How to dress an hourglass shape
Your curves are balanced top and bottom, with a waist that's clearly smaller. The secret: let clothes follow your shape.
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If you're an hourglass, your bust and hips are about the same width, and your waist curves in noticeably between them. You might find that clothes fit your hips and bust but hang loose at the waist, or that boxy pieces can hide your waist. That's not your body getting it wrong. It's the clothes being cut for a straighter frame.
The good news is that once you know what to look for, an hourglass shape is straightforward to dress. Almost everything comes back to one idea: show your waist.
New to body shapes? Our body shape guide walks you through measuring at home.
What works for you
- Pieces that nip in at the waist
- Fabrics that drape and move with you, rather than stiff, boxy ones
- Necklines that open up a little, like V-necks and wrap fronts
- Balanced volume: if you add fullness on top, keep the bottom fitted, and the other way around
Tops
Wrap tops are close to perfect for you. They cross at your narrowest point and create a gentle V at the neck.
Fitted knits with a little stretch follow your shape without clinging. A fine-knit sweater tucked into high-waisted pants is a classic for good reason.
Button-up shirts can gape at the bust. Look for styles with a bit of stretch, hidden buttons, or a slightly relaxed cut that you can tuck in or knot at the waist.
Boxy tops aren't off limits. Try a half-tuck at the front, or add a belt over the top, so your waist still shows.
Bottoms
High-waisted pants and jeans sit at your waist and show off the curve to your hips. Straight, wide-leg and bootcut all work well. If waistbands tend to gap at the back, look for "curvy" fits, which are cut with more room at the hip.
Pencil and A-line skirts both suit you. A pencil skirt follows your shape; an A-line skims over the hips and swings as you walk. Either way, choose one that sits at your natural waist.
Dresses
This is where you can really shine. Wrap dresses, fit-and-flare dresses and sheath dresses with a defined waist all flatter you. Shirt dresses work too, as long as they come with a belt.
If you love a looser, flowy dress, simply add a belt, or wear it with a fitted cardigan over the top.
Layers
Belted coats, like a classic trench or a wrap coat, are made for you. A tailored blazer that nips in slightly at the waist looks sharp over everything. If you love an oversized blazer, wear it open over a fitted top so your shape still shows underneath.
Cropped cardigans and jackets that end at the waist are another nice option.
Shoes and accessories
There are no strict rules here. A pointed or almond toe lengthens your leg, and a heel, even a low block heel, adds a little lift, but flats and sneakers look great too. A belt is your most useful accessory. A slim one for dresses and a wider one for coats will cover almost everything.
A sample hourglass capsule
- Wrap top in a solid color
- Fine-knit sweater
- Stretch button-up shirt
- High-waisted straight jeans
- Tailored wide-leg pants
- A-line midi skirt
- Wrap dress
- Belted trench coat
- Tailored blazer
- Ankle boots and pointed flats
- A slim belt and a wide belt
Mix those and you'll have outfits for work, weekends and evenings out.
Three outfits to try
- Weekend: a fitted knit tucked into high-waisted straight jeans, ankle boots and a belted trench.
- Work: a stretch button-up shirt, tailored wide-leg pants and pointed flats, with a tailored blazer on top.
- Evening: a wrap dress with pointed heels or flats, and the trench belted over it if the night is cool.
Rules are optional
These are ideas, not rules. If you love a boxy sweater or a straight shift dress, wear it. Style is about how you feel. Knowing your shape just helps you find those feel-good pieces faster.
Let Capsoire do the searching
When the Capsoire quiz launches, choosing hourglass will bring up pieces that follow your waist, from wrap dresses to belted coats, so you can skip the scrolling.