Dressing the Hourglass

Style lovers know that different fashion eras favor different body types. We also realize that foundation garments, such as girdles, were often used to get "the look" favored during each particular era. Most women prefer certain eras and we are all (sometimes too) aware of our own body shape.

This post is the first in a series about dressing for your particular body shape. The most common body types are the hourglass, the rectangle, the pear, and the apple. 1950s fashion was all about the hourglass.

The hourglass figure is referred to as the ideal body shape. Hourglasses have a shapely, balanced figure. The hips and shoulders are about the same width and the waist is well defined. Think of Jayne Mansfield and Marilyn Monroe.





I read somewhere once that to be a "true" hourglass, the waist must be at least 10 inches smaller than the breasts and hips. With that qualification, I wonder how many women today are true hourglasses. Not this girl!

Hourglass Figures "Should" Wear

Voluminous skirts of the 50's.

Wrap dresses from the 70s that hug your curves in all the right places.

Swing coats and capes from the 60s as well as belted trench coats.

Wiggle dresses from the 50s and 60s.

Short, boxy jackets from the 50s.

Cardigan sweaters.

Bias-cut gowns from the 30s.

Sweetheart necklines from the 50's.

Hourglass Figures "Should" Avoid

Shift dresses from the 60s - they just swamp you.

Anything from the 20s - they were designed for women without curves.

Crazy, huge abstract prints from the 70s - stick with smaller patterns.

Anything that is baggy and shapeless.

Readers, what do you think? Agree, Disagree? Anything you would add?