How to Dress an Hourglass Body Shape

The key to dressing an Hourglass body type is to proportionally dress the top and bottom of your body while accentuating your waist. Wide belts over shirts and dresses are a great way to show off your waist. You can create an even more curvaceous effect by proportionally adding a bit of volume to your upper and lower body, but always try to maintain balance since it is your best asset. You have great legs so feel free to play with skirt lengths. Please click on the thumbnails below to learn more about how to dress an Hourglass body type.

Accentuate your waist by adding a belt to hip-length basic tops.
(tube tops, knit tops, sleeveless tops, etc.)

Wrap-style tops accentuate your waist and enhance your hourglass figure.

Look for shirts with details or gathers at the waist that accentuate your hourglass shape.

Wear fitted dress shirts with structured shoulders and darted waists that conform to your natural shape. Stay away from boxy styles.

Tops with wide, deep V-necklines that add volume to the bust and shoulders with a snug fitting empire waist create a dramatic hourglass effect when paired with a proportionally voluminous bottom.

Wear tailored jackets that conform to your natural curves and have nipped-in waists. Choose jackets that end at the hip bone and add a belt to further enhance your hourglass figure.

Pencil skirts that conform to your natural curves are very flattering on your figure. Pencil skirts with flared bottoms nicely balance fuller tops and jackets.

Choose boot or trouser cut jeans with a mid-rise waist. Jeans that fall directly down from the widest part of the hip are always flattering, although a fitted jeans with a slightly flared leg can also work as long as the flare does not exceed the width of your hips. Add whiskering or flap pockets to balance shirts with full shoulders or embellished busts.

Slacks with wide waist are very flattering on your body type. A mid-rise with straight or slightly flared legs always a good choice for an hourglass figure.

Full skirts are flattering when paired with a top that adds fullness to your bust and shoulders while accentuating your waist. This look creates a very dramatic hourglass effect.

Fitted dresses that are sleeveless, strapless or with simple, form fitting sleeves create a sexy hourglass look especially when paired with a wide belt that accentuates your waist.

Off the shoulder dresses with an A-line or full skirt and fitted or belted waist enhance your hourglass figure while showing off your great shoulders and legs.

Dresses with full sleeves (flutter sleeves, princess sleeves, etc.), a full or A-line skirt and fitted waist create a dramatic hourglass effect.

Dresses with ruching or draping across the bust with a wide fitted waist and full skirt make your waist look tiny and enhance your hourglass figure.