This article was co-authored by Laila Ajani. Laila Ajani is a Fitness Trainer and founder of Push Personal Fitness, a personal training organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Laila has expertise in competitive athletics (gymnastics, powerlifting, and tennis), personal training, distance running, and Olympic lifting. Laila is certified by the National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA), USA Powerlifting (USAPL), and she is a Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES).
There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Having sexy curves can help you to feel more confident, especially when you want to get someone’s attention. There are some ways to build curves, such as by strength training. You can also accentuate the curves you already have by choosing the right clothes. If you’re trying to look curvier for a photo or when someone is looking at you, there are simple ways to angle your body for a curvier appearance.
Steps
Getting Fit to Look Curvier
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1Squat and lunge to build muscle in your butt and legs. Squats and lunges are classic moves to work your buttocks and legs all at once.[1] Incorporate 3 sets of 15 to 20 squats and lunges (on each leg) into twice weekly strength training sessions. Other good exercises for your legs and butt include:[2]
- Bridge. Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet and hands flat on the floor beside your buttocks. Lift your hips up until your knees are in a straight line with your shoulders. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds.[3]
- Leg lifts. Get down on all fours, straighten out 1 leg behind you, and lift it into the air. Keep your leg straight as you do this. Repeat 15 to 20 times and then switch to the other leg. Do 3 sets during each of your twice weekly strength-training sessions.
- Jumping squats. Squat down and then explode upwards into a jump. Repeat this 15 to 20 times and do 3 sets in each of your strength-training sessions.
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2Include ab exercises to cinch your waistline. Tightening up your abs will make your waist smaller and enhance the curves around your hips by comparison.[4] Try doing 3 sets of 15 to 20 crunches in your twice weekly strength training sessions, and plank for 30 to 60 seconds 3 times per session. Other ab exercises you might try include:[5]
- V-sits. Sit on the ground with your legs out straight in front of you. Then, lean back slightly and bring your feet off the ground. Balance on your buttocks with your feet in the air and your legs forming the shape of a V. Reach your right hand towards your left foot, and then your left hand towards your right foot. Repeat for 30-60 seconds 3 times during each of your twice weekly workouts.
- Side plank. Keep your body straight and support yourself with 1 arm and 1 leg. Place your right palm against the ground and the side of your right foot against the ground. Hold the position for 30 to 60 seconds, and then switch to the other side.
- Planks with leg lifts. Try lifting up 1 leg in the air while you are in a plank position. This will make the move more challenging by shifting all of the weight to 1 foot. Hold for 30-60 seconds and then switch to the other foot.
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3Build your upper body to accentuate an hourglass figure. If you have narrow shoulders, bulking them up a bit will make your waistline more noticeable. You can achieve this by working your shoulders and chest. Repeat each exercise 10 to 12 times and do 3 sets in each of your twice weekly workouts. Start with 10 lb (4.5 kg) or lighter weights and increase the weight as you gain strength. Some good exercises for strengthening your shoulders and chest include:[6]
- Alternating dumbbell presses. Lie on your back on a bench with 1 dumbbell in each hand. Start with the dumbbells next to your chest and lift the dumbbells up over your chest 1 at a time.[7]
- Lateral arm raises. Hold a dumbbell in each hand while standing with your feet shoulder-width apart. Start with the dumbbells at your sides and then raise the dumbbells up with your arms straight until they are parallel to your shoulders.
- Pushups. Get down on your hands and knees and then straighten out your legs and tuck your toes under to support your body. Position your hands on the ground directly below your shoulders. Use your arms to lower yourself down until you are almost touching the ground. Then, use your arms to push yourself back up.
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4Gain weight slowly if you’re underweight. Curves are made up of a combination of muscle and fat, so eat a healthy diet to ensure that your body has time to increase both equally. It's not good for you to gain or lose too much weight at once, though, so make small adjustments to add calories into your diet. You may be able to gain as much as a pound of weight a week safely, but not everyone can or should—talk to your doctor before you start a comprehensive weight gain program.[8]
- Eat a full meal after you work out. Your body needs carbohydrates and protein to build muscle.
- Eat calorie dense snacks, like nuts, hummus, and full fat yogurt.
- Enjoy junk food, candy, and soda in moderation. They shouldn't make up the majority of your calories.
- Incorporate protein into your diet to help stay fit and get an hourglass figure.[9]
Dressing to Flatter Your Curves
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1Wear items that fit you well and hug your natural curves. If you drown your figure in thick fabrics that stand away from your body, you won't show your curves. However, if you wear form-fitting clothing, you can make the most of what you have. Wear clothes that follow your natural curves, but that don't fit too tightly.[10]
- For example, you can wear a body-contour dress, a fitted jacket, or a stretchy top to help show off your curves.
- Avoid wearing items that are loose or baggy as these will make your figure seem boxy or square-shaped.
- Clothing that drapes across your figure at an angle can also help to emphasize your curves. Try clothing that falls in horizontal folds at your neckline or across your hips.
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2Opt for clothing that uses color-blocking to accentuate your curves. Color-blocked tops and dresses accentuate your curves with one color or pattern on the top half and a different pattern or color on the bottom half. Some color-blocked items also have 1 color or print on the front of the garment and just black on the sides so that the eye is drawn to the print.[11]
- If you don’t have any color-blocked items and you want to accent your upper body, try wearing a brightly-colored, form-fitting top with a pair of black leggings or jeans. This will draw attention to your chest and waist.
- If you want to accentuate your lower half, opt for white, pastel, or brightly-colored, form-fitting pants or leggings with a black top.
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3Choose tops that are low-cut or V-neck. High necklines can make you appear boxy, so opt for items with lower necklines instead. V-necks accentuate your curves best and draw the eye up towards your face. Try wearing deep v-neck shirts, wrap shirts, and button down tops with the top 3 buttons undone.[12]
- To make the look more modest, try wearing a brightly-colored camisole under a v-neck top. This will draw attention up and to your chest area while ensuring that you don’t have too much cleavage showing.
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4Pair a bodysuit or form-fitting top with an A-line skirt. This is a simple way to give the appearance of lots of sexy curves around your chest, waist, and hips. Choose a top that is form-fitting and tuck it into an A-line skirt. Or, wear a bodysuit with an A-line skirt for an even smoother look around your waistline.[13]
- You could also try wearing a form-fitting top with ruching details around the waistline. This will give the appearance of an hourglass figure.
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5Wear a pencil skirt. If you want to add some classic va-va-voom, a pencil skirt is a great option. It hugs your waist, hips, and thighs to accentuate all of your curves. Go for a skirt that ends right at or just below your knees as this is the most flattering cut.[14]
- Pencil skirts should fit you snugly without showing your underwear or being too tight for you to sit. Choose a pencil skirt that’s fitted, but still comfortable to move and sit down in.
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6Try a peplum top with leggings to accent your waist and hips. Peplum tops are fitted tops with skirts attached at the bottom. Choose one that fits you well and wear it with a pair of leggings, jeggings, or skinny jeans to create the illusion of a tapered waist and full hips.[15]
Tip: Look for a peplum top with the skirt attached around your natural waist, which is the narrowest part of your waist just above your belly button. This will help to ensure that the top tapers in and flares out in all the right places.
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7Cinch your waist and accent curves with shapewear. Wearing shapewear under your clothing can help to make your natural curves stand out more. Try wearing a pair of high-waisted pantyhose with a control top when you wear a skirt or dress, a waist-cinching corset under a form-fitting dress, or a pair of shapewear panties with jeans and a t-shirt or other casual looks.[16]
- If you want to create the appearance of a bigger backside, look for a pair of shapewear panties with padding in the butt area.
- You can purchase shapewear in the lingerie section of most department stores and online.
Posing to Flaunt Your Curves
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1Stand contrapposto for photos or anytime you want to look curvier. When you're being photographed, or just when you're having fun showing off, flaunt your curves by standing with a jutting hip. Instead of planting your weight evenly on both feet, try putting your weight on one foot. This will tilt your pelvis upward on the side of the weight bearing foot.[17]
- Exaggerate the pose by jutting your hip out a little further.
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2Pose with your arms akimbo to make your waist seem smaller. Place a hand on your waist or hip. The space between your inner elbow and your waistline will draw attention to your hips and make your waist look smaller.[18]
- Try dropping one arm behind your jutting hip instead, for a sultry look.
- Another option is to raise an elbow and put your hand behind your head.
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3Tilt your head and angle your body to accentuate your curves. If you’re standing and posing for a photo, try an exaggerated curvy pose. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, then drop one knee so your hip is at an angle. Place your hands below your hips on your upper thighs. Then, hinge forward at the hips and lean forward slightly. Tilt your head to one side and jut out your elbows to ensure that your waist is visible.[19]
Tip: Try out different poses in front of a mirror to see what makes your body seem curviest. Then, ask a friend to photograph you in the pose that you like best.
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4Cross your legs to seem curvier while sitting or standing. Sitting or standing with your legs crossed will narrow the line of your knees and make your hips look curvier. Only do this if it is comfortable for you, and take breaks!
Community Q&A
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QuestionHow can I get an hourglass shape?wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerIt can be hard to get an hourglass shape if you don’t naturally have wide hips and a larger bust, but there are a few things you can do that might help. For instance, you can do upper body exercises along with exercises that build muscle in your hips and butt. Additionally, eat a healthy diet and do cardio to lose weight all over, including in your midsection. Doing exercises that tone your core, such as yoga or planks, might also help. If you still can’t get the shape you want, try shapewear, such as girdles or corsets, to enhance your natural curves. -
QuestionWhat foods can I eat to get thick curves?wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerEating healthy sources of fat, such as avocado, vegetable oils, fish, and nuts, as well as lean proteins like fish, chicken breast, and legumes, can help you build muscle and create healthy curves. If you’re working out a lot, make sure to get plenty of complex carbs to give you energy, such as high-fiber fruits and vegetables and whole grains. -
QuestionHow can I get curves but keep a flat stomach?wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerDo exercises that build muscle in your hips, butt, and thighs, such as lunges and squats, to build muscular curves. You can also tone your stomach and core with planks, leg lifts, and superman exercises. Eat a healthy diet and do cardio to lose fat all over, including around your midsection. Stay hydrated and avoid salty foods to reduce bloat and water retention.
References
- ↑ Laila Ajani. Fitness Trainer. Expert Interview. 31 October 2019.
- ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/health-fitness/how-to/a6835/workouts-for-curves/
- ↑ Laila Ajani. Fitness Trainer. Expert Interview. 31 October 2019.
- ↑ Laila Ajani. Fitness Trainer. Expert Interview. 31 October 2019.
- ↑ https://www.shape.com/fitness/workouts/5-moves-hourglass-figure
- ↑ https://www.muscleandfitness.com/muscle-fitness-hers/hers-workouts/7-exercises-sculpt-hourglass-figure
- ↑ Laila Ajani. Fitness Trainer. Expert Interview. 31 October 2019.
- ↑ http://www1.recreation.rutgers.edu/images/customer-files/healthy_weight_gain_guidelines.pdf
- ↑ Landis Owens. Personal Trainer. Expert Interview. 8 June 2021.
- ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/advice/a5742/fashion-q-and-a-ways-to-look-curvy/
- ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/advice/a5742/fashion-q-and-a-ways-to-look-curvy/
- ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/advice/a5742/fashion-q-and-a-ways-to-look-curvy/
- ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/advice/a5742/fashion-q-and-a-ways-to-look-curvy/
- ↑ https://www.glamour.com/story/8-tips-this-stylist-learned-from-20-years-of-dressing-curves
- ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/advice/a5742/fashion-q-and-a-ways-to-look-curvy/
- ↑ https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/beauty-style/science-shapewear
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozHdhcBtTmo&feature=youtu.be&t=28
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozHdhcBtTmo&feature=youtu.be&t=120
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozHdhcBtTmo&feature=youtu.be&t=90
About This Article
While having curves is partly genetic, there are some things you can do to emphasize the curves you do have, like exercising and dressing to flatter your body. Try exercises that will help you build muscles in your hips, thighs, butt, and abs, like squats, lunges, and crunches. After you work out, eat carbohydrate- and protein-rich foods to help your muscles recover and grow larger. In addition to working out, wear form-fitting clothing that drapes across your body in a way that emphasizes your curves. For a classic look, try a pencil skirt, which will hug your hips and waist. To emphasize your chest, try a high neckline or a blouse that fits snuggly around your neck and bust. To learn how to pose to emphasize your curves, keep reading!