Dressing an Hourglass Body Shape

This is our favorite classic look for an hourglass body shape. A bold red with a subtle floral print and cinched waist whispers hints of vintage sophistication while highlighting every curve. The silhouette is feminine, balanced, and ultra-flattering from top to bottom. What we love most? The clean lines and lack of bulky fabric at the midsection—proof that simplicity is powerful. If this look speaks to you, our list of favorite wrap dresses is packed with cute and classy options for everything from work presentations to date nights. When we’re in the mood for a pretty wrap dress, Lulus is always a front-runner. Score your faves with a Lulus promo code to save. (Image credit: @Itscourtneyhamilton) 

The ultimate off-duty look for the figure hourglass silhouette? High-waisted jeans or trousers paired with a cropped top or fitted bodysuit. This combo screams street-style chic while sneakily creating a leg-lengthening illusion and accentuating the waist. Choose pants that hit right at the waist for the most impact. When shopping for clothes for hourglass shape, steer clear of stiff fabrics and oversized fits that hide curves. The beauty lies in the cut—high-rise styles sculpt the waist and flow over hips effortlessly. We’ve rounded up some high-waisted faves on our list of the 10 best straight-leg jeans. 

For perfect-fit denim, we’ve had the best luck with Levi’s Wedgie Fit and Reformation’s high-waisted styles. Pro tip: use a Reformation coupon and snag a pair that feels custom-made for your curves. (Image credit: @my_wardrobe.mv)

We've fallen for this preppy and polished look for an hourglass figure that uses a peplum top to enhance curves in the most balanced way. Most of the picks from our recent list of trending floral blouses will achieve the same effect. Some gorgeous pearls or a chunky gold necklace make it the ultimate brunch-ready look.

The secret to nailing this style? Skip boxy or cropped shirts that cut off at the widest part of the waist. Instead, opt for peplum tops that narrow at your waistline and flow over curves, drawing attention to your waist. Banana Republic and other elevated basics retailers offer tons of flattering finds—don’t forget to use a Banana Republic promo code when you shop. (Image credit: @superbetty79)

The pencil skirt is a staple for the hourglass body shape that never goes out of style. Sleek, chic, and endlessly versatile, this piece creates a seamless line from waist to knee while putting your curves center stage. We’re especially into skirts paired with crisp cardigans or blouses that hug without restricting. The goal is a contour—not a squeeze.

If you're feeling adventurous, a few streamlined silhouettes from our best maxi skirts list offer a modern alternative to the classic pencil. But let’s be real—once we discovered that Talbots makes skirts this flattering, our style game changed. Their pieces strike that perfect balance between polished and comfortable, making them ideal for showcasing an hourglass figure without sacrificing ease of movement. (Image credit: @laura_puddy)

Talk about power dressing. A belted blazer is one of those hourglass figure outfits that does it all: cinches your waist, adds dimension, and keeps you looking professional without sacrificing style. We love how the tie-waist detail carves out your curves, while a sleek fit ensures everything stays tailored and intentional. To pull this off, focus on fit. Stay away from boxy fits or oversized styles that bulk up your frame instead of complementing it.

Want to see this style in action? Our team rounded up some amazing blazers under $200 that are perfect for curvy proportions. We’re loyal to Ann Taylor for their endless supply of well-structured blazers that flatter the figure hourglass like a dream. Save on your next staple piece with an Ann Taylor promo code. (Image credit: @ramona.london)

A-line dresses are an hourglass body shape girl’s secret weapon. They gently hug the waist before flowing over the hips, giving you all the shape and none of the fuss. Whether you’re going casual or formal, an A-line silhouette does the heavy lifting when it comes to highlighting your curves. For best results, look for dresses with strategic cinching and minimal midsection volume. The more structure through the waist, the more your natural hourglass form shines through.

If you’re in the market for the best dresses for an hourglass figure that you can snag quickly, our curated list of Amazon favorites are full of options. For something a little fancier, Meshki’s A-line styles give formalwear a flattering upgrade. Use a Meshki discount code to make your glam moment even sweeter.

Ready to dial up the drama? Corset-style tops and bodysuits are made to sculpt the figure hourglass in all the right ways. This bold and body-hugging style gives your waist the spotlight while ensuring the bust and hips get their moment too. A good corset or bodysuit feels like a second skin—supportive, sexy, and surprisingly wearable.

Not sure which bodysuits to shop? Our trending bodysuits guide is filled with pieces designed to flatter curves without sacrificing comfort. We also love stocking up on basic bodysuits whenever Victoria’s Secret coupon codes pop up—they’re stretchy, stylish, and ideal for layering under just about anything.

If wide-leg pants aren't already part of your daily fashion repertoire, let's change that. Note how these high-fashion pants balance curves and elongate the legs. We love the city-ready look of tucking a top or fitted blouse into wide-leg pants with an oversized designer bag on your shoulder. Find a pair of wide-leg pants for every day of the week in our recent ranking of our 10 favorite wide-leg pants. You can also shop with a SPANX promo code if you want to skip straight to figure-hugging, curve-sculpting, wide-leg pants.

Be careful with low-rise versions of wide-leg pants that widen the waist. They can also look sloppy on an hourglass figure. While we're all about cool and casual loose wide-leg pants that create an effortlessly bright look for the office, saggy and baggy styles can consume an hourglass figure's curves.