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