Dressing for your body shape: Hourglass and Vase shapes: Clothes for the hourglass shape

An hourglass or vase body shape is where women have large busts and large hips that generally around the same size. Its also where any excess weight goes first. Understanding this and looking at the right shape clothes for our bodies will assist us in minimising feeling frumpy.

Vase body shape is taller than the hourglass shape, and has more space between their busts and hips essentially a longer waistline which is slim. Sometimes Hourglass shapes have larger thighs as well as hips.

Both of these body shapes can look great! Here are some simple ideas to make clothes feel good and look good, in turn helping you feel hot! 

The top half is wear most of the trouble is met.

It doesn't really matter about the print providing its not solid horizontal lines, as the hourglass or vase body shape is curvy and the lines will look like they are moving. Or accentuate how big your bust and your hips are. Which is not the aim.

As a general rule of thumb

V-line neck, square neck, and round neck are flattering cuts, the only problem is finding the right size that fits you cup size in too. Most designers don't seem to make tops for women who have large breast but a small waist. So this generally leaves us wearing larger tops to accommodate out bosom, taking away our asset of a slim waist. Some tops are smaller at the waist but it takes reading all the labels and sizing to ensure it is a smaller waist. Although some have tried to do this by assuming how big your bust is - and its still generally not going to fit more than a C cup. So if you are bigger than a C cup, don't buy a top that has fabric sewn under the bosom. This just causes you to look ill fitting, as through out the day it moves up and sits over you your bosom instead of supporting them, it also draws more attention to your breasts than required as they are already quite noticeable.

For vase shapes if you get a long enough top that makes it to you hips you could do the belt around the waist. Hourglass shapes generally don't have enough space to do this, so its about buying the right top.

A lot of tops are being sold with bands around the hips. Generally if you are bigger than a C cup, your hips are going to be around the same size as your bust, stretching the band over your hips is only going to draw attention to the size of your hips. With tops like this I fold the band under so it rests on my stomach. Which makes the fabric fall nicer and more like to show my true shape.

The length of the top if it flows very well and doesn't get caught, is good if it goes past the hips if it gets caught its best to let it finish on or above the hip.

In winter its sometimes hard to stick with the rule of thumb only wearing v necks, round or square neck lines. That is when layers come in to effect or really good jacket that does all the way up. You may have to buy this a few sizes bigger but its worth it. Long johns underneath an outfit give you warmth.

Don't forget to accessorise, Scarves whether they are winter scarves or summer scarves, they can provide a either modesty or warmth, depending on what you want or need.

This rich berry long sleeved top, has extra fabric as displayed by the model who is not a hourglass figure or Vase Shape.

The V neck and the folds in the fabric would make this a top that flatter the hourglass or Vase Shape body shape.

Ensure to buy according your measurements, and allowing for your body

This on a woman with more ample bossom will expose clevage.

It will give a nice flowing appearance, with a tapering in at the waist and out at the hips.

There is stiching on the outside of the seams running down the body line.

This top comes in black or white.

This black sequined top is great for people who are concerned about there arms and again it has the v-neck

Tapers in at waist by depending on size. Appearing naturally smaller at the waist, and falls long enough for Hourglass and Vase figures who take them up with their curves or extra length with their stomach.

Made out of 97% Rayon/ 3% Spandex

I prefer skirts for the Hourglass and Vase body shape. Very rarely are our calves an anti- asset. Its easier to minimise the effects of the large hips and big busts.

In tall women who would be more of the vase shape - this is very flattering and you can wear skirts that come down nearly straight.

For the hourglass a flowy skirt is preferable, to minimise the impact. The higher the skirt starts the better as it can flow over the hips instead of starting there and cutting in. Knee length skirts would be most suitable as you will already be showing off clevage without trying.

Pants generally need to be wide legged if you are concerned about your hips, or if you want to embrass them, boot leg can work too, ensure to by an appropriate fit for your hips- preferably not hipsters to keep the flow. Hipsters are used to create the illusion of hips, and laddies your hips are no illusion.