[#NoBODYLeftBehind: A Series on Body Types] THE HOURGLASS
Body types. Sure, lots of people have written great content on this subject. A quick Google search will pull up pages upon pages of information regarding your body type and shape. So why am I writing on this? Well...bear with me.
WARNING! THIS MAY BE OFFENSIVE TO YOU AND YOURS, but I am SICK and TIRED of seeing people just wearing whatever. Don't get me wrong. Personal style is just that - personal. And we have a choice as to what we put on, but why wear something that makes you look bad when you could improve your image with a few basic guidelines?
Also, I might get blacklisted from the church for this one, but some of these female preachers wear WHATEVER in the pulpit. In the last few months, I have seen some of the most outrageous outfits mounting the sacred desk, from loud mermaid dresses to mid-thigh bodycons and the looks are usually:
Too tight;
Too short; or,
Just not flattering. Period.
My best fran would add, "Or just plain ugly," to the list, but I digress.
By basic industry standards, there are 5 feminine shapes and 3 masculine ones (though this can also be 8 feminine and 5 masculine depending on who you ask... idk idk). For the intents and purposes of this blog, over the next few days, I am going to focus on the 5 primary feminine shapes because every body fits one of these profiles. Keep in mind that body type has nothing to do with body size. A person who is a size 2 can be the same body type as someone who is a size 20W. And believe it or not, less than 10% of the female population is shaped perfectly - so love your body no matter what shape. So let's jump right into the first one:
Disclaimer: You may disagree with me...and that's fine. :) The hourglass figure is the most coveted shape and ultimately what most people strive to look like. There is a great balance and harmony to a person who is hourglass shaped. You are hourglass shaped if:
Your bust and hips are proportioned.
You have a well-defined waist - approx. 9" smaller than your bust.
You have proportioned legs.
Images: Getty Images
While this is indeed a beautiful shape, those with hourglass figures must be mindful that they maintain proportions and a defined waist in their garments. Here are some basic Do's and Don'ts to look your best:
DO wear form-fitting clothes.
DO define your waist with belts.
DO wear high-waist bottoms.
DON'T wear oversized clothing.
DO wear skinny, straight or tapered jeans and pants.
DO wear jeans with stretch.
That's all on that. Hopefully, this cleared up any confusion on this body type. I also included a downloadable infographic below that outlines the hourglass shape and what clothes look best on you. If this is your body type, save this image to your phone and use it as a shopping guide; you'll immediately see the difference in your appearance.
The #NoBODYLeftBehind series is just starting. I'll be covering the other 4 common feminine shapes over the next four days. Leave your comments, questions or concerns in the box below and I'll be sure to respond. If you found this information helpful, feel free to share on social media too! XO, Kendra