Thursday 5 July 2012

The quest to dress the hardest body shape.


So, i'm unlucky enough to fall into a category that is the hardest to dress and flatter... The figure 8 body shape... also known as spoon shape, shelf shape, high hips. Seriously ladies, you have no idea how much i've struggled with this. I always thought i was a cross between a pear and a hourglass shape but with higher hips. You don't know what a Figure 8 shape is? Let me break it down for you. 


The shoulders are in line with the hips, with a larger bust that slowly and nicely tapers down to a defined waist, then BAM out of no where you have these shelfs on your body, well not really but it gives that appearance because this shape has a short torso and high hips. Usually has a round, in proportion bum. Tend to gain weight in the stomach, hips, upper arms, and thighs. But have really nice slender lower legs and forearms, define collarbones and slender neck.


After only recently figuring out my correct body shape after years of dressing for the wrong body shapes and wondering why the hell isnt this working?!, i'm now on the quest to learn how to dress it and flaunt this curvy shape!, which is a lot harder then i thought, you can find everything on the internet these days right? wrong! There is hardly any information out there on this body shape because its not a very popular one. Ok, ok, its not all bad, you know what this body shape is great for? Being pregnant, perfect child bearing hips, your baby will be ohh soooo comfy in there with this body shape. 


When wearing tight clothes you get this appearance that looks like a fat roll/love handles? Which isnt overly attractive, considering im a size 8(australian sizing) and weight 53 kilos. So, i'll be researching this like crazy and will be talking to stylist to figure it out, so stay tuned to 'cause there will be more post about this shape until i know all the tips, tricks and secrets out there. 


Sorry if this sounds like i'm ranting and running down this body shape if any of you girls out there have this shape. Because i don't want you to get me wrong, i love my body and i love being a curvy, a real woman! But i just want to figure this all out as it is a very difficult shape to style. 

I've included pictures to help people understand this body shape, i always find visuals helpful and thought you's might as well.

xox




26 comments:

  1. I just read this while trying to find out more about my body shape, also a type 8....and throughout your whole article i just kept saying Amen, lol.
    IT IS hard to dress my body...some clothes dont look as nice as they do on other girls, even though im skinny-ish.
    Ive learned to love it :) but i still struggle buying the right pair of pants. I loved you article!! Thanks!!

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  2. I just discovered today that I am an 8. I am in my mid 30's and been trying to understand my shape for a looong time. It all makes sense now. But it is hard because trousers don't fit right and so on. I am now going to have to figure out how to dress in a style that reflects who I am as well as clothing that suits my spoon shape. I will be really keen to read what ever else you discover about this shape because as you said, there is not a lot online about it.
    And as for having comfy babies... I have had 3 and non of them were in the right position. So sorry, no good news about our shape :(

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  3. I just read this, and I am most definitely a spoon shape. I am 19 years old, and have had the "shelf" hips since I was about 12. I am very short (5'1") and this only makes my quest to find cloths more difficult.
    I find it extremely hard to dress myself in a flattering wasy that hides my hips, but is still young and fashionable.
    It was nice to read your article and see that someone else deals with the same thing, as most people my age do not have this shape at all.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  4. I've been searching for answers too. I recently found this link that has a pretty decent way to describe how to flatter this body type!http://www.insideoutstyleblog.com/2010/05/real-life-body-shapes-8.html

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  5. www.perfectpearfashions.com
    Everything on this site that has a waist band should work well for you. The pear shape is just a smoother version of your own. Hope you like it.

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  6. I feel ya!

    6 foot tall, size 10-12 aus, and have this body type :'( nothing suits it!

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  7. Thanks for this! I always felt like I *could* have that "perfect" hourglass, wear anything body but I was just eating too much or not exercising enough because there was almost always something just a little "off" about clothes that "should" have flattered me. It is a relief to know I wasn't doing anything wrong or that my body was odd - I am just a different build than I knew. And I am not alone!
    And hey, at least we have waists right? And the defined collar-bone/slender neck thing ain't bad either ;)

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  8. Thanks for this! I always felt like I *could* have that "perfect" hourglass, wear anything body but I was just eating too much or not exercising enough because there was almost always something just a little "off" about clothes that "should" have flattered me. It is a relief to know I wasn't doing anything wrong or that my body was odd - I am just a different build than I knew. And I am not alone!
    And hey, at least we have waists right? And the defined collar-bone/slender neck thing ain't bad either ;)

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  10. This body shape really isn't that bad compared to some. At least we have a defined waist to work with and my boyfriend loves my thighs ;) I would take this over a ruler or Apple any day! It is kind of hard to dress but not impossible! i have several outfits that I rock and can totally pull off a hourglass shape with high hips easy.
    I do have a question for other fellow spoon shaped ladies..do you have a booty? My boyfriend says I have a "nice small round booty" but I see it as flat. Anyone else??

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    1. I question whether you actually fit into this category if you find it that easy to dress... My butt has no shape :-(

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    3. Same booty story here. I think hes just lying to make me feel better :D

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    4. Me too. I feel like my wide hips make my butt wide. It runs low

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    5. My butt has actually always been big, which is why I thought I was a pear for the longest time.

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  11. Amen! The only jeans that ever fit or look good on me are the "INC Curvy Skinny". Everything else looks awful.

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  12. i love my body, man i dont bother to 'dress to impress' at all

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  13. Finally a page on this! I am this too, but also have small chest, which is even harder to deal with. And yep - ridiculously hard to find pants that fit both the hips and the legs. Either to tight on hips such that it hurts/bruises or to loose on the legs and looks baggy. I also find I can't wear dresses with waist ties/belts. I look frumpy and hilarious in those kind of outfits.

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    Replies
    1. Yes yes yes, impossible to find pants!! And yes, ridiculously small boobs!

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  14. Hi my name is tish just find out of a spoon because of these love handles my measuremenmeasurements are of an hourglass but doesn't look like it but I've just been researching and find some ways to dress the spoon and figure 8 sometimes called hourglass with high hip I found Pinterest if you search spoon or figure 8 it gives u some outfits to help out.

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  15. Hi my name is tish just find out of a spoon because of these love handles my measuremenmeasurements are of an hourglass but doesn't look like it but I've just been researching and find some ways to dress the spoon and figure 8 sometimes called hourglass with high hip I found Pinterest if you search spoon or figure 8 it gives u some outfits to help out.

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  16. I simply dress myself as an hourglass, but I watch the waistlines of jeans and skirts I wear. They can be any rise, just as long as they dont pinch or squeeze below my hip shelf, I'm good. Ive got a very defined waist and a wide butt so I love to play it up with new sttles and show off my legs. I actually like my shape and dont hide it. When both my waist and shelf are shown together (like in a bikini) it makes me feel really curvy in all the right places. I used to hate my shelf, thinking I had a permanent muffin top but now i see i was just trying to squeeze into jeans 4 sizes too small. Im a happy 9 now with no regrets :)

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  17. I am so happy to have found this blog after years of searching for answers about my awkward body type!! It's nice to read all of your comments and see that I am not the only one who struggles with it..Hallelujah finally!!! This is something I have hated about myself my entire life and have tried every exercise/diet to try & change. It is so hard to find clothes that look right and can be frustrating. I always thought if I could just have a bigger bum to even out my profile from the back I would be happy. But you know what, we should be proud of our body type and I am going to try to stop hating on myself for it. Thank you ladies!!! ��

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  18. I love my shelfs)) I love my defined waist and was thinking I'm an hourglass with weird high hips and bigger butt (cross with pear or something) . The high hips make legs look longer. I only don't like my lower hips are the same width, so it's kinda rextarectan. But I don't find it hard to dress, as I don't mind to show my high hips at all! But I'm so glad I have found my "club"))))

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