For pear-shaped ladies, pleated skirts might not be the most flattering choice. Pear-shaped bodies typically have a slim upper body but wider hips and thighs. When a pear-shaped woman wears a pleated skirt, the pleats can accentuate the hips, disrupting the overall visual balance.
While pleated skirts exude elegance, they can be tricky for pear-shaped women to pull off.
However, the beauty of fashion lies in its infinite possibilities. By choosing the right style and skillfully mixing and matching, you can downplay the prominence of your hips and achieve a slimmer silhouette. If you’re a pear-shaped lady who wants to rock a pleated skirt, follow these three rules.
1. Choose the Right Fabric
To minimize the appearance of pleats, opt for thin or flowing fabrics that emphasize the vertical length of the skirt without accentuating its horizontal volume. Silk is the ideal choice, as it also conveys sophistication and can be worn even in colder weather.
However, the pleats on a silk pleated skirt are prone to deformation, so it’s essential to hang the skirt instead of folding it to maintain its shape.
Silk pleated skirts exude elegance and have the right amount of flow to streamline your lower body.
In addition to silk, you can also choose pleated skirts made from other fabrics, such as satin. Satin pleated skirts not only have a certain degree of flow, making the pleats conform better to the original shape of the skirt, but they also have a subtle sheen that can easily enhance the texture and visual appeal of the skirt. Putting one on will instantly elevate your look.
A satin pleated skirt is a great alternative to silk and is usually more affordable.
2. Choose the Right Style
The denser the pleats, the more pronounced the three-dimensional effect, which can make the hips and thighs appear larger—not ideal for pear-shaped ladies. Conversely, sparser pleats create a slimmer silhouette.
Denser pleats enhance the expansion effect, while sparser pleats create a slimming illusion.
If you have wide hips and thighs but slim legs, opt for a short pleated skirt that hits 4-5 cm above the knee. This style is not only sweet and cute but also maximizes the appearance of your slender legs, successfully drawing attention away from your problem areas. It’s a winning combination that makes you look slimmer without sacrificing youthfulness.
If you have wide hips but slim legs, a short pleated skirt can be a fun and youthful choice.
Color also plays a role in shaping the body’s appearance when wearing pleated skirts. A black pleated skirt paired with other black pieces can create a slimming effect. If the length of the pleated skirt falls just above the knee but not at the ankle, it won’t look too fluffy. It also suits women with wide hips regardless of their height. However, pay attention to the waist when choosing a style. The higher the waist, the longer your legs will look, resulting in a more perfect body proportion.
Darker colors or colors with lower saturation can create a “shrinking” effect, making you appear thinner.
3. Pair with a Long Top
When wearing a pleated skirt, pear-shaped women should pay attention to their choice of top and how they style it. Never tuck your top into the skirt, as this will emphasize the hips and add width to them.
Tucking your top into the pleated skirt will draw attention to your wide hips.
If you have wide hips and a bit of a belly, opt for a slightly loose top that falls below the hips. This will not only flatten the three-dimensional effect of the pleated skirt but also make your lower body look slimmer and more proportionate.
Some women may worry that a loose top won’t showcase their waist and may not be as flattering. The solution is simple: add a belt. A belt not only accentuates your waist but also optimizes your body proportions, making you look taller and slimmer.
A top with the right length and looseness can effectively cover wider hips.
If you want to highlight your waist without drawing attention to your lower body, choose a belted top to create a perfect body proportion.
Fashion-savvy women can use a hip bag as a belt, saving the time of choosing a belt and showcasing their unique personality and style. However, to ensure a harmonious look, the color of the hip bag should match the dominant color of the outfit, creating a more premium structure.
A hip bag can also be used as a belt to accentuate your waist.
Office ladies can pair a pleated skirt with a blazer that hits just below the waist or opt for a streamlined look to emphasize the shoulders, drawing attention upward and away from the hips.
A blazer that hits just below the waist is a perfect match for a pleated skirt.
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