Plus Style 101

Dress for Your Body Type: Plus Size Hourglass

The Hourglass shape body type is the ideal silhouette because it's naturally balanced. Nice! Your body type boasts hips and shoulders roughly the same width, and you have an enviably small waist in comparison.

Your Hourglass Body Type Objective

To maintain the balanced shape of your plus-sized hourglass body type, emphasize your small waistline, and avoid bulk everywhere.

The best plus-sized hourglass styles...

• Cinch in at your waist
• Maintain the natural proportion of your body type
• Make you look generally taller and slimmer

The following rules apply to all full-figured Hourglass body types, but there are special considerations if you're petite or very tall. If any of those apply to you, start by reading the general rules below, then make sure you read your additional style tips at the end of this section.

Dress to Enhance Your Hourglass Body Type

Your best plus-sized tops...

• Have open necks that create a deep vee towards your waist
• Tie or cinch around your waist
• Are fitted, tailored, or wrapped to hug your curves
• Have thick straps, if sleeveless
• Show off the thinnest part of your arm, such as three-quarter-length sleeves

Best tops for the plus-sized Hourglass body type: deep scoop neck, low v-neck, surplice wrap tops, fitted, sweetheart necklines, corsets, fitted sweaters, buttoned tailored dress shirts; three-quarter sleeves.

Look for plus-sized jackets that...

• Mimic your natural curves with clever seaming
• Cinch in at your thinnest point before flaring out toward your hips
• Define your shoulders, belt at the waist, then taper out at the hips
• Create structure at your shoulders

Best Hourglass body type plus-size jackets: princess seams, peplum jacket, a-line trench.

Sport plus-sized dresses and skirts that...

• Cinch in at your waist with a wide waistline then taper out
• Fit you at the hips, taper in, then flare at the hem to create overall balance
• Hit at or just above your knees

Best Hourglass body type plus-sized dresses -- keywords: corset; fitted sheath; a-line; wrap; tulip; fluted hems; princess seams; gored; godet; knee-length.

Look for pants with...

• A medium rise that hits just above your hips
• A subtle boot cut or straight legs to balance out your hips
• Full-size back pockets

Best plus-sized pants for the Hourglass body type -- keywords: straight leg; mid-rise; subtle boot cut; full-size back pockets.

Wear fabrics that are...

• Stiff and sturdy
• Matte in sheen

Best plus-sized Hourglass body type fabric -- keywords: stiff satin; taffeta.

Accessorize with...

• Necklaces that create a focal point on your chest, such as a pendant
• Thick belts
• Large purses that DON'T rest at your waist
• Medium-sized drop earrings to create visual interest toward your face
• Heels or knee-high boots worn with jeans

Best Hourglass body type accessories -- keywords: pendant necklaces; drop earrings; beaded necklaces; thick belts; kitten heels; pointy-toe pumps; knee-high boots.

Put together outfits that...

• Have a monochromatic color scheme, making you look taller and thinner overall
• Bring attention to the center of your body with color-blocking, such as wearing bright-colored shirt under a jacket, open sweater, or wrap shirt in a contrasting color
• Match your shoe color

Best plus-size Hourglass body type outfits -- keywords: pointy-toe heels; kitten heel; knee-high boots worn with jeans; monochromatic; matching suits; contrasting open sweater and shirt.

Now that you know the absolute best way to dress your hourglass body type, find out what styles to avoid at all costs. Say no to these Hourglass body type killers!

Taller than 5'7"? Click here for some special body type dressing guidelines.

Shorter than 5'4"? Get your additional body type rules here.