The conventional definition of an hourglass figure typically includes a big bust, slender waist, and full hips. However, It is totally possible for you to have the hourglass figure but with a smaller bust, because our body shape is determined by our bone structure, not measurements. If you are the hourglass with smaller to average breasts, it is important for you to find the right clothing styles that can accentuate your best assets and distract from your weaknesses. In this detailed guide, we will take a deep dive, to first fully understand your body traits, and then walk you through everything you need to know to dress your unique shape.
Characteristics
Most hourglass-shaped women have a well-defined waist with a naturally curvy figure that complements their round backside. Since your bust and hips are proportional, this leads to the perfect feminine silhouette that is effortlessly flattering.
However, not all hourglass body types have fuller breasts. You could have a small or medium bust, especially if you rock a petite or curvy silhouette. With a small bust, your goal should be to add more volume to this area without throwing your body silhouette off-balance.
High necklines
High necklines are great for adding more volume to the upper part of your body. A perfect example of this is the turtleneck style which flatters your small bust and plays around your long neck in a way that makes you look amazing.
Choosing the right neckline for your body type helps to create the illusion of a fuller bust which reflect in your overall silhouette. You can enhance this further with statement necklaces and earrings that add more volume to this area.
It’s best to go for this style since it covers up your bust and neck area fully. However, you should avoid wearing tops or dresses with an oversized turtleneck style as this won’t have a flattering effect.
Instead, they will overwhelm your figure which shrinks your appearance and distorts your natural silhouette.
A-line dresses
A-line dresses are a great choice for hourglass-shaped woman with small breasts because they cinch the waist and highlight this area, which is one of your best assets.
Just as the name suggests, the silhouette of this dress forms the letter “A”, starting with a fitted top which widens towards the hem. This is an extremely flattering silhouette for your hourglass shape as it draws attention downwards to your well-defined waistline.
You can rock this to almost any event, whether formal or informal. A huge benefit of wearing A-line dresses is that you can effortlessly accentuate your curves such that your busts appear fuller.
This illusion is possible thanks to the fitted area that highlights your natural waistline. Meanwhile, the flared bottom half adds more to your balanced silhouette as it adds more volume to this area.
Bolder necklaces
Your choice of accessories can also help to add more volume to your chest area and create the illusion of a fuller bust. One way to achieve this is by wearing bolder necklaces that sit close to your bust.
These bold necklaces are definitely attention-grabbing and that helps to make your neckline more interesting. However apart from this extra interest around your neck and shoulders, this is just what you need to make your small bust less prominent.
Belted dresses
To properly accentuate your curves and highlight your full hips, you need to lean more towards fitted styles that draw attention to these assets. One of the best ways to do this is with a belted dress.
Belted dresses are perfect for highlighting your natural curves such that you create a cinched waistline and draw more attention to your natural waist. This is a much better alternative to loose styles that add extra bulk and draw focus on your small breasts.
A belted dress will enhance your beautiful feminine silhouette, making it look so much better. However, it’s best to wear a belted dress with the right neckline style.
You can opt for a plunging neckline like the V-neck which helps to add more volume to your upper body while drawing attention to your collarbone. This is perfect for your small bust.
Crop tops
Every hourglass-shaped woman with a small bust can take advantage of the stylish nature of crop tops to divert attention from this area. I love crop tops because they are super comfy.
They are basically like bras, but with extra length and coverage towards the upper part of your midsection area. You can own several ones and take advantage of how crop tops serve as a convenient distraction from the size of your bust.
Instead, there’s more attention on your exposed midriff, as more people will rather focus their eyes on your toned stomach. Pair this with high-waist pants or jeans and you’ll really see the power of the crop top in full display.
You can pair this with a jacket to add more class to your outfit. Also, it’s a great idea to wear this in a darker shade to create a slimmer silhouette.
Off-the-shoulder tops
Take advantage of a revealing neckline to draw attention to your slender neck and perfect shoulders. A great choice is an off-the-shoulder top which helps to balance your body proportion and make your bust appear fuller.
This is possible by stylishly revealing your shoulders and collarbones, making sure that they draw the eyes towards this area. Hourglass-shaped women with small breasts can definitely benefit from the illusion of a broader upper body that an off-the-shoulder top adds to their silhouette.
With this, you maintain your hourglass look while your bust area appears bigger. Be sure to pair this with high-waist jeans or a flared style that helps to further balance your silhouette.
Also, since your shoulders will be exposed, it helps to make this area more interesting with statement necklaces and earrings. They help to draw more attention to the upper part of your body.
Tops with breast pockets
Pocket details are another effectively subtle way to add more volume to a specific area. Since you have small breasts, you can make this area fuller by wearing tops with breast pockets.
These pockets add more dimension to your chest, effectively creating the illusion of a larger bust. It’s always a great idea to incorporate details around your chest area as more often than not, they have this effect.
You can wear this in bright colors to make this more attention-grabbing. However, there’s no limit to your color choices as the focus is on showcasing your elegance and adding more volume to your upper body.
You can opt for a black top with a breast pocket and straight jeans to pull off a casual yet sophisticated look. This will accentuate your curves and highlight your best assets.
Wrap tops
Another amazing and stress-free way to create the illusion of a fuller chest area is to wear wrap tops. The versatility of wrap tops work in your favor as you can use this to draw more attention to your curvy silhouette and defined waistline.
It helps to balance your overall body structure and the best part is that you can adjust this freely until you have the perfect fit. There are several ways to style your wrap tops such that the effect on your breasts are enhanced.
One way is to wear wrap tops with bold prints. Apart from adding more visual interest to your outfit, bold prints and patterns tend to make an area appear bigger. When done correctly, you can make your bust appear bigger than they actually are.
You can also opt for wrap tops that come with a belt. This creates a more flattering effect as it cinches your waistline. This works for wrap dresses as well.
Tops with chest ruffles
Another way to add detail to your chest area and create the illusion of fuller breasts is to wear tops with chest ruffles. The first image that pops into your head when you think about ruffles is that sweet girly outlook that’s both innocent and beautiful.
Ruffles definitely add more spice to any clothing and you can use this to your advantage if you have small breasts. Use versatile and stylish ruffles to add more volume to this part of your body, making them look visually bigger and without downplaying your curves as well.
However, you shouldn’t rely completely on ruffles doing all the job as your combination matters a lot. If you overdo this, you’ll appear ridiculously puff instead. So, wear a top with chest ruffles while the bottom should be without extra detailing.
This can be straight pants or a high-waist pencil skirt.
Peplum tops
Peplum tops are a long-time favorite of hourglass-shaped women. The hourglass body type naturally looks good with a top that has a gradual flare around the waistline. However, if you are an hourglass woman with small breasts, you’re not left out of the equation too.
The gentle flare of the peplum top helps to accentuate your assets as it flows easily around your natural curves. It starts with a fitted area below your bust, creating a waist-cinching effect that highlights your curves.
This ensures that your best assets are not hidden underneath the top. However, the biggest effect can be felt around your chest area because the flare on a peplum top helps to create the illusion of a fuller upper body.
Therefore, you can easily create a sophisticated and elegant look with a v-neck peplum top. This is my preferred neckline for the hourglass body type because it reveals the middle part of your chest without doing too much, and this stylishly creates more volume around this area.
Avoid loose clothing
As an hourglass woman with small breasts, you should avoid loose clothing as they will make your body appear shapeless and bigger. This will draw more attention to the size of your bust and generally create an unflattering silhouette.
Your goal should be to emphasize your hips and waistline since these are naturally curvy and well-defined. Drawing attention to your assets and lower body will downplay the size of your bust, which reduces focus on this part of your body.
Better alternatives to loose clothing are wrap dresses or skirts and pants in solid colors. These are better choices because they will draw attention to your curves and ensure that your feminine silhouette looks more amazing.
Caution with empire waist dresses
It’s always best to play around your curves and avoid styles that will throw your silhouette off-balance. Therefore, this also means being careful with empire waist dresses as they are not the perfect dress style to complement your naturally curvy body type.
Empire waist dresses usually have a high-waist appearance as they start underneath the bust and flow into a loose-fitting skirt. This is different from the peplum style as this tends to create more volume around your midsection.
Ultimately, it makes you appear like you have a tummy bulge and if you do, it makes it more obvious. Although, not every empire waist dress may have this effect on the hourglass body type, searching for the one that complements your shape can be stressful.
Therefore, it’s best to avoid them if you can. Lean more towards dresses that will help to define your waistline and highlight your curves rather than create a straight silhouette from your bust to your hips. This makes your bust look smaller as the size becomes more obvious.
