Can you dress for an hourglass shape and still be fashionable or edgy?

[pumpingRSI]

Got a new job. More creative and designery than last one. I want to dress a bit more edgy / fashionable but I'm def hourglass shape and don't really suit black. My go to neutrals would be more navy, poss charcoal or olive green even. Any blog ideas or images where I can see something stylish with a bit more of an edge but isn't big drapey shapes?

I would say that the edgy look you want can be created with edgy accessories and a neutral/basic wardrobe of things which suit you in terms of cut.

Look at Etsy for wonderful earrings or other jewellery. Make sure your hair is up to date and a good colour. Shop for edgy shoes...

YES. Come over to the Parisienne style threads. Botemp on there is an hourglass and dresses in a very cool way. Lots of images and links for ideas.

current thread There are links to the previous threads at the start of the current thread.

Just jumping on here hoping for more suggestions

Totally agree that this isn’t easy wardrobe-wise and would love ideas. Post kids i suddenly have boobs and a waist, and all my ‘cool’ purchases make me look like a potato, but all the clothes that suit me make me feel frumpy. Definitely not going for Parisienne polish (it makes me feel 20 years older than I am).
Closest I’ve got at the moment are couple of items from Cos which are fitted but with stupidly large sleeves - but it’s such an annoying and impractical style.

Yes definitely. Look for famous role models that have your figure. I am also hourglass and I look to Salma Hayek for ideas, she always looks fabulous. Tons of pics of her on Pinterest.

Look at The Edited blog (Erica Davies) and instagram. She has a curvy figure and always looks amazing.

I'm the same, you have to be a bit more mindful - a lot of the Cos type stuff is too unstructured to flatter the hourglass figure.

I have a bit of a work uniform - cigarette / three quarter trousers (black, navy, grey) with a cool blouse or top (think vintage pussybow or designs that nip in more at the waist) and a selection of blazers to throw over the top. Occasionally will wear a tea dress or fitted skirt with a belt.

One thing that works well is vintage workwear (or inspired by vintage styles) but avoiding the more obvious 1950s type look, which does suit hourglasses but is less the edgy work vibe you're after. Things like 1970s/80s style blouses and vintage tailored blazers can look really good with a well-fitted suit trousers or skirt.

I have this issue. Often at work I choose edgy over flattering my figure. Mainly cause I’m not bothered about looking “attractive” at work but do want to look creative.
If you find the answer in blog or insta form let us know!!

Some examples of the type of blouses and dresses I'm thinking about (models are not particularly curvy but these styles can adapt well to the more curvy hourglass figure if you find the right fit and - most importantly - have a great, supportive bra!)

Some more inspiration....Again it is hard to find examples with curvier figure but it shows the kind of shapes I think can flatter our curves with the right cut (being a bit more fitted) but still looks quite edgy / not too boring.

I'm a 4 foot 10 hourglass with 32FF boobs and I really struggle to wear fashionable clothing! Petite ranges have very limited styles and often don't come in my size as I need a 14 on top to accommodate the boobs even though I have quite a small waist. I really wanted to try culottes and paperbag style trousers this summer but having tried on dozens I've given up as the proportions are all wrong. I find that dresses tend to suit my shape better. I've seen this in Oliver Bonas which I think looks quite good.

Was going to echo peony and say come onto the parisienne thread, more parisienne cool than polish (I can't do too much classic looks either), though I'm not hourglass. I would say edgy accessories are an easy way in too.

I think you can. I’m 37-27-39” so I can’t wear shapeless as it just hangs from my shoulders.

I hate the Vivienne of Holloway style with a passion and wouldn’t be seen dead in anything retro.

I wear a lot of skinny trousers with interesting tops - two favourites at the moment are a coffee coloured Arket mulberry silk T-shirt and a Hobbs red silk button down shirt. I also tend to belt dresses or go for ones that are fitted through the middle.

Hobbs is not what you think of when you think of edgy but the cut is kind to hourglass shapes. Every now and then I find something perfect in a plain colour. Jigsaw is good as well, and I have a few bits from Jaeger.

I have never (and not for lack of trying) found anything in COS that fits but I’ve recently discovered Arket which is a simpler, more fitted version of COS and consequently bought a lot of stuff from them.

Depnds how hourglass really. Mad Men hourglass?

Sorry I haven't replied. Will take a look at suggestions and links. So far I reckon belts: with trousers and tucked in stuff if poss, dresses with a waist and edge it up with either something more edgey or laid back like funky t shirt or trainers or fun necklace with more office attire to balance.

I reckon I tried on 40 pairs of trousers in Next today and my advice is, forget fashion. The best items in me were Capri pants in Ling fit so they were more 7/8ths, tailored trousers in short fit so they were above ankle and a slouchy pair of trousers to wear over smart trainers.

I'm not ridiculously hourglass but I have a biggish bum (12-14) and smaller waist, with large calves that make skinny stuff awkward. I'm a catch....

Oh and it was a great reminder of choosing what colours look good. I don't wear black, but wanted diff to navy staples so ended up with raspberry pink Capri pants. Hells yeah. Now if only I could find some olive green ones...

fleurie I like arket - definite potential there. I can't get my head round their sizing though...

Their size guide tells you what S/M/L are in terms of body measurements - but I'm at a bit of a loss with european sizing - is it roughly 10/12/14 = 40/42/44?

I'm an hourglass and try to be edgy (or so I like to think). V necks are your friend. Botemps' style on the parisennes' threads is ace. I like ankle boots with pencil skirts, v neck blouses/shirts, slim trousers, fuschia lips.. I think being edgy comes down to specific items though and how they fit you & your style. I could never pull off raspberry pink capris!

Christ I'm not sure I can, but gonna give it a go! Love Bo's style, but I can't do oversize as I'm tall and so I just look like I'm wearing my grandads stuff instead of stylish. It's just not quite me. Maybe I'm not edgey but just want to look a bit funky with street cred and am not prepared to put on the mum pants yet. I'm thinking hourglass flattering without 1950s vibe, so poss just Parisienne then or just fitted?! If I'm brave I'll post a raspberry Capri pic, but I ain't thin or sassy so you'll have to be forgiving!

Oh and I'm not into grey, black or monochrome particularly and do like a funky print. Lucky I don't have a blog as I wouldn't fit into that style either.

I'm an hourglass - tall, size 12 and I favour more androgynous styles, can't do classic at all, can't do belted dresses - they make my chest and arse look massive like a sack of spuds tied in the middle, I overdosed on V necks years ago and won't wear them now, they don't feel fresh enough. I like high waisted wide slouchy trousers, silk shirts with a tuck...I like Me&em, Uniqlo, H&M, Whistles and Toast. Cos is very tricky for an hourglass. Interesting jackets and coats work for me with a well cut shirt (poppers always sewn in) and tapered trousers. And good shoes...interesting shoe shapes, I love a cattle dealer Chelsea boot, with a good quality thick sole and a strong toe.