Following on from our last blog all about outfits for a rectangular body shape, up next are the pears. This article will look at the common traits that lots of pear shaped bodies have as well as our ever-present styling tips. As always, these are simply to give you inspiration but you should always wear what you feel the most comfortable and confident in!
What are the characteristics of a pear body shape?
If you’ve never thought about which body shape you are before, most pear shapes have similar features overall. Whilst you might not fit every single feature, you should do generally to consider yourself that body shape. Here are the key features of a pear body shape:
- Narrow shoulders + waist
- Wider hips
- Buying a smaller size for tops than bottoms
- A shapely silhouette
- Tend to be on the shorter side height-wise
Pear body shapes tend to have a larger mid-section, which doesn’t always seem flattering in lots of clothes. However, it’s important to remember that there’s a style of jeans, trousers, skirt or dress for every shape and size.
You might find that you don’t fit every single characteristic but you’re thereabouts. If not, why not check out our other body shape outfit guides for rectangle, hourglass, triangle and oval figures?
How to style a pear body shape
We’re firm believers that women can wear whatever they want to, as long as they feel great in their outfit. If you want to dress more for your shape, here are some styling tips for choosing pear body shape outfits for a country lady.
Choose fitted bottom half items
With wider hips, you want to keep everything streamline on your bottom half. That doesn;t have to mean sticking to dull black trousers, it simply means picking items that complement your shape. At Rydale, we think every woman should have a pair of versatile dark wash skinny or slim jeans in their wardrobe. A darker wash is flattering on a triangular figure and will go with just about every top half item in your wardrobe. Mid and high rise styles work best to cinch everything in and give you a waist too.
However, you could also consider bootcut or wider legged bottoms as that can also give you a streamlined look. Bottoms that are a straight line from your hips to the floor give the illusion of a longer leg too, ideal if you’re on the shorter side! Wide legged items are often much more comfortable than skinny ones and currently very on-trend so there are so many styles and variations available.
Add heels to lengthen your body
Whilst flat shoes are definitely more practical, there’s nothing more feminine than adding a pair of heels to an outfit. We’re not talking about skyscraper heels that you might have worn clubbing in the past though. Block and chunky heels are much lower and comfortable than a pair of stilettos! Our Welburn heeled Chelsea boots are a modern take on a countryside staple but still look traditional in style and colour.
Pair heeled boots with skinny jeans and a button-up shirt for a casual night out where you want to feel a little dressed up. Wear with a tweed skirt, tights and a knitted jumper for the ultimate autumnal outfit. Chunkier heels are comfortable enough to walk and stand around in, such as at a festival or concert, and give you a little height boost!
Go fitted but not tight on top
There’s nothing worse than wearing something so tight that you feel restricted. Whilst fashion is meant to be trendy, you should be able to move around freely in your outfit! Wearing a top that’s too small doesn’t make you look smaller, it just makes you look uncomfortable! Fitted and tight are two different things and can make the difference to your outfit.
Take a checked buttoned up shirt, for example. If it’s too tight, the buttons will be pulling away from the seams, you won’t be able to move your arms and it could pop open at any time. If it’s fitted, it will fit correctly around the shoulders, back and bust and the sleeves will be the right length too. If you have a larger bust, it’s always best to size up. After all, an oversized shirt is pretty chic also.
Add volume with accessories on top
Because of your narrow shoulders, you can add extra detailing to your top half. From ruffled sleeves to shoulder pads in your blazers, adding volume can help to balance out your proportions. You could also consider adding more accessories, whether it’s a chunky necklace or a patterned scarf. We love a block-coloured top and a contrasting coloured scarf on top. A scarf can either be an accessory or it can be a part of your outfit!
Choose longer length outerwear that finishes below the hips
Longline jackets will become your best friend. Not only do they keep you warmer as they tend to finish below the hips or mid thigh, but they’re super flattering on your figure as they cover up your wider hips. The good news is that we have a great range of long length outerwear!
For a traditional country jacket, a shooting smock is both casual and practical. It’s fully waterproof with a hood and lots of pockets so a perfect jacket for dog walks when it’s wet outside. If you want a coat that you can dress up and down, a tweed coat is a great in-between option. We love how cosy our tweed coats are, especially when it’s really cold outside. For a dressier option, a wax jacket is one of our favourite styles. It’s flattering for pear shapes because it’s more of an A-line cut and you can also adjust the waist if you prefer a more fitted look
Accentuate but try not to add volume
With narrow shoulders, you might be tempted to add lots of volume up top. Whilst we love a flutter sleeve, don’t be tempted to add too many ruffles or puffball sleeves. Keep it simple and subtle. Any volume should sit around the shoulders and decolletage and keep it away from your midriff or waist area.
If you have killer shoulders, try bandeau or sleeveless tops. If you want to highlight your bust area, try V-neck tops or scoop necks. It can be a bit of trial and error because one style might work in one type of top but not in another. However, finding the perfect pieces means you’ll wear them time and time again.
Finding pear body shape outfits can be a little tricky, especially if you’re a feminine dresser. However, it’s important to accentuate your favourite body parts whilst trying to elongate your body or wearing more fitted pieces on your least favourite areas. Buy quality pieces and you’ll be able to wear them all year round.