Fit Guide

Go Pear Yourself!

Take our body type quiz.

Hourglass-and pear-shaped women share a lot in common, starting with their small waists and full hips. The difference comes with what happens up top. Take our body type quiz to find out which of four common body shapes best describes your figure—and whether Crescendo Apparel is right for you.

1. You get a Groupon for dance lessons. You sign up for:
   1. A. Latin Groove. My hips don’t lie.
   2. Burlesque. Because I’m blessed.
   3. I’m more of a runner, actually. Mind if I just hit the treadmill?
   4. Belly dancing. I hear it can whittle down a thicker waist.
2. Describe your bust:
   1. Let’s just say me and my push-up bra rarely part ways.
   2. Um, the gift that keeps on giving?
   3. As a teen, I thought maybe I was a late bloomer. Nope. Just flat.
   4. My best asset. And I play it up—keeping attention away from my middle.
3. What kind of pants do you typically buy?
   1. You’ve heard of retail therapy? For me, pants are retail torture. I have to buy a size or two too big (not exactly an ego boost), then have my tailor take them in at the waist.
   2. I like a straight or slightly full cut.
   3. Jeggings. Bell bottoms. Capris. You name it. What can I say? Pants are my thing.
   4. Can you say integrated tummy panel?
4. I look best in tops:
   1. With wide necklines—like cowl necks, which bring my narrow shoulders into balance with my not-so-narrow derrière.
   2. With integrated bras. I want people to focus on me and my small waist, not my ladies.
   3. With spaghetti-strap sleeves, the better to show off my arms.
   4. With empire waists, which hug my smallest point—just below my chest.
5. My shoulders are:
   1. Delicate. And they slope downward.
   2. Literally as wide as my hips.
   3. Literally as wide as my hips, which are not much wider than my waist.
   4. A size or two smaller than my tummy.
6. When I see a pair of skinny jeans on the rack, I:
   1. Break out in hives. Skinny jeans and me? We don’t get along.
   2. Give them a shot. Who knows? Maybe my bust will balance the lines.
   3. Grab two pairs in my size and make a beeline to the cashier.
   4. Hope to wake from the bad dream I’m obviously having.
7. When I find a dress that fits my hips:
   1. I’m halfway there. If I manage to fill out the top, I consider myself lucky.
   2. I’m halfway there. If the top is generously cut, I’m good.
   3. Hips? What hips?
   4. It’s usually from the plus-sized section.
8. When I see an A-line skirt, I:
   1. Check the hemline. As long as it hits at or slightly below my knee, it will always flatter me.
   2. Try it on with a tucked-in shirt, which helps elongate my small- but short-waisted silhouette.
   3. Wonder where all the miniskirts went.
   4. Go for it. The slight flare of an A-line skirt gives me more of a waist.
9. When I gain weight, it goes straight to my:
   1. Hips and legs.
   2. Bust first, then hips.
   3. It’s pretty even, actually.
   4. My stomach.

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If you chose mostly A:

Your pear-shaped silhouette is as succulent as the fruit you take after. Crescendo is made for you. Whether you’re a svelte size 0 or a plus-sized 20, you have a proportionally small waist (your most feminine feature) and curvy hips (actually, your hips are all girl, too). Your shoulders, as well as your chest, are oh-so-slight. Shop the collection!

If you chose mostly B:

You’re an hourglass, with a tapered waist and curvy hips. You’re likely blessed with an ample chest, although your shoulders—the same width as your hips—also have a lot to do with your famously balanced proportions. (Some hourglass women have modest chests but wider shoulders.) While this shape differs from the pear up top, you’ll look delish in Crescendo’s pants and skirts. Shop now!

If you tied between A and B:

You’re in good company. Many women sit somewhere between the hourglass and pear. Sometimes, it depends on the day you look in the mirror. No matter. Crescendo will fit you off the rack. So take your tailor off speed dial and shop Crescendo.

If you chose mostly C:

You’re one long line from top to bottom—the athletic shape. No one’s ever mistaken you for busty, but your leggy physique means you can really rock a pair of pants. Just not Crescendo’s pants, which are cut for curvy hips. Luckily, many designers make clothing for your slender shape, so go out and shop the world, sister!

If you chose mostly D:

You’re an apple shape, which means you might be tempted to swath yourself in fabric. Don’t do it! While your clothes shouldn’t cling, they should fit. Choose empire waists, flaunt your fabulous cleavage and go for flat-front pants with a full leg. Our favorite brands for you: IGIGI by Yuliya Raquel, Eloquii by The Limited, Karen Kane’s Special Sizes collection.