Defining the X (Hourglass) Shape
The X shape body has shoulders and hips relatively the same size, and a defined waist. The widest part of the body is the thighs, not the bottom, when viewed from the front. This is a defining point in distinguishing between the two hourglass body shapes (8 and X) you can read more about this here and see photos to compare yourself to.
Bust of an X Shape
Bust size may be large, medium or small. Bust is not a factor in body shape (it’s a body variation). It’s bone structure of shoulders, waist and hips, not bust, waist and hips!
Waist of an X Shape
The waist is more than 9″ smaller than the hips or shoulders and must also look considerably smaller when viewed from the front. If you have a prominent bottom, you may have the measurement of a defined waist, but not the visual appearance of a defined waist, so this number this is just a rough guide, as it really depends how your body holds weight. But your waist should look significantly smaller than hips and shoulders.
Hips of an X Shape
The hips are widest at the upper thigh and there is a gentle slope outwards from waist to hips. If you’re not sure – check out this post which has pictures to show the difference between an X and an 8 Shape hip.
When you feel the back of the hip from the waist, the hand should glide smoothly down, there is not a ‘shelf’ at the high hip.
What to Wear X Shape
- Look for A-line skirts, or skirts with some flare.
- Wrap dresses are great for your body as they highlight your waist and should fall smoothly over your curves.
- Bootleg jeans are the most flattering as they balance the hips, ensure that they don’t narrow too much at your knee, but fall straighter from your thighs to knees, then have a slight flare at the hem.
- Trousers should be either straight or bootcut, wide-legs are fine too if you have longer legs. A centre crease will slim and elongate your legs. Super skinny legs are not your best friend, try wearing a longer shaped cardigan that falls past your hips to your mid-thighs with these style jeans.
- Add detail to the upper body, and keep it simple and detail-free on your lower body, especially around the hips, so no patch pockets on jeans or trousers, no big pockets at the hips on jackets or coats, and no cuffs on trousers.
- If you want to wear a pattern on your lower half, such as a print skirt, look for one with a more dense or busy print, then take the lighter or brighter colour from the pattern and wear it in your top.
- To dress your X shaped body, look for A-line skirts, garments that define the waist – show off that you have a small waist, and broaden the shoulders and draw attention up to the face by wearing wider necklines such as wide Vs, square, scoop and sweethearts.
- Tops and jackets should end around the waist, hip bone (or high hip), if you wear longer tops they’ll draw attention to the size of your thighs and make them look larger.
- Coats should end above the knee if you don’t have long legs. Look for ones with discreet pockets in the seams of the jacket and is fitted at the waist.
Find out your body shape and download your free Body Shape Bible – take the quiz now here.
If you’d like my professional opinion on your body shape – you can get this as part of my 7 Steps to Style program (along with a colour analysis as it’s a total image program).
Are you an hourglass but a different kind? Find out about the 8 Shape hourglass here.
More Body Shape Tips
Hmm, I am sadly not an x. I am going to look at your old post and see if I can find myself in the body types. I am a pear with broad shoulders and not much of a waist. Ooh, that sounds really unattractive when I type it out for all to see. I am so going to the gym today.
I think in my pre-Mom body I might have been a pearish X-shape. These days I am holding on to my waistline with all my effort. I have found a wonderful (for me) new v-neck “boyfriend” cardigan from Target that looks good on me. Time to go back and get it in every color. Thank you for these posts. Every little bit helps.
More body shapes to come – don’t abandon hope.
Body shape is largely created by your skeleton, which is something that is not fixable by going to the gym (not that the gym won’t keep you fit and healthy, which is a fantastic thing to be).
Wow great site!! Im definately an x shape with fat legs. With weight gain Im slowly turning into an H. I never fitted into any of Trinny and Suzannahs body shapes and felt like a freak! Anyways Great clothes advice thanks.
Looking at myself (front) in the mirror I look like an X (lower hips/shoulders same width aprox, lower hips quite a bit wider than the higher with a gradual slope). My measurements are waist 72 cm, lower hips 106 cm. However, when I ” feel the back of the hip from the waist” I do have a “shelf”, a bothersome spot for me. I´m wondering what this makes me, X or 8? I also think I have a fairly short waist and a bit longer legs for my height.
Take photos of yourself like these women have and read this post https://insideoutstyleblog.com/2010/11/body-shapes-explained-defining-points.html That post explains the difference between body shapes and and X and an 8 which often you will see most obviously in a photo.
Hii I think I am an X shape cuz I have all the descriptions, except the part of the waist. Does the waist necesary has to be 9 inches or more?? Cuz I have a very defined waist and the diference is only 8 inches, only 1 inch less. That’s my only doubt. Lovee your articles!!
The reason I don’t use measurements in my consultations is that they don’t work. I’ve only got them here as a guide. A photo will be much more accurate in showing your silhouette. If you think you look like an X then you most probably are.
I have a bit of belly fat just below the waist, can I somehow define my waist without showing the “love handles”? Thank you in advance for any help.
You can wear shapewear to hold it in or choose clothes that are cut to skim without clinging.
Hi, I love that I found this site! I did the quiz and think that I am an X but, becoming an H. I have a tummy, maybe rounded shoulders and am not sure if I have an average or short waist. What shape do I follow to look my best? Where can I send my pictures to get your opinion?
Hi Jennifer
If you’d like my professional opinion you can get that as part of my 7 Steps to Style program. https://insideoutstyleblog.com/7-steps-to-style-system You may be changing with age and different weight distribution. Length of waist is related to proportions rather than body shape – you can find posts on proportions here https://insideoutstyleblog.com/category/body/body-proportions-explained including how to measure your proportions. Hope this helps!
I am torn between the V and X. My concern is this: bust size and arm flesh do not factor into body shape because they are soft tissue and not actual skeletal structure. But when looking at my hips; you ask if we have a high hip or a low hip. My hip bones are where they are supposed to be, but the widest part of my lower body is the upper thigh or “saddle bag”. That is in no way a part of my skeletal structure, but it should still be considered? My shoulder bones and hip bones are quite in line, but my saddle bags protrude beyond my shoulders. Why are we considering soft tissue on the lower body but not the upper?
Are your shoulders wider than your hips or not? Wider pelvis also tends to make for A or X shape – do you want to add more width to your hips? If so go for V shape, if not, go for X shape.
Ha! What a great article. Who knew there were different types of hourglass figures? I knew I wasn’t the:
– traditional 8 hourglass build, as I don’t have big boobs (except when nursing lol).
– athletic H build, as my hips and thighs are not small compare to my waist.
– slender I build, as my hips and thighs are not small compared to anything.
– pear A build, as my shoulders are not small.
None of the tradional descriptions fit. Now I know I have an X figure. I just needed to include my bigger shoulders in the calculation along with my smaller chest, longer waist, smallish waistline, noticible hips and noticible thighs.
People would compliment my “cute figure” usually when wearing dresses, I thought it was because I was dressed nicer than the typical jeans and top. Now I now dresses are my friend and even more important how to make the most of what I’ve got when I’m wearing pants (95% of the time). Thanks
Hello,
I’m a 26 year old girl and have trouble determining my shape.. Could you please have a look at my picture and tell me your opinion? I do have some hip dips/love handle tendency and my lower arms and legs are very slim. I think my waist is quite defined;
thanks a lot in advance 🙂
Sofiya
Forgot to add the picture 😉 here it is
https://imgur.com/5rXh8Mc
Thanks 🙂
Sofiya
It’s hard to tell as you have a bag covering your body and hips which makes it hard to tell. Body shape is about shoulders, waist and hips and their difference – I give my professional opinion in my 7 Steps to Style program https://insideoutstyleblog.com/7-steps-to-style-system or you can do my body shape calculator quiz https://www.insideoutstyleblog.com/2016/03/want-to-figure-out-your-body-shape-try-my-quiz.html
Hello.. In many blogs pertaining to short waist, fashion stylists advise stay away from drawing attention to your short waist.. But in hourglass figure, they advise accentuate your waist as that is your best feature.. Now i m really confused.. as i m a Short Waisted Hourglass figure, probably X shape, whether i should highlight my waist or draw attention away from it..?
My height is 5 feet 1 inch..petite..with a bit short torso.. If you can share your insights to clear this confusion, it would be really helpful.. Any belting option, adding details to waist..?
Can really depend – if your waist is small and you want to highlight it – do that – but you can still elongate as well by highlighting it with a column of colour – such as a waisted dress.
Thanks Imogen for your help!!