Hourglass figure

The hourglass figure is one of four traditional female body shapes described by the fashion industry. The other shapes are the rectangle, inverted triangle, and spoon (or pear). The hourglass shape is defined by a woman's body measurements – the circumference of the bust, waist and hips. Hourglass body shapes have a wide bust, a narrow waist, and wide hips with a similar measurement to that of the bust. This body shape is named for its resemblance to an hourglass: the upper and lower half are wide and roughly equal while the middle is narrow in circumference, making the overall shape wide-narrow-wide.

This body shape is named for its resemblance to that of an hourglass

Photograph of the back of a woman with an hourglass figure (c. 1900)

Women with the hourglass figure have been shown to be more admired. This can put pressure on women whose body shapes are noticeably different to strive to achieve the hourglass figure. This can lead to body dissatisfaction which can cause eating disorders in (often young) women from all over the globe.