towards the center.  Don’t put them directly in the front of your breasts or directly underneath.  They should sit on the sides.  The shape should resemble a large curved flower petal and not like a tennis ball.  The thickness of the shape depends on how much you need to enhance.  Ideally, you can get to a C cup and still look natural.  Try it next time in front of the mirror while wearing your favorite outfit until the final result looks right.

Left:  Beautiful You Breast Enhancers at Target $12.99

Right:  Push Up Gel Pads at Nordstrom $38

Another option is to wear clothes that have more details at the chest and neckline area.  Ruffles, bows, flowers, and beadings create interests and the illusion that your bust is larger.  So do deep scoop, V-neck, and halter necklines.  Empire top is also a very figure flattering silhouette.  If you cover up too much of your chest, it will only make it more noticeable that your bust is small.  A little cleavage goes a long way.

Try these tops.  Left:  DVF Ruffle Top, ShopBop.com; right:  Free People Empire V Top, ShopBop.com, $88

Because your hip is wider than your bust, one common mistake that women make is to wear tightly fitted bottoms.  Avoid skirts, shorts, pants, and jeans that are clingy and tight.  They will only exaggerate the broadness of your hip.  Your best friends should be straight leg and boot cut pants and jeans as well as full and A-line skirts.  You may wear skinny jeans and pencil skirts if you can wear tops or add gel inserts that will enhance your bust so you’re drawing everyone’s eyes towards the top and deemphasize your bottom.

Left: Beaded scoop neckline along with a flowy full skirt is the best combination for your pear shape - 3.1 Phillip Lim Spring 2010.

Right:  Pencil skirt works if you are wearing a fuller top.  In this case, America Ferrera is doing everything right by wearing a dress with full circle sleeves so they draw your eyes upward and offset her bottom half.  The V-neckline and empire waist elongate her body and makes her bust look fuller and more feminine.  She looks absolutely stunning!

Color is another very important factor when it comes to flattering your pear figure.  Darker shades do make your body look more slimming but if you wear one dark shade, like black, head to toe, it actually makes you look dull.  Instead, you should try wearing a lighter color top and a darker color bottom to create the best combination.  So, if you are wearing a LBD (little black dress,) you can wear a light blue jacket or cardigan to contrast.  The black skirt will slim your bottom half while the light blue jacket or cardigan diverges your audience’s eyes to the top especially if you pair your outfit with a fun statement necklace.  Sneaky, isn’t it?

Pair a little black dress with a light color jacket so your audience’s eyes will go upward while the darker color skirt slims your hip.

To further create an hourglass figure, add a 1.5” – 2” belt at the waist whenever possible.  Your belt will create a nice horizontal line and make your waist look smaller. The best way to do this is to create a color contrast.  So, if you are wearing a light color top, try pairing that with a darker shade belt and vice versa.  Not only are belts useful to flatter your figure, they are a low budget way to spice up your wardrobe.  Belts are no longer just functional like they used to be, but they are accessories like your jewelries now.  You can get multiple styles and colors to match your outfits.  You can belt your tunics, button down shirts, dresses, and even jackets and sweaters!

Use a 1.5″ or 2″ belt contrasting belt to create the perfect hourglass figure – Crinkle shirtdress, Banana Republic.

Tags: 3.1 Phillip Lim, Alicia Keys, America Ferrera, Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Clarkson, Salma Hayek

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