What’s a Petite pear shape to wear?
Hi Glam Gals,
I still feel young and I’m 5′ tall with a pear-shaped body but I’ve been like this almost all my life! I search a store full of clothes, but even with tailoring they make me look like I’m playing dress-up. I want a bit of sexy/sensual, a bit of classic and a touch of inner spitfire. Can you help? Glad to have found you.
Janice
Hi Janice,
Our first thought is what is your hair and make-up like? Maybe the clothes aren’t working because you are wearing grown up clothes, but you are tiny and your hair is too girly and sweet . Have you updated your hair lately? Also, check to make sure your make-up is not overdone like a little girl playing dress-up. Keep it subtle and soft.
If that’s not the problem, then maybe you just aren’t wearing the styles that reflect the true you. You say you want sexy, but it sounds like you’ve been wearing boring. We’ve looked around and here are some classic, sexy looks, and the reasons they suit a pear’s body type.
| Don’t wear jackets that end at your widest part Why draw attention to the widest part of your body- your full hips? Pear have nice nipped in waists, so it is better to wear a shorter jacket that just touches the top of the hip and nips in at your waist to show it off. This mustard yellow pea jacket is bold and exciting. |
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| This can sometimes work too
If you are not too bottom heavy you can also wear a long jacket that covers your hips-just make sure it isn’t tight. This lightweight hooded Cayenne jacket by Eileen Fisher is sporty but sexy because of the way it wraps at the waist and gently falls open at the neckline. It is also a great length for petites- not so long as to drag you down. (Nordstrom -Petites) |
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| Play up your shoulders and neckline:
When you are bottom heavy a good way to balance things out is to create more of a shoulder. How do you do this? Instead of halters or sleeveless, choose clothing with shoulders such as jackets, or this Merino wool boyfriend cardigan by Halogen. (A little shoulder padding helps too, and be sure to leave the cardigan open to create a nice long lean line!) To draw attention to your neckline, and not your hips, choose tops with interesting beautiful necklines like this sparkly t-shirt. Don’t forget to push up those sweater sleeves for a cute, sexy look.(Nordstroms-petites) |
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| Choose accessories to point attention to your face: Similar to what we just talked about great jewelery, hat and scarves like this new ruffle wrap one will put the focus where it should be- your top half. Some scarves can overpower petites because they are so big, but this is more controlled yet still soft and easy looking. (Nordstrom) |
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| Wear lower cut boot leg jeans
Too skinny pants will make your hips look larger than life, and too wide legged pants will maker you look elephant like ( and in a petite’s case- drown you). Boot cut are just the right amount of flare to balance you out. Low rise jeans, or these Not Your Daughter’s midrise “Denim Trousers” with the wide waistband, can make your rear look shorter and yoour torso longer. A dark wash also helps make your bottom half look smaller and the built in stretch is perfect for women with hips. Don’t buy jeans with big pockets, stuff hanging off them etc. as they will only draw attention to your hips.( Nordstrom-Petites) |
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| The right skirt makes all the difference:
Short, tight are the worst because they emphasize the tights. Try a gentler wrap dress or A-line skirt that softly falls over the hips but isn’t too voluminous. Wraps are always sexy. To spice this up more add some gold jewelry or a leopard print handbag or shoes. (Nordstroms -petites) |
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Finally don’t forget this cardinal rule for pears: Wear darker colors on your bottom half, light on top:Color can do magic tricks on your body. Black and dark colors will make your bottom half look smaller. Light colors will make it look bigger, so wear dark on bottom and light on top to balance yourself out.
I am 5″2 pear shape. Thanks so much for the tips! Looking forward to some tips on fall style. Please can you advice on casual and work wear for this fall?
I really like this article. I am short and busty.
Hi Valerie,
Sounds like you are a petite, but not really a “pear” shape but more like an “apple”. That is a totally different body type, so no wonder you did not have any luck! We will do an article on apples soon, so be on the look out! But, just so you know, apples usually have great legs. Would that be you? If so, you will want to show them off! Good luck!
Great article for another curvy 5ft 0″ here. But, with a large bust and chubby upper arms and a tummy, it can be hard to find things that keep things looking in perspective. I tried on a wrap around dress like the one shown here and it did nothing for my upper body
Thanks for the article on petites! I am a young at heart petite that is past 40 and love the leg lengthening tips. I am petite barely 5″ 0″ within normal weight ranges but carry more weight below the waist than above so love to hear anything that evens things out a bit. Great article and hope to hear more on petites ….your site is fabulous!
Thank you for addressing the complications of dressing a short, chubby body! It really is challenging.