dresses for a pear shape

angmarie28
angmarie28 Posts: 2,883 Member
in Motivation and Support
Old Navy has dresses on sale and I am looking online at some and thinking about ordering one, but the thing is im a jeans and tshirt girl, thats pretty much all I own except I wear tank tops and shorts in the summer. I hate trying on clothes and am always disappointed so I know t shirts and jeans look good so thats what I wear but it gets so dang hot in the summer even in my house with 2 air conditioners going. so Im wondering what kind of dresses look good on a pear shape, my measurments are
bust-32 in
waist 29 in
Hips 39 in
I have never found a dress i thought looked good so im thinking im looking at the wrong ones any help is appreciated.

Replies

  • TigressPat
    TigressPat Posts: 722
    anything with a tailored waist and a flowy skirt will look awesome on you!

    have you got any links to the styles you like?

    I would also recommend sticking to cotton and other light natural fabrics if you want to beat the heat!

    if you can get away without a bra or don't mind bra straps showing i would think a 50's style sundress would look lovely! something with a fitted V or sweetheart neckline, spaghetti straps, a nipped in or belted waist and full skirt.
  • kcvance
    kcvance Posts: 103 Member
    I have almost exactly the same measurements. A-Line dresses or something with an empire waist will look cute. I'm currently coveting:

    http://www.target.com/p/merona-women-s-a-line-dress-black-white-stripe/-/A-14373212#?lnk=sc_qi_detaillink
  • TigressPat
    TigressPat Posts: 722
    looking at the old navy dresses you mentioned, I think THIS would be the best dress for your shape:

    http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=79750&vid=1&pid=386546042

    comes in lots of colours! I personally like the green, the red floral, and the purple myself!



    maybe this would work too, but I'm not sure, I think it would depend on if your waist is high or low or not!

    http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=79750&vid=1&pid=386307012

    it's 100% cotton too!
  • angmarie28
    angmarie28 Posts: 2,883 Member
    looking at the old navy dresses you mentioned, I think THIS would be the best dress for your shape:

    http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=79750&vid=1&pid=386546042

    comes in lots of colours! I personally like the green, the red floral, and the purple myself!



    maybe this would work too, but I'm not sure, I think it would depend on if your waist is high or low or not!

    http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=79750&vid=1&pid=386307012

    it's 100% cotton too!
    I like those both and I have a high waist, I was actually looking at the 2nd one. thanks for your help
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
    I have a pear shape and I know something about fitting from sewing. It's trial and error. You can make intelligent guesses based on the listed measurements, but you still have to try it on. Good shapes for us are:

    A line dresses and skirts
    Empire line dresses and tunics
    Tunics over skirts and trousers
    Shirts and dresses with waist darts (darts in the front and back of the garment that start at the waist or under the bust, follow the narrow part of the body and end before it broadens out again)

    Avoid clingy fabrics on your bottom half. Fabrics with structure, but not too much are usually more flattering.

    For summer, seersucker and poplin are good bottom weight fabrics. Linen is another comfortable fabric, if you don't mind wrinkles. Try to buy fabrics made from natural fibers.
  • TigressPat
    TigressPat Posts: 722
    looking at the old navy dresses you mentioned, I think THIS would be the best dress for your shape:

    http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=79750&vid=1&pid=386546042

    comes in lots of colours! I personally like the green, the red floral, and the purple myself!



    maybe this would work too, but I'm not sure, I think it would depend on if your waist is high or low or not!

    http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=79750&vid=1&pid=386307012

    it's 100% cotton too!
    I like those both and I have a high waist, I was actually looking at the 2nd one. thanks for your help

    no problem! I love both styles but have pretty much the opposite body type from you and can't really wear either!
    :laugh:

    oh, if you can return the dresses to a store near you, it might be worth ordering both, and taking one or both back if you don't like how they fit!

    the high waist will look great with either style, the only worry i had about the second style was it wouldn't be great on a lower waisted woman.
  • angmarie28
    angmarie28 Posts: 2,883 Member
    http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=93357&vid=1&pid=374135002
    I also like this, plus Im planning on getting married in the next month or so, just a small justice of the peace thing, we are already married common law and have been together for 8 years and have 3 kids, just decided to make it official haha and hubby wants me to wear a dress, I think this might be a good one. opinions anyone, im really bad at this
  • TigressPat
    TigressPat Posts: 722
    http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=93357&vid=1&pid=374135002
    I also like this, plus Im planning on getting married in the next month or so, just a small justice of the peace thing, we are already married common law and have been together for 8 years and have 3 kids, just decided to make it official haha and hubby wants me to wear a dress, I think this might be a good one. opinions anyone, im really bad at this

    I like that style, but usually they look better on a girl with a larger top.
    It's quite pretty, if you did want to try it I'd get the smallest size they had and maybe buy a gel bra or something to balance out your measurements a bit more?
  • TigressPat
    TigressPat Posts: 722
    this one is very cute for summer too:

    http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=93363&vid=1&pid=158787002
  • princessage117
    princessage117 Posts: 171 Member
    I would go try them on, i have that shape too and sometimes dresses look ok and others I thought would look good look awful. I have gotten a couple at Target that were more flattering.
  • angmarie28
    angmarie28 Posts: 2,883 Member
    http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=93357&vid=1&pid=374135002
    I also like this, plus Im planning on getting married in the next month or so, just a small justice of the peace thing, we are already married common law and have been together for 8 years and have 3 kids, just decided to make it official haha and hubby wants me to wear a dress, I think this might be a good one. opinions anyone, im really bad at this

    I like that style, but usually they look better on a girl with a larger top.
    It's quite pretty, if you did want to try it I'd get the smallest size they had and maybe buy a gel bra or something to balance out your measurements a bit more?
    I own a bra that has 3 diffrent padding sizes so It makes my boobs look anywear from a size C to a large D haha, now with big hips and a small top, should I go for a smaller size, I wear 11 jeans but medium top, soon to be small haha
  • JeanDescole
    JeanDescole Posts: 152
    Yep, I'm pear shaped too and I always buy A line dresses, espicially ones that are glittery/bright/detailed on top and dark or black on the skirt bit!
  • angmarie28
    angmarie28 Posts: 2,883 Member
    this one is very cute for summer too:

    http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=93363&vid=1&pid=158787002
    we have good tastes haha, I added that to my cart before I posted this forum haha, Im just worries it will make my butt look to big haha
  • TigressPat
    TigressPat Posts: 722
    http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=93357&vid=1&pid=374135002
    I also like this, plus Im planning on getting married in the next month or so, just a small justice of the peace thing, we are already married common law and have been together for 8 years and have 3 kids, just decided to make it official haha and hubby wants me to wear a dress, I think this might be a good one. opinions anyone, im really bad at this

    I like that style, but usually they look better on a girl with a larger top.
    It's quite pretty, if you did want to try it I'd get the smallest size they had and maybe buy a gel bra or something to balance out your measurements a bit more?
    I own a bra that has 3 diffrent padding sizes so It makes my boobs look anywear from a size C to a large D haha, now with big hips and a small top, should I go for a smaller size, I wear 11 jeans but medium top, soon to be small haha

    i would go for a small I think with your measurements, maybe even an XS if you try the wrap styles dress.
    with fuller fitting dresses, your hip measurement doesn't mean anything, only your boobs and waist will count, and you are fairly small waisted so if you get something too big you will lose your waist!
    also Old navy runs big I think, and the last dress you showed me with the deep V neck is made of a stretchy fabric.
    you could try reading the online reviews see what they say?
    if you can return them to a store near you, you could also consider buying two sizes and keeping the one that fits best.
  • TigressPat
    TigressPat Posts: 722
    this one is very cute for summer too:

    http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=93363&vid=1&pid=158787002
    we have good tastes haha, I added that to my cart before I posted this forum haha, Im just worries it will make my butt look to big haha

    I don't think so.
    it's one of those dresses that makes your butt look bigger than it is if you have a small butt or no butt, but sort of keeps people guessing when you have a more ample one!

    they make the eyelet one in white if you wanted to do that for your informal marriage service? It would be easy to either dress it up or down.
  • Meaganandcheese
    Meaganandcheese Posts: 525 Member
    I am pear-shaped and I have really good luck with ON dresses. I prefer A-line shapes, but if they have some with defined waists and flowier skirts, that works too. It really is trial and error in terms of their sizes though. If you can't try on, order based on your largest measurement.

    The "mixed eyelet" dress would be great. I want it in yellow, I think.
  • kariannmbc
    kariannmbc Posts: 144
    I'm also pear shaped, and I tend to go for dresses more like that have a "smooth" waist, instead of gathers.

    http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=93345&vid=1&pid=387521032

    http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=93357&vid=1&pid=522124012

    http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=93357&vid=1&pid=387525012 (I have several like this, but 3/4 sleeve that I wear fall-spring, with a sweater if needed)

    http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=93357&vid=1&pid=374135002
  • angeldaae
    angeldaae Posts: 348 Member
    I am a pear-shaped woman, too, and I love dresses.

    Any dress with a waistband under the bust and a skirt that flares out will look great on your shape.

    I think these could look lovely for your wedding:

    http://www.dressbarn.com/detail/embroidered-surplice-dress/101438163/879
    http://www.dressbarn.com/detail/watercolor-floral-chiffon-dress/101361881/412
    http://www.dressbarn.com/detail/smocked-lace-v-neck-dress/101324073/408
    http://www.dressbarn.com/detail/lace-keyhole-dress/101326963/609
  • sunflowerhippi
    sunflowerhippi Posts: 1,099 Member
    I a very pear shaped 36-29-45 right now...

    Too much A line is not a good thing, Empire does not show off our little waist line. You want a more fitted A line dress, if the fabric is too stiff it then holds shape off our hip/booty making them look even larger, but a soft fabric can show lumps in places we don't want as well.

    Some of my favorite ones I have bought....

    f56349fe-b800-479f-98e9-3582a4233b85_zps275293d9.jpg

    bea99b2d-2099-4c16-a785-c34252e6630f_zpsf591a20f.jpg

    Oh the halter is a size 12 the other an 8 both from white house black market so sizing is evil! Oh and the 8 is loose but the 12 is a bit tight on my ribs right now. MInd you these are photos from right now just popped on the dresses and took on my phone lol.
  • angmarie28
    angmarie28 Posts: 2,883 Member
    thanks ladied, I broke down and just went to old navy, glad I did, a lady that works there helped alot, and I was going to orger size medium and 8s or 10s (wasnt sure what size) but I ended up fitting size 6 and small, these are what I got...
    I got this in green and in white, white for that casual wedding i mentioned

    http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=93345&vid=1&pid=386307012

    and this in green
    http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=93345&vid=1&pid=386546012
    and I got $15 off for being a card holder :)

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