How to dress for an hourglass figure

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This article was co-written by Alison Deyette. Alison Deyette is a Style Expert and TV Presenter with over 20 years of experience in fashion, style and television. She has photographed and directed photo shoots around the world for many magazines, including Good Housekeeping, People StyleWatch and Mode. Alison was also named one of the top stylists in Los Angeles by Variety magazine.

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The hourglass figure has wider hips and bust and a defined waist, often associated with the curves of beauties like Sophia Loren or Marilyn Monroe. However, you can still have an hourglass figure even if your belly is a bit big, as long as the two sides of the waist are two inward curves. To choose an outfit that suits an hourglass figure, you need to choose a style that emphasizes the waist but does not increase the size of the hips. Then just know how to mix and match and you’ll have your favorite outfit!

Table of Contents

Find flattering outfits

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Look for tops, jackets, and skirts that emphasize the waist. Since the hourglass figure has the smallest waist, the dress that is tied at the waist will show off the curves perfectly. Especially tops and skirts wrapped or tied at the waist, preferably trench coats, skirts, and peplum tops. ^{[1] X Research Source}

A wide-neck top that hugs your figure, boxed with pants or a high-waisted skirt is also a great way to emphasize the waistline. Just make sure the bra fits comfortably around the bust.

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Avoid wearing loose or tight clothing. If you wear loose, loose clothes, your whole body will sink in it and make you baggy, not sexy. On the other hand, clothes that are too tight will look uncomfortable and draw attention to areas that are slightly overweight. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Instead, look for clothing that hugs you well; It will help you look more comfortable and feel more confident.
If you have a problem with areas of your body that need to be slimmed down, consider wearing tight-fitting – but not too tight – made of supportive materials like knits, denim, stretch.

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Choose V-neck, wide-neck, boat-neck tops to accentuate your bust. Whether you like to show off your bust or want to be discreet, if you have a large bust, it’s best to choose a top with a neckline that creates an angle or curve. For example, a V-neck will make your bust appear smaller because its sharp angle draws attention down to your waist. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

A crew-neck top is a top with a cut-out collar that extends from shoulder to shoulder, so it shows off your graceful collarbones.
The wide neckline creates an angle for the face and shows the collarbone, but does not reveal the cleavage like a V-neck shirt.
Avoid high-collar tops like t-shirts, turtlenecks, and round necklines that will make your breasts look bigger. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Avoid clothes with lots of fabric at the hips or bust. Avoid lace or ruffles at the waist as well. Because your body already has curves, any extra detail on those parts will make you heavier, and the proportions of your body will be out of proportion. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

An exception is the vertical lace on shirts, which can make the bust smaller.
You should also avoid wearing horizontal stripes on the chest or hips, as they make those areas look larger.

Create a style for everyday wear

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You can wear a body-hugging jersey t-shirt with bell-bottom jeans as a casual outfit. Jersey is a light and soft woven fabric, often used to make t-shirts and other casual shirts. As long as your outfit fits properly, the jersey fabric will gently hug your body, keeping you cool and comfortable while still being flattering. Bell-bottom pants with a slight flare will help balance the curve of the hips. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Try on this outfit with your favorite sandals and a messy ponytail for a weekend getaway!

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Create a feminine look in everyday wear with a flared dress and tennis shoes. The flared dress is perfect for showing off an hourglass figure because it hugs you like a T-shirt with the skirt flared out at the hips. This dress can be worn to school, work, or hanging out with friends – just team it up with low-heeled sneakers, pack your bags and go! ^{[9] X Research Source}

The choker necklace is a beautiful, trendy accessory to this outfit.
If your style is more aggressive, try wearing a flared dress with ankle boots. Add some personality with ripped mesh socks and black eyeliner.

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Wear a mini skirt with a fitted t-shirt if you want to show off your legs. If you love your beautiful legs and want them to be the highlight of your look, then wear a wide-neck t-shirt, mini skirt, and low-heeled sneakers. The t-shirt will be discreet enough on the top to accentuate the exposed legs underneath, giving you a playful and eye-catching look. ^{[10] X Research Source}

For an extra touch, you can choose a t-shirt with an accent detail on the shoulders, like rhinestones or lace trim.

Pro tip: If miniskirts are a bit too risky for you, try wearing skirts, skirts or tailored shorts.

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Wear a bomber jacket to stay warm during the cold season in a cool style. The bomber jacket has an elastic band around the waist, perfect for drawing attention to it. They are comfortable and can be worn everyday, combining many styles.

For example, a leather bomber jacket will look great with boyfriend jeans as well as with flowing dresses.
Try wearing a satin bomber with skinny jeans, heels, and a colored V-neck t-shirt for a hip-hop look that’s perfect for an hourglass figure.

Dress up for a special occasion

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Choose tops and peplum dresses to emphasize the waist. The peplum shirt usually hugs the waist, then spreads out to the bottom of the pants, it looks like a shirt when wearing a pleplum dress, only it has a pencil skirt. The peplum outfit itself features an hourglass shape that will flatter your curves perfectly. ^{[11] X Research Source}

For example, try wearing a peplum top with a tight skirt and stiletto heels for an evening out.

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Try wearing an empire dress to show off your best figure. Empire dresses have the waistline pushed up to the bust, emphasizing the narrowest part of the hourglass figure. The rest of the skirt hangs loosely around the belly and hips, so this silhouette is perfect for an hourglass figure. ^{[12] X Research Source}

For example, if you’re going out to eat with friends, you can wear a knee-length empire dress, wedge sandals, large earrings, and a colorful handbag.
These dresses are perfect for work, too!

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Wearing a short jacket is also a way to draw attention to the waist. When you wear a waist-length coat, it draws the eye to that area. This is the perfect and sophisticated way to show off without a belt. ^{[13] X Research Source}

For example, you could wear a satin sleeveless top with an A-line skirt, then add a short embroidered jacket, a great look for a formal event.

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Wear an event-style jumpsuit with a tight waistband that’s both pretty and elegant. If you wear a jumpsuit with light materials such as chiffron, lace, silk crepe, it is both stylish like a dress and as convenient as wearing pants. Look for a style that flatters the waist without adding details on the bust or hips no matter what event you’re attending. ^{[14] X Research Source}

Along with a jumpsuit, wear updo hair, party high heels, large earrings for a look that everyone has to look up.

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If you are brave, you can choose a tight skirt. Skirts are tight to the body, so it’s a great way to show off your hourglass figure. However, this type of clothing will reveal flaws you don’t want if you have, consider choosing a skirt with thick stretchy material to support you. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Bandage skirt is an example of one of the types of tight skirts.
Style it with a tight skirt and ankle boots, bold eyeliner, and messy hair for a truly rock-n-rpl look.

Choose work clothes

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Wear a tailored blouse that fits snugly for a bright, luxurious look. If you wear a tailored blouse, your bust will be comfortable while still showing off your waist. If you wear it with loose-fitting trousers, you will look very professional, decent, but still comfortable to complete the day’s work. ^{[16] X Research Source}

Try mixing with low-heeled shoes and a large necklace to add sophistication and simplicity.
A T-shirt with a tie at the waist is also an office-friendly option.

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You can also wear a trench coat if it’s classic. The trench coat never goes out of style and suits most people, but it especially compliments the hourglass figure. Wear a trench coat over a fitted outfit, or tie a belt if your outfit is loose or loose, to emphasize your waistline. ^{[17] X Research Source}

Try mixing it with a neat bun with low heel shoes for a good-looking and professional look.

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Wear casual work clothes with a wide-collar blouse, flared trousers, and low-heeled shoes. A bright blouse, comfortable trousers, and comfortable shoes are a great way to look good without drawing too much attention to your figure. In fact, you can simply cycle through these blouses and you have many variations of your everyday look, if it makes you comfortable.

If you’re not comfortable with heels, it’s okay to wear flats.

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Wear wrap dresses to look professional easily. Wrap dresses are designed to look like a piece of fabric wrapped around the waist. This versatile outfit is suitable for many body types, but still most flattering hourglass figure. Another advantage is that when you are in a hurry, you can put this dress on and still look very decent.

Combine that with a neat low bun, comfortable low heel shoes, and you’re ready for a day of work.

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Invest in a single-button jacket or blazer to wear to work. A suit jacket or blazer is a good choice for a professional look, and a single-button suit is especially flattering for an hourglass figure. They’re versatile too – a blazer can be worn with a blouse or dress, so take your time to find one that fits you. In addition, if you can afford it, don’t be afraid to spend more to buy quality and durable products. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

Double-breasted blazers increase your bust size.

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Wear a high-waisted pencil skirt for a sophisticated office look. Pencil skirts are designed to hug the body, and high-waisted skirts hug the smallest part of the waist. You can coordinate this dress in many ways, like wearing it boxed with a chiffron blouse and low heels, or wearing a blazer with a blazer. ^{[19] X Research Source}

For example, you could wear a sleeveless top in a pencil skirt, then add a light blazer with the sleeves rolled up.

Steps

Find flattering outfits

Create a style for everyday wear

Dress up for a special occasion

Choose work clothes

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