The Best Clothes to Flatter a Pear-Shaped Body

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Look and feel confident in your body with our style advice

Co-authored by Kathi Burns, CPO® and Sophia Bell

Last Updated: August 3, 2023 Fact Checked

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Dresses & Tops

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Pants, Shorts & Skirts

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Accessories & Shoes

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Do you have curvy hips, thick thighs, and a full derrière? These are the key characteristics of the pear-shaped body type, and it’s really common, especially among adult women. We’re here to help you find clothes that will flatter your body shape and highlight all your best assets. From tops and bottoms to dresses and accessories, we’ve got your back, babe. Read on to learn how to dress to impress for every occasion and style.

Things You Should Know

Opt for A-line, fit-and-flare, or wrap dresses that highlight your natural waist and flow out below your hips.
Draw attention to your upper body by wearing brightly-colored or patterned tops with wide necklines that have embellishments and full sleeves.
Slim your hips by wearing dark-colored shorts, skirts, or pants that are wide-leg, bootcut, or flared. Choose high- or mid-rise bottoms, as well.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Dresses & Tops

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1
Go for A-line or fit-and-flare dresses. Dresses that skim your hips and then flare out balance out your proportions. Wrap dresses and those with tulip skirts are also great choices. Choose dresses that cinch in around your natural waist to highlight your hourglass silhouette.^{[1]
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- Off-the-shoulder dresses are another great option for your body type.
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Choose shirts in bright colors and prints. The main goal of dressing a pear figure is to draw attention to the torso and away from the hips and thighs. Outfit your upper body in bold colors and big prints. These catch the eye at the top, making your shoulders and chest seem a bit broader than they actually are.^{[2]
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- From magenta to poison green and leopard-print to polka-dots, the options are endless! Choose whatever colors and patterns you love.
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Go for wide necklines. Choose tops that broaden your shoulders and emphasize your bust. Boat necks and scoop necks visually widen your shoulders. A sweetheart neckline enhances your bust, making it look fuller. Strapless or off-the-shoulder tops and dresses can also make your upper half look wider. Try v-necks, scoop-necks, cowl necks, square necks, and high necklines, too!^{[3]
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Pick tops that are narrow in the waist and long enough to skim your hips. Pay attention to the fit and length to best flatter your figure.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Kathi Burns, CPO®
Fashion Stylist

Expert Interview. 31 December 2019.} Go for tops that are tight around your natural waist and flow out to accent your gorgeous hourglass figure. Or, choose looser tops that are long enough to skim your hips, extending just below your hipbones to lengthen your upper half.^{[5]
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- Stylists usually recommend avoiding crop-tops on a pear-shaped figure, but you if want to rock a crop top and show off your body, go for it!
Look for embellished tops. Shirts that have adornments near the neck elongate your shoulders and neckline. Select tops with beading or bows near your neck or those with interesting collars. The details draw the eye upward to your pretty face.^{[6]
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Keep an eye out for tops with bell sleeves or kimono sleeves. Wide sleeves add volume to your arms, and as a result, your naturally voluminous hips and rear look more balanced and proportioned. Or, opt for shirts that have rolled or scrunched sleeves.^{[7]
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Layer your tops. Layering adds bulk to your torso, which evens out your body’s proportions to create visual interest and give the illusion of added size. If you’re wearing multiple layers which take away the smallness of your waist, use a thin belt to cinch them in and give yourself that hourglass figure again.^{[8]
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- Layer a tank top, blouse, and cardigan in complementary colors or patterns.
Your entire upper body can undergo a major transformation when you wear the right undergarments. Consider a padded bra or push-up bra to add volume to a small bust and accentuate an hourglass waist. Look for a natural style that can be worn under both casual and dress clothes.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Pants, Shorts & Skirts

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Visually, dark colors give a slimming effect and aren’t distracting; the eye tends to skim over dark colors. Go for dark wash denim and shorts, skirts, and pants in shades of black, gray, navy, brown, and olive green. Not only are dark, neutral colors slimming, but they will match nearly any shirt in your closet easily.^{[9]
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Go for flared or bootcut pants. Similar to your tops, you want to create proportional sizing in your legs and the rest of your body.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Kathi Burns, CPO®
Fashion Stylist

Expert Interview. 31 December 2019.} Choose pants that are bootcut or flared at the bottom to balance out the volume of your hips. High- or mid-rise styles will flatter your body the most.^{[11]
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- Wide-leg pants are another great option.
- Stylists recommend avoiding skinny or cigarette-style pants for pear-shaped figures. However, if you want to show off your full hips and thighs, don’t be afraid to rock some tight, slim-fit pants!
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Opt for knee-length or longer skirts. Skirts that hit the knee or ankle are perfect for pear-shaped ladies. They draw the eye down rather than to your hips. Look for high-waisted skirts with a tulip or A-line shape. Go for skirts with ruffles or beading along the bottom hem, too.^{[12]
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- If you want to wear a tight-fitting or short skirt, choose one with vertical stripes or one in a dark color to flatter your figure.
Although jeans with detailed, beaded, or embroidered pockets are cute, they draw the eye to your hips and butt. If you want to minimize those areas, avoid glitzy pants and belts, and stay away from bottoms embellished with buttons, gemstones, sequins, or bold embroidery near your hips and rear.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Accessories & Shoes

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Choose a few statement necklaces. A bold, bright necklace that hangs low draws the eye to your upper half. The extra detail on your bust makes it look fuller, which keeps your entire body looking better proportioned. Or, wear a collar-style necklace to add width to your neck and shoulders—a bonus for highlighting your upper body.^{[13]
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Try wearing a pair of bold earrings. Putting on some glitzy earrings is a great way to draw the eye further up the body and away from your hips. Choose chandelier-style or dangly earrings for the best effect.
- Just remember to wear one piece of statement jewelry at a time.
Scarves add volume and dimension to your upper half, and the extra detail at the neck draws the eye away from your fuller lower half. Try a variety of scarves tied in different ways to see what you like best. Infinity or circle scarves are great for pear shapes, as their lack of tail ends prevents the eye from traveling downwards as quickly.
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Opt for military jackets or trench coats. Long coats slim your silhouette, so select those that hit around mid-thigh. Choose a jacket with structured shoulders and a belted waist to look and feel fabulous even in cold weather.^{[14]
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Go for bold shoes. Believe it or not, your shoes can change the appearance of the rest of your body.^{[15]
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Expert Source

Kathi Burns, CPO®
Fashion Stylist

Expert Interview. 31 December 2019.} Look for shoes that have a pointed toe to elongate your legs and make your hips look more proportional. High heels are often a good choice for adding height and sculpting the muscles in your legs. If you’re up for the challenge, wearing bold and colorful shoes can do the same thing as a statement necklace—draw the eyes away from your midsection and add interest to a smaller area.^{[16]
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- Try all kinds of bold shoes, from bedazzled sneakers to brightly-colored heels to jazz up your outfits.

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Tips

Pear shapes vary from person to person, so what looks great on one body may not be the most flattering on another. Try many styles of clothes on for size to see what works best for you.^{[17]
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Expert Source

Kathi Burns, CPO®
Fashion Stylist

Expert Interview. 31 December 2019.}

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