After my post on styling plus size apple shapes, I got many requests for styling pear shapes.
Although I do plan to give tips for all shapes, I’m writing them in order of requests.
So, if you have a request, please leave it in the comments below.
When it comes to styling tips, tricks, guidelines, and suggestions, please ALWAYS remember…
- Fashion is meant to be fun, creative, and an expression of the self. There are NO RULES.
- Ultimately wear what you want. Wear what makes you feel good and brings you joy.
- Everyone is unique. No suggestion will work for everyone because everyone is different. Some people are short, tall, long torso, short legs, small bust, big bust, no waist, wide hips, etc. I could go on and on. We are all unique combinations. Use what works for you. Disregard what doesn’t.
- Experiment! Because you are unique, you are going to have to experiment. Try out some of my suggestions. Use what you like.
Styling Tips for Plus Size Pear Shapes
From image, clockwise: Plus Size A-line Skirt (similar), Plus Size Flutter Sleeve Blouse (similar), Plus Size Bootcut Trousers (similar), Plus Size Striped Sweater (similar), Plus Size Bootcut Jeans (similar), Plus Size Cowlneck Sweater (similar)
Are you a plus size pear shape?
Pear shapes have hips and thighs that are larger than their shoulders and busts.
Pears usually have trouble finding clothes that are large enough in the hip, rear, and thighs but small enough in the waist.
Chastity of Garner Style and Anna of Glitter and Lazers come to mind when I think of plus size pear shaped bloggers.
Be sure to check out those awesome ladies!
Styling Plus Size Pear Shapes Goals
No matter your shape, typically the “goal” is to create the illusion of an hourglass shape: bust and hips the same size with a smaller defined waist.
Balanced.
So for a pear shape, we try to make the upper half of the body look more similar in size to the hips while keeping the waist looking smaller.
- Balancing the hips and thighs.
- Emphasizing the waist.
- Drawing attention to the upper part of the body.
- Elongating the legs
- Clothing that fits the waist and hips/thighs properly.
I used quotes around “goals” for a couple of reasons.
One, no matter your shape [or size], celebrate, appreciate, and love your body.
And two, although the hourglass is the coveted “ideal” shape, celebrate that booty and dem hips tho!
Seriously, this is the era of the boo-tay.
Oh and confidence is the most attractive thing. Ever. Hands down. Ok, I’m done.
Now let’s get into the specifics about how to achieve these “goals.” 😉
Styling Tips for Plus Size Pear Shapes – Tops
Because your hips are a lot wider than your shoulders, emphasizing the shoulders with a ruffle or puffy sleeve, will offer you some balance.
Even jackets with a small shoulder pad are great options.
Or draw the attention up to your upper body with a cowlneck, statement necklace or even just a bold printed top.
Stripes on top also help to balance out the hips.
More tips for tops:
- Wear lighter colors or prints on top and darker colors on the bottom.
- Wear A-line dresses, skirts, coats and tunics.
- Wear cropped cardigans and jackets over longer tunics.
- Emphasize your natural waist with belts.
Plus Size Pear Shapes: It’s all about fit!
I have some bad news.
Most of the garments you can buy off the rack aren’t going to fit properly.
And worse news, fit for a pear shape is really important.
Wearing “flowy” tops and dresses is less flattering on you, so you don’t want to just buy loose-fitting garments and call it a day.
And fit is such an underestimated part of looking polished. If something doesn’t fit well, it just doesn’t look good.
So, I recommend you get yourself a good tailor.
You will probably have to buy pieces large enough to fit your hips and thighs and have them taken in by a professional in the waist, bust, and shoulders.
Brands for Plus Size Pears
Do try brands that cater to your shape.
Try Good American jeans, which boast gap-free waists.
You can also try custom-sized clothing.
Eshakti offers cute clothing designs that you can customize and even submit your exact measurements for clothes that fit like a glove and won’t break the bank!
And Tailor Store offers more professional clothes cut to your measurements.
Styling Tips for Plus Size Pear Shapes – Bottoms
Wear jeans and pants that are bootcut, kick flare, and flared legs.
If you are going to wear skinny jeans, pair with a longer a-line tunic.
Top with a cropped cardigan or jacket to elongate your legs.
Skirts should also be a-line.
Avoid pencil, straight, and mini skirts.
I hope these tips have helped!
If you have any questions, please leave in the comments below.
This post is the second in a series about dressing for your plus size shape. If you’re an apple shape, go here and if you’re an inverted triangle (or strawberry), go here.
You can find them all with my styling educational posts in the Style 101 section.
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Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on or purchase through certain links, I may receive a small commission.
Not a pear here (barrel, actually) but viola player, and I LOVE that Eloquii has commemorated this beautiful instrument with beautiful clothes for beautiful ladies! 🙂
Love your blog!
thanks!
Thanks, Liz!
I couldn’t find where to write a comment so just clicked on the reply.
I’m newly plus size. What if I’m a mix of triangle and apple? I’ve always had wide shoulders but I gain weight evenly and I also have “mommy tummy”
Love your advice for pear shape women. Well to add to being pear shape I’m also short.
I’m a short lumpy pear. While most articles on a pear shape say to accent the waist, I don’t like doing this because I have a large muffin top of a waist. I want to wear more skirts and dresses, but I feel like if the skirt/dress fits in the bigger part of my wait it looks huge every where else. If I fit to the smaller part of my waist, then I have the hang over issue (and it’s uncomfortable). What style of skirt/dress would fit my body frame the best?
Probably, like myself and all other pears, you have trouble finding the right size. Muffin tops are created by a too-tight waist in your pants, which squeezes the fat up and out making it look like a muffin top. my proportions are such that I am two sizes larger in my hips than my waist. Which means that when I buy pants I have to buy them in the larger size to properly fit my hips and butt, but then they are gaping in the waistband (common problem for pears) which requires having them taken in in the waist. Some “curvy” brands better account for this difference between waist and hips and make pants proper to begin with, but almost always some tailoring will be involved to get a great fit that doesn’t cause a muffin top. I have a pair of mid-rise Levi’s that fit great with no tailoring. Another thing that helps me is to buy high waisted pants, tuck in my shirt, and throw on a belt. The belt fixes the too-big waist problem and saves me having to pay to have my pants taken in. I got a couple pairs of high waist skinny jeans at Target recently that, while the waist is still slightly bigger than I would like, it isn’t terrible and a belt keeps them up. I had to buy them in a size 12, which fits my hips, but if going by my waist measurments I should have been able to get an 8. The 8 was way too tight around my hips and thighs and just shoved any and all fat up and out.
For skirts, A-line always. Not too long or short. Keep the 1/3:2/3 proportions. Don’t cut off your legs with shoes that have ankle straps. If your skirt fits correctly, it should gently hug your waist and flare out to cover your belly and hips. Too-tight skirts cause the same problem as pants and squeeze the fat making it seem lumpier than it is. For dresses, fit-and-flare or wrap dresses, collared shirt dresses with a belt. Always accentuate at the smallest part of your waist. Make sure your proportions are balanced. Anything with a fitted top and A-line bottom. Make sure your top half is accessorized to draw the attention up and balance out the bottom. Also, make sure you have the right fabrics. Nothing too clingy unless you want to wear Spanx/shapewear under.
I have the pear shaped but I have a belly that is big to how can I hide it
I have the same problem.. Some thoughts on this would be great.
Hi Julie,
Did you read my post on Styling Apple shapes? I discuss “new apples” or people who gain weight in their abdomen. https://www.alexawebb.com/styling-tips-plus-size-apple-shapes-817/
Hi Jennifer,
Did you read my post on Styling Apple shapes. I discuss “new apples” or people who gain weight in their abdomen. https://www.alexawebb.com/styling-tips-plus-size-apple-shapes-817/
I find that most of the tips for Pear shape actually make me feel bigger on the bottom. I have a very small waist and extra wide hips. If I wear anything that isn’t fitted on the bottom I look extra bulky throughout the legs. I’m more like an inverted triangle on the bottom. So finding pants that look flattering is such a struggle!
I really love your post!!!amazing info, thank you so much, I’m going to fix my current outfits to my shape so it doesn’t feel like a free willie’s!! Thank you ????
I love your taste, especially when you go for the mostly classic. I am 5’ 7’ I wear tall pants and I have a big round booty. ? It has been the bane of my fashion existence since I was 123 lbs in my 20’s. Fast forward to me today, size 20W. I wanted to share with you LEE jeans fit my curves and my 34” inseam!! True, I can only find them online but, they come in boot cut! And a flex-motion fabric. They wash great and aren’t over $50 a pair.
Thanks so much for the tip! ?
I am somewhat shorter than you, but have the same issues, & I’ve been wearing Lee jeans for almost 20 years! Another pear-shaped woman gave me the same tip, & once I tried on Lee jeans, I never went back. Their curvy styles are the best. I frequently find them at Kohl’s.
I found that Lee jeans did not fit my curves well. The waist was always too big :(. The only jeans that fit my small waist, big hips and bubble butt are wallflower jeans. I’ve gotten compliments on them from different shapes women. They have them for juniors and especially for plus size. All imaginable styles from skinny jeans to the bootcut (my choice for my pear shape). I find them on amazon. I try to stay away from the stretchy kind. Even though they have some stretchy mess to them, they don’t feel like jeggins ( blech) that show off all your lumps & bumps.
I’m glad the Lee jeans work for you! I know how difficult it is to find good fit in jeans for our shapes so just wanted to add to the list!
Great tips! I think I am an hourglass shape, size 16-18. Can u share some tips ?
This is a great article for pear shaped women, thank you! I never thought of the frill for the sleeves! I will add that to my wardrobe.
What has worked for me having a small waist, big hips, thick thigh and a large butt:
1) V neck tops to expand the upper body/shoulders. 2) Short cardigans or leather jackets with a fitted tank that was slightly longer than cardigan. I try not to buy anything now that covers my butt because it elongates your abdomen and shortens your legs making them look even more plumper. 3) off the shoulder top, skinny belt to flouff the top part over belt, cinch waist and keep bottom fitted slightly above hips. 4) heels will also elongate your bottom half, if you can wear them, 5) stripes going down if you don’t want a widen look on your waist BUT make sure neckline is widely open V . I don’t wear anything that doesn’t have at least some sort of sleeve unless there is a cardigan or light jacket to widen my upper half. However, if needed then like the author mentions, wear darker on the bottom and lighter or brighter on the top. Also like she says, confidence is key no matter what size you are!
Wallflower bootcut jeans work best for me to avoid butt cleavage.
A-line flows skirts that don’t stick to your thighs.
tank with cute cardigan or stylish light jacket (leather, jean etc)
Heels even though I’m 5’10
wide v neck tops
solid bottoms with fun pattern , lacey, bright tops
I highly recommend taking this authors points into consideration as she pretty much nails it for Pear shaped women! If you have a larger waist…belly…then take a look at apple shaped articles. If you’re inbetween pear and apple, i think keep pear suggestions but add a wide belt to cinch the middle, corsets are flattering and fun too! Mix the two body shape suggestions and figure out which one works best for you by getting feedback from trusted sources like friends who won’t let you walk around with a burger hanging out of your nose 🙂
I am 5’1.5″ and have an 18/20 bootie and a size 14/16 waist. I have a very short waist, a very long rise and 28.5″ legs. I just don’t buy long blazers because of this. But in ’23, that’s all I see to buy. If I purchase 1, I’ll need the shoulders & back taken in, and the arms & overall length shortened. Would it be better just to find a men’s tailor and have one made?
Hi Rhonda,
I recommend having custom made. Sumissura offers custom made women’s blazers. And although eShakti doesn’t offer true blazers, they have custom sized jackets and more.
Hope those help!