Out With the Old, In With the New: Making an Hourglass Work

Dress c/o Foster Bay, Kimchi Blue heels, Club Monaco clutch, Wilfred belt, cone earrings c/o Poshlocket
Though it’s probably the last thing you’d associate with my aesthetic now, if there was one thing I thought I’d never do without awhile ago, it’d be body-con, figure-flaunting silhouettes. I think it’s safe to say that there’s probably not a girl alive who hasn’t had a moment of contention with her figure at some point or another, and I’m definitely one of them. Call it the “grass is greener on the other side” effect, but for years I struggled with styling my hourglass silhouette, taking the easy route by opting for almost Kardashian-like, bandage-style pieces when dressing up. Like the Kardashian Klan, I decided that instead of trying to figure out how to not look “chest-heavy” or “shapeless” in more elegant yet conservative pieces, I’d put all my curves out there. I mean really, it’s pretty hard to mistake a waist if it’s quite literally bound in a thin layer of Lycra-blend.
Thankfully, several years ago I finally decided that instead of simply assuming that this style or that style wouldn’t work on me, it’d be worth putting just the tiniest amount of time and effort into finding ways of dressing that not only suitedmy unique proportions but also the more discrete aesthetic I’d always been drawn to.As I continued to mature past and into new avenues of life (completing my education, getting into a serious relationship, choosing a career path and, of course, becoming involved in the blogging community), my style evolved as well, and I realized that all the hardened views I’d had about what a figure like mine could pull off were wrong. I quickly learnt that the trick to making an hourglass figure work with just about any style was a great bra (minimizers in particular help heaps), making sure I steered clear of tent-silhouettes and opting for waist-nipping shapes whenever possible.
I was actually almost surprised by how a few little tricks could make me feel infinitely more comfortable and true to my natural taste in such a short period of time, and sure enough, I was soon consistently gravitating towards delicate, discretely figure-flattering options like this mint green dress that I would have glossed over only a few years beforehand. Most of my skin-tight pieces are now probably being picked over in some Salvation Army in Vancouver, and quite frankly, I don’t miss them much.
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Leave a Comment

28 Comments

  1. 8.20.12

    I completely hear you on trading int he skin tight for something more figure flattering. this cool-seafoam-minty green dress is stunning.

  2. 8.20.12

    Love this post! Very true about opening one's mind and just trying other pieces to see what works and what doesn't, though really I think the biggest helpers often seem so inconsequential and small – undergarments, accessories (like a great belt), and spending just that little bit of money to tailor things. Tailoring makes all the difference.

    Melanie
    Style to Stage

  3. 8.20.12
    Claudia said:

    Loved reading this post and you look stunning, looove your flowy dress xxx

    Claudia
    http://pink-manolos.blogspot.com

  4. 8.20.12
    Heather said:

    Love your dress. Mint is still one of my favorite colors. And leopard print never gets old 🙂 I think it's so important to style for your body type which of course takes time and of course trials. I also think it gets easier as you get older since you start to really feel comfortable in your own skin and you know your body.

    http://fashionistanygirl.blogspot.com/

  5. 8.20.12
    Joanna said:

    Very pretty dress and bag!

    xoxo

  6. 8.20.12
    claude said:

    The color suits you really well! beautiful pictures, and great text!

    xx claude

  7. 8.20.12

    I really love this post – I'm a curvy gal myself and so much of what you describes also fits with my experiences almost perfectly as my personal style had evolved over the years.

    Courtney ~ http://sartorialsidelines.com

  8. 8.20.12

    This dress is so beautiful and ethereal on you. I love it!

  9. 8.20.12

    I went through a huge body-con phase myself. The tighter the better. Now most body-con pieces make me feel so uncomfortable and almost claustrophobic. I suppose style evolves as we evolve. You look gorgeous as always! Love the leopard clutch with this dress. XO

  10. 8.20.12
    Dèna said:

    girl WOW!!i just found you!amazing style!!!Count me as your newest GFC , Bloglovin facebook & twitter follower!!!!!!
    Much love,
    Dèna♡
    Style LimeLight

  11. 8.20.12

    I love this dress on you, I think it's gorgeous and the style is so flattering!

  12. 8.20.12

    You look so wonderful here, this colour is perfection on you! And flatters your shape for sure. It's so funny how styles change, I could never picture you in skin tight clothing now. You have an amazing shape and dress it so stylishly
    xJennaD

  13. 8.20.12
    Cee said:

    Oh, the wonderful things that fashion blogging can do for us all! Like you, I was very much less experimental with new and unusual silhouettes before I started blogging, and although I never quite went the Kim Kardashian route, I definitely favoured body-hugging pieces. Better than looking pregnant, after all. I must say, though, your style has evolved in a beautiful way. This dress is just stunning. Can't wait to see you so very soon, pally!
    xox,
    Cee

  14. 8.21.12

    You look amazing in that dress! I love the purse! Completes the outfit!
    Thanks for stopping by our blog! 🙂

    xoxo
    go for the glam

  15. 8.21.12

    I'm the same way. Can't do skin tight. Love this look!

  16. 8.21.12
    Damycool said:

    Love your dress!

  17. 8.21.12

    Gorgeous mint colour! I love it when you find something that really works for your body shape. I think you've got it down pat 🙂

    Life etc

  18. 8.21.12
    jules said:

    i love the colour of this dress on you, it's so pretty! and i'm glad you're more at peace with your shape and style now, funny how we evolve, huh?

    xo julesinflats.com

  19. 8.21.12
    MizzJ said:

    That's so interesting that in an attempt to deal with your curves, you chose to wear skin-tight clothes! I can't even imagine that look on you haha As someone whose more boy-shaped, I find that really surprising as I would have thought curvy hour-glass people would try the opposite. Kudos to you for sharing your experience with us 🙂

  20. 8.21.12
    Jackie said:

    This dress is gorgeous!! And you look so pretty! Love it 🙂

    xx,
    Jackie

    http://www.fashionationstreet.com

  21. 8.21.12
    Megan said:

    That dress is STUNNING on you and I love the mint + leopard combination.

  22. 8.21.12
    Elisabeth said:

    You look absolutely fantastic – you have definately found a style that suits you! Thank you for your kind comment on my blog!

    xxx
    E from Helsinki
    http://dragonflyelisabeth.blogspot.fi/

  23. 8.21.12
    Kacie said:
  24. 8.22.12

    The dress looks great on you! I must say you certainly do help to bring out the oomph in Foster Bay's outfits. Thanks doll!

    http://www.fosterbay.com
    http://www.yourstylearchitect.blogspot.sg

  25. 8.22.12

    These color are simply gorgeous on you and the silhouette is total perfection!
    xx
    Jessica
    http://westmountfashionista.com

  26. 8.22.12
    monica said:

    u look beautiful

    this silouette plays out ur body super well

  27. 8.27.12
    Carmen said:

    That´s a really lovely shade of blue 🙂
    xx
    http://www.clothesandcamera.blogspot.com

  28. 8.29.12
    Mrs C ♥ said:

    OK girl..I'm with ya. I'm learning to refine my style as well & learning how to dress my body. I have actually always wondered (& thought I could ask now since you mentioned it) what bras you wear. I am very top heavy & am always on the lookout for great bras. I've struggled to find a good minimizer one too so I'd love some suggestions if you're willing to share :o) Feel free to email me: jen.cairel@gmail.com

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