First Day at Office Dressing Women Pear Shapes
Do you have a pear shaped body? In this article, updated for winter and fall, learn how to dress for your pear shaped body type and get a complete capsule for this body shape that you can shop online!
Why it's important to dress for your pear shaped body type
In my article on how to determine body shape I discuss several general body types.
Knowing which body type you have will help you choose more flattering outfits that will make you feel and look better.
Today, let's see how to dress for your specific female body type – the pear shaped body.
I'll be sharing my updated tips for the pear shaped body type, also called the triangle shaped body, with lots of tips on how to create the most flattering shapes for your body shape and ideas for clothes you can buy right now.
We also created a special capsule wardrobe for the pear body shape, which you can see at the end of this article.
What is a pear shaped body?
As a quick recap, you have a pear shaped body when:
- Your hips are wider than your shoulders
- Fat tends to accumulate on your thighs and sometimes the buttocks
- You tend to have an elongated waist and the legs tend to be shorter in comparison to the rest of your body
- You have a defined waist
Your aim when dressing your pear shaped body
The aim of dressing for your body type is to achieve a flattering look that accentuates your strengths.
As a pear shape, you may want to downplay your hips. In order to achieve that you will accentuate the shoulders, draw attention to your upper body and waist and elongate the legs.
Please note that these are general guidelines as every body is different. Perhaps you want to celebrate your hips fully and that's totally fine too.
Always experiment with your unique shape and see what works for you.
How to dress for your pear body shape?
Pears tend to store their weight on their thighs and their legs may be heavy.
Often they have a very good upper body which is why you will see that much of the emphasis in dressing here is on the upper side of the body.
Is a pear shaped body the same as a spoon body shape?
While you are likely to be more familiar with the term "pear shape", the pear shaped body is also sometimes referred to as a spoon shape.
Think about this shape as if the bowl of the spoon is where your hips are, with the handle being your torso. A spoon is also often used to describe a pear-shape with a little bit of a tummy.
Tips for dressing the pear shaped body in spring
It can be easier to dress during winter and fall for any body shape, because you can use layers in a way you can't during the warmer months.
However, there are still plenty of ways to dress the pear shape in a flattering way during spring and summer. Read on for lots of ideas as well as well as a capsule wardrobe created especially for the pear shape for spring.
Annette @theladyofstyle above (read her style interview here) opts for an outfit that would work well for most seasons as she can decide whether to wear her leather jacket depending on the weather. You can see this works well for the pear shape as the dark pants minimize the hips while her bright top and belt emphasize her top half.
Get her look with this similar tie waist top, jacket, wide leg pants, boots and handbag.
Which garments are good for the pear shaped body?
If your goal is to downplay your hips we have some recommendations for you on the best clothing for the pear body shape.
Further on, you'll find some specific tops, coats, dresses, skirts, pants, shoes and accessories which will work for the pear shape.
But, first, here are some top tips.
1. Draw attention to your upper body
The idea is to detract from your bottom half and draw the attention to your slim, upper body.
Choose bright colors on your top half and darker shades on your bottom half. Choose a top which emphasizes your waist.
You could opt for a bright red top like the ruched top from Amazon (below).
Esenchel Dolman Top
2. Think about your neckline
Several types of neckline can work for you, but to create width across your shoulders to balance out your hips, look out for boat necks and Bardot styles.
You can see how the Anne Klein tee (below) for example draws the attention upwards and creates width at the shoulders.
Anne Klein 3/4 SLV Boat Neck Top
3. Accessories are your friend
To draw the eye up away from your hips and thighs, choose colorful or print scarves, statement necklaces and hats.
Nordstrom Tissue Print Wool & Cashmere Wrap Scarf
4. Go for darker shades of denim
When choosing your jeans, opt for a dark wash as these will be most flattering. Choose bootcut rather than tapered.
KUT from the Kloth Natalie High Waist Bootcut Jeans
5. You will look fabulous in dresses
Pear shapes often look beautiful in a fit and flare style dress which nips in at your waist and then skims over your hips.
Chaus Lisa Tie Waist Dress
Now, let's move onto some specific ideas for each individual item of clothing.
Tops for a pear shape capsule wardrobe
Here is another look from Annette @theladyofstyle. A wrap top is flattering for most body shapes while the orange jacket (when she puts it on) will draw attention to her top half.
Recreate her outfit with this similar surplice top, wide leg jeans, blazer and bag.
- Since your hips are a lot wider than your shoulders you want to emphasize the shoulders and widen them. So it's actually good for pears when shoulder pads are back in fashion! Puffy shoulders will work too and are on-trend right now. Always make sure that the shoulders are properly fitted.
- To give the impression of longer legs and a shorter torso you can wear a few layered tops with one very short layer, like a short jacket. This will break up your elongated torso and give the illusion of longer legs.
- Wear something catchy on top. Either a catchy color or some nice detail on your top. Breast pockets, big collars or a pattern are also good. Horizontal stripes help to widen your upper body to bring it more into balance with your hips as do (subtle) shoulder pads.
- It's best that your tops and jackets end either above or below the widest point of your hips and bottom
- V-line tops will draw further attention to your upper half
- Wider necks will also work, as will horizontal strips and tops with puffed sleeves.
- But good necklines for you are also the boat neck and the Bardot style as these will make your shoulders look wider.
- Wear a good bra.
Below, you can see more styles that would work well for the pear shape. Look out for wrap styles, interesting necklines, structured shoulders and puff sleeves which will all draw attention upwards and balance out your hips.
Boden Adriana Puff Sleeve Top – ASTR the Label Pleat Shoulder Top – & Other Stories Printed Cowl Neck Blouse – & Other Stories Printed Wrap Blouse
Best SWEATERS AND CARDIGANS for the pear shape
Karen Millen Rib Knit Striped Bardot Top – Kate Kasin Pleated Swing Skirt – FLY London Wedge Pump – Suzanne Clemente Causes Series Small Tote – BaubleBar Drusy Drop Earrings
Even in spring and summer, you will still need some sweaters to keep you cozy on cool days. And you'll definitely need some warm sweaters during the cooler months. Colorful styles will work very well, as will stripes, off-the-shoulder and boat or Bardot necklines.
Anything with a tie waist is also a good idea. Plus, you could take advantage of the current trend for voluminous sleeves and shoulders to create balance for your silhouette. You could also try a long cardigan to skim over your hips and create long lines.
Zadig & Voltaire Missia Metallic Stripe Wool Blend Sweater – TITOKK Wrap Belted Knitted Sweater – Karen Millen Rib Knit Striped Bardot Top – H&M Long Cardigan with Tie Belt
Best jackets and coats for the pear shape
Karen Millen Italian Textured Wool Mix Belted Wrap Coat – ASTR the Label Pleat Shoulder Top – Nordstrom Relaxed Knit Drawstring Pants – Dolce Vita Zina Sneaker – Clare V. Foldover Clutch – Nordstrom Tissue Print Wool & Cashmere Wrap Scarf
- Wear structured A-shaped coats of knee length. A great coat for you is the trench. Make sure you get one with lots of details on top (like lapels on shoulders) and that it is plain from the waist down.
- Belted blazers are also a good option for the pear shape because they draw attention to the waist. Choose one in a vibrant or paler color to your bottom half.
- You can also use a longer top and then add a shorter jacket to give the illusion that your legs are longer than they are.
- Long cardigans and jackets that end well below the hip can work really well too
- Look out for styles that give the illusion that your top half is wider, to add balance, or which accentuate your waist.
If you want to, you can also think about wearing a longer layer under a shorter jacket. For instance, if you wore a long darker layer under a short jacket, the attention would be on the point the jacket ends rather than your hips.
Karen Millen Italian Textured Wool Mix Belted Wrap Coat – Wikzerde Belted Coat – Grabsa Open Front Sleeveless Vest – VERO MODA Brushed Shacket
For more inspiration take a look at how to wear short jackets.
Best pants and skirts for the pear body type
Grabsa Open Front Sleeveless Vest – & Other Stories Printed Cowl Neck Blouse – Wit & Wisdom Ab-Solution Itty Bitty Bootcut Jeans – Linea Paolo Bryn Pump – Suzanne Clemente Causes Series Small Tote – BaubleBar Drusy Drop Earrings
Here are a few tips and some examples of good pants for this body shape.
- Wear trousers that are not too tight or light. Boot leg trousers are very good for pears.
- Avoid pants that are too low on your hips. A higher rise is better.
- You will look best if your trousers or skirt are the darkest part of your outfit.
Finding a pair of jeans for the pear shape can be tricky because of your lovely curves.
If you find a pair that fits at the hips and thighs, they can gape at the waist, and if you find a pair that fits at the waist, they can be too tight on the thighs.
It can be best to look for a pair of jeans specifically designed for a woman with curves so that they are tapered in from the hips to the waist.
The most flattering style for a pear shape is a dark wash, bootcut with a high waist.
Some of my favorite brands for jeans include:
- NYDJ
- Kut from the Kloth
- Paige
Also take a look at the best fitting jeans for women over 40.
When choosing skirts, A-line skirts are a pear-shaped woman's best friend.
When you wear a well-structured A-line skirt that emphasizes your waist, people will not even notice your wider hips.
Good brands for A-line skirts:
- Eliza J
- Ming Wang
- Anthropologie
Wit & Wisdom Ab-Solution Itty Bitty Bootcut Jeans – Nordstrom Relaxed Knit Drawstring Pants – KANCY KOLE A-Line Midi Skirt – Kate Kasin Pleated Swing Skirt
Best dresses for pear shaped body
H&M Long Cardigan with Tie Belt – Karen Millen Structured Crepe Forever Pleated Midi Dress – Vince Camuto Prolanda Knee High Boot – Clare V. Foldover Clutch – Lizzie Fortunato Larimar Hoop Earrings
Women like Kim Kardashian like to emphasize their pear shape with form-fitting dresses and skirts, but most women prefer to downplay their hips and A-line dresses are perfect for doing that.
A-line dresses which fit and flare will always look good on you. Dresses with defined shoulders and a good a-line are particularly good.
Below are some of my current favorite dresses and also jumpsuits at Nordstrom.
Karen Millen Structured Crepe Forever Pleated Midi Dress – H&M Tie Belt Shirt Dress – COS Silk Striped Shirt Dress – Julia Jorda Sheer Clip Dot Jumpsuit
Also, take a look at the best dresses for your body shape.
Best shoes and accessories for the pear shaped body
Eugenia @theeageofgrace above (read her style interview here) opts for an all-blue outfit that works well for the pear shape as the pants skim the hips while the coats belts at the waist. Choosing wide lapels on your coat is a good idea to balance your figure.
Steal her look with this similar belted coat, trousers, booties, bag, sunglasses and gloves.
- Use accessories to further emphasize the top part like necklaces and scarves.
- Waist belts may look good on you as they emphasize your small waist.
- High boots are very flattering for your legs
- Be careful with high shoes or shoes with ankle straps as they will shorten your legs
- Wear medium to chunky heels with a bit of height to further elongate the legs.
- Avoid handbags that sit on the hips.
- You may wish to avoid big bracelets as, when you have your arms by your sides, they will draw the eye to your hips.
FLY London Wedge Pump – Linea Paolo Bryn Pump – Vince Camuto Prolanda Knee High Boot – Dolce Vita Zina Sneaker
Suzanne Clemente Causes Series Small Tote – Clare V. Foldover Clutch – Lizzie Fortunato Larimar Hoop Earrings – BaubleBar Drusy Drop Earrings – BP. Cord Cabbie Hat
Famous pear shaped women
If you have a pear shaped body, you are in good company.
The most famous pear shaped women include Kim Khardashian, Beyonce and Rihanna.
Rather than downplaying their curvy hips, they usually highlight them!
General tips on how to dress for the pear shaped body
Let's recap on some of the most flattering options for a pear shape:
- Belted jackets and bootcut jeans are the perfect combination.
- Put a lot of emphasis on your top part with colorful jackets, stripes and bold accessories.
- The A-line skirt and dress is your best friend!
- Put emphasis on the waist if you are a pear shape.
- Create a column of color. A long vest worn over the top of this column. can make your hips disappear.
What not to wear?
You are always able to wear anything (as the celebrity examples of pear shaped women show above) but if your goal is to downplay your hips, you may want to avoid the following garments:
- Skinny jeans (however these can be worn with some tunics, A-line long tops or long cardigans).
- Pencil or straight skirts
- Very short skirts
- Tops with narrow shoulder lines
- Pleats and pants with a lot of details
- Shoes and booties with ankle straps, very delicate footwear and kitten heels
Please note that the guidelines above are for general guidance only. Everyone is different and you certainly don't have to stick to the above guidelines to dress well.
If you have anything further to add, let me know in the comments' section below!
Here are 9 looks featuring the pieces we used above
You can combine the clothes, shoes and accessories in myriad ways, but here are 9 ideas to get your started. All links to the items were share above in the relevant sections.
SHOP THE ITEMS ABOVE HERE:
More pear shape inspiration for you
Do you need inspiration for winter outfits for the pear shaped body?
Below is an older pear shape capsules we created which should provide extra inspiration for you. Please note though, as this is an older capsule, these clothes are no longer available for purchase.
Want to know more about how to create your own unique capsule wardrobes? Read our ultimate guide to creating a capsule wardrobe that works best for you.
Need to discover your body type?
Want to know more about women's body types, you can discover your body type here.
From there you can browse all the other body types: apple, rectangle, hourglass, and inverted triangle
All these articles are regularly updated with helpful videos and looks for the season you are in.
How do you prefer to dress your pear shaped body?
Continue reading:
- Best jeans for big thighs
- How To Determine Your Body Shape
- Best tops to hide your belly
- How to wear wide leg pants
Like this article on how to dress the pear shaped body? Save it on Pinterest!
Feature image by Annette @theladyofstyle
Celebrities image source: Vogue
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