BODY TYPE PEAR : YOUR BEST LOOKS

12/9/2013

The classic Pear has small boobs, long waist, flat tummy, great arms, saddlebags and heavy legs. For the Pear it's all about balance and drawing attention to your positives.

Draw attention to your top half with eye-catching pieces or details. But on the other side, balance... whatever!
Big bottoms and hips are great, so if you feel comfortable just flaunt it (in something firming). Remember to get the cut right to show of how slender your top half is (to make your curves even more impressive). The rule is: The fitter you are, the more leeway you have when dressing.
If you feel your top half looks too scrawny, a faux fur wrap or vest, gilets, sequined tops, big necklaces, puffy sleeves, big earrings and layering, is good for making your top half look bigger.

Many pears have a long top half and shorter legs. So the legs must be elongated as much as possible with the help of hemlines cut in the right place, and the right shoes. Don't crop your legs. Nude chunky, straight heels with platform elongates your legs, and the same goes for black shoes if your wearing black pantyhose and so on.

In the winter, straight boots will cover any issues with the calves, when wearing dresses or skirts. If possible, match the color of the boots with your pantyhose, to not crop your legs.

Pears can get away with almost any style up top, but is best in something that widens the shoulders and shows of the slenderness of the top half. Not many can get away with cut of arms and a tight neck-opening. But the pear has the arms and top half for it.

Blouse with puffed sleeves and eye-catching bow detail on chest.
The Pear is quite flat-chested, so delicate fabrics like silk and chiffon, add femininity to your figure.

Boat neck sweater widens the shoulders and the visible band on the hemline cuts your top half, making your legs look longer.

Not all pear-shaped can wear tight things on their lower half, but it can be done, if done right. Shoulder enhancing firming dress balance shoulders to hips. Knee length hides any knee and thigh issue. Big necklace draws attention upwards and make your top half look bigger.

T-shirt sleeved shoulder enhancing peplum top fitted in waist (the little skirt on the top breaks up the length of your but, so it doesn't look long but popping), balance the bottom heavy figure when wearing a tight skirt.

Casual dress with A-line skirt and belt in the waist. Knee length is the best shorter length (Mini skirts are difficult for the pear-shaped woman. If you must, wear firming pantyhose or leggings).

Strapless dress with fitted top and full skirt. Long A-line or full skirts are your most flattering look. Make sure the flare starts from your hips and not over or under. The long skirt elongates the legs and covers any leg issue.

Fitted top showing of your slender top half and arms, with a long A-line skirt. Long A-line or full skirts are your most flattering look. Make sure the flare starts from your hips and not over or under. The long skirt elongates the legs and covers any leg issue.

Not many can wear such a deep plunge neckline, but the pear has a flat tummy and a small elegant boobs. The gathered waist and stripes emphasize the curviness, and the plunge points the line of vision in the right direction. The long skirt elongates the legs and covers any leg issue.

Since the pear has such a flat tummy and larger hips you can get away with a jumpsuits with wide legs. Paired with high heals elongating the legs, because your top half is usually longer than your legs. Darker colors are more slimming, but lighter colors make you pop.

Wide-leg trousers with flat front (Zip in the side). Avoid pockets and make sure the pants are wide enough to not cling to your thighs. Wide pants are a great way to get away with printed or bright colored pants, for the bottom heavy. Dark colors are a safer bet though. Big earrings balance your bottom half.

Mono colored outfit elongates your figure. Max length pants in firm forgiving material with matching colored boat neck top. The sweater cuts the body in half, giving you control over where you want the legs to begin and back end, elongating your legs.

shoulder enhancing jackets, shrugs, cardigans and tops in general are great for the Pear-shaped. It balance the shoulders and draws attention upwards.

Eye-popping jacket.
Bright,light colors and eye-catching materials are great on the top half of the pear-shape.

The best way for Pear to wear a suit. Wide-legged trousers and a fitted blazer, in a soft feminine look.

Belted coat puts focus on the waist.
When the coat is open it slices the thigh vertically.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DIFFERENT BODY TYPES
PRESS HERE

tO DETERMINE IF YOU ARE A PEAR
PRESS HERE

(The 12 body shapes and rules are mostly borrowed from Trinny and Susannah's Body Shape Bible. I have made some alterations. Photos in this post are random pictures from Tumbler, Pinterest or borrowed from Google. Unknown source.)

6 Comments

Fashion Designer and Illustrator
from Norway, educated in Milan.

Idealistic Fashion Designer & Illustrator. Very nerdy about it. Creator of Eco-Fashion, Color and Style website, Idealist Style.
Born in Norway, educated in Milan, Italy.

I decided to name my page "Idealist Style", because I guess deep down I am an idealist, on a creative and a humanitarian level. I feel the title suits my message well.
i·de·al·ism
-The act or practice of envisioning things in an ideal form.
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On IDEALIST STYLE, you can find inspiration as well as information, and the hope is that it will make you feel good inside out.
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Rachel Jones

1/6/2016 10:27:03 am

Why isn't there a category for women with Broad Shoulders, small breasts and wide hips? My shoulders are 41 inches wide but my breasts are 36A, Waist- 27" and Hips-40" none of these "how to dress your body" things ever work for me. If I go by my bust waist and hips, I'm a pear. But if I follow pear rules, I just look off. It's kind of frustrating.

IDEALIST STYLE link

14/7/2016 01:45:51 pm

Hi, Rachel. Have you checked out the Skittle? I am the same way. I have somewhat broad shoulders, but slender ones, a long upper body and long legs, but with a small waist and full ships, bum, thighs and lower legs. Most pear shaped types with broader shoulders fall into this category. But the Skittle is still bottom heavy because of the difference in fat and muscle storage on the lower body compared to the upper body. But, there is no rule without exceptions, so yes, you could still be a pear with broader shoulders than the typical pear. Ideally there would probably be a lot more body types to fit all, and I have thought about making a larger system. Your comment is noted. But in a way the easiest way to go about it, is to follow the Pear/Skittle rules, and then just stay away from the ones that has to bo with broadening your shoulders. That's what I do. But you are still a bottom heavy type, just one with a twist :-) Also, you are lucky, a bottom heavy with broad shoulders is more balanced, and can get away with more.

http://www.idealiststyle.com/blog/the-body-type-skittle
http://www.idealiststyle.com/blog/body-type-skittle-your-best-looks

I hope this answered your question :-)
Xxx, Sun

Sandy

6/2/2017 02:31:15 am

Hi, I just have a question. I have to buy an evening gown for prom this year and I am confused. I can't decide if I'm a bell or pear. I am 5' 6''. My hollow to floor is 56 in., my shoulders are 42 in., my bust is 36 in., my waist is 32.5in. and my hips are 41 in. I don't really have a flat stomach but I have large thighs and bottom. I know you don't talk much about face shapes and necklines but I was wondering if you could help me on this issue as well. I was thinking getting a dress that is off the shoulders but I feel like it is not very flattering for me because I have a very round/wide face. Thanks for all of your help.

6/2/2017 12:46:30 pm

Hi, Sandy.

If you have normal shoulders and a long waist. (can also mean, Just skinny shoulders compared to lower half), that means that you are a Pear. A Bell has narrow shoulders and a short waist, and less of a flat stomach and more on the arms. Both have small boobs. You can also consider the Skittle, with the most width of all the bottom heavy types, longer legs and more of a thigh thing that saddlebags. The Skittle also has a bit more tummy, chest and upper arms.
Also, what is your chest size? I know many people who have struggled with the same question, and ended up actually being a Cello. Look up, Pear, Bell, Skittle and Cello in the Overview of the body types below, and see where you fit in. The Cello is the Pear shape of the curvy groups.

http://www.idealiststyle.com/the-body-types.html

As for face shapes, I'm working on posting that to IDEALIST STYLE, but it's not finished yet. What I can say for now, is that a round neck enhance a round face, and so does a narrow neckline. A deep v-neck is the best way to elongate the face, and the same for long hair or a ballerina updo. Off the shoulders is not bad for a round face, but it's not the optimal look either.

(Side note, a round and wide face is a really good look on women and it keeps you looking young for a really long time. So love it. I'm almost 32, and people often think I'm 23. Without makeup I have to show my ID all the time (the limit here is 18). It's the baby shaped face, as I too have a round and wide face :-) I used to not like it, but now I'm so glad. I'ts very feminine.)

It's all about wearing styles that flatter your body and face shape. There is nothing wrong with your face or body, it's the clothes that need to work for you, not the other way around :-).

I hope this helped. Have a lot of fun on your prom, and I hope you find an amazing gown.
Xxx, Sun.

9/2/2017 01:31:21 pm

Thank you for your help!

9/2/2017 01:36:00 pm

My chest size is 37 inches.