The hourglass body shape is known for beautifully balanced curves, but that doesn’t mean every sweater will look equally good on you. In this detailed guide, we’ll help you fully understand your body characteristics and find the most flattering sweaters accordingly.
MAIN CONSIDERATION
There’s a natural existence of alluring curves and overall balance in an hourglass body shape which makes it a silhouette most ladies desire. If your body boasts this voluptuous figure, then you’d like to grab any chance you get to highlight your shape – even in typically thicker clothing such as sweaters!
Fuller Bust
As an hourglass-shaped woman, you obviously have a full, well-rounded bust line to flaunt! Your upper half is remarkably prominent due to the fact that your ample bust size is in complete balance with the rest of your figure.
This is why you should carefully choose the right neckline for your sweaters as you would want a clothing piece that will highlight this beautiful asset of yours. Avoid sweaters that will take up so much space on your upper half, otherwise, you might end up losing the chance of flaunting your highly coveted bust line!
Narrow and Defined Waist
The waist of an hourglass body shape is one of its most defining features because of its very narrow shape that creates an attractive contrast between the bust and hips. Your well-defined hourglass waist is considered an asset because it signifies an ideal body proportion that brings out one’s femininity.
Balanced and Rounded Shoulders
Your shoulders are nicely rounded on the outer edges and they are in perfect proportion with your wider hips. Because of this overall symmetry, the shoulders add curve and depth to your hourglass figure and so you should always make sure you’re not overwhelming your shoulder line with bulky sleeves.
FIT
When we think of sweaters, we usually associate them with the thickness of the fabric and cozy coverage. As they are meant to add warmth to your body after all, they tend to add volume to your upper half.
However, going for cozy sweaters doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to go for ones that are too covered up and bulky. This is why it’s important to choose a fabric and structure that will skim through your curves.
Opt for form-fitting sweaters and avoid ones that are way larger than your actual body size because the bagginess will bunch up and make you look top-heavy. You can also consider wrap or crossover style sweaters as they accentuate your waist and create an hourglass illusion with their adjustable ties or buttons in which the fit can be customized around your waist.
SLEEVES
The right style and length of sleeves can play a significant role both in keeping you warm and maintaining your frame’s balance as well. Here are the types of sweater sleeves you should look for.
Fitted
Fitted or tailored sleeves feature the right amount of hug that will highlight your shapely arms and create a streamlined look for your hourglass shape. Consider sweaters that have set-in sleeves or raglan sleeves because they feature a structure or seam that follows the natural curve of your shoulders and arms.
Again, fitted sleeves don’t really mean that they have to cling too tightly to your arms. The goal is to provide comfort and coverage without the bulky volume of extra fabric.
Three-fourths
¾ or three-quarter sleeves hit somewhere in the middle of the elbow and wrist, which makes it a flattering length to complement your hourglass curves. The part where the sleeves end is basically at the same level where your narrow waist is, which helps draw the eyes around this area and therefore emphasizes your very defined waistline.
Additionally, three-fourth sleeves can provide a practical and flexible option for transitional weather circumstances where you may want a bit of arm coverage without being fully covered. They offer a stylish compromise between short sleeves and long sleeves, which makes them quite versatile and easy to style.
Bracelet-length
If you want something to cover and warm you up, bracelet-length sweater sleeves would be a great choice for your hourglass figure. They end around the wrist or slightly above the wrist, so they provide enough coverage without drowning your curves.
Because of this particular length, this type of sleeve draws attention to the slimmest part of your arm and wrist to give a well-balanced look. Unlike sweaters that have sleeves that go up to your hands, bracelet-length sleeves won’t overpower the natural definition of your silhouette.
NECKLINE
Scoop
The open, curved shape of a scoop neckline creates a balanced line that complements the voluptuous curves of your full bust and narrow waist. In addition to this, scoop necklines also offer style versatility because they make layering and accessorizing much easier.
They offer ample space on your upper half to give space for necklaces, scarves, or other accessories that can further enhance your ensemble while significantly minimizing the chance of extra bulk. Its open neckline also allows you to explore your style options like wearing different types of necklines underneath, such as a collared shirt for added variety and style.
V-Neck
Sweaters with the V neckline draw the eye vertically to create a visual elongation that helps balance the proportions of your beautiful hourglass shape. This particular neckline also adds length to your upper body, which can be quite advantageous if you have a larger bust.
In addition to the fact that the V-neck elongates your frame, its edgy dip allows you to showcase your fuller bust without too much exposure. They also create a sense of openness in the upper body area, whereas the diagonal lines formed by the V-neck visually break up the horizontal lines of the bust and waist, making their curvaceous slopes highly accentuated.
Square
The square neckline pretty much shares the similar visual benefits of scoop and V-neck styles. They also give that same sense of openness that effectively emphasizes the roundness of your shoulders and the prominence of your decolletage.
The clean and structured lines of a square neckline create a polished and refined aesthetic that makes your sweaters look more streamlined and less voluminous. it’s true that it’s not always easy to find sweaters with square necklines but when you do, they usually come in thinner knitted fabrics.
PRINTS AND PATTERNS
I’d say that the safe style option for you is to go for sweaters that come in plain, print-free fabrics. However, you should also have the complete freedom to explore and experiment with different designs to suit your personal taste, so I’d like to briefly discuss which types of prints and patterns would flatter your hourglass body shape.
Vertical Stripes
Opt for sweaters with vertical stripes because this type of print can easily create a visually elongating effect. They help extend the length of your body to give the illusion of a taller and slimmer silhouette.
Just be mindful of the intensity of the vertical prints as big ones may overwhelm your curves. Instead, look for sweaters with thin or medium-width vertical stripes in contrasting colors for a stylish and flattering option.
Cable Knit
This is a very common sweater style that you’ll also find very flattering on your hourglass body shape. The charm of cable knit sweaters is their intricate patterns and textured detailing, which can draw attention to the upper body while still letting your natural curves be noticed.
They often have a more fitted or structured design that emphasizes your waistline definition. Cable knit sweaters gently hug the body and accentuate your curves, which gives you a more balanced and shapely silhouette.
Small-scale Patterns
Small-scale prints allow you to enjoy fun and dimensional designs without looking too bulky and dramatic. In a way, sweaters with small-scale prints lean towards being more minimalistic and simple to fully enhance your hourglass figure.
Small-scale prints like delicate polka dots, charming floral patterns, or subtle geometric designs can be very helpful in accentuating the natural curves of your body. The advantage of small-scale prints lies in their ability to add visual interest without overpowering your figure.
FABRIC
Your hourglass figure has highly desirable curves that you should always flaunt whenever you have the chance! It’s not always easy to achieve with sweaters but with the right fabric structure, you’ll be able to showcase your curves without any fuss.
Opt for fabrics that have more structure such as medium-weight knits or woven materials because this can help maintain the shape and definition of your hourglass body type. These fabrics provide better support and contouring to your body in order to accentuate your curves in the most flattering way.
In addition, the right choice of fabric can significantly impact the comfort and fit of your sweater. Look for fabrics that feature a bit of stretch as this will help sculpt your curves to make them really stand out!
STYLES TO AVOID
Of course, you’ll be able to effectively choose the right style of sweater for you if you also know which ones you should avoid. Despite the following being quite warm and cozy, you should steer away from these particular styles to avoid overwhelming your desirable shape!
Chunky Knit
This is a very common type of sweater that’s usually a quick go-to for colder seasons. While it’s true that chunky knit sweaters can be very warm and cozy, their voluminous structure will leave no opportunity for your hourglass curves to shine.
Even if you get a smaller size for your chunky knit sweater, it will still look larger than your actual size because the knit material alone is already bulky on its own. This results in completely camouflaging your beautiful curves, making you look shapeless and top-heavy.
Turtleneck or High Neck
Fully covering up your decolletage will cramp up your upper body, especially because hourglass figures tend to have bigger and fuller breasts. Wearing turtleneck or high-neck sweaters will erase the curves that run from your shoulders to your bust line, making it seem like they are of the same size and width.
This particular effect will disrupt the natural balance your hourglass body shape possesses and will also make you look top-heavy. Wearing such closed necklines will also make your upper half disproportionate to your lower half.
Oversized Sweaters
Oversized sweaters lack structure which can easily lead to a loss of definition in the waist area. It contradicts the styling goal of keeping your waistline defined and enhanced.
Not only do oversized sweaters give you a shapeless silhouette, but they also add unnecessary bulk to your upper body and therefore disrupt your naturally balanced proportions. This will blur out your curves and make you look heavier and wider.
Overly Long Sleeves
For the sake of providing extra warmth, some sweaters feature sleeves that cover up until the palms of your hands. Well, it might look cute for some but this type of sleeve will drown your beautiful hourglass figure in an instant.
Just like what we previously discussed, it’s wiser to go for a sleeve length that exposes enough space on your arms. This is an effective way to give you a look that’s more balanced and put-together.
