How to Create an "Hourglass" figure without being born with it!

Whether you're styling yourself or being styled by a professional, you're usually trying to accomplish one goal... to look slimmer! How do you do that? The answer, my fellow Chica's, is not draping yourself in tons of black fabric. No, there is a much better resolution. Creating an hourglass when you don't have one is a skill that any woman can master. It just takes practice and a little know-how.

 One thing I want you to do is find your best feature. This will be helpful when you're out shopping. For example, I have great cleavage. So, v-necks look great on me. I have a short neck so, really long earrings, turtlenecks and crew neck tees don't flatter me. If your have amazing shoulders or collar bones, boat-necks or off-the-shoulder tops are a great way to showcase that. If you have mesmerizing eyes, be sure to play up your feature using cosmetics. They have great products on the market that will accentuate your particular eye color. Finding your best features and showcasing them does wonders for your self-esteem. When you look in the mirror and you like what you see, it feels good.
  

So, back to what I call "hourglassing". The first step is identifying your body type or more commonly called your body shape. There are four types and most women will fit into one of these categories. They are: Banana, Apple, Pear, and (a natural) Hourglass. Some of us aren't born with Beyonce's natural hourglass, but that doesn't mean you can create it.

 

STEP ONE: Identify your body shape.

 

Once you've identified your body shape then you can work on creating the hourglass. If you have identified your body shape as a natural hourglass, then you're a step ahead of the rest.

• If your body shape is a Banana (or straight) it basically means that your measurements are consistent in the bust, waist, and hip. 

• If your body shape is an Apple (carrying most of your weight above the waist) that means your measurements will be larger in the bust than in the hip. 

• If your body shape is a Pear (carrying most of your weight below the waist) that means your measurements will be larger in the hip than in the bust. 

• If your body shape is a natural Hourglass (your weight is evenly distributed) your measurements will be about the same in the bust and hip and smaller in the waist.

For centuries, women have been trying to achieve and maintain the elusive Hourglass figure with inventions like the corset, the girdle and body shapers. Well, I don't know about you, but sometimes I get tired of being restrained and held in. Clothing that creates the hourglass without having to wear such restrictive undergarments is like being imprisoned for 20 years and getting paroled. LOL It's truly liberating!

Let's start with how to hourglass the Banana body shape.

The Banana body shape is probably the most versatile shape to dress as far as "do's" and "don't's". Remember, we're trying to create an hourglass, so find the smallest part of your waist. This is where you want to accentuate by belting, for example.

You can virtually add fullness to the top and bottom of your body. A ruffled top with an a-line skirt is a great example of how to add fullness and texture.

The Apple and Pear body shapes are little more tricky. Wherever you are most full (Apple-top, Pear-bottom) you want to create a proportionate look by balancing the opposite part of your body with your fullest part. For example, if you're an apple, creating fullness or adding texture will make you look bulky and less proportionate. Instead, add texture to the bottom using a fuller skirt or a pattern and vis versa if your body shape is a Pear.

In this picture, I chose singing sensation, Adele to show the Pear body shape. Adele is fuller on the bottom than the top. I love how she chose to do a pattern all over and a full skirt at the Grammy's this year. She is having fun with this look.

Courtesy of The Huffington Post (thehuffingtonpost.com)

Last, but not least, the hourglass. Natural hourglass figures can be challenging because you are fuller on bottom and on top, but not to worry. I used to believe that you couldn't wear prints if you were a larger framed woman, I was wrong of course and I do it alllll the time! Just be careful not to add to much texture, which will create a heavy, bulky look. Also keep in mind not to throw off your proportions by forgetting to balance the top and bottom.

In this picture, I paired a bright yellow top with a patterned pleated skirt and added a belt to cinch the smallest part of my waist. I actually think I look smaller than when I wear all black.

The most important thing is to remember, regardless of body shape is PROPORTIONS. Experiment with colors and patterns and textures. You'd be amazed what looks terrible on a hanger, but looks amazing on you. Try everything on!

Now that you have the tools to create your hourglass figure for whatever body shape you may presently be, have fun!

Sincerely,

A GeekChicChica

This post was written by our Beautiful Fashion & Style Contributor " A GeekChicChica" To learn more about her and to read more of her AWESOME post visit her blog at http://geekchicchica.blogspot.com/ and tell her we sent YOU! :-)