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.

Merry
I wear a lot of tops like Rosebag's suggestion and find they are (counter intuitively) very flattering. Especially if you prefer the jeans and t-shirt look rather than dresses. Difficult to find this shape in most shops though so thanks for the heads up Rosebag!

I think it works because of a combination of:

1. The batwing sleeves which work in a 'smoke and mirrors' way where the excess fabric disguises the size of the boobs underneath
2. The fairly thick but drapey fabric, which hangs in a flattering way. In photos 1 and 2 you can see that the fabric falls from the boobs and then sort of subtly nips in just below them, following the figure without clinging
3. The wide, tight waistband, which shows that you do have a figure underneath all the fabric.

It does need to be pretty much this exact shape though, and the wider the and tighter waistband the better. For example, a batwing top in this fabric with a thin elasticated bottom would just look like a beachball!

Here is another example of this style. (eye-wateringly expensive though!) I got one in a sale and love it. Very flattering and great for layering.
www.celticandco.com/ladies/tops/cape-sleeve-top

Oh and I love the neckline too! I always find a wide, loose cowl like this is by far the most flattering. Much better than a v neck. It shows a bit of clavicle (is that how you say it?), gives a bit of a v shape and just sort of balances your body out.

This thread is making me feel very poor

Ha Ha yes! I am a bit embarrassed to have shared that Celtic and co one TBH as it is far more than I would normally consider paying for one jumper, even in the sale!
It was meant more as an example of the style than a suggestion to buy at that price
My favourite jumper in this style is a gorgeous red F&F one I found in a charity shop 5 years ago. Will try to upload a photo when I have a mo.

That Celtic and co one is gorgeous! Yes, what Mcakes says basically. I would not have thought this shape flattering either tbh. I am always battling with high necks looking so awful but not always wanting to display boobage. What I do like is layering, though...tank tops and tops which can go over a long sleeved tee. This is because infuriatingly my menopausal figure has left me with an under boob roll before my waist goes in so this kind of top disguises it but also goes in a bit at the waist iyswim...the boxy ones don't! The bust area has a bit more fabric so skims the boobs. I am always on the lookout for more like this. Might have to buy the Celtic and co one too...

Rosebag I just bought that exact same top and agree it's really flattering. You can't really see it in the pictures because the model is definitely not an hourglass, but the cowl neck hangs softly so you don't get that upholstered look, the sleeves kind of balance out your boobs, and the waistband is tight so shows off your waist.

Gah where do you find good vintage stuff, if you don't mind revealing your sources? That look suits me in principle, but the fabrics always seem way too heavy and uncomfortable.

@ "upholstered look"

pseudo

I get a lot of reproduction vintage from places like

Voodoo Vixen

What Katie Did

Hell Bunny

and

Lindy Bop

Not everything is circle skirts and petticoats, most of the swing dresses are lovely as just day dresses in the summer. I wear wiggle dresses a lot to work. Real vintage is great but my bone structure is much bigger than a 1940s woman so I struggle to get into the sizes!

Hi pseudonymph I mostly get them from etsy.com or ebay. You have to know what you're looking for and also your bust/waist/hip measurements at any given time (so I'm 35-25-37, for instance and can quickly do a skim of an item's details and measurements before moving on).

On etsy, you don't need to specify vintage as there are so many vintage dealers. So you can search "50s suit pencil skirt" or "50s day dress" and I often type in my waist number too (so "50s suit 25") to narrow it down.

On ebay, I'd recommend putting the word "VTG" or "(true) vintage" in your search but then doing the same.

I agree, the fabrics are mostly thicker and quite stiff - but I like that, they help hoik me (and my saddlebags!) in :) :) and the quality is superb

In addition to Hairspraybabe's list, I would also add Vivien of Holloway (how are people doing links?!) for their pencil skirts - which they don't do by size but by waist/hip measurement. Good quality, gorgeous fabrics, great vintage length (mid calf).

Hairspray, how does Hellbunny sizing come up? They have some blue, widelegged side zip trousers which I'd like to try but if I look at the measurements I'm between a m and an l.

Gah snap were the same measurements.

I find Hobbs work dresses and trousers fit quite well, and Phase Eight for jersey tops/ dresses. Found a great Boden skirt recently which was very cheap on sale and fits perfectly, will link if still in stock. I'd love to find more pencil skirts which are not boring black work ones if anyone has suggestions. I'm 5'7" and around a 14 on boobs and hips.

m.boden.co.uk/en-gb/clearance/womens-skirts/above-knee-skirts/wg685/womens-annabel-skirt

Thank you Gah and Hairspray - I will look into that.

phyllis

I find they come in pretty true maybe slightly on the smaller side but it depends on the elasticity of the fabric not helpful

I wish I could wear pencil skirts. < sighs >

Back to tops again...does anyone think this could work?

Rose, I think that's lovely and it would work for me, but then I often think that when you do links. I just wish I could be bothered to shop atm. Since I lost the 10lbs since my operation my waist has come back so def an hour glass again.

Why not try to order just one thing online rather than trying to traipse round the shops? Might that feel more manageable?

I have also managed to pick up a long, black fine knit V neck sweater from H&M which I can't seem to find online to do a link, but it's in store...there's a grey version as well. It's perfect. I have generally been a bit suspicious of the recommendation of V necks for larger boobs. Often they look really matronly imho. This is lovely though. Skims the bust and whilst not exactly going in at the waist, it doesn't hand off the bust either.

Hang off...I meant

This is a really good basic t-shirt I have one in each colour long sleeves, scoop neck and nicely fitted

www.tesco.com/direct/ff-scoop-neck-long-sleeve-t-shirt/701-1360.prd

Very boring but I struggle to get good "basics" in, I wear mine for all sorts, casual, work, the gym etc.

Rose, I do think you have to be careful of v necks if you are large of boobs; not necessarily because they look matronly, but because they can look, well, sleazy. I will take your advice re online shopping: I haven't spent any of my clothing budget for about eight weeks so it's mounting up nicely (also known as, burning a hole in my pocket!).

So, I know this is technically a vest but I love the scoop on these - really wide and quite deep (deeper than it appears on the model) without showing any cleavage. www.uniqlo.com/uk/store/goods/172166 they are thin but I wear the black and navy as tops.

And their thin-ness means they are perfect to tuck into skirts without looking lumpy.

Btw, love this thread - all my friends seem to be up and down and it's disheartening because whenever we go shopping, they find dresses and trousers which fit perfectly whereas I have to do most of mine online at places which I know will have things which work!

I like both those tops...thanks for the links, Hairspray and Gah

Just catching up - thrilled to find so many hourglasses and have spent a very happy time going through all the links posted

I'm getting my hoc colours done tomorrow so then I'll be able to buy some of the lovely things linked here

Keep sharing and linking - has anyone found anything in SS17 yet?

I am a bit that Finery want 5 quid delivery on that top!!! (free delivery only if you buy more that 100 quids worth...