A model thin body may still be the ideal for many women, but for some women, and many men a curvaceous, hourglass figure is the shape ofchoice. The hourglass figure reached the heightof popularity during the 40s and 50s when famous actresses flaunted their curves.
In today’s age a super-slim, less curvaceous physique still dominates the fashion magazines, a new generation of television and movie stars are defying the trend.
What Exactly Is An Hourglass Figure?
To get an hourglass shape you need a fairly large bust, wide hips, and a tiny waist. The narrow waist emphasizes the breasts and hips. This shape is all about the breast to waist, and hip to waist ratios. For a true hourglass figure, the breasts and hips should be almost equal in circumference. The perfect measurements are often cited as 36-24-36.
Petite women can have this curvaceous shape as well but on a smaller scale. The look can be achieved as long as the waist size is approximately 10 to 12 inches smaller than the circumferences of the bust and hips.
Though women wore restrictive undergarments in the fifties to help pull in the waist, they actually had tinier waists to begin with than women of today. According to statistics our waists are thicker than past generations.
Banana, Apple, and Pear-Shaped
A true hourglass figure is fairly rare. Less than10% of women come by the shape naturally. Much more common are the banana, apple, or pear shapes with the banana shape being the mostcommon. With the banana shape the torso is fairly straight up and down. The waist circumference does not vary much from that of thebreasts or the hips.
With the apple shape the hips are slim. Full breasts, broad shoulders, and excess weight in the waist region typify the apple shape. With the pear shape the upper torso is narrow. The weight is carried in the hips and thighs.
How to Achieve an Hourglass Shape?
A person’s shape can be somewhat altered by fitness and nutrition. For instance, an apple-shaped person could lose some of the unhealthy belly fat through lifestyle changes. But if you are apple, pear, or banana-shaped, it is unlikely that you will be able to achieve an hourglass figure through diet and exercise alone, no matter how disciplined you are.
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Breast and buttock implants can give you the rounded proportions. And laser liposuction can permanently cinch in your waist.
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FAQs
During the autumn/winter 2023 runways, fashion houses such as Versace, Chanel, Vivienne Westwood, and Givenchy re-introduced the classic hourglass shape in their collections. This marked a departure from the generally androgynous fashion style of previous seasons.
Do guys prefer hourglass figures? ›
If, like many men, an 'hourglass figure' is your golden ticket, then you're not alone. A new study, published in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior, has claimed men think women with a 'low waist-to-hip ratio (WHRs)' – or 'hourglass' figures to the layman – have the most attractive bodies.
Is an hourglass figure desirable? ›
Research. Research indicates that men have a marked preference for women who have the hourglass figure. These studies found that this shape was even more highly preferred than breast size or facial features.
Is hourglass the rarest body type? ›
Did you know that hourglass body shape is the rarest body shape of all? Beauties with the hourglass figure have a balanced silhouette where the shoulders are as broad (or as petite) as the hips, and both of these features are separated by an elegant defined waist.
When did the hourglass figure became popular? ›
The Golden Age of Hollywood (1930-1950s)
However, there was a drastic change from the “boyish” body type seen in the 1920s as once again the ideals shifted to a curvy hourglass figure; influenced by actresses such as Marilyn Monroe (8).
What figure do guys find most attractive? ›
Men prefer distinct female body types based on breast, buttocks, and leg sizes. Preferences include figures with full breasts, moderate buttocks, and leggy legs, or moderate breasts, small buttocks, and moderate legs.
What are the disadvantages of an hourglass figure? ›
Health Risks
Having an hourglass body shape means that when you gain weight, it is not concentrated in one area like apple-shaped or pear-shaped people. That means weight gain can be hard to spot if you're not regularly checking the scale.
What are the don'ts of an hourglass figure? ›
Don'ts
- Items of clothing with wide cuts or oversized and layered looks will hide your curves.
- Trousers and skirts at hip height will draw attention to your waistline.
- Tops and dresses with a very high waist will make your upper body appear shorter.
- Flounces and ruffles can make your outfit look too busy.
'If you're an hourglass body type, you generally gain weight all over, especially under your arms, on your thighs and around your hips,' says Horsman. Plank: Exercise the muscles that shape and flatten your stomach.
What is the most attractive body shape of a female? ›
Top hourglass body shape
Considered to be the most attractive body shape, this is very similar to hourglass body shape, except that in this case the curves are more defined.
Met Gala 2024: Kim Kardashian flaunts her hourglass figure in silver shimmery gown - IMDb. Kim Kardashian made heads turn at the Met Gala 2024. She once again showed who is the true queen of the red carpet. The beauty mogul stunned in a silver Maison Margiela by John Galliano, showing off her waistline.
Which celebrity has the best hourglass figure? ›
The Best Hourglass Figures of all Time: Marilyn Monroe, Beyonce, and More | Vogue.
Is hourglass waist genetic? ›
having an hourglass body does highly rely. on your genetics in terms of where you start. but just because you may not have hourglass genetics. does not mean you can make progress.
What is so special about hourglass body shape? ›
What is an hourglass figure? Women who have this type of body have shoulders and hips of proportional width and a defined waist. It's a very desirable, proportionate and feminine type of body. Almost anything fitted around the waist and bosoms looks good because they accentuate a very ladylike silhouette.
What is the best figure size for a woman in the world? ›
According to the class 12 CBSE Health and Physical Education textbook, 36-24-36 is considered the best shape for females.
What is the feminine beauty ideal? ›
The feminine beauty ideal is a socially constructed opinion that one of a woman's most important assets is attractiveness and is something all women should strive to achieve and maintain.
Do most men prefer curves? ›
In a landmark research conducted by the late Devendra Singh, she found that men rate women as most attractive when they have a waist size that's 60 to 70 percent of their hip size. And guess who is the archetype of the ideal female body type that's most attractive to men?
What body shape is most fertile? ›
Scientists have theorized that a low waist-to-hip ratio is associated with heightened fertility. That is, women with an hourglass figure are more likely to be able to conceive a child.
Which body figure is more attractive? ›
Most Attractive Body Figure
Overall, men believed a more mesomorph (a more muscular) body shape to be more attractive to others; while women believed a more ectomorph (thin) body shape to be more attractive to others.
Does hourglass figure mean curvy? ›
The classic hourglass figure is the original curvy body type. Think retro pinup girls, Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, or even modern day muses such as Kim Kardashian. This body type is revered for its balanced bust and hip proportions with a small waist measurement.
