Throughout history, pears have been revered for their sensual, seductive shape – and it is the same for this alluring body type! Smaller on top and gently sloping outwards to wide, full hips and bottom, your pear-shaped body is blessed with a slim waist and generally toned arms.

One of the first steps to unleashing your style is to define your shape!

For starters, being a pear refers to your shape and proportions – not your weight, height or dress size. You could be a size 6 and still be pear-shaped.

You’re a perfect pear if you have:

• a small to average bust size
• relatively narrow shoulders and a slight back
• a flat stomach
• a waist that’s slim or nearly equal-sized to your chest
• a wider or rounded behind
• wide hips and full thighs, or “saddlebags”

You’re pear-shaped when there’s a substantial difference between the size of your upper and lower body – with the appearance of a heavy bottom, tapering to a narrow top. When a pear gains weight, it usually shows up below the waist.

You’re in good company! Famous examples of “pear perfection” include Jennifer Love Hewett, Jennifer Lopez, Kristin Davis, Micha Barton, Katherine Heigl and Beyoncé Knowles.

Top Ten Tips: Whether you’re trying to decide what to wear in the morning – or when you’re heading to your favourite Cadillac Fairview shopping centre to update your wardrobe – here are the “do’s and don’ts” for dressing the pear body type.

1. Do wear bright colours on top. In addition to hot hues, wearing pleats and ruffles on top will bring the focus upward and away from lower trouble zones. Try wider necklines and off-the-shoulder styles to also bring attention away from your hips.
2. Do create the illusion of a more proportioned silhouette. Wear small shoulder pads or puffed sleeves for the look of broader shoulders. And opt for jackets that graze the waist or higher. (Sorry, this season’s longer-length, boyfriend-style jacket is not for you.)
3. Do invest in push-up or padded bras to give your smaller bust line a little extra oomph.
4. Do wear darker colours on the bottom, as this can help thighs look slimmer. Straight-leg, boot-cut or slightly flared, flat-front trousers that are roomy through the thigh can slim and lengthen legs, while a flared, A-line skirt will accentuate your trim waist while hiding heavier thighs. And when it comes to denim, the darker the better!
5. Do wear bold accessories to put the focus on your best assets: your slim waist, shapely collarbones and long neck. This season’s skinny belts and statement necklaces are ideal reasons for you to shop!
6. Don’t wear too-tight tops. It will only exaggerate the size of your bottom half.
7. Don’t wear cargo pants or any bottoms with drawstrings or side pockets, as they’ll make your hips look even wider.
8. Don’t wear skinny jeans, pencil skirts or knit leggings, unless you’re covering your wider hips and thighs with a long A-line tunic top.
9. Don’t bring attention to your lower body with any bold prints, including oversized checks or plaids. Keep this area as neutral as possible.
10. Don’t wear horizontal patterns over the widest parts of your body. Opt for vertical patterns or pinstripes instead.

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