The Curvaceous Hourglass

'Tea-time' by Pengtao Yu

Hi Friends,

Each time I remember the hourglass, I remember, the voice-over epigraph for the soap opera, Days of our Lives, “like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives”.

The hourglass is the most proportional female body shape and certainly attractive too. The bust and hips are nearly equal if not equal in measurement. The waist is very obvious, at least 9 inches smaller than the bust and hips and sometimes, the bust may be slightly bigger than the hips.

If you are wondering the difference between the pear and hourglass body shape especially when you have small to medium sized breasts with broad shoulders, defined waist and big hips, fear ye not! The pear shape is notable for her narrow shoulders BUT there are also pear shaped females with broad shoulders who are often mistaken for an hourglass but aren't. Note to self: What is used to measure the proportionality of the different body shapes is the bust, waist and hip only.

Now, back to the hourglass, because you have a full bust, you should avoid wearing blouses with turtle necklines, unless you are a petite hourglass; turtle necks and blouses that are busy on the bust area such as blouses with frills and ruffles add volume to your bust and your bust is just perfect the way it is. Deep square necklines, u- and v-necklines, scoop and boat necklines, halter neck and sweetheart necklines and wrap-round styles flatter you best.

When getting a jacket, make sure it has a deep neckline. It should be fitted at the waist with preferably, two buttons to elongate your waist. You can also leave your jackets unbuttoned  to elongate you torso. Unlike other female body shape, you can wear any length of jacket.

Lucky for you, your body can rock just about any style of skirt and pant. Skirts fitted at the waist that flare from the hip or pencil skirts are good for you; you can tuck-in blouses with different skirts styles as long as the skirt is fitted at the waist. Pants can be straight cuts, boot-cuts or skinnies. Especially when wearing skinnies (pants, leggings, jeggings...name it), you can go for the classic look of long tops that end just above your hip bone or mid thigh or you can be daring especially if you have a flat tummy and  tuck-in a fitted blouse in your skinny to give you a chic look.

Like the pear shape, dresses were made for you. very well with any of the necklines mentioned above as well as with wrap-round and empire waist dresses.  Use a waist belt to emphasize your tiny waist but do not be dependent on a waist belt, I repeat, do not be dependent on a waist belt instead just make sure you wear dresses that accentuate your waist.

Embrace your figure Missy, you are beautiful! Get a good bra to give you a better lift and if you feel your bust is too big, you can wear dark coloured blouses or blouses with one colour to create a slim-effect instead of patterns and prints. Don't be afraid to show off your waist; as a matter of fact, most of your clothes should be fitted especially at the waist from blouses to jackets and from skirts to dresses.

Below are pictures of the lady whose vocal range is to die for, the beautiful Aituaje Iruobe aka Words Aren't Just Enough...Waje!