If you have an hourglass body shape, you are blessed with generous curves and a slender waist. Even though these are the most coveted features by every woman, they can make it a challenge for you to find the right casual styles. The main reason is that casual clothes tend to be loose, which makes you look bulky because of your curves.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know about how to dress your body shape and the best casual styles for the hourglass.
TOPS
V-Neck Shirts
Every hourglass-shaped woman out there should stock up on different colors of V-neck shirts in their wardrobe because this casualwear basic can go with a vast variety of ensembles you can think of! Not only are they versatile, but V-neck shirts are also extremely flattering on your hourglass body shape.
The V-shaped neckline opens up enough space on your upper half to showcase your gorgeous decolletage, and if you opt to go for a more plunging cut, you can also show off your shapely cleavage. This visual effect allows you to fully maximize the appearance of your best features without overwhelming your frame.
Pair them with jeans or layer them with denim jackets and you can surely rock any casual look while showcasing your best features!
Fitted Halter Tops
Hourglass body shapes typically have beautiful shoulders that are slightly sloped on the edges, and if you want to highlight this part of your hourglass figure, the best way to show them off is through fitted halter tops. Halter tops feature a strap that wraps around the neck, which also means that they can offer superior support to your fuller breasts.
Since they fit closely to your body, fitted halter tops can effectively highlight your hourglass curves the natural way. The form-fitting fabric will just flawlessly conform to your figure so you can also showcase your narrow waist as it becomes snugly cinched.
Off-the-shoulder Tops
Open necklines are generally very flattering on hourglass body shapes, and if you feel like you are ready to take this “openness” to the next level, go all-out and showcase your entire shoulder line and decolletage with off-the-shoulder tops. The way this particular style of top exposes a generous portion of your upper half creates a visually appealing and balanced frame for your shape.
Also, the exposed shoulders can slightly add some visual width to your upper body and this can be particularly helpful if you’re wearing bottoms that are slightly voluminous such as wide-leg pants or flared skirts. If you go for off-the-shoulder tops that feature seams or darts right at the waist, you can also fully enhance the distinct definition of your waistline.
Tops with Vertical Prints
You may feel like vertical prints may downplay the curves of your hourglass frame but fret not because they can actually do an exceptional job in evenly distributing the attention within your upper body. Vertical prints such as pinstripes can efficiently draw the eyes up and down to give your frame a sense of length and leanness.
By giving your hourglass frame a clear sense of verticality, you create a continuous flow within your overall frame which accentuates the symmetry between your upper and lower body. When choosing vertical designs and prints for your tops, go for those that are more muted rather than those in larger scales because this way, you can maximize its visual benefits without overpowering your hourglass figure.
SWEATERS
Plunging V-neck
There are too many versatile styling options with plunging V-Neck sweaters as you can wear one by itself or layer it on other casual pieces. However you choose to style this, the bottom line is how amazingly flattering this plunging V-neckline is for your curvaceously defined hourglass body shape.
We have already briefly discussed how V necklines can be beneficial for your frame style-wise. Its flattering visual effect can be further enhanced if you have the neckline dip a little lower, revealing more of your decolletage and the well-shaped top part of your breasts.
Soft Knit Wrap
Soft knits are not just superbly cozy, but they are also form-fitting. Wrap-style sweaters in soft knit fabric gently follow the natural contours of your hourglass frame, further enhancing the symmetrical proportions of your body shape.
Wrap sweaters feature an adjustable waist tie that effectively tightens at the waist to give you a more distinct definition. This waist cinch will draw attention to this narrow part of your body to keep your overall figure very well balanced.
Form-fitting Knits
Hourglass figures take pride in their well-defined curves, most particularly the bust, waist, and hips. To fully enhance these best features, wearing form-fitting knit sweaters will allow the garment to hug your body and accentuate these curves to highlight the natural proportions of your hourglass shape.
The snug fit of the knit sweater alone sculpts your natural curves in a subtle way, as there is no need for additional details like ties, belts, or buttons just to achieve this body-conforming effect. Form-fitting sweaters will significantly flaunt the balanced proportions you have and accentuate your most attractive features.
Cable Knit Sweater
Cable knit sweaters never go out of style and this classic design also makes a great casual wear piece to accompany your hourglass body shape. They feature intricate patterns and textured designs that make the sweater more interesting, while also drawing attention to your upper body.
As it shifts the focus to your prominent upper body, your full bust and well-defined waist can both be visibly highlighted for you to achieve flattering proportions. It’s also quite typical for cable knit sweaters to have a ribbed or cinched waistband, which effectively helps define and accentuate your curvy, natural waistline.
JEANS
High-rise
High-rise jeans accentuate your well-defined waistline by giving it a snug fit. The higher waistband sits slightly above your natural waistline, which is the narrowest part of your midsection, to create a clear and symmetrical division between your curvaceous upper and lower body.
In addition to this, high-rise jeans can also give generous coverage for your hips and rear without too much squeezing or causing discomfort. They also elongate the legs to give you a taller appearance and therefore give more room to your hourglass curves.
Even hourglass-shaped women can be prone to a muffin top, but with the help of high-rise jeans, you can prevent this. It is because they offer excellent tummy control to create a streamlined look by smoothing out the midsection.
Bootcut
Bootcut jeans feature a slight flare from the knee to the hem which effortlessly balances out the curves of your hips and thighs. This gentle widening at the bottom of the jeans brings your hourglass body figure a sense of proportion, while also complementing the curves of your figure without overwhelming your prominent features.
In terms of styling, bootcut jeans are perfect in heels and even minimalistic trainers. They are also incredibly versatile so you can definitely match them with blouses and shirts for a classy, laid-back vibe.
Flared
Flared jeans have the same visual effect as bootcut jeans, with the only difference being that flared jeans flare out more dramatically in comparison to bootcut. Basically, if you are looking to put together a retro ensemble, you should definitely go for flared jeans.
Flared jeans flatter hourglass body shapes in a way that the leg shape enhances your natural curves even further for a more balanced silhouette. In this particular structure, in which the leg pants significantly widen out, you are also creating a sense of elongation to make your legs appear longer than they already are.
Straight-leg
The consistent, straight cut of these jeans can provide a nicely balanced and flattering look. This features an even, straight cut from the hips to the ankles to maintain the natural proportions of your figure, neither emphasizing nor hiding your natural features and curves.
Another good thing about straight-leg jeans is their well-defined waist while offering a more cohesive outfit or look. Additionally, straight-leg jeans are versatile and you can absolutely style them in many different ways, making them a practical choice for your casual engagements.
DRESSES
Linen A-Line
The timeless A-Line dress will always be an hourglass body shape’s ever-trusted best friend. The A-Line silhouette features a very simple and straightforward silhouette that features a fitted bodice, a waist cinch, and a softly flared skirt, which all work together to give your hourglass frame flattering proportions.
A-line dresses are also considered more forgiving and flattering on your curves because they give just the right amount of space for the hips and bust while still maintaining a defined waistline. Because of its wider fit, there is no additional visual weight to worry about and you can enjoy your streamlined and well-defined silhouette.
Knitted Bodycon
I usually don’t recommend bodycon dresses because of how unforgiving they can be when it comes to their fit. However, they can be especially advantageous for hourglass body shapes because of the way they cling closely to your figure, therefore sculpting every flattering feature and contour on your voluptuous body shape.
In addition to its form-fitting structure, the stretchy and comfortable knitted fabric material used in these types of dresses subtly provides a snug fit without restricting your movements. The texture of the knit can also help smooth out any possible imperfection in order for you to achieve a polished look.
Belted
Cinching your waist is very important for your hourglass figure, as this is one very effective way to showcase your feminine curves and balance out the proportions of your overall figure. The key here is to carefully choose a belted dress by considering the thickness of the belt included with the dress.
Ideally, the belt should not go any wider than 2 inches because this width is enough to create an obvious divide between your upper and lower body. If you go too thin or too thick, you might end up disrupting the unbroken visual line that draws the symmetry in your figure, and that’s the last thing you’ll ever want for your perfectly balanced silhouette.
JACKETS
Structured Denim
Denim jackets made from structured fabrics can also be a casualwear essential for hourglass body shapes! This particular firm fabric structure, as well as the jacket’s tailored design, can naturally trace your shoulder line, enhance your full bust, and nip in your exquisitely defined waist.
Despite its firm shape, structured denim jackets won’t overpower your hourglass body’s best features as long as you layer them right. Also, the structured shoulders and defined lines of this particular denim jacket offer extensive versatility so pairing them with your favorite style ensembles should be effortless!
Belted
Just like all the belted casual pieces I have included and discussed in this casual clothing guide, going for garments that feature a belt is your instant way to achieve a more balanced silhouette. Jackets tend to be bulky by nature, but by securing your defined waistline with a belt, you’ll get a more put-together look without worries about additional bulk.
Single-Breasted
The structured nature of a single-breasted blazer considerably provides a tailored and fitted look that accentuates the exceptional curve on your waist. Apart from this, the blazer’s narrow waistline creates a flattering silhouette to effectively accentuate the curves of your bust and hips.
They often have a single row of buttons as well, which can be very helpful in elongating the torso and drawing attention upward, where your prominent upper half is.
SHOES
Classic White Sneakers
You can never go wrong with the classic pair of white sneakers! For hourglass body shapes who already have prominent curves and features, you will find this type of shoe helpful in a way that they don’t get too much attention.
This way, the attention is evenly distributed throughout your frame. As it features a simple and plain design, they won’t take too much attention and instead focus more on your best features.
Low-heeled Oxfords
Oxfords can work great with both casual and semi-formal workwear because of how timeless its design is. Going for low heels offers a balanced and proportionate look to compliment your frame without adding unnecessary bulk and height.
Oxfords always exude elegance and refinement when worn with the right ensemble. It’s also quite ideal to have them in darker colors to make sure that the vertical visual lines continue to flow without interruption.
