CAROL’S CORNER

Welcome to Saturday night in Carol’s Corner. Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Funny story about the dress I’m wearing in this picture. I discovered yesterday that I had four dresses sandwiched between my summer ones and hadn’t noticed they were there. I wore one yesterday and this one for dancing tonight. Wearing another one for church tomorrow.

Here is My FitBit band , along with what people call my Oreo Cookie bracelet. Love this ring that I got on sale when I was at my daughter’s in Pa.

My band covers are little narrow ones, so you can wear a combination of colors.

So tonight we are continuing our Dressing Your Body Shape series. Tonight is going to be The Pear Body Shape. As per previous days, follow the instructions about looking in the mirror to help determine your shape.

Do you

Carry weight on your hips or thighs?

Have narrower shoulders than hips?

Have a clearly defined waist?

Wear a larger size on your bottom half than top?

YOUR BUILD IS CHARACTERIZED BY:

Full hips or thighs, maybe saddlebags

A defined waist

Shoulders are narrower than your hips

A small top half as well as bust

OTHER BODY SHAPE TENDENCIES

If you have gained or lost weight many times, your body shape can chage into another one. Read below to see what other body shape tendencies you might have.

You lean towards a full hourglass shape if your top half looks heavier because of a large bust.

You lean towards an apple if your weight gain generally goes onto your bust and tummy areas.

GENERAL RULES FOR YOUR BODY SHAPE AND HOW TO CREATE VISUAL BALANCE

You need to balance your top half with your lower half by wearing clothes that make your shoulders look smaller.

Your jacket and tops need to finish above or below the widest point of your hips or bottom.

Balance your top with your fuller bottom half. Layering on your top creates visual interest and draws the eye upwards. Wear volume, clutter, pattern, color on your top half, so your hips and thighs will seem narrower.

Wear fitted styles around your waist and always accentuate your waistline , e.g. empire line, wraps, fitted lines.

Make your shoulders look broader with e.g., shoulder pads , puffed sleeves, cap sleeve t-shirts, boleros.

YOU SHOULD AVOID:

Narrowing leg, pleats or creases in your trousers, pinstripe suits, turn-up in your trousers, wide or flared leg lines. Also avoid combat or cropped trousers or culottes

Details, patterns, pockets on your thigh and hip area and belts on your hips

Flared or ruffled sleeve lines, straight skirts or pencil skirts

Bags that sit on your hips

Ankle straps, kitten heels, delicate footwear, round toed shoes , ankle boots with straps around your calf area, Uggs

Mini skirts or any other hemline ( including single or double vents in jackets) that finishes on your hips, thighs, or any other full point of your leg

Dropped waistlines or dropped panels

Sloping or narrow shoulder lines

THE BODY SHAPES AND THEIR CLOTHING LINES

Every body shape has its own characteristics and silhouette, which needs to be addressed when choosing your clothes. The aim of choosing the right clothes is to balance your silhouette. You may not be able to follow all the fashion tends that are out there, but nowadays there are so many trends in fashion that there is something available for every body shape. So, don’t get sidetracked by falling in love with a style and look that doesn’t match your body shape:

NECKLINE FOR PEAR BODY SHAPE

Wide collar and lapels, you are quite flexible here if you don’t have a big bust or short/wide neck. Great necklines are boat and bardot.

SLEEVES FOR PEAR BODY SHAPE

Cap, 3/4 length, dropped, batman, puffed, wrist or above wrist are great for you . If you are small to medium busted, puffed and short sleeved will work as well.

TOPS AND SHIRTS FOR PEAR BODY SHAPE

Fitted shapes are a must e.g. wrapped tops or empire lines, vests , waistcoats , and stiff fabrics, straight yoke, breast pockets, big collars are great, whether patterned or horizontally striped; all shoulder enhancing shapes e.g. shoulder pads, big shawls, bolero, wide straps, boat neck.

JACKETS FOR PEAR BODY SHAPE

Details, collars, pockets single or double breasted, shoulder pads are excellent, but only on fitted shapes. Hoods, breast pockets, back yokes and back belts in the waist area look great.

COATS FOR PEAR BODY SHAPE

Trench coats are fabulous ; watch out for shoulder enhancing details , big lapels, wide collars, double breasted styles(great with empire shaped coats; fuss on top but simple from the waist down; choose fitted shapes e.g.belted coats.

DRESSES FOR PEAR BODY SHAPE

Choose empire or wrap dresses; separates work better.

SKIRTS FOR PEAR BODY SHAPE

Straight tapered knee length or between the knee and midcalf; bias or skirts with flip are most flattering.

TROUSERS FOR PEAR BODY SHAPE

Plain, flat fronted, boot leg or flared ( for long legs) full leg line or ankle length is best, simple style e.g. no belt loops, creases, pleats, pockets, pattern, turn ups.

JEANS FOR PEAR SHAPE

Dark boot cut denim is best.

SHOES FOR PEAR BODY SHAPE

Wear shoes with a medium to chunky heel; platforms or wedges are great; opt for long simple single colored knee boots( neutral colors); a square or pointed toe works well.

BAGS FOR PEAR BODY SHAPE

Clutch bags , shoulder bags that sit on your waist; choose chunky, fussy styles, or looks with many details attached.

SWIMWEAR AND BEACHWEAR FOR PEAR BODY SHAPE

Keep detailing above the waist. Be aware of high cut styles that finish at your widest point. Separates work well, but keep the bottom simple and in one color.

So that ends the pear body shape. As usual I will link you to the homepage of the website where all the information has come from. Feel free to roam around it and find out what interests you. http://www.joyofclothes.com/

Hope you are enjoying this look into how different body shapes should be dressed. If you haven’t found yours yet, it’s coming up on one of the last two body shapes. Tomorrow we will cover what they call The Neat Hour Glass. A new week is coming up. Let’s all commit to whatever goals we have set for ourselves for the week, and work to make them happen. Remember, every day is a new opportunity for success and the only failure is either in not starting the journey , or quitting before you have a chance to succeed. So with that in mind I leave you with this.