Best Dresses for a Pear Body Shape

Your hips are wider than your bust, so add interest and structure to your upper body and let the skirt skim past the hips.

This guide is for the pear body shape: hips at least 5% bigger than the bust, with a waist under 85% of the hip measurement.

Look for

  • Fit-and-flare and A-line dresses that fit at the waist and flow over the hips
  • Boat, off-the-shoulder and square necklines that widen the shoulder line
  • Details on the bodice: ruffles, embroidery, puff sleeves or bold prints
  • Wrap dresses and empire waists that finish above the widest point

Skip or adjust

  • Tight, clinging fabrics across the hips and thighs
  • Large patterns or pockets placed at the hips
  • Plain, narrow necklines paired with a straight-cut skirt

More for the pear body shape

Dresses for other body shapes

These are starting points, not rules. If you love a style that isn’t listed, wear it.