Skip to Content

The most common types of hourglass figures – definitive guide

The most common types of hourglass figures – definitive guide

Sharing is caring!

don't miss a thing
Join my email list to receive additional tips directly to your inbox!
Thank you for subscribing!

Is it true that there are several types of hourglass figures? – yes, for sure!

An hourglass is the most wished body shape among women. Because it’s the most feminine body shape compared to others.

If this is the first time you hear about different body shapes here is the body shape category on my homepage.

You can read some of the articles to find out some tricky and helpful facts about different body shapes.

But since you are here, I guess you already know what your body shape is.

I bet you have an hourglass body shape.

Having an hourglass body shape means the waist is the most defined part of your body. Your shoulders, bust, and hips are almost the same size.

But did you know that there are several (4+) types of hourglass body shapes?

That’s what we are talking about today.

There are four main types of hourglass figures. These are top hourglass, bottom hourglass, neat hourglass, and full hourglass.

There are a lot of things to remember so I will create and share some infographics to help you exactly understand everything.

Types of hourglass figures – Top hourglass body shape

top hourglass body shape

Starting with the first one which is a top hourglass body shape.

The top hourglass is very similar to a regular hourglass body. But there are some things that will help you exactly determine which one you have.

As an hourglass body shaped woman you have the most defined waist.

  • If you have a top hourglass body shape, it’s possible that your bust is larger than your hips. This is easy to notice.

Another thing that will help you find out whether you are a top hourglass or not is to look at your shoulders in the mirror.

  • If your shoulders are lightly rounded and they align with your hips, that means you have a top hourglass body shape.

The last thing that will help you fit into any of these types of hourglass figures is to look at yourself in the mirror.

  • If you see your body is in a good balance of the length of your legs, you have a top hourglass body type.

We can see that the top hourglass is like an inverted triangle body shape. But they are still totally different from each other.

If you want to know what is the difference between hourglass and inverted triangle body shapes, check out my other article.

How to dress a top hourglass body shape?

When it comes to dressing for different body types, it’s important to know what your assets are.

If you read the article you will probably know what your assets are. So, your job will be to accentuate your assets as much as you can.

Don’t forget the most important thing: don’t break the balance of your body.

The best tops for top hourglass body shape

If you want to look the best version of yourself, you need to pay attention to some details when you are going shopping for your clothes.

The first type of top that looks flattering on your body is a one-shoulder top.

Since you are a top hourglass, you may have broad, round shoulders. One shoulder top will visually cut your shoulders in half.

That means your broader shoulders won’t be as noticeable.

Let me tell you one thing.

I am sharing those tips not because you have anything to hide, I just mention these tips to make you look flattering in your outfits.

Ok, not let’s continue.

Another type of tops that work great for women with top hourglass body types is v-neck tops.

V-neck tops elongate your neck and give you a slimmer appearance.

It also shows some of your skin which makes you look sexier as well. So, your goal here is to move interest to your assets and away from your “problem area”.

When you have a top hourglass body shape it’s best to draw more attention to your waist and lower bottom of your body.

That’s where a vertical striped top will help you. It makes your body look longer and gets fewer eyes on your shoulders.

The best pants for a top hourglass body shape

Flared and wide-leg pants are the best options for you. They will balance your higher and lower body.

Another type of pants that you can try is boyfriend jeans. It is a perfect shape for you. And it works great for balancing your body curves.

So, when you want to choose pants for your next outfit, try to find a pair of pants that is not very tight and has some volume for your lower body.

Bottom hourglass body type

bottom hourglass body shape

Next up we have a bottom hourglass body type.

Let me share some of the tricks to help you determine whether you have a bottom or top hourglass.

  • You are a bottom hourglass if your shoulders are slightly narrower than your hips.
  • You have slim arms
  • Your legs are also slim

And there is a trickier feature to find out if you have a bottom hourglass body shape.

  • If you have thicker thighs and wider hips, you are a bottom hourglass.

How to dress a bottom hourglass body shape?

The main “rule” to choose a top for a bottom hourglass body-shaped woman is to add volume to the top half of the body.

It’s because, overall, your higher body is slimmer than your bottom.

The best tops for bottom hourglass body shape

So, the first top that will work perfectly for you is a top with puff sleeves.

Other tops that you can try are tops with a neckline that shows your skin. For example, deep v-neck. sweetheart neckline and other similar necklines will be great options.

And the last thing that you should try on your body is tops with shoulder pads.

All of those tops will work perfectly to add some volume to your higher body.

The best pants for bottom hourglass body shape

When it comes to pants, the first option will be dark-wash jeans for you. On the other hand, you need to wear a printed top or top with some interesting features.

That is because you need to pay attention to your higher body. You have to accentuate the curves of your higher body.

Other pants that you have to consider as flattering for your body shape are mom and bootcut jeans. They have the right shape for you that will balance your body the right way.

Bottom hourglass vs pear

Is the bottom hourglass the same as the pear? – definitely, no.

Pear-body-shaped women have wider lower bodies compared to higher bodies. Their hips are the widest part of their body.

That’s while bottom hourglass body-shaped women have slender legs and thicker thighs.

With that being said, I hope you are sure that the bottom hourglass isn’t the same as the pear.

If you still are not sure whether you have an hourglass or a pear body shape, here is the article where you will find the differences between them.

Full hourglass body type

full hourglass

Other than the bottom and top hourglass body types, there are full and neat hourglass body shapes.

In this section, we are gonna talk about them.

So, what’s a full hourglass body type?

It’s easy to understand if we pay good attention to the name of this body type.

  • You have a full hourglass body type when you have fuller curves
  • Your shoulders and hips are equal in width
  • The waist is significantly slimmer than your hips
  • You have a fuller bust

In case you have an hourglass body shape and you have a tummy too, here is my guide on how to dress an hourglass with a tummy.

How to dress a full hourglass body type

The first thing you need to make sure you are doing to look flattering in your outfit is to define your waist.

It’s not hard since you have an hourglass body shape, but still. Do more things – like use a belt to cinch in your waist even more.

Showing your waist creates a very feminine silhouette of your body.

Wear tops with some interesting necklines.

That’s because as a full hourglass, you probably have a very beautiful decolletage. So, you have to accentuate that with v-necks, sweetheart necklines, scoop necks, etc.

For the bottom, the best option is to find tailored pants that won’t add extra weight to your lower body.

But remember the main thing here – you have to highlight your curves without adding bulk to your body.

Neat hourglass body type

neat hourglass body type
  • If you have a neat bottom and defined bust you are a neat hourglass.
  • If you have a smaller waist which is very defined, you have a neat hourglass body shape.

These are the main characteristics of a neat hourglass body type.

I know it’s a bit hard to understand all these together. But try it! It’s not that hard.

Just look in the mirror with your underwear and you will see those differences.

How to dress a neat hourglass body type

Well, when you have a neat hourglass body shape you have just one task. That is all about highlighting your curves.

You can do that by wearing bodycon dresses.

Try peplum tops. Those will elongate your body.

Make sure to always use a belt to cinch in your waist even more.

For bottoms, you can go with almost everything.

Some examples are skinny jeans, culottes, straight-leg jeans, wide-leg pants, cropped jeans, etc.

Neat hourglass vs full hourglass

When it comes to differentiating those two types of hourglass bodies, you need to remember one thing.

If you have fuller body curves and a very defined waist, you have a full hourglass body type.

And if you have a defined waist but your curves are slightly noticeable you have a neat hourglass body shape.

There is another hourglass body type which is plus size hourglass. And here is another article about it.

That’s all for today.

If you still need help or want to just share your thoughts, feel free to DM me on my socials. Here are my Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook pages.

Thank you for reading!

Types of hourglass figures

Sharing is caring!