Body shapes · Female
Pear Body Shape
A pear body shape, or pear shaped body, has hips that are wider than the bust and shoulders, with a defined waist in between. Weight tends to settle on the hips, thighs and seat while the upper body stays slimmer. It’s the second most common body type in women. This guide covers the measurements, how to tell if you have a pear figure, and what to wear.
What is a pear shaped body?
A pear shaped body is wider at the bottom than the top. The hips and thighs are the widest part of the frame, the bust and shoulders are narrower, and the waist curves in between them. Some stylists call this pear shaped body type a “triangle” or “A shape”.
Pear shaped women usually have narrow or sloping shoulders, a small to medium bust, a clear waist, and rounded hips, seat and thighs. The shape is set mostly by your pelvis and by where your body tends to store fat, so it stays recognisable whether you gain or lose weight.
Common pear body shape characteristics:
- Hips noticeably wider than your shoulders in a mirror
- A defined waist, though not as sharp as an hourglass
- Fuller thighs and seat, with slimmer arms and upper back
- Weight gain shows on the hips and thighs first
Pear body shape measurements
On a tape measure, you’re a pear when your hips are 3.6 to 7 inches (about 9–18 cm) bigger than your bust, and your hips are less than 9 inches bigger than your waist. If the waist is more defined than that, you’re a bottom hourglass; if the hips are more than 7 inches over the bust, you’re a triangle.
| Example | Bust | Waist | Hips | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pear | 34 in | 31 in | 39 in | Hips 5 in over bust, 8 in over waist |
| Pear (cm) | 86 cm | 79 cm | 99 cm | Hips 13 cm over bust |
| Bottom hourglass | 34 in | 29 in | 39 in | Waist 10 in under hips, so more defined |
| Triangle | 32 in | 33 in | 40 in | Hips 8 in over bust |
A pear’s high hip (measured 3 to 4 inches below the waist) is usually less than 1.193 times the waist. Above that, the hips have a “shelf” and you’re a spoon. The body type calculator checks all of these rules at once.
Signs you have a pear body type
If you have a pear shape body, these fit problems will sound familiar:
- You buy trousers and skirts a size or two bigger than tops.
- Jeans that fit your hips gape at the back of the waist.
- Straight dresses fit the shoulders but pull across the hips.
- Your thighs touch even when you’re slim.
- Weight comes off your face and arms before your hips.
Pear vs spoon vs triangle vs bottom hourglass
All four have hips wider than the bust. The difference is how much wider, how defined the waist is, and where the hip width starts.
| Pear | Spoon | Triangle | Bottom hourglass | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hips vs bust | 3.6–7 in wider | 2+ in wider | 7+ in wider | 3.6–10 in wider |
| Waist | Defined | Defined | Less defined | Very defined (9+ in) |
| High hip | Smooth curve | Clear shelf | Smooth | Smooth |
| Looks like | Soft, rounded hips | Hips start high | Much wider below | Curvy, fuller below |
How common is it? In the North Carolina State University study of over 6,000 women, about 20% were pear shaped, second only to the rectangle at 46%. For closer comparisons, see spoon vs pear and pear vs hourglass.
How to dress a pear shaped body
The aim is balance: draw attention up to the shoulders and face, mark the waist, and let the fabric skim over the hips rather than cling to them.
Tops for a pear body shape
- Boat necks, square necks and off-the-shoulder tops widen the shoulder line.
- Puff sleeves, ruffles, pockets and prints on top pull the eye up.
- Wrap and peplum tops mark the waist.
- Tuck tops in or choose ones that end at the waist or high hip, not at the widest point.
Dresses for a pear shaped body
- A-line, fit-and-flare and wrap dresses are the classic choices.
- Look for detail at the neckline and a skirt that flows out from the waist.
- If you carry some belly fat as well, choose empire waists or wrap dresses with a soft drape over the tummy.
- Bodycon dresses work in thicker, structured fabrics; thin jersey shows every line.
Jeans for a pear shaped body
- Bootcut, flared, wide-leg and straight-leg jeans balance the hips.
- High-rise styles with a contoured waistband stop the back gaping.
- Dark washes and plain back pockets keep the hips quiet.
- Curvy-fit jeans are cut for a bigger difference between waist and hip.
Skirts
- A-line, wrap and bias-cut skirts in mid or knee length.
- Pencil skirts work in darker colours, worn with a lighter, detailed top.
Jackets and coats
- Structured shoulders, cropped jackets and blazers that end at the waist.
- Belted trench coats and A-line coats that flare over the hips.
Swimwear
- Bright or patterned tops with darker, plain bottoms.
- Bottoms with side ties or a slightly higher leg lengthen the legs.
For complete looks for work, weekends and evenings, see our pear body shape outfits guide.
What to avoid
| Avoid | Why | Try instead |
|---|---|---|
| Skinny jeans with a plain top | Narrow at the ankle, wide at the hip | Bootcut or wide-leg |
| Tops that end at the hips | Draw a line across the widest point | Tucked or cropped to the waist |
| Pockets, studs or prints on the hips | Add width below | Detail on the top half |
| Thin, clingy jersey skirts | Show every curve and seam | A-line in structured fabric |
| Halter and narrow necklines | Make shoulders look narrower | Boat or square necks |
Pear shape at every size
- Skinny pear body shape: a slim upper body with naturally wider hips and fuller thighs. Volume on top, such as puff sleeves and layered necklines, keeps things balanced.
- Plus-size pear: weight sits mainly on the hips, seat and thighs, sometimes with a little at the tummy. Wrap dresses, empire waists and wide-leg trousers are the easiest wins.
- Athletic pear: strong legs and glutes from sport. Stretch denim and straight-leg trousers fit better than rigid skinny styles.
Most real pear shaped bodies don’t look like the neat drawings online. If your hips are wider than your bust, the same styling ideas apply.
Celebrities with a pear shaped body
Stylists often name these celebrities as examples of a pear figure. These are descriptions from fashion writing, not measured results:
- Jennifer LopezSinger, actor
- BeyoncéSinger
- ShakiraSinger
- RihannaSinger
Pear shape and health
Research generally links fat stored on the hips and thighs with lower metabolic risk than fat stored around the waist. Pear shaped women usually have a lower waist to hip ratio, which is the measure doctors use to track this. Check yours with the waist to hip ratio calculator.
Body shape isn’t a diagnosis, though. Overall weight, activity and blood tests matter far more than where your curves sit.
Frequently asked questions
How do I dress a pear shaped body?
Draw the eye up and mark your waist. Boat necks, puff sleeves and detail on top; A-line skirts, wrap dresses and bootcut or wide-leg trousers below.
What jeans suit a pear shaped body?
High-rise bootcut, flared, wide-leg or straight-leg jeans in darker washes. Curvy-fit styles stop the waistband gaping at the back.
What dresses suit a pear shape with belly fat?
Empire-waist and wrap dresses with a soft drape over the tummy, and A-line skirts that skim the hips. Avoid thin, clingy jersey.
What is a skinny pear body shape?
A slim frame with a narrow upper body and naturally wider hips and thighs. The hips stay wider than the bust even at a low weight, because the shape comes from the pelvis.
Is the pear body shape attractive?
Yes. Many of the best-known figures in fashion and music are pear shaped, and a lower waist to hip ratio is often rated as attractive in research.
How do you get a pear shaped body?
You can’t change your pelvis, but you can build the glutes and legs with squats, lunges and hip thrusts, which adds curve to the lower body.