Hi. My name’s Andy and I’m a pear. A big ole’ pear. Pear body type that is. As my daddy used to say I’m big at the little and bottom at the top. The body type is also called a triangle, but I prefer pear, because, you know, it’s food. And I love food.
My shoulders are narrow, my waist is defined, and jeans usually “gap” at the waist, and I tend to accumulate weight in my hips and thighs. And according to my research, I share my pearness with celebrities like J-Lo, Beyonce, and Kim Kardashian. (giggle)
If you’re in the same fruit bowl as I am, keep on reading for my style tips and tricks for dressing the vibrant ripe pear!
One of the reasons I started this blog was because I could never find examples of real women in fashion media. I just can’t relate to most of the models used to market clothing to my demographic. I’m over 50. I fight my weight constantly. I want you to know that I’m as real as it gets. What follows are NOT RULES, but suggestions and strategies. What works for me may not work for you. I did a little research, and actually disagreed with some of the suggestions I found on various sites! I just know they wouldn’t work for me! And I’m sorry, but I truly believe that gravity has a profoundly evil effect on how our bodies change as we age. Menopause doesn’t do us any favors either. Let’s just say that things get slightly “rearranged” as we get older.
Here are my strategies for dressing the ripe pear:
Long Over Lean.
This is my tried and true, big booty camouflage secret, and there are so many fun choices for this option now! Think long cardigans over skinny jeans with a stacked heel bootie. Or how about a Kimono? Kimonos are IN for summer. I have several variations of them, and they work perfectly, even in an office environment. Or how about a long tunic over leggings tucked into tall boots in the fall/winter. I am also loving the poncho trend!
I styled this cute poncho yesterday with white pants (yes white!). It’s from a darling boutique in my hometown. Check out Instagram for Trendsetters
Column Dressing.
I learned this trick when I worked at a national women’s boutique chain. Color match your top and bottoms and use a jacket, sweater, or cardigan in a contrasting color. Think grey pants and grey blouse, with a red or even pink jacket. The column you’ve created will make you look instantly longer, leaner and taller.
Dresses – Fit and flare and a-lines are your friends.
Think of them as our besties of the dress world. Trust me on this. It will highlight your waist and draw attention away from your hips/thighs. Don’t shy away from color! Whoever said you should only wear black lied to us! If you love to wear color, then rock it sister! 
Draw attention away from your pear!
Call attention to your beautiful neck and shoulders. Try styling eye catching jewelry or tying on a gorgeously patterned scarf. Statement necklaces are all the rage now, and you can catch some pretty good sales on them! (Remember to subdue your earrings if you wear a statement necklace and vice versa.) And by the way, the cold shoulder/bold shoulder look that is so hot right now is heaven sent for us pear shaped gals. All the attention goes north, not south, and you look amazing as well! I got this ruffled cold shoulder top from Nordstrom. (similar top here)
Watch your hemlines.
I avoid the new “smile” hemline available in tops. It seems to exaggerate the hip area. The “shark bite” style top works much better for me. And any basic tunic works, if it’s the correct length for me and grazes over the widest part of my hip/thigh area. I also am loving the new front or side tie tops like this one – it seems to distract the eye away from the hip area! Win!
Don’t be afraid of color and pattern!
Try a brightly colored or patterned top. Same strategy of drawing attention upward. I got this cute top from Chico’s awhile back. Love me some Chico’s for cute tops! I love it, don’t you?
“Rules” to ignore:
* You should always wear dark colored bottoms or jeans. Guess what? You can wear black, or white, or pink or green or denim or whatever make you happy!
* You should never wear bright colors. Whatever…Tell that to Kim Kardashian and J-Lo. Something tells me they wear what they want, and so should you!
Thanks for reading my blog. And if you have some pointers for pear shaped women please share! I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment and say hi!
Ok I am not a pear, but I love one, my mom!
Thanks for the tips. I am short so the tall boots would not work for me. Most everything else gives me a lot of ideas. I plan to tune in again.
What a fabulous post with so many great tips! Love the images and outfits you wore. Welcome to the midlife bloggers community!
Thank you so much Elena!
These are awesome tips. You look amazing!
Love your ideals. Thanks for thinking of us women who are over 50.
Thanks Debbie! Proud to represent!
You look fantastic! I’m a huge fan of anything fit and flare.
Thanks so much. I don’t wear dresses often, but that’s my go to when I do.
Thanks for the tips. I was at Starbucks today and an old women told her daughter “look at her big hips”. Her daughter said “I have seen worse”. I have been down since then.
Wow. Why can’t women just be supportive of each other? I’ll never understand such mean spiritedness. Don’t take it to heart. Just be you!
Thanks for letting post that. It is tough being a pear shape girl!