Rules For Petite Pears

Hello, Darlings! Today’s topic is Rules For Petite Pears. The first step to establishing a true capsule wardrobe that will work with your body and lifestyle is to know your body type. There are many ways to correctly identify your body type. My fashion mentor Kelly Snyder from Adore Your Wardrobe has an easy tool The Body Type Calculator. You will need a friend and a measuring tape to do this correctly.

Rules For Petite Pears

My Name Is Regan, I Am A Petite Pear

By definition, a Petite Pear is someone who is under 5’4 ( I am 5’1) and who has a Pear Body Shape. A Pear Body Shape is defined as having larger hips than shoulders. Many Pear Body Shaped women will have narrow shoulders, smaller waistlines with larger hips and thighs. They can have a large or small bustline, it is really all about the hips.

Your body shape does not change if you lose weight. It is more about where you gain weight and your bone structure. I tend to gain weight in my rear end, hips, and thighs.

Rules For Petite Pears #1- Darker Bottoms

Rule #1 For Pear Body Type is that in order to create a “balanced look” you need to de-emphasize your bottom half. The best way to do that is to wear darker bottoms. So as you start to create a capsule wardrobe you need to make sure that all your bottoms are dark. Darker wash jeans or black, black or navy pants and the same for shorts and skirts. The best shape for jeans/pants is boot cut, slightly flared, or trouser/straight cut.

Avoid leggings, skinny jeans, capris, and Bermuda shorts. These will not be flattering on a Pear Body Shape. Cropped or ankle pants/jeans are a great alternative when Petite sizing is not available.

Finding bottoms is the longest and hardest part of building a capsule wardrobe. You want your bottoms to be your favorite, most comfortable, most flattering pieces. When you find an item you love, buy several of them and put them away for when you damage or wear them out. Styles change from season to season and you may not be able to find a suitable replacement.

Rules For Petite Pears #2- Invest In Great Tops

Because the bottoms are going to be plain and dark, we want to spend our money on great tops. The goal is to bring attention UP and OUT away from hips and thighs. Invest in an array of necklines (v neck, boat neck, scoop, cowl, off shoulder). This is where you can have fun with color and patterns. For Petites, look for tops that are 23 inches or shorter for the best look. I have had several tops altered so that they hang better on my petite frame.

Many times you can get away with a longer top if it has ruching. This allows you to fold extra fabric together and hide some lumps and bumps. Tucking or belts are not the best looks for Pears as it draws attention straight to the stomach and hips. If you need a belt, choose one that matches the color of your bottoms.

Rules For Petite Pears #3- Accessorize

Accessories are Pear’s best friend. Choose multi-layered or statement necklaces in your best metallic. The only rule for necklaces is that they need to hang no lower than your breast bone. Scarves are a fun way to add interest and color to an outfit. Tying them where most of the material is up toward your face. Have fun with earrings but go easy with watches and bracelets as they draw the eye down towards the hip area.

For Petites, it is important that your necklaces & scarves don’t overpower your body frame. This means choosing smaller pieces. Or if you wear a large earring, choose a smaller necklace. Statement necklace works best with a simple hoop or stud. I have cut scarves in half before so that I can create a look with less fabric. It is all about proportion.

Purses and handbags need to NOT be a feature as they hang and draw attention to the hips area. The size of the handbag matters for Petites. Chose handbags that are not too small or too big. Hobo style or shoulder bag that hits above your hips. Stay away from cross-body styles and low-hanging shoulder style purses.

If you need a cross-body style for travel, choose dark colors such as black, navy, charcoal grey so that it is not a feature. We want people to look at our faces, not our handbags.

Rule # 4 For Petite Pears- Think About The Color Of Your Shoes

The idea is to keep visual attention up towards the face. You don’t want people looking at your feet, you want them looking at your face. Choose shoes that are the same color as your pants/jeans to make you look taller. A pointed top will also give the illusion of a longer leg. In the summer, select sandals that are flesh color/nude/tan, or even metallic such as bronze to make your legs look longer.

Rule #5 For Petite Pears- Look For Jackets That Hit Above Or Below Your Hips

This goes true for cardigans too. You do not want the jacket or sweater to hip at the widest part of your body. It is like drawing a line that says “LOOK HERE”. Cropped or motto-style jackets are a great choice.

Rule # 6 For Petite Pears- Dresses And Skirts Need To Be Above The Knee

This rule is hard as I struggle with cellulite and spider veins and the thighs are an area that I gain weight in. But when I look at pictures I can clearly see how much more balanced my body is when I hem my skirts and dresses above my knee. **Helpful hint- for Spring/Summers use a faux tanning product (I use Jergens Natural Glow) or get a spray tan on your legs. Tan legs look slimmer and healthier.

Rule # 7 For Petite Pears- White Pants Are HARD, But Not Impossible

White pants are all the rage during the spring and summer months. Last year I worked on creating outfits that looked balanced for Petite Pears. The major problem I came into was fabric content. White jean material did better than white pants. Also, you MUST have a pair of white earrings and a top with white in it, white camisole, or print with large white background. Not impossible, but not easy either.

Basic Building Blocks For A Petite Pear Capsule Wardrobe

What To Look For In Bottoms

My building blocks for bottoms for my capsule wardrobe are either black, navy, or white. A capsule wardrobe is about limiting the amount to your favorites that you will wear often.

• Black & Dark Denim Bootcut Jeans with stretch and little to no details
• Cropped pants for summer in black/navy
• Trouser cut or flared pants for winter in black/navy
• Black/Navy shorts/skirts/skorts
• White denim shorts
• White denim boot cut cropped jeans
• Black yoga style pants with flared bottom
• Black sweatpants for cold weather

What To Look For In Tops

My building blocks for tops for my capsule wardrobe will be an array of tops for different occasions both dressy and casual that will work with my lifestyle. These tops need to be in my Winter Seasonal Color Palette, most of them in my WOW colors. Good selection of black and navy tops both sleeveless and 3/4 sleeve for variety

• Array of tops/sweaters with “pear friendly”necklines
• Jackets/cardigans that do not hit at my widest point
• Sleeveless tops, camisoles for layering

• Black/Navy dresses for various activities

What To Look For In Shoes

• Tennis/Walking Casual Shoes in Black
• Black Booties
• Black Heels
• Black/Navy/Metallic flats
• Black Sandals
• Nude/Tan/Bronze Sandals

What To Look For In Accessories

For accessories, I will be looking for jewelry in silver. It is my BEST metallic and will go with all my Winter Seasonal Palette Colors.

• Silver earrings
• Rhinestone earrings
• Silver multi strand necklaces
• Silver statement necklaces
• Scarves in various colors
• Scarves in prints with large white backgrounds

• Shoulder style purse that hangs above hips in black or metallic
• Special occasion clutch in black or metallic

Check Out My Favorites & Kettlewell Colour Shopping Pages

This year I have added an LTK Favorites and Shop Kettlewell Colours page for easy links and favorite pieces. I will continue to add more as inventory selection increases.