I’ve had quite a few queries about pencil skirts and pear shapes so wanted to address that. I love this awesome pencil skirt and it’s definitely something that I might wear and I’m a pear shape. But then not all pear shapes are created equal. Technically I am a pear shape in that I’m bigger on the bottom BUT the majority of weight is around my hips and if I gain weight it goes to my inner thighs and hips. For me a pencil skirt is a good way to disguise my thighs but make use of the curves of my hips and bottom.
If you are a true pear shape in that your widest part is around the outside of your thighs a pencil skirt will not work for you. A pencil skirt highlights the curves of the thigh and in the case of the true pear it’s a question of getting your thighs back into proportion with the rest of your slender frame. A minimizing strategy is a far better option.
So … who does suit a pencil skirt? If you have a big bootie – think J Lo or Kim Kardashian – then the pencil skirt is ideal for you. Anyone with an hourglass frame it will play up your figure. If you’re extra curvy definitely try a pencil skirt, or the close cousins the straight or fluted skirt, to play up those curves. If you’re slender a pencil skirt will work to make the most of the curves you have.
AVOID – if you’re pear shaped. Also avoid if you have extra in the middle as you need to offset that extra on the lower half and a pencil skirt won’t help. The same applies if you’re bigger on top. You both need to add volume to your lower half and this isn’t the best option.
Good shopping,
LISA
Comments (0) Posted on Wednesday, August 27th, 2008
I spend a lot of time talking about the pear shape, mostly because it’s the most talked about and most recognizable shape. But the more research I do the more I realize that it’s really impossible to define body shapes that accurately. For instance lets examine the pear shape. The standard definition of a pear is that your bottom half measured around the hips is larger than your shoulders by more than 5%. That seems fairly straight forward. But all pears are not created equal. Lets really examine this.
Some of you will have heard of Kim Kardashian who appears to have become famous by being rich and beautiful and having a big butt. Saving any discussion on good taste lets look at this famous butt. Baby’s got back or junk in her trunk or a big ole bubble butt which basically means that her bottom is round and full and the rest of her body is slender by comparison. Women with this shape tend to accumulate weight on their bottoms. There’s no doubt this shape is bigger on the bottom hence, by our definition a pear shape.
But that is only part of the story. Other women are bigger in other places. For example Jennifer Hudson is wider around her hips and her bottom is quite flat. Women with this shape, me included, tend to have bigger thighs and a little something extra around the waist. When they gain weight it’s stored on their hips and belly – the spare tire – and their inner thighs. This shape is particularly susceptible to the ‘muffin-top’ look. Whether or not they fall into the pear shape category will largely depend on the size of their upper bodies. Jennifer has slender shoulders so would be a pear shape on measurement but the fact that she’s quite busty offsets that by creating the hourglass look.
But wait there’s more. Some women are wider around the top of their thighs and when they gain weight it is stored on the outside of the thighs first. ‘Saddlebags’ is the term and from this photo of Jennifer Love Hewitt, a size 4 on a bad day, it’s easy to see it’s a specific shape rather than a lack of diet and exercise. Women with saddlebags tend to have flatter stomachs and smaller top halves. This is the actual pear shape for which the term was created.
Each of these women will face different issues. Those shaped like Kim Kardashian will look more proportionate from the front while from the rear it’s a different story, for which a lot of men are profoundly grateful. Kim’s best strategy will always be to play up her bottom half – it’s there, it’s not going away, work with it.
A pear shape by contrast will always be better off playing up her top half to bring more proportion to her look – a small slip and you’re a caricature rather than overtly feminine.
And someone like Jennifer Hudson, who has the goods on top as well, is going to be better off playing up her waist to even out her whole torso.
The purpose of this post is to illustrate the differences in our bodies even within the same basic category. Trinny and Susannah in their book The Body Shape Bible address this issue by identifying 12 different body types. Kim Kardashian would be a vase, Jennifer Hudson a cello and Jennifer Love Hewitt a pear. Then there’s the skittle which I haven’t even talked about but is those with wide hips and big thighs like Jennifer Hudson paired with a small top half. It’s great to have so many different categories but it all still seems very confusing.
FOCUS ON YOUR OWN…ISSUES
No one is going to fit exactly into one category no matter how many you break it into. It’s a much better idea to examine your own shape to find out what you think of your body. You will feel differently about different areas that another woman of a similar shape. When you know what you want to achieve then look for tips on how to do that. For instance you may be bigger on the bottom and want to minimize your bottom, accentuate your waist and add volume to your top half. Someone else who is the same shape may want to maximize their bottom and add volume to their top half. And this is before the issue of height has even been added to the mix.
Notice I don’t mention weight: Shape is consistent. If you are a size 4 pear shape like Jennifer Love Hewitt you can gain a hundred pounds and you’ll still be a pear shape and the same shape clothes in bigger sizes will still work for or against you.
When I talk about a pear shape I mean someone with ’saddlebags’. When I talk about bigger on the bottom I mean exactly that – it may apply any shape that fits into that criteria, even a pear. I am going to reorganize the categories on this site along those lines so any feedback you give me will be greatly appreciated.
My advice is to look at all categories that might have any application for you. Then trust your own judgement and pick and choose what works for you.
Jennifer Love Hewitt in a casual yet feminine outfit on the 4th of July. The wide legged jeans are baggy and do a good job of distracting from the width of her hips and any saddlebags while the extra length covers her heels and makes her legs appear longer than they really are. The tiered top is ultra feminine, which perfectly reflects Jennifer’s style and it resists crossing over into girly territory with it’s simpleness. With a u shape neckline it opens up her chest drawing attention to her face which is great for Jennifer as shes quite .. um stacked. The sleeveless top keeps the eye very much centered on her top half.
On the downside this outfit could easily cross the line into frumpy without the right hair, jewellrey and makeup, or flat shoes with those ultra baggy pants. The layers could easily overwhelm such a small frame. but the length on the pants, combined with the heels gives Jennifer the extra height to make here whole body look longer.
This is a great casual outfit but could easily be turned into something a little more dressy with a different top and shoes.
Slender shoulders a small waist and big ole hips – ah the classic pear shape. The majority of women are pear shaped, and the majority of those who are have found many a reason to curse and cry over that fact, usually following a frustrating attempt to find clothes that fit. But, truly the pear shaped women is feminine and sensual and beautiful. You just need to put a little more thought and planning into your wardrobe because there’s nothing ‘off the rack’ about you. Its a question of celebrating your curves and playing them up to their graceful best. Here are some tips to do just that:
Proportion is all important – widen your shoulders and draw attention to your upper body to offset your kick ass curves.
Avoid covering your bottom with longer-line tops and jackets as you’ll just end up drawing attention to the area you’re trying to hide. As with anything the best way to disguise it is to put it on show and draw the attention elsewhere.
A push up bra is your best friend. Balance out your curvy hips with your curvy top.
A halterneck dress or top will widen your shoulders and broaden your top half.
A wrap dress was just made for you. The v-neck will lengthen your top and draw attention to your breasts whilst the belt defines your waist and the adjustable skirt will flow over your hips. Perfect!
A strapless dress in an A-line shape is also a great option for you, broadening your top half and evening out your hips.
Look for stiffer fabrics in your dresses, like crisp cotton or chiffon. They will add a structure.
Stay away from any horizontal detailing like ruching or stripes on your waist on lower half. Horizontal stripes on the top half will widen your top.
A-line skirts in stiffer fabrics, such as denim or thick cotton will offset the width of your hips, as will a skirt with a bit of volume to it.
Hem lines should hit just below the knee to show off ankles and calves.
Opt for asymetrical or handkerchief hems to take the focus away from your hips.
Avoid clingy fabrics like jersey and bias cut clothing. Just plain avoid anything that is going to cling to your hips and thighs.
Avoid clingy tops and t-shirts, or cropped tops. They make your top look smaller and that will just focus every ones attention on your hips.
Choose three quarter sleeves to draw attention to your waist.
Choose wide-collared shirts or capped sleeves to widen your shoulders as well. Strapless or halter tops are also good options.
Because your hips are wide this will correspondingly make you look shorter. Avoid cropped or capri pants as they will make you look even shorter.
Skinny or straight leg pants will emphasize your hips and make them look broader.
Opt for straight or wide legged pants that just skim the curves of your hips before falling straight down. It will make you look taller and your hips narrower.
If you wear your waistband on the widest part of your hips you will appear even hippier. Opt for a waistbands a little higher. Get your trousers tailored if necessary to fit.
Pleats in pants or skirts will add volume to your hips.
Jeans and trousers should fall to the floor when you are standing in bare feet. Wear them with heels and you instantly gain a few added inches in height, again narrowing your hips.
Select jackets that have structures shoulders, wide lapels and a definite waist. You need the added oomph on your top half to offset your hips.
Jackets should end at the top of your hips – the narrowest part.
Stay away from loose, long line jackets. They make you look bigger.
Choose pointy heeled shoes to make you seem taller. Avoid ankle straps as it will make you look shorter.
A bag that sits on your hip will draw attention to your hips.
Jewellery should be on your top half, such as great chandelier earrings that highlight your slender neck.
A tightly belted waist will make your hips look bigger.
Susana Monaco skirt – $47.40 from JBandme.com
