Pear Shaped Figure Dresses – The Ultimate Guide: What and Where to Buy

If you have a pear-shaped figure, the best dresses are those that balance your proportions by drawing attention upwards, defining your waist, and skimming gracefully over the hips and thighs. A pear shape typically means your hips are wider than your shoulders and bust, so the goal with styling is to create balance while highlighting your natural curves beautifully.

Understanding the Pear Shape

Pear-shaped women often have a smaller bust, narrower shoulders, a well-defined waist, and fuller hips and thighs. The right dress will enhance these natural assets without clinging in the wrong places. Fabrics that drape rather than cling are ideal, and clever tailoring can help balance proportions elegantly.

Best Dress Styles for Pear Shapes

A-line dresses: Universally flattering, they cinch the waist and flare gently over the hips.
Fit-and-flare styles: Emphasise the waist while balancing the lower half.
Wrap dresses: Create an hourglass effect while adjusting easily for fit.
Off-shoulder and Bardot styles: Broaden the shoulder line and balance proportions.
Empire line dresses: Skim over the hips while drawing attention to the bust and neckline.

Fabric and Detailing Tips

Light or embellished details on the upper half help balance proportions. Think lace bodices, statement sleeves, or bold prints near the neckline. Stick to darker, streamlined fabrics on the bottom half for a smooth silhouette. Structured fabrics like crepe or cotton blends can enhance shape, while flowing fabrics like chiffon and silk create elegant movement.

High Street Brands to Try

For affordable, everyday options, the high street offers a wealth of pear-friendly dress styles:

Zara – Known for their playful A-line minis and belted midis that define the waist.
Next – Reliable wrap dresses and day-to-evening styles. See our full Next sizing guide here.
M&S – Fit-and-flare styles with structured fabrics that flatter curves.

Premium Brand Recommendations

Reiss – Sleek wrap and belted dresses, perfect for work or evening.
COS – Clean lines, A-line cuts, and structured silhouettes.
Whistles – Polished wrap dresses and Bardot styles that draw attention upward.

Designer Options

Diane von Fürstenberg (DVF) – The original wrap dress designer; ideal for pear shapes.
Stella McCartney – Known for clever tailoring and hourglass-enhancing cuts.
Alexander McQueen – Structured statement dresses that create balance and drama.

How to Accessorise for Balance

Pair your dress with statement necklaces, earrings, or shoulder-detail bags to draw the eye upwards. Opt for belts to highlight the waist, and nude or tonal heels to elongate the legs. Avoid overly busy skirts or extra volume on the lower half.

Where Tellar.co.uk Comes In

Finding the right dress is one thing, but choosing the correct size is another challenge altogether. That’s where Tellar.co.uk makes life easier. It’s the UK’s leading free sizing tool, matching your body measurements to over 1,500 brands in real time. No more scrolling through confusing size charts – just instant, accurate answers.

Simply measure once (bust, waist, hips) or even input your known size in a favourite brand, and Tellar instantly gives you your exact size in stores like COS, Reiss, Arket, and more. Try it here: Tellar Store Size Lookup Tool.

The Tellar Fashion Hub

Beyond sizing, Tellar hosts the Fashion Hub – a free, searchable library stacked with over 4,000 posts. From styling guides to brand recommendations, it’s always honest, independent, and free. Start with these key reads:

In short: the right dress style enhances your pear-shaped figure, but the right fit ensures you look and feel amazing. With Tellar.co.uk, you’ll never second-guess your size again – it’s free, fast, and tailored to you. your blog post here...