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Pear: Winter 2009

If you've ever been told you've got "child-bearing hips", smile politely and know you're a pear. You're in great company though - Mischa Barton, Kristin Davies and Katie Holmes are all the same shape as you!

As a pear you'll know that your hips and bum look a little bit bigger than your bust. So, tailor your wardrobe to pull the attention to your upper body to balance out your shape.

As a general shopping rule, go for clean lines and dark colours on your bottom half and volume and pattern on top. This will strengthen your shoulders, minimise your hips and make you appear perfectly in proportion.

Jackets

Balance out your silhouette nicely, and take away the attention from your hips and bum, by wearing big and bold shapes and colours on your top half.

And - very conveniently! - this season is an absolute dream for pear-shapes, with trophy jackets and big shoulders all over the catwalks and the high street. This sequin jacket will look amazing on you - it's got the shoulder detail plus a tuxedo shape, both of which work with your figure. And sequins are massive this season, so you'll right on trend too. £75 from Next.

Get it from:
Next at Buchanan Galleries

Biker jacket

If you're really wanting to go all out and make a bit of a statement, hit a number of the season's key trends with this fabulous jacket. Biker, metallic, snake print, and shoulders, it's bang on practically every fashion trend going.

You'll be able to wear it into the spring, so you'll get plenty of value - and admiring looks - per wear. £110 from Miss Selfridge.

Get it from:
Miss Selfridge at Buchanan Galleries

Next jacket with wide collar

If big shoulders aren't really your thing, go for jackets with a wide neckline - either a wide collar, or a slash-neck. Both will have a similar effect in broadening your shoulders, which will create that balance yuo're looking for.

And ideally you're looking for a length which finishes just at the top of your hip, which will accentuate your waist and your curves.

This jacket has the wide collar you're looking for, and the colour adds extra focus on your upper body - both of which will work with your shape. £45 from Next.

Get it from:
Next at Buchanan Galleries

Tops

The rules for tops follow those for jackets - so you're looking for colour, volume or pattern and ideally a wide neck line or accented shoulders. All of this will put the focus on your top half, and give the overall impression of perfect proportions.

This vest hits this season's sequin trend, but also creates all the attention on your top half. Team it with a pair of jeans and a leather jacket for a bit of casual rock star glam, or wear it with tailoring for a touch of fabulousness during the day. £30 from Miss Selfridge.

Get it from:
Miss Selfridge at Buchanan Galleries

cowl neckline top

We love this top and so do the fashion magazines. The print is gorgeous and the shoulder detail on this top is perfect for you - and the cowl neckline make it work even harder by emphasising the shoulder even more. Top £50 from Oasis.

Get it from:
Oasis at Buchanan Galleries

Phase Eight Jumper

Cute knitwear was all over the catwalk for this season.

If Christmas jumpers aren't your thing (and trust us, there'll be a few about this year) this cute little jumper has enough detailing and beading to keep it hot and very this season.

It works because it's drawing all the attention to your neckline - beginning to see the pattern here? Jumper £65 from Phase Eight.

Get it from:
Phase Eight at Buchanan Galleries

frill blouse

The frill on this blouse is a ideal for people with smaller top halves as it balances them out. The gorgeous red colour is a key trend this season.

This will look great for the office, teamed with either some tailored trousers or - to really tap into this season's lady-like trend - a pencil skirt and killer heels. £40 from Oasis.

Get it from:
Oasis at Buchanan Galleries

Skirts & dresses

Skirts and dresses can sometimes be a wee bit tricky for pear shapes, but there are options out there for you. For skirts, head for A-line and tailored shapes that skim your hips, in a dark or block colour and hemlines just below your knee.

In dresses, you're ideally looking for wrap, strapless or halterneck dresses, with a fuller skirt. This cute ruffle dress will look fab on you - it works perfectly to accentuate your top half and minimise the bottom half. £45 at Next.

Get it from:
Next at Buchanan Galleries

vibrant pink LK Bennet dress

This pretty, vibrant pink LK Bennet dress works for you because the frills, short sleeves and V neck all pull the eye to the top half of your body, whereas the skirt will float over your hips. It might seem a little bit pricey, but splash out for an occasion, or get it for work - you'll look effortlessly chic in the office all winter. £185 from LK Bennet at John Lewis.

Get it from:
John Lewis at Buchanan Galleries

Trousers & jeans

You look best in straight, loose leg trousers which will skim over your hips and bottom.

For jeans go for a straight or very slight boot leg, with a mid-rise, in a dark all-over colour. Stay away from light coloured or patchy washes or distressing, which will make your bottom look bigger.

Most high street stroes have a reange of denim with something to suit, but GAP are good for a range of sizes and leg lengths. Straight leg jeans £39.50 from GAP.

Get them from:
GAP at Buchanan Galleries

Coat

The perfect coat for you is a ¾ length, single-breasted style with an A-line shape. But stay away from belted styles, which just don't work for your figure.

To make yourself look taller and slimmer, try leaving it unfastened - if the weather allows! The long break line caused by leaving it unbuttoned will lengthen your body.

We found this brocade version in River island, which ticks all the boxes, and would work for work, going out, or even with jeans. £74.99 from River Island.

Get it from:
River Island at Buchanan Galleries

Accessories

Choose your accessories carefully, and they'll enhance your shape as well as zishing up your outfit. Go for statement necklaces, brooches, earrings or hair bands (not all at the same time!) to draw attention to your face and neck.

Hair bands are big this season and this spotty bow covers several trends and is super cute! £14 from Accessorize.

Get it from:
Accessorize at Buchanan Galleries

statement necklace

This season the biggest accessory story (other than killer heels) is the statement necklace. You'll find them everywhere, which is great news for you as you'll be able to take your pick. This isn't the time to be subtle, so go as big, bold or glitzy as you dare.

This one definitely can't be missed - £16 from Accessorize.

Get it from:
Accessorize at Buchanan Galleries

lady-like suede bag

Be wary of belts, which can cut you in two - but you could try obi or sash belts with trailing ends, to elongate your body. There are loads about, with most of the major high street names having their own version.

Bags, surprisingly, can make a huge difference, too.

Avoid carrying a big, bulky bag at hip level - no matter how chic it is, it'll destroy all your careful styling by making your hips look broader.

Instead, wear your bag high on your shoulder, or tuck it under your arm. Try this lady-like suede one, £22 from Accessorize.

Get it from:
Accessorize at Buchanan Galleries

Undies

Now get the underpinnings to match - there's nothing more likely to ruin your sleek silhouette than the wrong undies.

Go for push-up or padded bras to emphasise your bust.

For shapewear, go for long-line slimming pants, in a cycling-shorts style. They're definitely not pretty, but will work wonders in smoothing your curves. There are all sorts of different brands on the market - try these Scala ones for £25 from John Lewis.

Get them from:
John Lewis at Buchanan Galleries

The disclaimer bit: we've tried our upmost to make sure that all the pricing details given here are correct, but sometimes mistakes happen, or changes are made, or the item sells out. So, please take this as a guide, and we'd always recommend that you confirm details with the shops. Thank you!