| Firstly, clothing sizes. This is a | | | | light |
| really grey area - I'm often a medium, | | | | Tops should be fitted and focus the eye |
| but sometimes clothing lines which only | | | | to your upper body (beautiful necklines, |
| specify 'small, medium or large' are | | | | patterns and colors). They should not be |
| really quite dodgy and I end up a small. | | | | baggy as these will cover your waist, |
| The only thing you can really do is a) | | | | and instead should finish at the top of |
| find a shop which sells these things and | | | | your hips so that your waist is |
| check there or b) if you're buying | | | | emphasized |
| online, check the returns policy on the | | | | Choose accessories (jeweler and scarves) |
| website. If in doubt, and the site won't | | | | that avert attention upward away from |
| let you return things, find a friend or | | | | the hips and thighs. |
| a seamstress (or even yourself, if you | | | | If you're in the majority you will be a |
| know how) to take the item in for you. | | | | classic British pear shape (carrying |
| The dresses and skirts question is | | | | most your stored fat around the thigh, |
| equally tricky as despite being | | | | hip, and bottom area). Rest assured that |
| pear-shaped myself, I find some things | | | | you are not the only one who gets |
| suit me very well, and a different skirt | | | | frustrated when trying on a pair of |
| in the same style but from a different | | | | jeans that gape around the waist area |
| shop looks terrible. As a general rule, | | | | and can barely squeeze past your hips |
| stay away from anything that rides too | | | | and thighs. Given that 70% of British |
| low on the hips, go for a wide waistband | | | | women fall in to this category it is |
| and make sure it FITS. The last one is | | | | surprising that manufacturers of jeans |
| an absolute must, because no matter how | | | | still haven't cottoned on to the idea of |
| many people tell you something will suit | | | | making a well fitting pair of jeans for |
| you, if it's a size too small, or the | | | | pear shaped women. |
| zip sticks out, or the waistband won't | | | | However in the mean time your best bet |
| lie flat you will look terrible. | | | | is to head straight for the clothing |
| Your best bet to find out what suits YOU | | | | rail labeled 'hipsters'. Hipsters are |
| is to go shopping with an honest and | | | | great in avoiding the gaping waist |
| well-dressed friend and just try on | | | | scenario we all hate, as they sit on |
| everything you like the look of. | | | | your hips not the waist. |
| You are not alone at all. So, what to | | | | Any pair of jeans with a low-cut |
| wear if you are a 'pear'? Trousers or | | | | waistband will make your bottom look |
| skirts that emphasize your well defined | | | | smaller. Make sure the jeans are |
| waist area (softly pleated or | | | | boot-cut, as these styles will balance |
| flat-fronted). Try hipster trousers, as | | | | out heavier hips and thighs. Jeans |
| these will eliminate that gaping waist | | | | should be dark - steer away from light |
| problem common to all pear shaped women. | | | | colors and paler 'washed look' jeans as |
| A-line skirts/wraps are by far the most | | | | these will do you no favors. Finally |
| flattering for 'pears' as they slim the | | | | don't be tempted by denims containing |
| hips and emphasize the smaller waist | | | | stretchy materials such as Lycra as |
| area. Short, tight skirts should be | | | | although these may seem more comfortable |
| avoided as these will accentuate the | | | | they will accentuate your problem areas |
| tops of your thighs, and divert | | | | below the waist by clinging to hips and |
| attention to that problematic area below | | | | thighs. Follow these guidelines and we |
| the waist | | | | think you will find your 'pear-fact' |
| Avoid light colored bottoms and stick to | | | | pair of jeans! |
| darker blues and browns which absorb the | | | | |