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The Hourglass Figure
 7.9  Size 38C-24-38 A mind-blowing Hourglass! Thanks Nonfictionguy for the help. No idea how I missed her. The number one hourglass goddess!   So perfect she deserves a couple more photos, courtesy of Nonfictionguy. 
8.2  Size 36C-24-36 at the height of WWII pin-up fame - a Perfect Hourglass! Prelude's rating:
 
7.6  Thanks SuperAmanda for this addition! And thanks HourglassWomen for this picture below...  Prelude's rating:
 
7.7  Size unknown, but picture speaks for itself Thanks Tartan_Skirt for suggesting her! 
7.8  Size 36D-24-35 - Thanks Coroner for the suggestion as well as the pics. Prelude's rating:
7.5  Size 40-21-36 - Extremely top-heavy hourglass, but I'll let her in since her waist-to-hips ratio is so drastic and sexy Prelude's rating:
7.7  Size 34E-24-34 Perfect hourglass and stunning silhouette to end this list with a bang! Prelude's rating:
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Rose McGowan? Beyonce? Neither are hourglasses. Rose has almost no hip to waist (and that pic is photoshopped!) and Beyonce is far too small busted in proportion with her hips. Dita has breast implants so she is not true hourglasses, or she should at least be judged alongside others with implants not all natural figures. From the most widely googled article about hourglass figures which I wrote in its entirety (as I actually have one!):
Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, Pam Grier, Monica Bellucci, Nigella Lawson, Diana Dors, Lisa Marie Smith, Raquel Welch, Gina Lollobrigida, Lynda Carter, Brigitte Bardot, Kim Kardashian, Jayne Mansfield, Salma Hayek, Jane Russell, a young Anita Ekberg, Rita Hayworth, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Christina Hendricks, Uschi Digard, Betty Weider, Mamie VanDoren, Raven Delacroix, Jessica Simpson, Keelel Hazel , Peta Todd, Tyra Banks, Kelly Brook, Somaya Reece and Scarlett Johansson are a few examples of truly symmetrical hourglass figures. They range from fuller figures, to average sized, to tiny framed, to toned dancers, to short waisted to long torsos and also to very busty and voluptuous but all have hips and busts that are about ten inches or more larger than their waist lines.
To have a true hourglass figure you do need a bust measurements that is also at least ten inches bigger than your waist measurement, however if you have a small waist and big hips you can balance out a smaller bust with clever clothing choices and give the impression of an hourglass figure much more so than someone with a big bust and narrow boyish hips. Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Lopez and pin up legend Bettie Page are three examples of smaller busted women who have given the impression of a symmetrical hourglass figure by accentuating their impressive hip to waist ratios and wearing padded and/or bust enhancing clothing.
can you be full figured and hourglass as well?
i'm 40x31x40/41.......is this considered hourglass?
thanks;-) i'm trying to embrace my full figure instead of thinking i need to be thin like most models...i used to have an eating disorder and was super thin..but now am at a normal weight. just wondering if i could still be considered hourglass w/ these measurements?
Judge it yourself:
http://i02.bdbphotos.com/8L/53/0000361853-85590L.jpg
http://images.askmen.com/photos/francia-raisa/83854.jpg
http://boloround3.wordpress.com/category/actresses-a-f/francia-raisa/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPIKAuEzDzw
Now responding to SuperAmanda there is nothing in there suggesting that an hourglass can only be slim. That would be like saying that only pear shaped women of X weight are pear shapes. Nope there are specific measurements that either make you a pear, apple, hourglass, ect.
I have always had an hourglass figure. Even when very chubby, I always have bust and hips that are the same measurement, and my waist is always at least 10 inches less.
The hip and bust are almost of equal size with a narrow waist.[1] Body fat distribution tends to be around both the upper body and lower body. This body type enlarges the arms, chest, hips and rear before other parts, including waist and upper abdomen. Because of the preference shown to physical symmetry, many celebrities falsely claim hourglass measurements but actually rate closer to a straight figure or apple[citation needed].
A study of over 6,000 women carried out by researchers at the North Carolina State University around 2005 found that 46% were banana (rectangular), just over 20% pear, just under 14% apple, and 8% hourglass.[1] Another study has found "that the average woman's waistline had expanded by six inches since the 1950s" and that today women are taller and have bigger busts and hips than those of the 1950s.[1]
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I tried to find the right photo, but I didn't.
I understand what you're saying (it does look like that specially in the first pic), but no it's not really that she's just "sticking her hip out in each pose", and you can see this if you watch the video: she does have a fair hip to waist ratio.
That's precisely the first thing I notice when I see her, not in a pose, but just walking around (on any shot in "The Secret Life of the American Teenager"), and it's the reason why I suggested her, because I guess she doesn't have huge breasts or butt, as she is quite tiny, but she does have sinuous curves, visible in her evident top-waist-hips figure, where it seems that the top and bottom are strikingly proportional - an hourglass shape in my eyes.
Watch the video I linked. First 13 seconds: evident proportions.
jelajiggles:
Agreed.
Hourglass women are women who have a naturally narrow waist, and hips and bust of or close to being the same size!
Yep, that's it.
star13:
If I understand those measurements correctly then indeed, I think a 40x31x40-41 is an hourglass (I do not think that having less than 1 inch more on the hips makes you a pearshape, that's crazy!), thou not that slim and without a drastic hip-to-waist ratio (like Brigitte Bardot).
I'm not an expert and can't really *see* what "40 inches" actually mean... However, looking at this list, with your 40-31-41, I'd say you're like a fuller Zeta-Jones with her 34-25-36 (with actually a little more simmetry) ;)
Nebula: I think if she was a true hourglass figure it would not be debatable. I'm not seeing it but agreed she is SUPER pretty.
Prelude: Mariah Carey, Jessica Beiel, Yasmine Bleeth are closer to mesomorphs not hourglasses and should be replaced by Anita Ekberg, Christina Hendriks and Gina Lollobrigida! Thanks for not including Jessica Alba or Gisele as both have fabricated having hourglass figures despite the obvious. Those who ARE hourglassy appreciate this list very much as it separates the fact from fiction. Cheers!
Whoa! There has never been any proof that she is nothing but 100% real. she is just really beautifully proportioned and a petite hourglass girl.I know real boobs and JLH is 100% natural-no way is she fake. Dita VonTeese is NOT naturally endowed (as she herself has discussed her own implants numerous times) she is very beautiful but is not a natural hourglass in any way as well , she employs body modification, so without militant corset training and implant, Dita would simply be a trim, slim small busted beauty. Also do be aware that many of the measurements issued by the press are fake. Rectangles like Jessica Alba and Gisele Bundchen all claim Hourglass figures and it is clear they are virtually curve less. I would restore Jen Love Hewitt, remove Zeta Jones and Bellucci (both flawless but not hourglasses) add Betty Brosmer, Irish McCalla.
http://www.shockya.com/news/wp-content/uploads/monica_bellucci_red_carpet.jpg
http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2007/specials/bestworst/beforetheywere/catherine_zeta.jpg
I noticed that some of these lovely ladies' measurements are missing. I am not sure how accurate they are, though. Here they are:
Gina Lollobrigida: 35.5-20-35.5
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Sherry Britton 38-18-33 (WOW! I am not sure on the accuracy of this one, bun Wikipedia also states that her waist was 18")
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EDIT: Oops! I accidentally clicked the submit button! Here are the rest!
Anita Ekberg: 39.5-22-36 (1950 Miss Sweden) and 47-27-38 (at age 50, WOW!)
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Lynda Carter: 38-26-38 (Miss World, USA), 38-20-37 (Miss World, USA, 1972), and for her Wonder Woman costume 37.5C-25-35
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I cannot find Christina Hendricks' measurements for the life of me. All I could find for her was 36-32-36, which, when looking at her, seems totally inaccurate.
How about Kate Winslet? She seems to have an hourglass-shaped figure, although she has a longer waist. Measurements are 34C-24-35.
Pictures:
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Or Geena Davis? (34-25-34) She might not be busty enough, though.
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As for Jennifer Love Hewitt, I am not sure whether she is a natural hourglass or not. I n some pictures, she looks more pear-shaped, but in others, she looks distinctly hourglass-shaped.
In this photo, she looks quite pear-shaped:
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I have seen other photos where she looks more like an hourglass. I heard that she got implants, so that would affect her shape. Either that or she has a combination of pear and hourglass body types.
At first glance, I would have suggested Megan Fox, but after some research, I don't think she fits the bill (she seems to have gotten implants as well).
http://images.teamsugar.com/files/upl1/1/16613/29_2008/Jennifer_Love_Hewitt%28fringe%20n%20wavy%20black%29.preview.jpg
If measurements were taken seriously then every woman in Hollywood including Rachel Zoe would be an hourglass. Measurement are mostly fiction created by PR teams.
http://www.listal.com/list/most-overrated-celebrity-bodies
look at your different shapes at the top right of your screen.
The greatest hourglass I have ever seen was Betty Brosmer famous model
from the 50's
Check her out on BettyBrosmer.com
There is no body any greater small waist, large bust and shapely hips
I see many people incorrectly being referred to as having an hourglass shape. Firstly, hourglass is a shape, having a body with a certain set of ratios, which is determined by your skeletal build-up and where your body stores fat. Mostly pear-shaped women are able to get away with being incorrectly referred to as an hourglass and I admit, it is really easy to deceive the eye, since the way you dress and accentuate or hide your features can make a huge difference. Typically to qualify as an hourglass in most people's eyes, your waist should be at least 10 inches smaller than your boobs and hips. The truth is: for pear-shaped women( who can by the way have A-cup to D-cup sized breasts for all the matter, what classifies a woman as a pear is having narrow shoulders, a nice waist-to-hip ration, but most fat accumulating on their thighs, legs, waist, buttocks. If your outer thigh is wider than your shoulders and the highest measurement under your breasts(this is your band size and is what actually counts, NOT your cup size) you are a pear, for example with measurements like 34-23-38. A 4 inch difference IS 10 centimeters, and it is visible!! It is not the same symmetry, since you can clearly spot where your body stores fat in excess. In most cases though with proper clothing a more hourglass-y silhouette can be achieved.
The other side of the fence, if a woman has measurements such as 40-23-35 she is still top-heavy because that extra 5 inches( 12 centimeters) make a difference.
Also what some people before me already mentioned, ribs play a huge part in giving an hourglass shape, and it is something you cannot change.
Like I said, when I lose or gain weight I still look and measure like an hourglass. HOWEVER, the activities you do can dramatically alter your body, and your body does change over time! My Mom was everything from a ruler, to an hourglass in her early twenties, to a pear after giving birth, and finally an apple after menopause..
Swimming is not a really good sport on a regular basis for hourglass shapes because it can turn an hourglass shape into too much of a V-shape, Pilates squares up the torso the abs and the waist is lost. I'm still on the look-out for the perfect work-out.. Callanetics sounds inviting because of the twisting type of workouts, but might narrow the hips too much..
Anyhow, I think everybody should be proud of their body type, because they all have their negative/positive aspects and really none is better than the other!!!
Apple shapes might be very top-heavy, with excess fat stored mostly on the abs, but they also have the best legs out of the bunch, something I really envy for one :)
Pear-shaped woman usually have very delicate narrow shoulders, toned arms, a nice waist-to-hip ration but slightly bigger outer thighs and might(!) have smaller breasts, than other body shapes but its not always the case
Rulers usually have nice flat abs, nice legs, arms.. they might not have a defined waist, big butt or breasts but almost all styles of clothing flatter them, hence they might be able to deceive visually
Hourglass figures usually have broader shoulders( something I dont like for one, although it makes me feel tought :) ), dramatic waist-to-hip ratio, and hips exactly the same as their band measurement. For me, my band size I have to admit is 2,5 smaller than my hips, however my shoulders are exactly symmetrical, my torso and legs and symmetrical and I balance it out). Downside of hourglasses is not having the nicest legs and most modern clothing looking silly on you :)
Body shapes describe how your body tends to distribute your body fat. If you have excess fat on one area of your body compared to the rest, it appears asymmetric and because of this the most noticeable feature. An hourglass shape has symmetry, since the measurements of the top and bottom half of the body match and that's why it catches people's attention. According to a recent article, only 8% of women today have a true hourglass shape, and I have to admit that in my twenty years of life, having visited many countries, continents, and living on both Europe and America, have met only about 4 girls who were truly hourglasses. Most of these celebrities lie and deny, same with their plastic surgeries, which btw applies to at least 80% of Hollywood if not more, so thats why I don't really feel like it worth comparing who is hotter and has a better shape out of them.
Again just my two cents :)
Obviously most of what you quoted I WROTE from either Answers.com or yahoo answers ("calanetics (one 'L) and the pilates theory). Good job paraphrasing though. My only complaint is that you did not give me credit as it's my copy written work! Calanetics by the way won't narrow your hips unless you already have narrow hips to begin with, wearing low rise jeans over time WILL make the stomach bigger and the hips more narrow (even if you are tiny). It's the inversion of corset training. Low rise jeans give even small women, something I call "perma-muffin."
Why post doctored pictures of Hewitt when we are talking about real shapes here? If you check her pictures below, you cant get surprised about why she gets photoshopped so much. and they clearly show that her chest is much smaller than her hips.
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37 1/4 (34E), 27 3/4, 37 1/2.
Hooray for all you curvey women out there! Skinny was never in!!!!
http://www.listal.com/list/ultimate-hourglass-figures
Zes, please check out this list:
http://www.listal.com/list/pear-shaped-perfection
Jennifer Love Hewitt is far too busty to be a pear shape alongside those stars. You are the first person I've ever heard use the term "smaller bust" in regards to JLH, universally she is considered a very petite and busty celebrity. She also has hips and a tiny waist-that is an hourglass not a guitar.
To Dkidd and cosmic kisses: There are Black women on this list of hourglass figures. Let me know if there are any others that were left out.
http://www.listal.com/list/ultimate-hourglass-figures
For Example Mayra Veronica's measurements are stated as 36C-23-36. However 36C=39" bust, thus making her 39-23-36. With regards to bra's the two digit number is the band size -measured under the bust+5"- and the cup size is the respective difference in inches between band and bust measurements i.e. A=1",B=2",C=3",D=4",DD&E=5". With this info in mind; Diana Dors would be 40-24-35, Jane Russel is 42-25-36, and Kelly Brook is 39-24-34. How big of a difference in inches/cm is it acceptable to be and still be considered an hour glass?
Pears' waist lines go straight?
Not at all. Pears also have curvy waist lines and their waist lines are typically more defined than hourglasses.
The most important aspect of the hourglass is the symmetry coupled with the curves. Pears and hourglasses both have defined waists, hips and butts (usually the latter) but the difference is hourglasses have broad shoulders, big busts and generous thighs to balance out their figures whereas pears have heavier legs, smaller busts and rounder shoulders.
For examples of pears with defined waists:
http://blogs.citypages.com/dcody/images/beyonce-bikini-yellow.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ZHuBM57v13E/SWLtgZ3FzjI/AAAAAAAAE0Q/4R7WjY24e44/s400/Michelle_Trachtenberg6.jpg
http://www.youthnoise.com/Assets/shakira.jpg
http://cm1.theinsider.com/thumbnail/498/912/cm1.theinsider.com/media/0/101/64/jennifer-metcalfe-marbella-05.jpg
That list has virtually no retouching on it. Bra size varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. A 34DDD "usually" means that the woman measures 40 to 42 inches around the bust. But many times the bra subtraction equation for band and cup size does not work and many designers and fit experts for larger busted women have stopped using it. Measurements issued by PR firms are nearly always fake. Unless you se the celeb measure on you tube in form fitting clothing you can't be sure it's the truth.
http://community.livejournal.com/ohnotheydidnt/34319856.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/fashionnews/6967283/Formula-for-the-perfect-hourglass-figure.html
Oprah Winfrey, Measurements: 36-25-37 (as 18 year-old pageant contestant)
Halle Beery, Measurements: 36C-22-37
Carmen Electra, Measurements: 36C-23-35
Charlize Theron, Measurements: 36B-24-36
Martha Hyer 36 1/2-23-36
or Doris Day 36-25-26
or Audrey Hepburn 34-20-34
or Winona Ryder 34-22-34?
For the best hourglass figure
Oh, and by the way, I'm pretty sure that Sophia Loren, while an hourglass, used corsets to exaggerate her figure. And if you look at Bert Stern's photoshoot with Marilyn Monroe, you can see that she wasn't nearly as busty as people seem to believe nowadays. I think she used padding. ;) She just had a tiny waist and very wide hips.
Audrey Hepburn did not have an hourglass figure! She was a total pear. You can tell from photos that she was almost completely flat chested, so I'm not buying 34-20-34.
You really don't see many dramatic, or even slight, hourglasses nowadays it seems. My great grandmother somehow had a 40 inch chest and 18 inch waist...and this was after the days of corsets! I have no idea where those genes went!
I don't get why people keep saying that hispanic women have curvier butts. My city is like half hispanic (Mexican mostly), and the vast majority of them are apple shaped, i.e. big stomachs, shoulders and chests, flat butts and skinny legs.
Not true and that study is VERY VERY Small and look who it was commissioned by? A clothing retailers group...
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Veronica Lake || 34 - 21 - 33
basically and famous actresses in the 1940s or 1950s
Oh and vraifriandise as you could see in that list that is NOT true.and also i hate when ladys lik kim k are considered by many a pear shape just because she is 4 inches bigger on the bottom than the top but ladys like jayne mansfield whos has 4 inches bigger on the top are hourglass.
http://www.listal.com/viewimage/672597
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that 28. Sabrina wtf is wrong with her boobs o.O
Check out my blogs
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superamanda please tell the ideal figure of a by age factor and by virgin or marry and after kids want can lady do to fitness for looking sexy and hot
http://www.listal.com/list/how-does-katy-perry-measure
iam 38/28/38
thanks
1. If people call you a "stick", you are a rectangle/ruler.
2. If people call you a "bodybuilder", you are an inverted triangle.
3. If people call you "fat-ass", you are a triangle.
4. If people call you a "balloon", you are an oval.
5. If people's mouth hang open when you walk through, you are an hourglass.
My view on this is: If I'm healthy and happy with myself and people behave like this with me, I'll tell them to get a life. Punto.
''After being disgusted by the women portrayed in the 16 skinniest celebrities list...''
Hourglass is proportion. You can be sickly thin and be hourglass. It is so common to see this assumption hourglass shape = plus size, big, overweight etc. Actually it just proportion you can see and measure. It won't look identical on every woman, but there is general similarities among all the hourglass shaped women. It is possible to be big, small, fat, skinny, tall or short hourglass.
Also it's very interesting to read some of the descriptions of what causes hourglass shape.
There are actually three components: fat distribution, muscle distribution and bone structure.
Yes some women genetically can get bigger end remain hourglass, since their genes dictates that fat are mostly stored on hips, butt. However, it's not limitless thing. After certain weight every single human will start to store fat on waist. This limit again is genetic thing.
Bone structure is an inherited attribute, except for some extreme medical interventions. So woman with bigger pelvis and smaller ribcage has a high chance to be hourglass shaped.
Now, last is muscle. This is so overlooked factor and most changing through the life. Of course our default muscle mass is genetic thing, but lifestyle plays such a huge part in this. For example, over-developed oblique muscles can minimize or even ''erase'' hour glass shape.
Regarding women who look straight but measures as hour glass, don't forget that butt plays important roll. It's one of the biggest muscle in body, so some of celebrities, actually don't lie about their measurements. It's just that they have small pelvis, fairly bigger ribcage and added mas to gluts. From side view they look curvy, but not from front. It can also be other way. Look at Sabrina, she has small bottom despite wide hips.