It's the HOURGLASS thread! Share your buys/finds for Casual, Work and Occasion that make the most of your hourglass shape!

[Weebleswobbles]

Hopefully title says it all

Very excited to hear from other hourglasses for exciting inspiration.

I bought this recently and wear it to work all the time

www.bluebanana.com/en/product/1023495/109/banned-posie-pinstripe-ladies-navy-dress

Also got this blouse from H&M

www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0509928001.html

Really really good because it has a tie that goes round the back to pull the waist in.

Phyllis I'm exactly the same as you, but tall. I don't even have the excuse of having a baby . I've always had a little pouchy tummy just under belly button, even at my absolute skinniest size 8/10 phase.

I need things that skim my curves and don't make me look like a rectangle, but at the same time don't cling to my tummy.

I really like the Warehouse crew neck jumpers and find them really flattering. I've bought one in navy and orange/red - £29 each but they often have discounts etc.

Love this thread!!
It is meant to be the most desirable shape but is often a PITA to dress. Big boobs plus small waist make most normal clothes either look matronly (Mrs Slocombe) or a bit show-offy (Bet Lynch). There is very little in between.

Yes I am sure it is wonderful for us to be able to pull off a 50's wiggle dress (probably, never tried one). But that's no bloody use in day to day life.

The most flattering things I own tend to be knitted jersey, dark colours, slightly body skimming without clinging and have a cowl, boat or square neck. I find a knitted tunic shape works well, if it follows the curves a little.

Have just found this top: www.swarvskilondon.co.uk/691312q7xumdw-precis-petite-cowl-neck-top-black-96-polyester-4-elastane-fashion-women-jersey-top-p-8300.html which ticks nearly all the boxes for me (a bit of a sleeve would make it perfect). In fact I may buy one right now :)

OMG, HairsprayBabe, I love that dress and looking at the Blue Banana website there's loads on there that's right up my street!

Erm, how do you do a link? I have managed them before, but either I've forgotten what I did, or you now have to do something slightly different. There's a navy tartan dress I want to order and post a link to.

Double square brackets either side of the link.

I have the tartan "Elvis ain't dead" dress too. Check the measurements for the size you will need I wear a L as a 14 and it is slightly big on the waist but not too noticeable.

I have the same shape as you phyllis, I'm under 5 foot, 32FF and a podgy tummy from 2 CS. If I wear a pencil skirt I need to wear a looser top over it to hide the belly. I'm always on the look out for tops with a dipped hem as they cover the belly without having too much fabric. A bit like this www.kettlewellcolours.co.uk/products/tops-tees/item/tasha-top. I find that Apricot dresses (they sell them in New Look) are cut generously in the chest area and come up quite short so fit me well. Unfortunately they are a bit polyestery!

Thank you allfurcoat am off to look up Paige now!

My best ever dress is a jersey wrap from Hobbs, but it's going bobbly and a bit raglike. I'm about to learn to use a sewing machine, in hopes that I might be able to make my own.

Fingerbobs do keep in touch over how you're getting on with your sewing machine! I'm making a fitted summer dress, dead simple! You can download dressmaking patterns from the internet, free. The patterns are classic designs, which haven't really changed in decades. What has changed is sizing. I'm a size 8/10 (waist) and 12 (bust & hips) in the shops. The dress pattern I'm making, for my measurements, I'm having to cut a size 12 waist and size 14 bust & hips.

Thanks, HairsprayBabe: Bunny Hamilton Wiggle Pencil Dress (Navy) is the one I like.

Hmm, that link didn't work, I'll try again.

Those Kettlewell colours look lovely nickEcave, I prefer a splash of colour to black & neutrals all the time.

Can I add this bargain pencil skirt from Sainsbos (don't want the skim link)
://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Black-Rib-Pencil-Skirt/129851869-Black
Really stretchy so fits my waist and arse, very flattering length on me too. I love it. It's a work staple.

Sorry
tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Black-Rib-Pencil-Skirt/129851869-Black

It's gorgeous, *Devi, no wonder it's out of stock up to size 18 . A couple of years ago I got a black and crimson patterned one in the same style from Sainsbo's

I don't have anything to link, more a reminder to self. Belt or tuck but doubt just leave the top to dangle to the hips. I was a teen in the 90s and was a bit grunge and for the life of me I feel so damn preppy (which was a bad thing for me then) if I tuck. In the 90s I was stick thin and not curvy. Anyway yesterday I wore an outfit that would have looked great, had I only realised earlier that I needed to tick my top in. Spent the whole stupid day feeling I looked frumpy whenever I caught my reflection!

finger do it! do it! I always used to haaate wearing jeans until I discovered Paige. I also have a couple of J Brand pairs, but find them a bit restrictive on the arse.

If anyone struggles with skinny ankles/knees and curvy calves, i just bought these and they are insanely flattering: www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/shoes-430/ankle-boots-4979409/mickey-cone-heel-boots-6130730?bi=20&ps=20

So much so that I bought them in both red and black and have been wearing them to work every day.

Mcakes YES. I'm a slim, short hourglass, 5'3 and size 8-10, but can't seem to find something between Kim Kardashian and Hattie Jacques. The goal is Joan from Mad Men, but sadly that seems to be a distant dream.

Weebles, yes. I'm not great with wool products so would either want cashmere, a cashmere blend (have a couple of great cashmere/cotton jumpers) or a cotton version. Wool-overs is the obvious place my I can't get the colours I need there. I've tried loads over the years and can never get the colour and fit to work together for me. Such a fussy bugger.

Trousers are next on my list as I find them easier for work. What works for people? I generally manage best in a slim but not skinny cut with a side zip. Wide legs and tapered not good generally. H&M suit trousers work well if a bit back gappy

Phyllis we sound similar - I'm 5' 7", size 16, and have a lumpy post cs belly - sigh. I'm also 41 which makes it all the harder I think!

I used to really pull of the wiggle dress/pencil skirt/heels thing, and loads of true vintage outfits, but now - with a full on commute, a mad 2 year old boy to chase about, and a husband who works away much of the time - I just can't. I'm finding changing my style to be really hard work (and expensive).

However....

For the first time ever I've bought jeans, and I love these - ASOS ridley, great fit, really hard wearing, and cheap! I have 3 different versions now and I wear them all the time. m.asos.com/asos/asos-ridley-high-waist-skinny-jeans-in-deep-blue-wash/prd/5657545?iid=5657545&affid=14179&channelref=product%20search&mk=abc&currencyid=1&ppcadref=333136101|20505706941|pla-74120971327&gclid=CLmQot--gdICFSyT7QodhbsOGQ

I've bought quite a few tops from Collectif which are figure hugging but not revealing - this one is really nice on, although I wasn't expecting it to be quite as sparkly as it is [[https://www.collectif.co.uk/clothes-c1/celina-lurex-top-p3648]]

I've also bought a couple of shirts from the paraphrase brand at tk maxx which are nice - slight V neck with draping at the shoulders, which gives a nice shape.

This is a weird one from Phase Eight, but it's stunning on! Size down though (and ditch the daft scarf). It skims the hips and looks great with skinny jeans and heels. [[
www.phase-eight.com/fcp/product/phase-eightfina-foil-fringe-scarf-blouse/501423060]]

I also have the Hush ruched skirt and it's good, although pp are right, it's short. You definitely need to dress it properly otherwise it can be a bit ridiculous.

Joanie Clothing is a new favourite too, everything I've bought has been great, although nothing I can link to as it's all out of stock. They seem to have a lot of curry-friendly stuff.

Reading this back I know understand why I'm always skint 😯

Stupid copy and paste! Let's try those links again.

[[https://www.collectif.co.uk/clothes-c1/celina-lurex-top-p3648]]

www.phase-eight.com/fcp/product/phase-eightfina-foil-fringe-scarf-blouse/501423060

Also, Joanie have curvy-friendly, not curry friendly, clothes - although my clothes definitely have to accommodate a belly built on curry!

BearFoxBear I love Phase Eight dresses, but have to limit myself to only buying one if I've got a wedding or some such to wear it to. Your link took me to the home page, I wonder if the blouse is sold out? I was intrigued by your description of it, but couldn't find anything that matched on the website!

I'm now off to look at Joanie. I am also getting poorer by the minute, thanks to this thread!

I know what you mean, the dresses aren't cheap. The kimono sleeve ones are fab though, I've managed to get a few in the John Lewis sale, so worth keeping an eye out for that.

That'll be because I'm rubbish at links! Try this one www.phase-eight.com/fcp/product/phase-eightfina-foil-fringe-scarf-blouse/501423060?utm_source=AWin&utm_medium=cpa&utm_campaign=awin78888&awc=2692_1486594300_bc74a0f062953aa75066bfcb590c0272 - the mobile site on Android is a bugger for messing up links.

Liking this thread. I'm a classic hour glass, size 10 to 12. I'm 5'7" but have size 9 to 10 feet which is a total pain in the arse and footwear is a major consideration when considering clothing.

I don't seem to be able to find clothes I like/that suit me on the High Street. I'm looking forward to discovering some previously unknown online shopping options!

Baukjen is fabulous (I have the Darton dress in nearly every colour). Otherwise I have one word for you: vintage. Specifically 1940s/50s suits. Made for women with waists and boobs and hips but beautifully demure, below the knee, striking necklines. Since I discovered vintage a few years ago I have never looked back.

I have just bought this top from Mint Velvet having never managed to buy anything from there before and it's so great for our sort of shape, I've ordered another one in a different colour. Wearing it today with black layering long sleeved tee underneath.

I am loving this thread. The nearest thing to my shape is hourglass even though I can't wear pencil skirts owing added saddle bags. Have to stick to A Line mostly.

I really like sainsbo's clothes, they are a good fit, good quality and not like the other supermarkets that seem to fit and design for apple's only.

They had some lovely summer dresses last year, I hope they do another load this year because I was in recently and it all seemed to be tunic tops and shift dresses

How does it work Rosebag? It's a style I normally avoid as I feel the highish neck and the loose fabric falling from the chest to the waist makes my boobs look even bigger?