The 5 Body Types: The Pear Shape

The Pear

The first things we consider as personal stylists when redoing someone’s wardrobe are what the client’s best colors are and what their body type is. Knowing how to dress for your body type can eliminate a lot of frustration when shopping and also teach you how to love the body you’re in. This is crucial, especially nowadays with influencer culture. The likelihood that your favorite influencer has your body type is slim, making it difficult to purchase something they recommend and have it look the same on you. Looking to them as style inspiration is fine, but you have to couple it with knowing what works and what doesn’t work for the body you’re currently in. We are putting an emphasis on this currently because you can’t base your body type on what you looked like in high school or what you might look like after you lose 20 lbs. When determining your body type today, you have to be real with your current you. And remember, clothing size doesn’t matter. A person who wears a size 2 can have the same body type as a person who wears a 16. 

Today’s blog is for all pear-shaped or triangle body types. Being pear-shaped or bottom-heavy is the exact opposite of being an inverted triangle, meaning you are heavier on the bottom half of your body. The widest part of your frame is occurring at your hips. Now, having a big butt does not constitute a pear shape. When you look at yourself straight in the mirror, your hips protrude outward the most from your body, while the waist, shoulders, and breasts remain more narrow in comparison. Some celebrity examples include: Jeniffer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, and Shakira. 

How To Dress This Body Type

As a personal stylist, the goal when dressing a pear body type is to draw attention to the top of the body to create balance. We do this by adding volume to the top and playing with interesting necklines. High necklines design, pattern, color, and texture all create more interest at the top of the body. Off-the-shoulder tops are a great option for pear-shaped bodies. For the bottom, we want to keep it super simple and clean. Avoid fussy, colorful, voluminous bottoms as that will draw more attention to the bottom half of the body. 

The pear really just needs a little more interest on the top to distract from all the volume on the bottoms. Anything with voluminous ruffles or a puff sleeve is perfect for you. The addition of this off the shoulder moment is also a plus for this body type. But if frill isn’t your thing, cutouts, high necks, interesting necklines, textures, bright colors, and prints on the top is a perfect option as well.

Slimmer styles and darker colors on the bottom are also things you should lean into more for the pear body type. Skinny jeans have become a controversial fashion choice over the last few years. If you don’t like them, then you’ll want to wear a jean that’s no wider than a straight leg. But, just know, you may not like skinny jeans, but skinny jeans love you back.

This a fantastic example of what a pear body type look best in. The top is voluminous, colorful, and printed to offset your wider hips. And the skirt has stretch to smooth effortlessly over your curves. The deeper tone is also a plus.

Again, for the pair shape, we want volume and interest on top. The puff sleeve on the dress on the left will balance out your body. The smooth finish of the skirt on the bottom helps not to draw attention there. Same with the white dress. We love the fluff at the chest to draw the eyes up and the fitted skirt on the bottom.

Pieces to Avoid

Please avoid stiffer fabrics on the bottom. A straight leather skirt with no give is your enemy. A canvas-like material is also not a great option for you. Bold, voluminous bottoms are a no-go too. It will bring all the attention to the part of your body we are trying to minimize. Think simple and sleek for the bottom half of your outfit.

Summary

No one’s body type is easy to dress. Each one has its pros and cons. The only thing to do is learn the tips and tricks to dressing your body type. The goal is to make you look your best in the current body you have. Once you figure this out, your style will elevate beyond what you could’ve believed. For the pear, we want to draw all that attention to the top of the bottom and minimize as much as we can on the bottom – and that doesn’t mean only wearing slim black pants. Think bold and eye-catching for the upper regions and simple and clean at the bottom. Also, do your best to avoid anything that is too stiffy and doesn’t have any give on the bottom. It will compete with your curves and just cause you to look frumpy. Good luck shopping!