Every figure is lovely, and the pear shape, sometimes called a triangle, is one of the most classically feminine of all. If your hips and thighs are a little fuller than your shoulders and bust, with a nicely defined waist in between, then this is your shape. The happy news for those of us who sew is that dressing a pear shape is wonderfully simple once you know a few friendly tricks, and making your own clothes means you can fit them to your curves exactly.
The Lovely Pear Shape
A pear shaped figure carries its curves below the waist. The shoulders and bust tend to be neat and narrow, the waist is naturally defined, and the hips, thighs, and bottom are fuller and rounder. Pear shapes come in every size, from petite to full figured, so this is about proportion rather than weight. It is a balanced, graceful shape, and the aim of dressing it is simply to celebrate the waist and let the top and bottom halves feel in easy harmony.
Dressing To Feel Your Best
The gentle trick is to add a little interest up top and keep the lower half smooth and skimming, so the eye travels happily from shoulder to hem. Pretty necklines, a touch of colour or detail near the face, and a defined waist all do the work for you. None of this is about hiding anything, it is about wearing the things that make you feel confident and comfortable. Sew what you love, and wear it with a smile.
Five Outfit Ideas For A Pear Shape
- A-line dress: fitted at the waist and gently flared over the hips, it creates a balanced, easy silhouette. Look for a defined waist and a hem near the widest part of your hips.
- Wide leg trousers: these balance fuller hips and make the lower half feel beautifully proportioned. Pair them with a fitted or softly tucked top.
- Pencil skirt: a timeless choice. Choose one that sits just above or below the knee and team it with a flowing or detailed top.
- Belted top or dress: a belt cinches the waist and draws the eye to your narrowest point, which flatters the whole line.
- A jacket with a little shoulder structure: a touch of shoulder shaping balances the proportions and creates a soft hourglass.
More Tips And Tricks
- Reach for interesting necklines such as scoop, v, or boat necks, which lift the eye upward and add a little width to the shoulders.
- Choose tops with ruffles, frills, gathers, or pretty detail to add gentle volume above the waist.
- Wear lighter or brighter colours and prints up top, where they draw the eye, and keep busy patterns away from the hips.
- Keep the lower half in smooth, darker shades, which lengthen and streamline the legs.
- Pick trousers and skirts with a higher rise to define the waist and lengthen the leg.
- Let bottoms skim rather than cling, an A-line or wide leg sits more comfortably than anything tight over the hip.
Patterns To Sew For A Pear Shape
Here is the loveliest part: every one of these flattering shapes is a pattern you can sew yourself, fitted exactly to your measurements. A good tape measure and a few of our free patterns will take you a long way. These four are made for a pear shape:
For more easy waist defining makes, try our pleated skirt pattern or the much loved 30 minute skirt, and browse the rest of our free sewing patterns. If you love a structured jacket, a set of sew in shoulder pads adds that gentle balance in seconds.
Celebrate Your Curves
The pear shape is graceful, feminine, and easy to dress once you know your friends: a defined waist, a little interest up top, and a smooth, skimming lower half. Sew clothes that fit you properly and suit how you like to feel, and you will always look and feel wonderful. Your curves are not something to balance away, they are something to enjoy.
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