Welcome to the Dress Your Shape Series. This training was originally posted inside the Petite Style Society.
Today, I’m going to share about the Figure -8. If you think you’re an hourglass, but still have a hard time with best styles for an hourglass shape, you might be a figure-8.
The hourglass and figure-8 silhouette are very similar. They both feature a defined waist with shoulders and hips about equal width. The determining fact between the two is the shape of the hips. A figure-8 has a high hip, whereas an hourglass has a low hip. See the images below.
Look for where the widest point of the hips falls.
As you can see above, the widest point for the figure-8 is at closer to the waist, falling right at or below the belly button. This “high hip” curve is like a shelf that makes it easy to balance a baby or bag of groceries while keeping both feet flat on the floor.
For the hourglass, the widest part of the hips is lower below the belly button closer to the crotch line. She will have to pivot her hip up to balance a baby.
Read on to see what styles best suit the figure-8 shape.
BEST TOPS FOR FIGURE-8
- Tops that have curved shoulders can be very flattering like the dolman style on the left.
- Knits, fitted or skimming styles that show your curves are best.
- Waist definition is essential!
- Peplum and wrap styles are great for this shape.
- Tops that have room or stretch right under the waist to accommodate the curve or shelf right below are essential for your top to fit right and feel comfortable..
- Tucking in tops and adding belts will help accentuate your small waist.
BEST PANTS FOR FIGURE-8
BEST SKIRTS FOR FIGURE-8
When it comes to pants and jeans, the best styles are:
- Straight leg
- Slim
- Skinny
High rise is probably the most comfortable.
The best skirt silhouettes will taper in at the hem.
Look for:
- Pencils skirts
- Wrap skirts
- Aline that fall straight down
- Yoked skirts
- High waisted styles
- Have room right below your waist for the “shelf”
Hems that curve in toward your legs like the red skirt in the middle will balance your figure and look the most flattering. Avoid the skirts that flare out at the them.
All the principles we talked about above are combined for tops and skirts:
- Emphasis your waist
- Have room to accommodate the shelf/high hip
- Taper in at the hem is most flattering
- Body con and wrap styles look amazing
BEST JACKETS FOR FIGURE-8
Like tops, jackets and coats with waist definition and follow the line of your curves.
Belted and cinched in styles are great.
Please Share:
What body shape are you?
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Very interesting, April!
How does one dress high shelf narrow hips, long rise, together with wider short rectangular waist?
I’ll keep reading your archives for inspiration, thanks,
Trish
Sounds like the high waisted pencil style would fit well. I’d leave the top untucked to lengthen your short waist. How does that sound?
Yes, you are so right, April. Also dresses for warmer summer months are perfect! It’s the other 6 months of the year that I find challenging. High waisted pants help, (hopefully low waisted never returns) pants would fall down 🤭
I’ve only recently discovered your informative website and look forward to reading your archives.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge so generously,
Trish
Finally, someone who recognizes a high hip shape and has good advice for what God gave us! Thank you April!