So, you found out you have a pear body shape... now what?
The question is, will you choose to embrace it or leave it? After all, each body shape comes with specific clothing items that can show off the silhouette in the most flattering way. Hence, why it is useful to dress according to your body shape. Not only will this concept make your outfits look flattering, but it will also make you feel confident in your own body shape.
What is a Pear Body Shape?
When you think about the proportions of a pear, the first thing you would probably think of is the difference between the upper and lower part. The top part is much narrower than the bottom part. These are exactly the characteristics of a pear body shape. Therefore, if you're shoulders and bust are much smaller than your hips and make your silhouette appear as that of a pear, you are most likely a pear body shape.
The pear-shaped body is one of the most popular body shapes out there. Some examples of real-life pear body shapes can be taken from Celebrities such as Beyonce, Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton, and Rihanna. Just remember, even if you have a pear-shaped body, that does not mean your body needs to look a certain way. You can be a skinny pear-shaped body, a plus size pear-shaped body, a muscular shaped pear body, and so on.
What are the Different Body Shapes for Women?
There are 5 main types of body shapes, including the pear-shaped body, that we can categorize women into. In case you aren't quite sure whether you have a pear body shape, have a look at the different body shapes and their characteristics. You could also be a mix of two if you notice yourself leaning into more than one category.
- Hourglass-shaped body: Shoulders and bust are in proportion. The waist is defined and small.
- Apple-shaped body: Shoulders and hips are in proportion. The waist or abdomen is larger than the shoulder or hips, creating a round silhouette.
- Inverted triangle-shaped body: Wide shoulders or large bust that are wider than the hip.
- Rectangle-shaped body: Shoulders, waist, and hips are all of the same proportion. The waist is not as defined and the body appears lean.
Pear Body Shape Vs Hourglass Body Shape
The hourglass-shaped body can often be confused with the pear-shaped body. Overall, they do have similar appearances, which makes it difficult to differentiate the two. However, there are certain factors that stand out when comparing the two shapes:
![Comparing pear body shape with hourglass body shape]()
Pear-shaped body:
Pear-shaped body: - Most weight is carried on the lower body
- Hips wider than bust
- Usually wear a larger size for bottoms than the top
- Defined waist
Hourglass-shaped body:
- Weight carried evenly on upper and lower body
- Bust and hip are of similar length
- Wear the same size on both parts of the body
- Defined waist. Significantly smaller than a pear.
How to Style a Pear Body Shape:
To find the best outfits for a pear-shaped body, we need to understand the psychology behind it. The main focus when styling a pear shape is to balance out the different proportions, between the upper and lower body. Since the pear shape carries more weight on the thighs and hips, we want to balance this out by accentuating the upper part of the body, in order to create a harmonious silhouette. Here is a quick guide on how to find the perfect clothing items:
- Updress your outfit with fancy tops. Bright colors and eye-catching patterns are perfect, as these will highlight your upper body part.
- Highlight your defined waist: It's best to avoid boxy or oversized tops and opt for well-fitted clothes to show off your gorgeous waistline.
- Tops with exaggerated pads or shoulder sleeves are great, as these will elongate your shoulder line.
- Wear dark-colored bottoms with few details, to draw attention to the upper body part.
Ideal Tops for a Peared-Shaped Body:
The top is the most treasured piece of the outfit and should gain most of the attention. That's why wearing a suitable top that ticks all the boxes for a pear-shaped body shape is a huge bonus. Let's go over the characteristics of what makes the perfect pear-shaped top:
Sleeves:
Sleeves are most suitable for a pear-shaped body when they contain structure and volume on the shoulders. This adds much more emphasis on the upper body part and creates more balance. Some ideas for short sleeves are puff sleeves, flutter sleeves, cap sleeves, or bishop sleeves. So, consider it when choosing your next women's dress shirt.
Of course, we need to also take notice of the length of the sleeve. Longer sleeves have a different effect than shorter sleeves, as they reach the hip. In that case, it's best to highlight and add volume on the shoulders, however, the sleeves should taper. Long sleeves with a wide length at the end will only add more weight to the lower body, leading to more imbalance. Try out sleeves with shoulder pads to maintain the volume on your shoulders.
Necklines:
The neckline is an important aspect of a top, especially for a pear-shaped body. Our main focus is to elongate the shoulders, so they are in proportion with the hips. For instance, going for wide collars is a much more suitable option than narrow collars. Furthermore, tops with fancy accessories on the collar, such as a stylish scarf or a fancy ribbon are a wonderful addition to your top and will maintain attention to your upper body part.
Length:
The length of the top should not surpass the hipline, as this will only widen the lower body part. Tops are best kept at the waist or just by the hip. If your top goes beyond your hipline, feel free to tuck it into your bottoms so you are able to highlight your waist.
*Take notice of the colour and pattern you wear for your top. Pear-shaped body types want to highlight the upper part, so vivid colors or tops with patterns or other dazzling accessories are always a great option. Avoid dark colors or simple-looking tops, as these will not have the same effect on your figure.
Tops for the Pear Shaped Body
Crop tops, fitted shirts, chunky knitwear, neck blouses, ruffle shirts, tops with bust pockets or off-the-shoulder tops are a lovely options for a pear-shaped body. Overall, tops that are more extravagant are actually a good choice.
Bottoms for the Pear Shaped Body
A few general rules to follow when choosing bottoms for a pear-shaped body:
- Go for dark colors. Avoid bright colors, as this will draw attention to your lower body.
- Wear loosely fitted bottoms. Tight-fitted clothes will only maximize the hips.
- High or mid-waisted bottoms are a better option than low-waisted bottoms, as these will bring more attention to the hips
Pants for the Pear Shaped Body
Generally, pants with wide or straight-leg cuts are ideal. Contrarily, tapered fits or pants with the volume on the hips, e.g, sailor front pants, are not the best option. Overall, tight-fitted pants will maximize the lower body, bringing the figure out of balance. Here are a few pant ideas for pear-shaped bodies:
- Wide leg cut
- Flare pants
- Cigarette pants
- Boot cut
Jeans for the Pear Shaped Body
Mid- or high-rise jeans are the perfect jeans to work with. Moreover, a relaxed fitted pair with either a straight-cut, wide-cut, or flare is most optimal for the pear body shape. Similarly to pants, it's best to stay away from skinny jeans or jeans with large pockets on the sides, as this will only draw attention. In fact, jeans with bright denim colors or embellishments are also to be avoided, as they will be the first to catch people's eyes. Anyway, the best jeans for pear body women are made to measure jeans. Nothing can be wrong with them.
Skirts for the Pear Shaped Body
If you want to conceal your lower body part, then a skirt is a simple and elegant choice. Once you find a suitable skirt, you can create an elongated effect on your legs, reducing the weight of your lower body and giving you a more 'stretched' appearance. In order to create this effect, opt for A-line skirts, or straight skirts that are knee-length or just below the knee. We generally want to go for light, breezy skirts and avoid tight skirts, as these will only bring volume to the hips. Just like pants and jeans, go for mid- or high-waisted skirts. Some ideal skirts could include a skimming skirt, A-line skirt, wrap skirt, flared skirt, paneled skirt, or full skirt.
Shorts for the Pear-Shaped Body
Shorts should be well-fitted, without being too tight. They're a good way of displaying your curves without putting to much attention on the hips. The best shorts for the pear shape have a wide cut and are high-waisted. If you are looking to extend the legs, then go with knee-length shorts or shorts that end right above the knee.
Dresses for the Pear-Shaped Body
Dresses are all about showing off the waist - at least for us pear-shaped women. A dress is a gorgeous way of displaying a defined waist, hence why it's a good idea to opt for belted dresses with full skirts. This way, we can balance the proportion of the upper and lower body, while also displaying the curves. When choosing a skirt, pay attention to the shape of the skirt. The concept of styling a pear-shaped body is to conceal the bottom and emphasize the top - the same goes for dresses. Go for dresses with wider shapes at the bottom, but also with a suitable neckline. Adding a belt to a dress is also a good way to outline the waist, nevertheless, make sure the bottom is also wider. Some beautiful dress shape ideas are A-line, wrap, tulip, empire, off-the-shoulder, belted, X-line, or sheath.
Are you struggling to find the perfect dress? We got you. Not only is the design of the dress important, but also the fit and comfort it offers. At Sumissura you can create your own custom dress designs and we will tailor them to your exact measurements. Discover it for yourself.
Pea Body Shape Outfits
Work Outfits
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Classic Professional: Pair a structured blazer with a bright blouse and high-waisted, wide-leg trousers. The blazer will add some structure to your upper body, while the wide-leg trousers will balance out your hips. Check our business casual guide for plus size women.
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Smart Casual: Opt for a V-neck sweater tucked into an A-line skirt that falls just above the knee. Add a belt to emphasize your waist and finish off with heeled ankle boots to elongate your legs.
Casual Outings
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Weekend Brunch: Go for a flowy, off-the-shoulder top tucked into high-waisted jeans. The off-the-shoulder style will draw attention to your shoulders and neck, while the high-waisted jeans will highlight your waist.
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Shopping Day: Pair a bright, patterned tunic that hits the hip with dark leggings. Add some knee-high boots to elongate your legs.
Formal Events
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Wedding Guest: Choose an A-line or empire-waist dress that cinches just below the bust and flows outwards. Opt for a V-neck or scoop neck and add some statement earrings to draw attention upwards. Are you a suit woman even for weddings? Great, get your tailored wedding suit.
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Cocktail Party: Go for a fitted top with a flared skirt. The fitted top will show off your upper body, and the flared skirt will balance out your hips. Add some high heels to elongate your legs.
Seasonal Events
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Summer BBQ: A sleeveless, high-neck top with a flared mini skirt can be a great choice. The high neck will draw eyes upwards, and the flared skirt will give your hips room to breathe.
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Winter Gathering: Opt for a chunky knit sweater tucked into a high-waisted, A-line midi skirt. Pair with tights and heeled boots to keep warm while looking stylish.
Special Occasions
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Date Night: A wrap dress is always a good choice for a pear-shaped body. It will highlight your waist and provide a good balance between your upper and lower body. Pair it with heeled sandals or ankle boots.
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Concert or Night Out: A fitted top with exaggerated shoulders paired with a skater skirt can make for a fun, balanced look. Add some heeled ankle boots for extra height and style.
What about Coats for pear body shape?
We don't need to extend much, because we have already written a guide about the best coats for each body shape.
10 General Do's for Pear-Shaped Bodies
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Do Emphasize Your Upper Body: Wear tops with embellishments, bright colors, or interesting necklines to draw attention upwards.
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Do Highlight Your Waist: Choose clothing that cinches at the waist or add a belt to highlight this flattering feature.
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Do Opt for A-Line Skirts: These skirts flare out gently from the waist, balancing out wider hips.
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Do Wear V-Necks: V-neck tops and dresses can elongate your upper body and draw the eye upwards.
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Do Choose High-Waisted Bottoms: High-waisted pants and skirts can make your legs look longer and emphasize your waist.
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Do Go for Boot-Cut or Straight-Leg Pants: These styles can elongate your legs and balance out your hips.
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Do Experiment with Shoulder Details: Puff sleeves, cap sleeves, or even a structured blazer can add width to your shoulders, balancing out your lower half.
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Do Use Accessories Wisely: Statement necklaces and earrings can draw attention to your face and upper body.
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Do Opt for Darker Colors on the Bottom: Darker hues can have a slimming effect on your hips and thighs.
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Do Get Tailored Pieces: Well-fitted clothing always looks better, no matter your body shape. Consider getting key items tailored for a perfect fit.
10 General Don'ts for Pear-Shaped Bodies
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Don't Wear Tight Bottoms: Skinny jeans or tight skirts can emphasize your hips and thighs.
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Don't Choose Low-Rise Pants: These can shorten your legs and emphasize your hips.
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Don't Wear Boxy Tops: These can hide your waist and make your upper body appear as wide as your lower body.
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Don't Opt for Tops That End at Your Hips: This can create a horizontal line that emphasizes the width of your hips.
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Don't Wear Heavy or Bulky Fabrics: Especially on the bottom, as they can add extra volume to your hips and thighs.
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Don't Over-Accessorize Your Lower Half: Avoid flashy belts, large pocket details, or anything else that draws attention to your hips.
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Don't Wear Horizontal Stripes on the Bottom: These can widen your lower half.
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Don't Choose Pencil Skirts That Are Too Tight: These can make your hips look wider and your legs look shorter.
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Don't Ignore Proportions: Avoid outfits that make your upper body look much smaller than your lower body, as this can emphasize the pear shape.
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Don't Shy Away from Heels: While not a strict "don't," opting for flats all the time can make your legs appear shorter. Heels can elongate your legs and make you feel more balanced.
By keeping these do's and don'ts in mind, you can create a wardrobe that not only makes you look great but also boosts your confidence.
