Above:  Pear shaped me 

“I like big butts and I cannot lie!” If you’re a pear shape like me, this affirmation from the Sir Mix-A-Lot couldn’t be better said! I’m an obvious pear shape – bottom heavy. Although my shape is well loved by the opposite sex, I’m still very self conscious especially as I’m large on the thighs. I therefore want to make the best of my shape when selecting my underwear.

My inspiration today is Beyonce, and how could anyone disagree: she has a butt and thighs to die for! Gone are the days of old where skinny, tall and none curvy women were revered, and made the rest of us want to curl up into a paradoxical non curvy ball.

Us pears are used to getting the right looks for our bellies and bottoms, so that’s great. The idea now is to draw the eye up to our more hidden assets, to create a ‘balanced’ image. Here are a few easy tips:
• Choose a demi-cup bra that reveals a little more boob.
• Emphasise the breasts with eye-catching bright coloured and patterned fabrics.
• You could choose something with frills and bows to make it more exciting.
• Add a few millimetres onto your top half with a padded bra.
• Try corsets which emphasise your tiny waist but act like a push up bra.

The biggest issue I have with my body is my thighs as I mentioned earlier. So for pear-shapes, it is a careful choice for your bum, as confidence is paramount.
• Select knickers that have a high cut as it ‘elongates’ the leg.
• And if you’re mixing and matching with colours, then go for less eye-catching colours, something sheer perhaps.
• Avoid patterns and bows that serve only to put emphasis on that area.

And don’t tell him I told you, but straight from the horse’s mouth: despite my pear shape, my boyfriend thinks hot pants and thongs look great on me. And by the sounds of it, I’m sure Sir Mix-A-Lot would agree ☺

by Philippa Morton