An hourglass figure is a body type where your bust and hips are nearly equal in width, with a significantly narrower, well-defined waist, creating a balanced, curvy "wide-narrow-wide" silhouette, named for its resemblance to a sand timer. Key characteristics include proportionate upper and lower body, rounded hips, and generally balanced proportions, regardless of overall size.
What is an hourglass figure? Women who have this type of body have shoulders and hips of proportional width and a defined waist. It's a very desirable, proportionate and feminine type of body.
Do hourglass shapes gain weight evenly? This is often the case. Weight gain for this body type typically occurs first in the hips, bust, and thighs.
This shape is all about the breast to waist, and hip to waist ratios. For a true hourglass figure, the breasts and hips should be almost equal in circumference. The perfect measurements are often cited as 36-24-36. Petite women can have this curvaceous shape as well but on a smaller scale.
Hourglass is the rarest body type, with only estimated 8% of women having this figure. Here's the thing: hourglass bodies are versatile. The stereotypical hourglass is too narrow of a depiction that often fails to capture the true beauty and diversity of this shape.
Body Shapes with the Highest Risk of Health Problems
Apple and pear body shapes tend to have the highest risk. Apples tend to be at greater risk for heart disease, diabetes, and strokes because they hold a larger amount of tummy fat.
Measure your shoulders, bust, waist and hips. Divide the shoulder by hips measurement. If the ratio is less than 1 (shoulders narrower than hips) you're a pear 🍐 If the ratio is close to 1, you're an hourglass ⏳
Women with an hourglass body shape typically have shoulders and hips that are roughly the same width, while the waist is noticeably narrower, which then creates an hourglass shape. This body shape also has a larger bust, which a lot of people think symbolises pure femininity.
For example, a woman with a 36″ hip is curvy if her waist is 27″ or less. This is a nine inch difference but does not hold true for all dimensions because curvy is relative. It's math, not opinion. By way of comparison, a hip measure of 46″ is only curvy if her waist is 34.5″ or less, a difference of 11.5″.
Bhatia is a triangular body shape but she always looks perfectly balance and it's not luck, it's smart styling. She wears A line dresses, flared kurtis and flared jeans. Anything that skims over the hip without clinging.
Adding to the LBD facelift was a padded element at the hips, which helped to further exaggerate Robbie's hourglass figure. True to form, Robbie let the sculptural elements of her ensemble speak for themselves.
Endomorph. This somatotype usually has more body fat and muscle, smaller shoulders, shorter limbs, and larger bone structure. Think of football linemen, shot put throwers, or curvier women. You may gain weight easily, especially in your lower belly and hips, and find it harder to lose.
Despite the cartoonish image we have, an hourglass bust can be on the less full side, she can carry weight in her abdomen, and her waist will likely thicken with age, menopause, childbirth, and other life changes. You can also be petite, but your PROPORTIONS will still be dramatic.
Marilyn Monroe, Scarlett Johansson, Dita Von Tesse are all famous hourglass shaped celebrities. Go on and cheat their style.
The hourglass figure is often considered the epitome of feminine proportions. Women with this body shape have: Shoulders and hips of similar width. A well-defined waist that's significantly smaller than both the bust and hips (at least 25% smaller)
Incorporate strength or resistance training to build your upper and lower body muscles to create that silhouette. Add core workouts such as reverse crunches, leg raises, Russian twists, V-holds, weighted crunches, and planks to chisel up your abs. Consistently do cardio to burn up those calories and shed extra fat.
Are you at risk? Male*: more than 94 cm (37 inches) is increased risk; more than 102 cm (40 inches) is substantially increased risk. Female*: more than 80 cm (31.5 inches) is increased risk; more than 88 cm (35 inches) is substantially increased risk.
The pear body shape is characterised by large hips which are wider than the bust and shoulders. This makes the body appear like a pear shape.
Women who exhibit the hourglass figure have been shown to be more admired, which can put pressure on women whose body shapes are noticeably different to strive to achieve the hourglass figure. This can lead to body dissatisfaction which can cause eating disorders in (often young) women from all over the globe.
Hence females generally have wider hips, permitting childbirth. Because the female pelvis is flatter, more rounded and proportionally larger, the head of the fetus may pass during childbirth. The sacrum in females is shorter and wider, and also directed more toward the rear (see image).
Studies indicate that men generally prefer a body type that includes moderate breast size, a certain waist-to-hip ratio, and a slightly muscular shape ((Park and Park, 2010)).
The rarest female body type is generally considered the hourglass, characterized by shoulders and hips of similar width with a significantly narrower, defined waist, with studies suggesting less than 10% of women naturally fit this description, while some data points to the inverted triangle (broad shoulders, narrow hips/waist) also being quite rare, potentially under 1% in some views, though hourglass is more consistently cited as the least common overall.
They just have slightly different bone structures, carry slightly different amounts of muscle, and have slightly different body fat distribution patterns. However, when I surveyed 600 men, 78% of them chose the hourglass figure in the middle.
If you are a pear shaped woman that carries weight on your belly, you have unique body features. Since the typical pear have wider hips and prominent thighs, you have a very curvy bottom. Because you also have a tummy, it is important to find the right clothes that can suit your shape.