Tips for Styling a Pear Shape

I'm excited to be back again this week to share tips for styling a pear shape. Last week I covered dressing for an hourglass shape here, in case you missed it, and that happens to be your shape. When creating this post I found some great tips on The Chic Fashionista, let credit be given when it is due : ) Not sure if the pear shape applies to you, here are some of the characteristics:

• You have a well-defined waist
• You're bust and shoulders are narrower than your hem-line
• Your thighs and rear might be full and rounded
• You might have short, full, or muscular legs

I actually had two readers share pictures, and both have different styles, so I'll be creating looks for two different ladies today.  First fellow blogger at Bookworm 1858, the lovely Stephanie.  It seems she already knows a number of the tips I'm going to share today, she looks great in this a-line dress! I asked her some questions and am excited to create some looks for her today too.

If this fits your body type, utilize the tips below to look your best each day.

Work to highlight your upper-body. You can do this by:

• Wearing statement necklaces
• Wearing scarves
• Wearing a horizontal neckline to elongate the appearance of your shoulders to make them look more proportionate to your hips, like a boat neck
• Wearing patterned tops and prints to draw attention upward
• Wearing a light-colored or bright top and dark bottoms

There are also a few ways to downplay your curves, if you'd like. You can do this by:

• Wearing dark colors
• Wearing tops, sweaters, and jackets that hit below the hipbone
• Avoid wearing lengths that hit across the widest part of your hip.
• Wearing heels to elongate your legs
• Wearing wide leg, flare, or boot cut-this will help lengthen your legs and draw attention away from your hips.
• Wearing A-line, flowy, and maxi skirts

Keeping these tips in mind, I worked to create a work look for Stephanie.  She said she likes to dress up with pencil skirts and blouses and love pastel colors.  I picked a great peplum top in a light color to accentuate her small waist.  The structure and neckline will also help even out pear shaped proportions.   I chose a black pencil skirt to downplay her curves, and I also added a cardigan for layering, although, this outfit would be great on her without the cardigan too.  Also, in keeping with the tips listed above I chose a statement necklace to draw the attention up and chic black heels to lengthen her legs.  Heels with straps tend to cut off the leg, so if you want to look taller, steer clear of that style of heel. 

Cardigan / Shirt / Skirt / Heels / Necklace / Bracelet / Earrings

On the weekend Stephanie likes to keep it casual.  I chose a great straight leg jean and short boot with a heel to elongate her legs.  She also said she polka dots, so I chose a great button down to go under this wine colored sweater that will look great with her hair and skin tone.  I also added a statement necklace to draw our attention up, then simple studs and a watch.

Sweater / Button up shirt/ Jeans / Boots / Bag / Watch / Earrings / Necklace

Stephanie said she loves to get dressed up for date nights and loves all shades of blue too.  I found this beautiful a-line dress for her.  The neckline will help to even out pear shaped proportions and the darts will help to elongate her figure, and the simple flare will help draw attention away from her hips and onto her tiny waist.  I picked out some great statement jewelry match, a basic black cardigan for layering, and a great leopard heel to finish the look off. 

Dress / Cardigan / Heels / Clutch / Necklace / Earrings / Bracelet

The next reader I'll be creating some outfits for is Renae.  Her style differs from Stephanie's so it'll give you even some more options for things to wear if you happen to be pear shaped. : )

Renae typically wears pants to work, so I created workwear options with pants following the tips above.  I picked a dark, straight leg bottom and a bright top to draw attention up. I also thought some fun pattern mixing would be great on a pear shape too, to add interest up as well. I finished it off with a great heel to elongate the leg and some cute bracelets too. Renae will be styling in this for work!

Blouse / Blazer / Pants/ Heel / Coach purse / Bracelet / Bangle / Scarf

Renae says she typically dresses pretty casually on the weekend, so I kept the look pretty simple.  Following the tips above I picked a great dark straight-leg jean and a boatneck tee.  To make the outfit a little special a picked a great bold scaf and pendant necklace to layer and a fun teal flat.  Perfect for wanting to run errands and still look cute.

Jeans / Shirt / Ballet Flat / Purse / Bracelet / Necklace / Scarf

Renae said that she's like a dressy-casual look for date night.  Following the tips above a created a great date night look for her.  The bright top and dark bottom will help draw attention up and I'm so loving the top I found!  I also chose a great nude heel and beautiful accessories to finish off the look as well.

Shirt / Jeans / Heel / Bangle / Earrings

I also made this handy image for you girls too : )

It was so much fun creating this post.  Thanks so much to Stephanie and Renae too!  Next week I'll be sharing tips for styling an inverted triangle. Not sure of your shape?  Check out this post for specific characteristics for each shape. 

Also, there are two link-ups on the blog this week!  First is on Wednesday called "Many Days, Many Ways." Link up a new post where you've taken a piece and restyled it many ways.  The link-up button is on my side bar. :)  The second link-up is on Friday called Style Swap.  Pick a blogger buddy to swap styles with and link up your looks this Friday! The button is also on my side bar.