How to Dress to Flatter a Pear Shaped Body

Small on the top, big on the bottom? Then you have a pear-shaped body, and you're not alone. In fact, the pear shape is the most common body type among women. Dressing to flatter a pear shape is all about proportion, bringing the focus of your outfit to the top of your body and minimizing the bottom.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Choose tops that have prints or other details to draw attention to your face. In the summer or for evening, show off your shoulders with strapless, one-shoulder or boatneck necklines.

2. Choose pants that are a solid color and darker than your top. Dark or solid colors lessen the emphasis on your hips and thighs, giving the illusion of a long body. Buy pants with a slight flare to balance your bottom with your shoulders. Avoid prints.

3. Choose A-line skirts that lightly skim over your hips and derriere.

4. Wear fancy accessories near your face to bring the eye up. Choose belts that are thin and the same or close to the color of your pants or skirt.

5. Avoid clothes that cling. They will draw attention where you need it least: your hips.

References

• Dummies.com; How to Dress for the Pear-Shaped Body; Jill Martin and Pierre A. Lahu