Published Sept 2022

As a personal stylist with almost 17 years experience dressing pear shaped women in all sizes and shapes (yes, there are different types of pear shaped bodies!), I’ve compiled the ultimate guide to pear shapes.
If you want to know what a pear body shape looks like, want to know if your body shape is a pear, want to know how to dress a pear shape, or which clothes a pear shape should wear, and which clothes to avoid, this post will tell you everything you need know so you finally have the knowledge and skills to find the clothes that work for you, and put together outfits that look good on you.
what is a pear body shape, and what does it look like?
The pear body shape is one of the 4 primary body shapes. It's also known as a triangle body shape or a bottom heavy shape.
These names derive from the fact that a pear body shape is smaller on the top half than the bottom half. This is because her shoulders are narrower than her hips, she has a small bust, and she typically carries her weight on her bottom half ?

how to tell if you have a pear body shape
There are 2 main tell-tail signs that indicate you have a pear shape:
- The first is if you typically wear a smaller clothing size on your top half than you do on you bottom half
- And the second is that your shoulders are narrower than your hips
But that's not all...if your body shape also aligns with these common characteristics, the chances are that you have a pear shaped body ?
THESE ARE THE COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF A PEAR BODY SHAPE:
Still unsure if you have a pear body shape? Take my free quiz?
does your pear body-shape overlap with another body-shape?
Many women struggle to fit into just one body-shape category, and this is because the 4 well-established body types are elementary, and as such they only take into account the basic qualities of each shape.
This means that it's likely that you align with most of the characteristics of a classic pear shape but not all of them. You might also identify some of the characteristics of a second body shape…if this is you don't worry, it's totally normal!
So, it's quite possible that your elementary body-shape might be pear shape, but your true body shape -the one that takes into consideration ALL off your characteristics - might be a pear body shape with secondary body shape tendencies of an Hourglass or Column.
are you a pear body shape with column shape characteristics?
Sometimes a pear body shape overlaps with the characteristics of a column shape when you also have these characteristics:

are you a pear body shape with hourglass shape characteristics?
Sometimes a pear body shape overlaps with the characteristics of an hourglass shape when you also have these characteristics:

Download my workbook to help you get a better understanding of your shape and it's unique characteristics, so you can identify your true body shape?

how do you know if you're a pear shape or an hourglass?
Measure the circumference of your shoulders and hips:
If the circumference of your shoulders is the same (give or take a couple of cm’s) as your hips, and you have a very well defined waistline, you are an hourglass
If the circumference of your shoulders is noticeably less than the circumference of your hips, and you have a waistline, you are a pear shape.
If you're still not sure, take my FREE body shape quiz
Which celebrities are pear shaped?
jennifer lopez
kim kardashian
melissa McCarthy
Keira Knitghley
America Ferrera
Mindy kaling
how should a pear body shape dress?
I’m going to keep this simple:
⭐The most flattering outfit for a pear body shape is a combination of clothes that highlights your assets, creates a balanced frame, and fits you well.⭐
Clothes can add volume, create shape, emphasize, and disguise, so, to create a flattering outfit as a pear body shape, you want to try to balance your smaller top half with your heavier bottom half to create the appearance of a balanced silhouette, whilst also showcasing your assets ?
Just like this ?
This outfit makes my shape appear very unbalanced:

This outfit makes shape look more balanced:

Which clothes work best for a pear shape?
If you're anything like my pear shaped clients, you've probably wasted far too much time and money buying clothes that you don’t feel good in.
Outfits never look as good on you as they did in your head, and you can’t find the clothes that fit well:
- Pants and jeans gape at the back of the waistband
- Dresses rarely fit both your top and bottom half
- And most clothes seem to make you look big on the bottom half
Well, no more!
I'm drawing on my 17 years experience helping pear shaped women like you to create outfits that look good, and am sharing the best clothes for a pear shape so you can turn your body shape into your superpower and make clothes work for you...rather than the other way round!
these are the best tops for a pear body shape
pear shapes should wear tops that:
pear body shapes should avoid tops that:

these are the best skirt styles for a pear body shape
Pear body shapes should wear skirts that:
Pear body shapes should avoid wearing skirts that:

the best pants, trousers and jeans styles for a pear body shape
pear body shapes should wear pants, trousers and jeans that:
pear body shapes should avoid pants, trousers and jeans that:

⭐If you are looking for the ultimate guide to the most flattering jeans for a pear body shape, check out this blog post!⭐
these are the best dresses for a pear body shape
A pear shape should wear dresses that:
A pear shape should avoid dresses that:

these are the best jackets and coats for a pear body shape
A pear body shape should wear jackets and coats that:
A pear body shape should avoid jackets and coats that:

want more detailed information about your pear shape and which clothes work for you?
My simple guide will show you exactly what the most and least flattering clothes are for your shape, so you can start creating outfits that look good on you ?

what are the best jeans for a pear body shape?
I’ve created a super in depth blog post sharing the best jeans for pear shapes over here so be sure to check that out!
these are the best stores to shop for a pear body shape
conclusion
I know that a pear body shape can seem like a really difficult shape to dress, but it isn't! There are lots of clothing styles out there that show off your beautiful curves to their absolute best, and once you know what they are, and where to shop for them, you'll be able to confidently shop for clothes that look good on you, and will start to enjoy getting dressed.
Not sure if you have a pear shaped body?
Purchase my Body Shape Analysis for only $27 ?
If you have any questions about dressing your pear shape, get in touch - I'm here to help!
Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product via these links I will earn a small commission. I NEVER link to products that I wouldn’t recommend to my clients, or purchase myself, in fact I own many of the styles linked here so can vouch for them! To find out more CLICK HERE