Body Shape Question: What Shape Am I If I Have High Hips?

by Elisabeth
(Norway)

Model with hourglass shape and high hips

I have been trying to decide what body shape I am for a while now - but I just cannot seem to find out whether I'm this or that. I always end up not fitting quite into any of the specifications...

I think I might be an hourglass, as my upper and lower body are proportioned, I have somewhat big breasts and broad shoulders (slightly larger than the broadest part of my hips) and I have a defined waist, BUT - I gain weight on my upper body, especially around the tummy area, and my high hips are very broad no matter what weight I am - almost as broad as my hips. It's not a smooth graduation, instead it goes out from the waist, then in again under the high hips, then flares gradually out again on the hips and thighs. This makes me wonder if I'm an apple, but I cannot seem to make that fit either...

My high hips are my nemesis, and I feel fat wearing tops and jackets that are nipped in the waist, as I get that shelf-like appearance; not because I have a short upper body, as I don't, but because I don't have that smooth graduation from waist to hips.

So - please help me! What am I, and what's the best tips you got?

Hei Elisabeth:)

apple body shapes tend do have narrow hips and wide torso with a tendency to gain weight around the tummy, so I don't think you are an apple.

Woman with high hips and short waist

Image source: Countess Grotesque

Lumps and Bumps = Problem Area

However it definitely sounds like you are an hourglass body shape but with hip bones further up your body. This is more of a "problem area" issue and doesn't automatically put you out of the Hourglass group.

I believe you're an Hourglass Body Shape but with lumps and bumps (that's normal!)

What really indicates that you are an hourglass is the shape of your torso - which the shoulders and bust are at approximately same width as your high hips and your defined waist.

If I were you I wouldn't worry too much about trying to fit into one single category, but try to find one close to your shape and do some tweaking to smooth over what you don't like and add more curves to parts lacking it. My tips for Apple body shapes help with skimming past your lower hips/abdomen.

High Hips = Short Waist

Your high hips can also be an indication of a shorter torso because the hips appear higher up on the torso and shorten it. Another characteristic that indicates that you do have a short torso is that you look wider on top (this is due to the lack of waist length) which can explain why you feel fat when wearing nipped tops.

I suggest that you also dress for this issue which you can find tips on in the Vertical Body Shape-section. Elongating your torso will help downplay your high hips.

So you've got the ideal proportions but with an 'uneven' surface around the hips, how do dress to smoothen it out?

What to Wear with High Hips?

The right choice in bottoms is very important. Low-rise are quite popular nowadays but they only emphasize your wide high hip bones. Your best investments are mid-rise and high-rise pants/jeans/skirts will help disguise the uneven graduation by skimming over the 'scoop'.

August 2011 Update: If worn wrong high waist can shorten your torso and highlight your high hips. Learn more about the right way to wear high waist on a short waist: Ask Anna: Can a Short Torso Work with a Highwaisted Skirt

Bottoms that float away from your waistline helps distract the eye from your hips so look for straight, boot cut, and flare leg pants/jeans.

Tops that float away from your mid-section, such as empire cut, banded tops and trapeze silhouette.

You might also discover that some of my tips on dressing a a short torso can be useful for skimming over your high hips.

August 2011 Update: For more tips on how to dress your high hips go here: Ask Anna: I Have High Hips and I Don't Know What to Wear

Hope this helps!

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Body Shape Question: What Shape Am I If I Have High Hips?

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Apr 07, 2013
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Check out the blog NEW
by: I am a violin

The number of comments has inspired me to start a blog to share tricks and swap fashion advice for women with 'high hips'. Everything from jeans to bathers and much more.

http://violinhips.wordpress.com/

I'd love to share the support so please leave a comment on the blog!

Apr 06, 2013
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Bathers NEW
by: Bec

I've found just wearing board shorts helps me to show off my little waist while hiding the violin shape of my hips.
Then we can still wear a sexy bikini.
Love you girls <3

Mar 26, 2013
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Picture of My high hips :) NEW
by: Suzy-Q

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab156/susanugh/6840141D-4CC5-4CBE-9C44-CBF6ABDECEFA-111-00000002DFC87380.jpg

Mar 26, 2013
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Omg!!! NEW
by: Suzy-Q

Reading all of this makes me absolutely comfortable! I would really love to see photos of all these high hips and shapes! I feel everyone here! I also have very high hips and look so wide from the side! Although my bust is 35"(34C)waist is 28" and butt is 40"(sz5) there's just that part between my waist and my butt that just looks sooo in proportional! I have a nice rear but no matter how flat my stomach gets those hips still give no hint of any weight loss :( and on top of that my rib cage is kinda wide as well...

Mar 12, 2013
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AT LAST NEW
by: Anonymous

Finally! I have found girls/women with my same figure! I am thin and weigh 118 at 5'6 but from The front I have hips that just start waaaay too high up! I have shed tears about not having the perfect sloping curves since I was literally in 5th grade but as I am turning 18 I have to accept them. I feel so relieved and welcomed by this page and all your wonderful comments! I am going to check out brooklyn decker in hopes of making some peace with myself! God bless all you high hipped beauties!!

Feb 28, 2013
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Is there a plastic surgery for it NEW
by: Anonymous

Is there a plastic surgery that lowers the hips?

Feb 26, 2013
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Swimsuits? NEW
by: Anonymous

Hello ladies.
Does anyone have any suggestions for swimsuits or bikinis for our body type? I find that most bikinis pinch right at the dip. And make it look worse. Which fit has been most flattering for you?

Jan 21, 2013
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Disagree! NEW
by: Faye

Firstly, this site is excellent, and I really appriciate my stumbling upon it, but I think that this high-hip thing is bigger than people without high hips think.
I am tall and to look at me, you would not say I was top or bottom heavy. I have high hips. It has taken me years to work out what was "wrong" as like the original post, even when fairly slim (I have been both overwieght and very slim, I currently sit at about a comftable weight where I wear bikinis, shorts skirts etc, I exercise daily). I curve tightly down to my hips then BAM they go in again and then it's almost like a "Normal" bottom and thighs are stuck on underneith!
I am so confused and amased at the clothing advice given.
Empire line looks teriible on me. It flows off under the breast and then just gently catches the hip on the way down. From the back, an empire cut makes my lower back look enormous. From the front an empire line only makes my shape look like an enormous A frame.
I wanted to take an opportunity to appeal to others with high hips reading this and/or the author. I find styles which actually sit on the hip, not above it or below it are fine. I try to focus on tops to disguise the high-hip-fake-muffin or draw your eye elsewhere, but never ever empire line. I'm very very surprised people recommend this one.
Wish you the best of luck on your fashion adventures, and high-hip people - I feel you. I thought I was overwieght as a teenager because of the "muffin".

Jan 19, 2013
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Thank You!!! NEW
by: Chelsea

When I Googled "high hips muffin tops" I never expected to find this site full of women who have the exact same issues as me! Some of your posts take the words right out of my mouth, it's amazing. I'm 23 and pretty skinny at 5'5, 120lbs. I also have a small (but cute) behind and my breasts never grew much past buds. So I look skinny from the side but from the front or back I just look so wide, and I've got those dastardly muffin tops that won't go away no matter what I do! I work out 6 days a week but they wont budge. And being so short waisted (there's no space between the bottom of my ribs and top of my hips), any tummy fat I have gets bunched up when I sit down. My ex even told me I could "tone up", confirming my fear that my high hips make me look heavier than I am. But reading all of your posts I realize I'm not alone and that our unique shape can be just as beautiful as any! So thank you :)

Jan 05, 2013
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Hips NEW
by: Ri

I'm so glad I found this knowing someone else has this body shape, I always thought I was apple shaped. Still I am jealous of girls with round hips who can wear nice dresses, I hate my hips! :(

Dec 27, 2012
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I have huge breats NEW
by: Anonymous

I have an hour glass shape but with HUGE breats and a short torso, plus I'm only 5'3. My boobs are even a bit abnormal for my size, and my hips are high. High rise jeans just make me feel fat and I cant wear any blousey shirts cuz they make me look wide....

Oct 03, 2012
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not alone NEW
by: Anonymous

Oh my goodness!!! Ladies, BIG HUGS to all of you.I thought i was the only one!! double hips. I measure about 27cm around my waist and 34cm around my high hip,lol. I guess we are hourglass with high hips.I thought there was something off somewhere, but that's the beauty of our shape. We are beautiful ladies! Like someone said, women come in all shapes n sizes, n we are unique. Yes, its upsetting we can't fit into all the trendy clothes, but so what, we love ourselves, don't we just? Much love to all of you, Love yourselves! always. We should create a blog to keep encouraging each other. We're awesomely unique ladies :)

Jul 30, 2012
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Damn we fine! NEW
by: Anonymous

Kate Upton and Brooklyn Decker are both girls with high hips. They both have been on the cover of sports illustrated... I think the men like our shape! Face it ladies, we're gorgeous!

Jul 30, 2012
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We're beautiful! NEW
by: Anonymous

I have always had a problem with my hips, which I now know are high hips thanks to this page. I have been told by my friends that I had really wide hips, which I do but the problem is they don't go smoothly to my thighs, they have a dip. I've always wanted to love my body but had trouble because I didn't know anyone else with these high hips and I thought I was weird. Then I saw Brooklyn decker in just go with it, and realized we have similar bodies, and she is a swimsuit model that men drool over! We have gorgeous bodies! Of course there are things that we can't wear, but everyone needs to dress for their body types! We're beautiful and have the blessing of being skinny and curvy at the same time! confidence and high hips are all a girl needs to be beautiful! I love my high hipped girls! We have beautiful bodies, stay gorgeous my high hipped friends <3

Jul 07, 2012
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Dress that shelf! NEW
by:

I am 5'9" with shelf-like high hips, long skinny legs and a flat bottom. I'm slim all over except those hips! From my experience, the best way to wipe out the shelf is to wear A-line dresses, empire-line dresses or "princess-line" dresses with buttons down the front. I wear most of my dresses short to show off the long legs. I avoid anything with a seam at the waist and NEVER wear belts. Long tunic tops, long open cardigans over a top or long jumpers to mid thigh look good over skinny dark pants or a short pencil skirt as well. I do wear fitted jumpers sometimes, but make sure they are longer in length and have something like a big cowl neck or dramatic collar to get the focus away from the hip area. Pendant necklaces and sashes create good vertical lines as well. The only belted garment I wear is a thin-ish black ribbed cardigan with a self-belt which you can tie so the belt hangs down creating a vertical line.

These things must work because nobody believes me when I say I have a hip problem!

Jul 03, 2012
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Another role model NEW
by: Anonymous

Hey girls I found another moderl with high hips! Kate upton

Jun 30, 2012
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Bathing Suits for High Hips NEW
by: Anonymous

I am so glad I am not alone as this is a very annoying problem for me as well... I am having the worst time finding a flattering bathing suit because of this issue as where most bathing suits hit, it gives me a terrible love handle effect that I don't normally have in jeans or even cute underwear. I don't want to resort to a one-peice. Has anyone solved this mystery?

Jun 12, 2012
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omgggggg NEW
by: Anonymous

omg ahh i hate my double hip problem but im glad im not alone it really does suck though because there realyy arent any clothes that look flattering on me except a tan top with a hoodie to cover my hips

May 24, 2012
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I thought it was just my family! NEW
by: Anonymous

I come from a family of women with high, wide hip bones. My mother, my sister, aunts, cousins. All of us are "blessed" with this unique body shape. I use to be much smaller before I had my son. 5'5 about 110 lbs. I'm about 15 pounds heavier now. And it seems like all the extra weight went straight to the high hip love handle area. Even at my skinniest, I was aware that my body type was different. I couldn't wear those cute low rise jeans because they always seemed to hit right at the dip of my hips giving that love handle effect. And now that I do actually have a little fat in the area, after pregnancy, I've completely given up. Ive accepted that I need to find a good mid rise Jean. Ive learned that it's important not to wear things with a waistband that are too tight around that area. And I found that if a pair of pants or shorts fits comfortably around the waist, I can wear a tighter top without getting that shelf appearance.

May 18, 2012
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Another one here!
by: Anonymous

All this time I thought I was an apple, because all my weight goes to my high hip bones and gives me love handles. But naturally I am skinny, the hip bones are so high though and look so out of proportion. It's like I have an hourglass shape - big boobs, perky booty, but then these weird hip bones smack in the middle of my abdomen that draw so much attention! I want to wear tight dresses like my friends but I'm afraid I'll look ridiculous.

On the plus side, I have had guys randomly come out and tell me a few times that they specifically love "my shape," and that I have curves in "all the right places," so we must be doing something right, ladies!

Mar 05, 2012
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Finally a name for this....
by: trixy

I have to agree with an above/below poster - I want to cry tears of joy after finding this :) I have a very large butt (approx 40 inches), slim waist (25in) and I was always confused as to where my "hips" are b/c there seem to be 2 sets lol..I have the bones right under my waist and then I have some "flare out" around my butt and the in-between spot is just awkward (to me)...I still wear low cut jeans b/c I have a very flat stomach but those perfect semi circle hourglass-y hips that go from the waist, right to the side of the butt are NOT what I have...mine are more like a slim cello I guess...my husband claims he has no idea what I'm talking about but I'm very aware when I try on form fitting dresses despite my proportions (34-25-40), I shy away and lean towards a-line dresses but should I really be ashamed of my body? I need to work it out with myself b/c I see women of all shapes (and I do mean ALL) that are so confident and I want to be there with them

Feb 19, 2012
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spoon shape
by: Anonymous

I think our shape is closest to so colled "spoon" , but so far I have found only one page with some advices
"As a Spoon Body type (sometimes called figure 8), your hips are larger than your bust and you have a defined waist. Your hips have a “shelf” appearance, you are prone to gaining weight in your tummy and have a tendency towards love-handles. While you may gain weight in your upper thighs and upper arms, your lower legs and arms are shapely and your best assets".

http://www.shopyourshape.com/body-shapes/spoon-body-shape.html

This "high hips" body doesnt fit into th emost common shapes, like hourglass, bricket, apple, pear etc.
So , ladies, who else know how to dress our hips and where to find some advices?

Does anybody know where to find some more infos on that?

Feb 17, 2012
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Happy I found this
by: Anonymous

This is such a relief! Over the last year the 'double hip' thing has made it really hard to find clothes that look good and I've started to really hate my figure. We should post advice, photos etc!

Feb 16, 2012
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What a relief!
by: Anonymous

Ohmygod, this is such a relief! You guys don't understand. I'm 16 & I used to be such a stick but in the past few years I hit puberty & got hips but I really thought that I just got fat! High hip bones are such a pain because it makes it hard to stay trendy and still dress right for your body type! Now that I know this I am soooo relieved though! Thanks :)

Feb 02, 2012
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Jennifer, second paragraph!
by: Kyla

I also have the dreaded "double hip" but am reasonably skinny! 5'6" 140. I am glad just like you guys are to find others but I still kind of want them to go away. I find if I exercise on a regular basis, the muffin tops go away and make it a smoother curve, but the bottom bumps are still pretty difficult to get rid of.

Jennifer, I agree! Tight dresses and all that are difficult for us to wear because it can show off our double hips as bad as being naked! Usually pantyhose helps me with that problem, because it can kind of hold them down a bit. It's so weird to talk about this like we're fat but we're not, we just have this weird hip thing. And I've stopped worrying about my stomach-it's not perfect but I learned in school that everyone has a layer of adipose (fat) tissue under our bellies. They vary in size of course, but you cannot get rid of it! It's is there for warmth, protection, all that. I just practice keeping my belly in, which is good for the muscle.

Jan 12, 2012
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Yay!Finally! I found my peeps!!
by: MissTahnee

I almost burst into tears when I found this site with all you lovely high hipped beauties supporting and sharing your frustrations at these double trouble hips!!. I have been wondering all my life what the fu*k is wrong with my body, and why do I hate almost all clothes, especially dresses and pants? Where did my waist go?why do I have a friggen muffin top no matter what weight I'm at? Why do I always feel fat even at my skinniest , and Why havent I seen anyone else with these oh so delightful hips. God bless Brooklyn D for showing the world how beautiful we are. And god bless the rest of you girlies. It feels soo amazing to finally know I'm not the only one, and hey who knows mayb we will even get our own official " body type' one day and low & behold they might even start to make clothes that do us justice!!!!

Jan 10, 2012
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so happy! but go to the second paragraph, i have a question:)
by: jennnifer

i didn't think anyone shared the same body type as me, i'm so happy! i'm 5'4 and 118 pounds...i feel kind of fat sometimes and right now i'm on a 30 day diet in which i only eat 400 calories a day and i'm supposed to lose about 10 pounds in a month! It's definitely not as hard as I thought it would be...just chew gum and drink a lot water! Yeah but really, i'm happy people have the same body type as me. I have the annoying double hips, b cup breasts, a (if it doesn't sound too vain) fabulous perky bottom, and my thighs touch a little at the top, not to mention my tummy issues..it's like a part sticks out!! there's like a round bump right where my belly button is..so I just want to slim everything down and then tone. Apparently once you get rid of most of your body fat then getting abs is really easy, you just need to get the fat down low enough so that it's noticeable.

one question though! do you ladies ever find that you don't look good in tight dresses and tight skirts (like pencil skirts)? I find it makes my double hips show and it just doesn't look that nice. What are your thoughts on this?

Dec 13, 2011
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OMG!
by: Anonymous

Glad to know that I'm not the only one! I used to haaaaaaaaaaate my hips its like a mini hour glass where I didn't want it to be, and mind you I'm skinny 5'6, 105. But I always had like this muffin top hips that went in and went out. I thought I was a freak I wanted pretty smooth curves like the other girls. Glad to know someone out there is showing off!!

Nov 19, 2011
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thanks!
by: Anonymous

I have always thought I had wide hips and searched for advices on this kind of body. But again, my bum is flat, there is nearly no waist (due to my very high hip bones), so all the tipps for pear shaped women dont apply to me.
From the side I am very flat, from behind-too broad.
Now I see, all of the sudden, that my hips are not actually wide, they are just high! Therefore my upper body appears short and whatever I wear, it somehow doesnt suit me.... Not easy to dress this shape! Please, put some more advices with picts! I am not fat, rather tall and have really good long legs, but when I look in the mirror, I can see only this hudge lower area-as somone said-like a screen:-(

Oct 21, 2011
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Finally!
by: Grace

I found this page while looking up what shape Brooklyn Decker is because she is only one who has this same weird shape as me. Some sites said pear, some said hourglass. It's nice to know there are other people out there that have this same "problem." I love having my curves, it's just always confused me why I have double hips and most people don't. I agree with the person below who said it gives "an old age feel" to us. It's nice to know I'm not the only one trying to dress for a shape never recognized.

But, Brooklyn Decker has been named one of the hottest swimsuit bodies. Looks like the double hip is coming into fashion. =)

Sep 21, 2011
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OH WOW!
by: Captain

I thought I was the only person with this body type, either! I googled every possible variation I could think of, several times a week... for years!

I'm an hourglassy size ten with extremely dippy high hips. I've worn midrise jeans for years, and they are wonderful, but the problem comes when I have to dress up. I not only have high hips, but also a large bust, and most styles make me look larger except for snug, body-contoured shapes... which WOULD look great, if not for the high hips. I've tried squashing my hips under gym shorts that I always wear under skirts and dresses, but if they ever get slightly dislodged, they look horribly lumpy, and spanx ruins the hourglass silhouette by making me look boxier.

What I actually do seems slightly counter-intuitive, but I take a bit of rolled up toilet paper and tape it to the dip between my hip and thigh. You'd think this would make me look bigger but actually, it makes me look slimmer because it smooths out the 'lumps' and gives a nice smooth, curvy silhouette.

Aug 29, 2011
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proud to have high hips
by: Anonymous

I´m also very happy!!!!! I thought me and Brooklyn Decker were the only ones with this georgeous type of body! I suffered a lot with this body until I foun Brooklyn Decker (palmer in Just Go With It and Sports Illustrated cover girl) really girls you should google her, she has great advices and body confidence tips! we should feel proud to have this strange but georgeus kinf of body and I can tell you guys actually like high hips(; we should do a blog for this kind of body where we can express how we feel and what to wear! I hope people see high hips as a blessing!! really google Brooklyn, she swhould be our role model!!!

Aug 25, 2011
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Finally! :)
by: Anonymous

I am beyond happy to know that i'm not alone! I'm the only person I know with these high hips, and being a teenager in Australia, most girls my age wear bikinis and skimpy clothes in summer, but that just makes me feel self conscious. I'm quite slim from the side, but i always seem to look really wide from the front, but i've learned to appreciate the body that God has blessed me with, as we are all perfect in his sight! I have also found that by wearing pants and shorts that sit on your hips, not below, create a nice silhouette figure :) Learn to love your bodies ladies! :) <3

Aug 16, 2011
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wow
by: Anonymous

Cant believe I finally found a name for what has been the bane of my existence. I am super super skinny and my high hips make me feel so self conscious, I look like I have love handles in pictures. So glad to hear im not the only one suffering from this

May 09, 2011
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What am I?
by: Anonymous

I am confused at what shape I am. My meausurements are 32-25-37 but my shoulders are 38 inches. My arms are toned and I have 6 " wrists, but 21" thighs, that are very strong Am I Inbetween an hourglass and a pear shaped body?

May 09, 2011
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May 03, 2011
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Thank you!!!!!
by: Anonymous

i am a 16 (turning 17) year old girl.
I have always noticed i had love handles no matter how much weight i tried to loose. I could never work out why.
I feel so different then all the other girls with amazing swoop waists while mine looked like a shelf. My mum has the most amazing hourglass figure so that never helped either.
This is awesome knowing im not the only one that has this crazy figure! Its just high hips!!!
thank you so much everyone!!!!! It means so much!

May 03, 2011
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Apr 28, 2011
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Thank you for speaking out and my Style tips.
by: Anonymous

Wow I have ask gyms and my doctor what was wrong with me because I thought there was something wrong with me. WHen I was younger and skinny I thought I had a boy figure and no low hips like the other girls (but I always had a bubble butt) so I tryed gaining weight to have a more full figure and all it did was add wait to my high hips and give me a pot belly, or love handles they called it. It use to take me hours to shop and still kind of does but now I know more what works for my body and what probaby doesnt. Often I would try to hide it with big baby doll tees and then get asked if I was pregnant. I use to go home and cry why I was shaped that way so I am glad to know I am not the only one and there is nothing wrong with us we are just unique.
I find the leggings style with femine tops, or ethnic tops look great with me and ankle heels 2 inch( shows off legs, butt and chest) and a feminine waited long coat give a more fiminine waist. I have two Derion jean pants jumpsuits ( Beyonces line ) http://shop.dereon.com/shop.php

and they actually look great on me. Also BeBe' size 10 high waisted pencil skirt
http://www.bebe.com/
and a bustier shows off my curves in a sexy way.

and I use to hate dresses, but now I figured out one who our pleated, rouged, ruffled on the top high and tighter below chest above our high waist and goes out straight below makes your waist smaller and smooths out your double hips. SO have fun with it and love those curves.

Mar 12, 2011
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Joining to choir of thanks on behalf of all high hipped women!
by: Anonymous

I must contribute here too, and express my thanks for getting a name for this body fate. I have ever since my teenage years suffered from tight waists and muffin cups with jeans and trousers because of my high hips. I always thought I was just fat. At some point in my late teens I had a eating disorder, but even then I could never buy smaller jeans because the 'waist' didn't give in...

I'm used to calling my hips 'double hips', and I fell in love with the art of Henri Matisse, because he had described these 'double hipped' women in some of his art (check e.g. Le bonheur de vivre). In general I think our hips have a classic, old-fashioned style. This is my way of thinking us as feminine and attractive. :)

Now being over 30 and having had several kids I'm starting to see things in different perspective. Though it is still not easy to find trousers! Generally the most difficult dressing point is the middle part of my body; I don't like the long and wide part from high hips down to high thighs. My lower back and bottom look like a movie screen, and I'm just too used to hiding them under long tunic tops. I would like to have more versatility here but haven't found a solution yet...

Feb 21, 2011
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thanks guys!!
by: Russia

yay to wide, high hipped women! Hey I know so many women like that that are usually beautiful but extremely embarrassed to show off their body because of it. And they are skinny women! I am one of them... the more we embrace this body type the more it will become normal and the more comfortable women all around the world will be in their own skin!

Feb 21, 2011
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wide, high hips unite!
by: Anonymous

I am so happy I found this website. I have searched so long, trying to at least figure out a name for my hips.. I thought this was a rare thing that only few women had.. I am, as well, so happy to hear that I'm not the only one! Also, if any of you have heard of Brooklyn Decker, you will see she has slightly wide, high hips, too. I'm a very skinny female (115 pds, 5 feet 4ish inches) and I have been extremely self conscious about my hips ever since I could understand what the "ideal" female body looked like. I am considered attractive based on "American" standards but I've always felt like that was because everyone just saw my face and no one could see my bone structure. I have even told others I have love handles, even though I knew they were my hip bones.. just so others wouldn't think I had some weird bone structure. So I thought telling others I was fat in that area, something that is not thought of as attractive but at least "normal", was better than something that was healthier (because I AM fit and do not have excess fat in my hip& waist region) but "weird".
Basically, I have a short torso with wide, high hips and then after that there is a slight indentation between them and the start of my outer thighs. Plus I have a small butt which makes those high, wide hips look even bigger!

Women, we need to embrace our bodies, and we need more supermodels to start showcasing this figure! I have always tried to classify my body shape, but never really could because we are neither hourglass nor pear nor apple shaped. We are more.. violin shaped. lol
In any event, thank-you ladies for commenting on this blog, thank-you to Brooklyn Decker for flaunting her curves with CONFIDENCE, and I hope this body shape is made more apparent and embraced in the media, just as curvy women with big butts are nowadays.

Keep those comments coming!!
PEACE !

Feb 18, 2011
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Finally
by: Anonymous

Oh my goodness. FINALLY. I've been searching for other women with this shape just to know I'm not the only one, and I couldn't find them *anywhere*. It's ridiculous how there are so many classifications for women's body shapes and *none* of them ever mention us. I've never once seen a model, even plus size, with this shape either. It makes you feel like you're so unattractive that people want to pretend your body type doesn't exist. Like an abnormality, not a legitimate body shape. :(

I hate it because I can never have a good figure no matter how much I weigh. I'm currently at a healthy weight, almost the minimum of what I should weigh, but still look like this. I can only imagine how horrible it will look when I inevitably gain weight later in life. I have to be really careful about what I wear. I wish I could just wear the clothes I want without having to worry about looking like a freak.

Feb 10, 2011
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Dip Hip Revolution
by: Anonymous

Oh. My. Can I just say that I am beyond thrilled to finally find women with the same body type as mine! I have always refered to my hips as "dip hips" when trying to explain my shape. They SUCK. I always look like I have a muffin top no matter my weight or clothing. For a while I was wearing rolled up running shorts underneathe my skirts in hopes of eliminating the dip hip. Bad idea. Ha! Sometimes I also wear a loose belt which seems to even things out a little. My favorite secret is low rise jeans with a long, open cardigan. It's definitely slimming and versatile. Dip hips SUCK but we gotta learn to live with them, ladies.

Jan 26, 2011
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hi help
by: angela

hi i dont know what body shape i am . ihave big boobs go n at the weist then out to a big bum my mesengers are bust 45 inches weist 40 and hips 48 please help me thanks

Jan 26, 2011
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hi help
by: angela

hi i dont know what body shape i am . ihave big boobs go n at the weist then out to a big bum my mesengers are bust 45 inches weist 40 and hips 48 please help me thanks

Dec 05, 2010
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Thank you, so much.
by: Anonymous

This has helped me loads, I tried to explain the shape of my hips to my friend and she didn't get it. I always thought I was just a but chubby around my hips. Thaaaank yoouuu! :D

Oct 27, 2010
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Hourglass or apple?
by: Bev

I always thought that in order to have a true hourglass figure your natural waistline had to be 12" less than your bust and hip measurment. Right now my measurements are 38-29-37, high hips, long very thin legs, and a flat butt. I am small boned so my shoulders are narrow and my arms are thin also. I have to really watch my weight because when I gain the majority of it goes all in the front of my torso from my bust down to my hips. I always thought I was an apple because my lower abdomen sticks out. What shape do you think I am?

Oct 18, 2010
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Yay I'm not alone!
by: Anonymous

I'm always envious of ladies with a smooth tapering waist lines as they look fab in tight bodycon dresses and long vests and t shirts and bikinis while I feel "square" and "boxy".

I have a tiny waist (25") and I'm very slim with long legs. My high hips can be a problem when buying trousers/jeans as when they fit my thighs and bum they dont shut round my hips so then you go up a size and end up with a baggy bum and thigh bit but it shuts round your hips. Nightmare!

The things than I've come to realise I suit are short blazers, cropped carigans, short dresses with empire line, pencil skirts with tucked in tops and full dresses with your own added waist belt where YOU want it! make the most of your best bits eg legs, hair and no one will notice your hips - honest!

Dont buy - cardigans / jumpers / coats with built in belts (the belt will always sit on the high hips making you shapless. Long vests or tees (unless they're worn loose and the wrinkles soften your angular hip area. Hope this helps.

Oct 10, 2010
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Re: Katie
by: Anonymous

Try an empire waist style dress, or a cocktail style dress that cinches in around your little waist then flares out (flows over the hips and shows off your fabulous long legs). You'll look great, good luck!

Sep 19, 2010
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I'm the same way
by: Katie

Thank you so much for this! I thought I was the only one with this problem.. The permanent muffin top because of my high hips. I just bought some mid-rise jeans and I really do have to say thank you because it evened me out so much. My hips look normal now! I'm still stuck with the problem of what dress style should I wear? Like for Homecoming and formal events. I'm tall (5'9), my legs are very long, hips high, short torso. Sometimes I feel like no dress looks good! So if you could please help me out with this, that'd be awesome. Thanks again!

Sep 01, 2010
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Thanks!!! :)
by: Anonymous

I always thought that i was like the only one with these hips, but i'm heaps glad to know i'm not alone. I think it sucks though, because I can't wear tight clothes or bikinis because i don't like the way it looks. But i figured out that if you wear shorts and pants that sit on your hips, and not under them, it actually makes it look like your hips sit in the right place. Thanks for writing this, it makes me feel better! xx :)

Aug 26, 2010
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High Hips Heavy Hourglass
by: Andrea

I have a very short torso with high hip bones. While it makes me look dumpy of top (especially with my DD cup bust) it does make me look like my legs are a mile long. Before childbirth I had a perfect Marilyn Monroe figure but now I am thick through the waist. I thought I became an apple but I'm not. I was just wearing the wrong clothes and it made me look dumpy.

I'm focusing on fitted blouses and sweaters with a defined waist to emphasize what I have. Empire silhouettes look awful on me and peplums look gorgeous.

Aug 03, 2010
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Thanks!
by: Clea

I've got very high hipbones and always just assumed because of it that I was straight/boy shaped. My waist looks tiny, tinier than it actually is, because of the location of my hipbones. My measurements are 36-26-36. I've always hated my damn high hips. I have what looks like a permanent muffin top because of them, but at least I know I'm not alone!

May 31, 2010
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uneven surface
by: Shannon

To the girl who asked the question featured, having the same problem with an "uneven surface" I did some research and found that you can help even out the surface physically by building up your abductor muscles. I'm going to try it out soon and thought I would share.

May 19, 2010
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Thanks!!!
by: T. Beverly

Wow now I finally know why I am shaped like I am. Im an hourglass shape with higher hips!!! I am so insecure about them, because I have a little fluff around my tummy area and at first I thought I just had big love handles, but I really don't have love handles... that was my hips that whole time. Im happy for that discussion... Thanks

Apr 30, 2010
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Thank You!
by: Shannon

After all these years of confusion, thanks to this website and the wonderful people who are behind it I've finally figured out my shape! I am an hourglass figure with high hips, I look JUST like the model in the picture in this article, but I have a medium build and a little more meat on my bones (average-thinnish, but not twiggy). I definitely have a problem with looking broader up top despite my small bust and hourglass measurements. Could you write an article or something specifically about dressing hourglass shaped women with high set hips? That would be positively amazing!

Apr 29, 2010
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Pear body shape
by: Anna Villaruel

Hi Nicky, if your high hips are broader than your bust then it's most likely that you're a pear body shape! :)

Feb 24, 2010
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What body shape am I?
by: Nicky

Well.... I also have high hips and mostly of my weight goes in that part of my body. The rest goes in my thigs and in boobs. I don't have much of butt, unfortunately :)) My proportions are 36C - 28- 39. My shoulders are the same size like hips and they are straight and skinny. So, could you please tell me what body shpe am I?? Thank you

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