Body shapes · Female
Hourglass Body Shape
An hourglass body shape has a bust and hips of about the same size and a clearly defined waist between them. It’s the curvy outline most people picture when they hear “hourglass figure”, and it’s less common than you might think. This guide covers the measurements, the top and bottom hourglass variations, soft hourglass, and how to dress an hour glass body shape.
What is an hourglass figure?
An hourglass figure is balanced top and bottom with a narrow middle, like the glass timer it’s named after. The bust and hips are close in size, the shoulders roughly line up with the hips, and the waist curves in sharply between them. Because the curve is smooth from waist to hip, weight tends to spread evenly over the bust and hips rather than settling in one place.
Typical hourglass body type characteristics:
- Bust and hips that measure about the same
- A waist that’s clearly the narrowest point, by 9 inches or more
- Rounded hips and seat with a smooth curve from the waist
- Shoulders in line with the hips
It’s also the rarest of the main shapes. In a North Carolina State University study of more than 6,000 women, only about 8% had an hourglass shaped body, compared with 46% rectangle and 20% pear.
Hourglass body measurements
Fit researchers use three hourglass categories, each with its own rule. All of them need a waist that is 9 inches (23 cm) or more smaller than the bust or 10 inches (25 cm) smaller than the hips.
| Type | Rule (inches) | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Hourglass | Bust and hips within 1 in (hips up to 3.6 in bigger), waist 9+ in under bust or 10+ in under hips | 36-24-36 |
| Top hourglass | Bust 1–10 in bigger than hips, waist 9+ in under bust | 38-28-36 |
| Bottom hourglass | Hips 3.6–10 in bigger than bust, waist 9+ in under hips, high hip ÷ waist under 1.193 | 35-28-40 |
In centimetres, 36-24-36 is about 91-61-91. The famous “36-24-36” is a textbook hourglass: bust and hips equal and a waist 12 inches smaller. Most real hourglasses have a smaller gap, around 9 to 11 inches. Run your own numbers in the body type calculator.
Top hourglass body shape
A top hourglass has the defined waist of an hourglass, but the bust is fuller than the hips, by 1 to 10 inches. The upper body carries a little more volume, often with a full bust and slightly broader shoulders.
- Wrap tops and V-necks balance a full bust.
- A-line and full skirts add volume to the hips to even things out.
- Bootcut and wide-leg trousers balance the top half.
If your bust is much bigger than your hips but your waist is less than 9 inches smaller, you’re an inverted triangle instead.
Bottom hourglass body shape
A bottom hourglass has a defined waist with hips that are fuller than the bust, by 3.6 to 10 inches. It’s curvier through the hips and thighs, but the waist is still very defined, which is what separates it from a pear.
- Structured shoulders and statement sleeves balance the hips.
- High-waisted bottoms and belted dresses show off the waist.
- Straight and wide-leg trousers skim the thighs.
Measure your high hip, too. If it’s 1.193 times your waist or more, the hips form a shelf and you’re a spoon.
Soft hourglass vs hourglass body shape
“Soft hourglass” isn’t a measurement category; stylists use it for a balanced figure where the waist is defined but less dramatically, often 7 to 9 inches smaller than the bust and hips, with rounder, softer curves. A classic hourglass has the full 9 to 10 inch difference. You may also see the classic shape called a “dramatic hourglass” in soft hourglass vs dramatic hourglass comparisons; it means the same sharply defined figure.
| Soft hourglass body | Classic hourglass | |
|---|---|---|
| Waist definition | About 7–9 in | 9–10+ in |
| Curves | Rounded, softer | Sharp, pronounced |
| Calculator result | Often rectangle | Hourglass |
| Best fabrics | Soft, draping | Structured or stretch |
Because a soft hourglass misses the 9-inch rule, measurement calculators, including ours, usually call it a rectangle. If that’s you, read both guides; wrap and belted styles from this page will still suit you.
How to tell if you have an hourglass figure
- Trousers that fit your hips gape at the back of the waist.
- Belts sit naturally at your waist and don’t slide.
- Boxy tops make you look bigger than you are.
- Wrap dresses fit straight off the rack.
- You gain and lose weight evenly on your bust and hips.
Hourglass, bottom hourglass or pear?
Both can have curvy hips and a defined waist, so they’re often confused. For a checker, example measurements and styling differences, see pear vs hourglass body shape.
| Hourglass | Bottom hourglass | Pear | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bust vs hips | About equal | Hips 3.6–10 in bigger | Hips 3.6–7 in bigger |
| Waist | Very defined | Very defined | Moderately defined |
| Weight goes to | Bust and hips evenly | Hips, then bust | Hips and thighs |
How to dress an hourglass figure
Follow your waist. Fitted clothes that trace your natural curve look best; loose, boxy cuts hide your shape and make you look wider.
Tops
- Wrap tops, bodysuits and fitted knits.
- V-necks, sweetheart and scoop necks.
- Tuck in or tie looser shirts at the waist.
Dresses for an hourglass figure
- Wrap, bodycon and fit-and-flare dresses.
- Sheath dresses with darts at the waist.
- Belted shirt dresses for a casual look.
Wedding dresses for an hourglass figure
- Mermaid and trumpet gowns follow the curve all the way to the knee.
- Fit-and-flare and sheath gowns with a defined waist seam.
- A sweetheart or V-neckline balances the bust.
Jeans for an hourglass figure
- The best jeans for an hourglass figure are high-rise, curvy-fit styles that hug the hips without gaping at the waist.
- Skinny, straight and flared legs all work.
- Look for stretch denim and a contoured waistband.
How to dress an hourglass figure casually
- A tucked-in tee with high-rise jeans and a belt.
- A fitted cardigan or cropped jacket rather than an oversized hoodie.
- Knit midi dresses with trainers.
Jackets and coats
- Belted trench and wrap coats.
- Single-breasted blazers that nip in at the waist.
For complete looks, see our hourglass body shape outfits guide.
What to avoid
| Avoid | Why | Try instead |
|---|---|---|
| Boxy, oversized tops | Hide the waist and add width | Fitted or tucked tops |
| Drop-waist dresses | Put the waistline at the hips | Natural-waist seams |
| Stiff, straight shift dresses | Hang from the bust and hips | Wrap or sheath dresses |
| Low-rise jeans | Cut across the hips | High-rise curvy fit |
| High crew necks with a full bust | Make the bust look bigger | V or scoop necks |
Hourglass at every size
- Slim or skinny hourglass body: small frame with a defined waist. Fitted, structured pieces keep the curve visible.
- Curvy hourglass figure: full bust and hips. Wrap dresses and stretch fabrics follow the shape without pulling.
- Chubby or plus-size hourglass: still an hourglass as long as the waist stays well defined. Wrap styles, belted coats and supportive bras make the biggest difference.
- Athletic hourglass body shape: toned with a defined waist and muscular legs. Stretch denim and bodycon styles work well.
Can you get an hourglass figure?
Not entirely. The width of your ribcage and pelvis sets how wide your bust and hips can be, so no workout or diet can turn a straight frame into a classic hourglass. What training can do is build the glutes and shoulders, which adds some curve above and below the waist. Waist trainers and corsets only change your shape while you wear them.
Celebrities with an hourglass body shape
Stylists often name these celebrities as classic hourglass examples. These are descriptions from fashion writing, not measured results:
- Marilyn MonroeActor
- Sophia LorenActor
- Scarlett JohanssonActor
- Salma HayekActor
- Christina HendricksActor
Frequently asked questions
How do you tell if you have an hourglass figure?
Measure your bust, waist and hips. If your bust and hips are within about an inch of each other and your waist is at least 9 inches smaller than your bust, or 10 inches smaller than your hips, you have an hourglass figure.
How do you get an hourglass figure?
You can’t change your bone structure, but training the glutes, legs and shoulders adds curve above and below the waist. Waist trainers only change your shape while you wear them.
Can an hourglass be chubby?
Yes. Body shape is about proportion, not size. As long as your waist stays well defined compared with your bust and hips, you’re an hourglass at any weight.
Is hourglass the rarest body type?
Of the main four shapes, yes. Only about 8% of women in the North Carolina State University study had an hourglass shape.
What jeans are best for an hourglass figure?
High-rise, curvy-fit jeans with stretch and a contoured waistband, so they fit the hips without gaping at the waist.
What wedding dress suits an hourglass figure?
Mermaid, trumpet, sheath and fit-and-flare gowns that follow the waist, usually with a sweetheart or V-neckline.
Is an hourglass body attractive?
It’s the shape most often held up as an ideal, but every shape looks good in clothes cut for it. The hourglass simply has an easier time with fitted styles.