Apples and Pears Part 1

It's that time of year again that everyone gets on some diet in preparation for the upcoming summer. In the South, summer is DEFINITELY a MAJOR deal. We nip, tuck, and all but slide around on the floor to get into our favorite jeans, skirts and dresses. Let's face it. Summer is the yellow brick road and you, my friend are Dorothy, trying to get to the Emperor. As we place the heavy things in the closet until winter rolls back around, we spring forward with hot new things for the summer months.  But before you run out and buy brand new things.... I have a question for all my gal pals and the likes...


DO YOU KNOW YOUR CURRENT SHAPE???!?!? 


Such a simple question that lays many women dead in their tracks. Most people just grab what they feel looks great or even feels great. How much better would one feel if they knew how to dress their body and pick pieces that compliment it rather than assault it and fight against what you naturally possess???   


There are a few basic shapes and here we will refer to some of them as fruit so it can be seen with the simplest of eyes. 


1)Hourglass- Where your shoulders/bust equivalent to the measurement of the widest part of your hips are. Example measurements are 36-24-36. These ladies are very curvy. Less than 10% of women are true "hour glass" shapes. The defining factor is the waistline. It should be 8-12" smaller than bust and hips. Weight is generally evenly spread out regardless of how much you gain.Concerning your clothing.. Hourglass shapes can generally wear form fitting pieces with ease. Majority of women would give their left arm to have a classic hour glass shape!!! The most important piece of information I can give an hourglass is to make sure to keep an arsenal of proper fitting undergarments, especially bras to go with that banging body. Work it ladies!!!!


Great examples of true to definition hourglass shapes would be Beyonce, Kim K and the infamous Marilyn Monroe

2)Pear or also called the Triangle shape- We "pears" are the majority yet when speaking to individuals on the basic knowledge of how to present this beautiful piece of God-given artwork... they are at a loss for words. OK, well let Me drop some knowledge (man that really dates me, doesn't it HEE HEE)


Pears usually have smaller busts, narrow or sloping shoulders, and wider hips. Dressing the pear can be daunting with the fashion geared more towards hourglass with the super tight "cut your circulation OFF" dresses,tops,etc. But have no fear. I have YOUR back. Now, a true pear shape has nothing to do with how BIG your butt is, but the width of your actual hips. Most times, if this is rather confusing use a friend and have them look at you from behind. This is usually a surefire way to know your shape.  Great pieces for us pears are Jackets... Yes JACKETS!!! The structure of a great jacket balances out your body. Since we are smaller on the top, it is imperative to decorate it as well as possible. Tops with something going on up top are usually a great way to go. Ruffles, jeweled necklines, long chains and other things along these guidelines work great of us pears. Things to stay AWAY from- stripes that run horizontally on your bottom. If it's one thing that makes me "madder than a junkyard dog" it's seeing wide hips with wide horizontal stripes... WHHHYYY!!!! These make your widest part look even wider.. Stop it immediately!! Put those down and run!!! Now on the other hand, vertical stripe are great due to their lengthening nature. If you want to look taller and leaner, grab some vertical stripes. I must admit finding vertical stripes that aren't granny can be a draining task... but once you find pieces that are... It's like a great celebration that only you are in voted to. WOOOOO!!!(Throws confetti!!!!)

Jeans, Jeans and more jeans. Jeans were so great the Ginuwine made an ode to the jean, or for the lack of better terms whats in those jeans... Pears and jeans go together better than peach cobbler and vanilla ice cream. Yes, it's just that good. The best jeans to balance out your body are flare, boot cut,bell bottoms and straight leg jeans. Skinny, tapered jeans aren't totally out but let's just say they aren't on the top 10 list either. I LOVE skinny jeans... But with this butt and no heavy artillery up top... shhhheshh I have to plan super carefully to pull off a pair of those bad boys. A trick that I have learned to pulling off skinny jeans or a tapered trouser--- HEELS!!! Once again, it gives you a longer leaner leg.


The best example of a pear - Alicia Keys, J Lo and Buffy The Body
There's no doubt about it. These ladies show pears how to rock at any occasion.

To be Continued..... Stay tuned for more

XOXO Tina