Tips & Tricks for Making the Most of your Pretty Pear-Shape!

This post is especially for my pear-shaped readers.  If you are fuller through the hips and thighs and smaller in your torso and shoulders, you are pear-shaped and this post is for you!

 

Women & Fruit

I hear some women complaining about being compared to a piece of fruit.  Point well taken, but personally, I’ve never had a problem with the term pear-shape and frankly, it describes my body pretty darn well.  I like it better than “triangle” but … whatever you want to call yourself, you know who you are!

 

Good Company

Some of the most beautiful women in the world are pear-shaped: Beyonce, Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Kristen Davis, Alicia Keyes, Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton,  Michelle Trachtenberg, Shakira.  Be a proud pear!

Balance and Proportion

My personal choice is to try to balance my shape a bit so it looks more proportional.  However, no one says you have to do that; there are no actual rules.  However, if you’d like to wear the most flattering looks, here are some tips to set you in the right direction. Let’s start with a pear-shape’s best friends and then go through the not-so-kind options.

 

Your Besties!

The A-line skirt/dress, the fit and flare, wrap dress

The A-line or fit-and-flare is a pear’s ride-or-die bestie!  It’s always going to be easy to fit, always going to show off the best parts, while lovingly skimming over the rest!

Shop Flattering A Line Skirts 

Shop Flattering A Line Dresses

Also be sure to check out Karina Dresses, one of my favorite sources of fit and flare fabulousness!

 

 

 

The boot cut/flare dark rinse/ black  jeans/pants

A flare at the bottom of your pants or jeans will help to balance out a pear shape. Pears can wear long flares or cropped flares.  I’m really into the cropped flares right now.  You don’t have to be as fussy about the length and they show off cute shoes!  Double win!   On the other hand, the longer hem will elongate your legs, so I like to have both in my wardrobe!

Remember that darker colors in jeans and pants will always be more slimming.

Let’s all give a big hurray for curvy fit jeans and pants!  I really wish more brands would offer a curvy fit option. My favorite cheap pair of curvy fit jeans are from Old Navy.  I also love the curvy fit jeans (or “Julie”) at The Loft.  Frame Denim, Lucky Brand, KUT from the Kloth, Hudson Jeans, and Chico’s So Slimming collection all fit surprisingly well, though not labeled curvy. Another option is to buy jeans and pants to fit your hips and then have them alerted at the waist. I find mid-rise to be the most flattering and comfortable.

My Favorite Curvy Jeans

 

The Long Cardigan/Jacket/ Kimono 

The trick is to make sure the piece doesn’t hit you right at your widest spot, instead it needs to be longer, giving you a long lean look.  (Easier for taller women to pull off, I know.)

 

 

 

Shop Long Jackets/Kimonos

 

Cropped Jacket

A cropped jacket works well on a pear too!  If you’re long-waisted though, you might want to layer a hipbone length piece underneath a cropped jacket for a more flattering silhouette.

 

Shop Cropped Jackets

 

Tops 

Tops are easy for pears. I really can’t think of one kind of top that doesn’t work, except for the tunic (we’ll get to that soon).

 

 

The Frenemies – Wear with Caution!

The Pencil Skirt

A pencil skirt will always look sexy on a pear and probably should be saved for date night rather than the office.  You know how if you’re small on top, you can look perfectly respectable in a little tank top that looks super sexy on your busty buddy? Right … same goes with an ample behind.

 

Tunic tops

Every brand that appeals to midlife women loves to sell us the tunic top! And I totally get it; it’s an apple shape’s go-to! Unfortunately for us pears, the tunic top stops right at the widest part of our bodies and just bring attention there.  However, here’s a hack:  do a half tuck, tucking some of the tunic in front into your pants with a belt and that will break up the line across the hips for a more flattering silhouette.

Hip-Length Blazers 

Nothing that stops right at your widest part is going to be the most flattering.

 

White Pants 

Wear white pants carefully.  Make sure they fit well and aren’t too tight.

 

Skinny Jeans & Pants

A long jacket will help make the skinny pants work.  My favorite skinny pants all from are the So Slimming collection at Chico’s.

Wide Leg Pants

It seems like thick thighs would be in heaven in wide leg pants, but it just make our legs look wider.  If you want to try the trend, wear it with a long cardigan or coat.

These Pieces are NOT Your Friend

 

The Sheath Dress  

Sure, it looks classy and sophisticated on other women, but this dress will never do a  pear-shape any favors. First of all, it will be impossible to fit both the top and bottom in one size.  Secondly, it’s just not very flattering.  The only way a sheath-type dress would work is if it actually had more of an A-line cut on the bottom, like this black dress here.  But if it’s an A-line, it is really a sheath dress?

The One Piece Swim Suit

It just won’t ever fit top and bottom right.  A lot (but not all) pears are also a bit long-waisted so that just makes it even harder to find a good fit. If you’re too modest for a bikini, go with the tankini.  And be sure to shop where you can buy the pieces in separate sizes.

Jumpsuits 

Almost impossible to get the fit right. If you love it, size up and get the top taken in.

Drop-Waist Dress

I actually giggled a little as I typed this. I can’t think of anything less flattering to a pear shape!

 

Bonus tip

Draw the Eye Where You Want It

Draw the eye where you want by adding color, pattern, sparkle, and interest to the body parts you like the best, while keeping things more basic in the less adored parts.  For example when I choose this outfit, I passed on the cute jeans with the embroidered butterflies on the hips and butt and instead choose the pretty flower embroidery on the shins and ankles.

Be sure to draw the eye to your pretty face with pretty jewelry!

 

So, that’s it, my pear-shaped dolls.  Fill your closet with your besties, but don’t be afraid to experiment either.  Remember, I’m always here to answer style questions for you, so if you need more help, feel free to reach out to me at dawnlucy@fashionshouldbefun.com.

And stay in touch by signing up for my weekly newsletter!  Every Friday, you’ll get behind the scenes chit chat, style tips, sales alerts, and much more!

And for my other dolls who are apples, hourglasses, or straight up and down bananas, remember you’re loved here too!!  In most posts, I try to give styling tips for all shapes!

 

Fun & Fashion,

Dawn Lucy

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