Top Hourglass Body Shape
Bust-dominant · defined waist
The bust measures meaningfully larger than the hip while the waist still comes in sharply. The curve is there, it just sits above the waist rather than evenly around it.
How this class is defined → The bust exceeds the hip by 3.6 in or more, and the bust exceeds the waist by at least 9 in.
Check it against your own measurements
The calculator opens with a measurement set that drafts to top hourglass. Replace the figures with your own to see whether you land in the same class.
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How to dress the proportion
- Neckline
Open necklines — V, scoop, sweetheart — give the bust vertical space. High crews and boat necks shorten the chest and read broader.
- Volume
Put the volume below: A-line and full skirts, wide-leg trousers, anything that brings the hip out toward the bust.
- Waist
Keep marking the waist. It is the strongest part of this outline and hiding it loses the proportion entirely.
- Avoid
Double-breasted jackets, chest pockets and ruffled bibs stack more width onto the fullest area.
Tailor's noteShirts are the usual problem: buy to the bust and have the waist and sleeve taken in. A full-bust adjustment on a pattern adds width and length at the bust point only, leaving the shoulder where it was.
Common questions
What is the difference between a top hourglass and an inverted triangle?
Both have a bust larger than the hip. The waist decides it: a top hourglass still has at least 9 in between bust and waist, while an inverted triangle does not.
Should I avoid shoulder pads?
Generally yes. The outline is already widest at the bust and shoulder, so adding structure there steepens the taper rather than balancing it.
Why do button-down shirts pull across my chest?
Off-the-rack shirts are drafted for a smaller bust-to-waist difference. Size to the bust and have the waist taken in, or look for shirts cut with princess seams.