Body shapes · Comparison
Pear vs Hourglass Body Shape
Pear and hourglass both have curvy hips and a smaller waist, so they’re easy to mix up. The real difference is balance: an hourglass has hips and bust about the same width, while a pear has hips that are clearly wider than the bust. Put in your measurements below to see which one you are, then read how the two shapes compare.
What is the difference between pear and hourglass?
The difference between a pear shaped body vs hourglass comes down to one comparison: hips against bust.
- Hourglass: bust and hips are almost the same width (the hips are less than 3.6 in wider than the bust), and the waist is clearly smaller, at least 9 in smaller than the bust or 10 in smaller than the hips. The figure looks balanced top and bottom.
- Pear: the hips are 3.6 in or more wider than the bust, and the waist is less sharply defined (less than 9 in smaller than the hips). The figure looks fuller below the waist.
So if your weight and curves sit evenly above and below a narrow waist, you lean hourglass. If your lower body is clearly the widest part and your shoulders are narrower, you lean pear. These cut-offs come from the FFIT body shape system, the same rules our body type calculator uses.
Pear vs hourglass body shape: side by side
| Pear | Hourglass | |
|---|---|---|
| Hips vs bust | Hips 3.6 in+ wider | Within 3.6 in of each other |
| Waist | Moderately defined | Clearly defined |
| Shoulders | Narrower than hips | In line with hips |
| Where weight goes | Hips, thighs, bottom | Evenly to bust and hips |
| Overall look | Bottom-heavy, A-shape | Balanced, figure-8 |
| Common fit issue | Trousers fit the hips but gape at the waist | Tops fit the bust but are loose at the waist |
| Styling goal | Add volume on top | Follow the waist |
In short, the hourglass vs pear question isn’t about how curvy you are. Both shapes can be very curvy; the pear shape vs hourglass split depends on where the width sits.
Pear vs hourglass measurements
Here are some example bust-waist-hip measurements (in inches) and the shape each one gives. Each was run through the same rules as the checker above.
| Measurements | Hips − bust | Hips − waist | Shape |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36-26-36 | 0 in | 10 in | Hourglass |
| 34-25-36 | 2 in | 11 in | Hourglass |
| 36-28-38 | 2 in | 10 in | Hourglass |
| 38-30-41 | 3 in | 11 in | Hourglass |
| 34-30-38 | 4 in | 8 in | Pear |
| 32-28-36 | 4 in | 8 in | Pear |
| 35-29-40 | 5 in | 11 in | Bottom hourglass |
| 35-27-40 | 5 in | 13 in | Bottom hourglass |
Notice that 36-28-38 and 34-30-38 have the same hips, but one is an hourglass and the other a pear. The bust and waist make the difference. Not sure how to measure? See what is my body shape for a step-by-step guide.
Bottom hourglass vs pear
The bottom hourglass sits between the two shapes. Like a pear, the hips are 3.6 in or more wider than the bust. Like an hourglass, the waist is sharply defined: at least 9 in smaller than the hips.
That’s why many women who feel “too curvy for pear, too hippy for hourglass” are actually a bottom hourglass. In the table above, 35-29-40 is a bottom hourglass while 34-30-38 is a pear: both have wider hips, but the first has a much smaller waist compared with the hips. A bottom hourglass dresses mostly like an hourglass (show the waist) while balancing the hips like a pear. Read more on the hourglass body shape page.
How to dress a pear vs hourglass body
| Pear | Hourglass | |
|---|---|---|
| Tops | Boat necks, puff or structured shoulders, details and colour on top | Wrap tops, V-necks, fitted knits that follow the curves |
| Bottoms | A-line skirts, bootcut or wide-leg jeans in dark shades | High-waisted jeans, pencil skirts, straight or flared legs |
| Dresses | Fit-and-flare, A-line | Wrap, bodycon, belted sheath |
| Avoid | Hip pockets, tapered pants, clingy skirts | Boxy, shapeless cuts that hide the waist |
The pear body shape vs hourglass styling rule is easy to remember: a pear balances by drawing the eye up, while an hourglass follows its natural line. For full outfit lists, see how to dress for your body type.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell if I’m pear or hourglass?
Measure your bust, waist and hips and compare your hips with your bust. If your hips are less than 3.6 in wider than your bust and your waist is clearly smaller, you’re an hourglass. If your hips are 3.6 in or more wider than your bust, you’re a pear, or a bottom hourglass if your waist is also 9 in or more smaller than your hips. The checker on this page does the maths for you.
Which is more attractive, pear or hourglass?
Neither shape is more attractive. Preferences vary between people, cultures and decades, and both pear and hourglass figures are widely seen as feminine and curvy. What makes any shape look its best is clothing that fits and suits its proportions.
Can a pear-shaped body become hourglass?
Only partly. Hip width is set mostly by your bone structure and where your body stores fat, and you can’t spot-reduce fat from the hips. Strength training for the shoulders, back and chest can add some width on top, which brings the upper and lower body closer into balance. Clothing can create an hourglass look much faster.
What is the difference between bottom hourglass and pear?
Both have hips that are 3.6 in or more wider than the bust. The difference is the waist: a bottom hourglass has a sharply defined waist, at least 9 in smaller than the hips, while a pear’s waist is less defined.