AIBU to think it’s really hard to find things to wear if you’re a pear shape?

[Pivotthesofa]

I can’t tell if it’s just that I’ve lost my way since having a baby or if the current fashion just makes it really difficult!

Everything seems to make me look like a loo roll holder or about ten sizes bigger than I am. Or frumpy.

I’ve got some money to spend and can’t find anything to buy!

@MrMeeseekslookatme interesting! What kind of tops do you wear?

@Fkrkrodps oh god the photo horror. Or catching sight of yourself in a mirror unexpectedly. My thighs and hips are the main problem combined with being short. I can’t do anything about two of those things but I guess I can get back on the spin bike and try and slim my thighs a little.
But in the meantime, eurgh!

[quote Pivotthesofa]@MrMeeseekslookatme interesting! What kind of tops do you wear?[/quote]
I tend to go for tops that are loose or floaty to cover my stomach. In the winter, I was wearing long or baggy jumpers with skinny jeans. Or boyfriend type shirts with skinny jeans. In the summer, floaty tips or t-shirts really.

I have this from Next in a couple of different patterns www.next.co.uk/g57502s10/707755#707755

I also have this a couple of the different patterns. www.next.co.uk/g8674s3/470086#470086

Like I said, I'm not fashionable by any means! I also tend to buy lots of the same thing in different colours/patterns if I know I like it!

Following this thread with extreme interest.
I’m a pear shape too with chunky thighs. Used to be 12 top & 13/14 bottom ( I could cope with that), but sadly have put weight on due to illness over the last 3 years & not being able to walk as much as I used to. I’m now 16 top & 18/20 bottom (thighs!) I just don’t know how to dress for my current size.🙂

When I was a pear shape I found the jersey dresses from seasalt were great. They even do them in a petite range for us shorties! Now I have developed a middle like I am 6 months pregnant, whilst still have the pear bum and thighs, and NOTHING looks good. I think the only answer is exercise and diet so I am resigned to looking like a pregnant pear forever 😩

I'm an hourglass. My waist is 10 inches smaller than my hips so jeans are almost impossible to find. I'm also only 5 foot 3 and a size 16, so if I wear anything baggy it swamps me or makes me look huge. I did buy a lovely play suit from Asda the other day as I was desperate for something summery to wear. It's perfect it skims my hips and fits my boobs. It's 3/4 length and slightly wide leg. Best thing I've bought in ages

You sound the same shape as my 20 year old DD. She has gained a lot of weight over lockdown and is now very reluctant to look for clothes as nothing she has bought lately look good on her.

She would live a jumpsuit/play suit that skims her bum and thighs and not 6 ins too long.

Do you have a link for the one you bought please? I would like to order it for her just to give her some confidence that there are clothes suitable for her shape.

She is trying to squash herself into last years summer clothes. Not a good look as she has gone up 2 dress sizes since then.

Think you should wear what you want. Essentially by trying to fit something to your "body type" is continuing on the fact that we prioritise slimness over anything else and that is the goal. Wear what feels comfortable, that you like the look of

Try being an inverted triangle. We are only about five percent of women. So, I’m 5’7 and usually size 8, except my waist is more like a 10, as are my shoulders and boobs, while my hips are size 6. Skirts and jackets are a total nightmare.

Same, @stopgap. I've never been able to find a dress to fit, except stretchy ones - and then it's very clear that they are stretching a lot more on my boobs, and not really stretching on my hips. Otherwise if they fit my boobs, they are like a marquee on my hips. And buying to fit my hips is asking for broken zips in the changing room

Same with long tops - they always flare out for hips that I do not have

Bravissimo clothes are pretty good, but expensive for what they are.

But it has always looked to me as though clothes are made for pear shapes - the hips for every size are always much larger than the boobs.

@ChristmasFluff, I totally agree that clothes are made for women with more of a defined waist-hip ratio. Honestly, I’ve ended up buying jeans intended for teen boys as they fit my micro hips/bum a lot better.

Also, I hear you about dresses! I’m a 32D, sometimes a 32DD and the only dresses that look good are fit-and-flare, where it doesn’t really matter about hip size.

@Pivotthesofa I’m a pear too but a bit taller than you. I never wear shorts because although I like my legs shorts are really not a good look on me! I live in dresses in the summer. Almost always a high profile waist dress almost empire line. I’ll add some links to some I’ve purchased this year in case it helps 👍

This dress is really lovely… I got it in the plain green but think it’s sold out now. Flattering shape and the neckline balances out the hips
www.marksandspencer.com/printed-midaxi-tiered-dress/p/clp60495764

This sort of style is really easy to wear too. Can add denim jacket or it’s a nice beach dress too www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0987128001.html

I have this in red and the black. Worn them both to death already. The frills also balance out my top half nicely. A little sheer so I wear a waist slip direct.asda.com/george/women/dresses/red-frill-trim-woven-midi-dress/GEM822347,default,pd.html?cgid=D1M1G20C1

And this www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0821336002.html?pr_oyster=coH8DxwouA&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8IaGBhCHARIsAGIRRYrguuC3lh5NF2Vdp2Bxai85JijMjC8YsDmgQNUmlcg9V75Ds3pmu20aAp-hEALw_wcB

I am also a short pear shape but with big boobage too. Some of those dresses are gorgeous but I sigh when I look at thin straps as I need to wear a bra!

I'm 5ft 3 in and a pear shape at the moment. Fit and flare dresses are your friend, you should wear a belt to highlight your waist and go for lower necklines if you have a good bust. Heels are necessary though and consider the prints you go for if you don't want to look frumpy. Jersey type dresses are good in that they stretch so are more forgiving as long as you don't have rolls, in a fit and flare style they will skim over lumps and bumps. High waisted jeans with heels will also look good. Avoid patterned trousers as they will highlight short legs and a big bum. Instead go for darker colours on the bottom. Are shops doing a personal stylist option at the moment, if they are it might be worth your while, seeing what styles suit?

Pear here ! I’m in my 50s and so fed up. I’ve just ordered an A line skirt from Roman, size16 too big on the waist, it’s stretchy too but still stands off my waist and tight round tum, and thighs. I’ve just tried it on with my m and s body shaper, it’s better but I’m going to have to wear a top to cover the waist. Anybody bought any skirts with success ?

Oh I feel you OP although I do actually like my big bum but trousers/jeans are a nightmare as they're tight on the hips but gape at the waist. High waisted is the best option for me and also I live in fit & flare dresses in the heat .

Not Your Daughter's jeans are worth checking out. Be careful of the US sizing. Keep an eye on EBay for a cheap pair to check out the fit.

I feel your pain. I need a dress for a special meal out in about a week's time. Just don't know where to start and it doesn't help that a lot of places haven't opened changing rooms. I want something dressed up but not OTT, quite pale colours, pink, grey, light blue... I'm 60 and feel I've completely lost track of what suits me. Was wondering about some of the Lindy Bop styles... something with a bit of a sleeve... then I panic and start looking at loose trousers.

I don't understand the problems of 'pear-shaped'! If you look at the size guides in all the main shops, your hips are supposed to be bigger than your boobs - surely that is pear-shaped.

I have the opposite problem - big boobs on a fairly narrow frame, so my hips are an 8; waist is currently a 10 (but hoping to get that down a bit more); my boobs are bottom end of a 12 but my upper bust/shoulders are back down to a 10!

@Whitchurch

I feel your pain. I need a dress for a special meal out in about a week's time. Just don't know where to start and it doesn't help that a lot of places haven't opened changing rooms. I want something dressed up but not OTT, quite pale colours, pink, grey, light blue... I'm 60 and feel I've completely lost track of what suits me. Was wondering about some of the Lindy Bop styles... something with a bit of a sleeve... then I panic and start looking at loose trousers.

Joe Brown do gorgeous stuff and you can order online. If you're anywhere near Sheffield, they have a shop at Meadowhall, which has the changing rooms open.

Fkrkrodps you soung like my twin! Short, pear, chunky ankles and in my case a big arse!

I used to wear Dorothy Perkins Eden jeans but they've changed what they're made of and are now sh*t.

Empire dresses that end just above the knee are ok. Today I have on Tesco denim shorts and a white cami - it's ok.

itsmeagainagain thanks for those dress links! I really like that m and s one and the hm smocking one....