Dressing for Your Body Shape: Pear

As we have learned, the Pear body shape is characterized by a narrower upper body and a fuller lower body.  There are numerous ways to accentuate the positives of this particular shape while still flattering the “less favored” features.

• The overall goal for a pear-shaped figure is to lengthen your body visually to balance out the wider portion, the hip area. The easiest way to create this balance is to accentuate the slenderest portions above the waist.

• Color – Wearing your darker colors on the bottom half will help slenderize as well as minimize the visual attention. Conversely, a patterned or colorful blouse on the top will help draw attention upwards.  With this much creativity available on the top half, make sure to play it up.  Try a seasonal trend to really make it pop, or layer to add balancing volume.

• Shapes – Wearing an A-line skirt is a perfect way to camouflage the wider portion, and choosing flared slacks and jeans also draws the eye away from the hip area. Off-the-shoulder and boat-neck tops or a deeper neckline also help draw attention to the slender portions as well as lengthen the upper body.  The perfect dress for the pear shape is what I call the ‘Donna Reed’ dress, fitted on top to the waist with a flowing A-line skirt.

• Accessories – Wearing an eye-catching statement necklace or a flowy scarf definitely draws the attention up rather than down. You can also accentuate your slender waist with a narrow belt.  Regarding shoes, heels are the best bet to lengthen the body and slim the legs.

Just remember, there are no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ body shapes, we are all built as we should be!  And there are ways to flatter every body shape and every body size!