APPLES - please help me with work clothes - have just tried on about 20 things in COS and decided I look like a brick in everything

[pollycazalet]

Am stuck. Am an apple, good legs, thick middle. At the moment am down to one pair of skinny black trousers and various tops. Am desperate.

Where should I be looking? i need to be smart-ish but not suits.

[Datahub]

cos is the wrong place for you

[Sunnyshine]

www.thechicfashionista.com/apple-body-shape.html this is quite helpful

[TheTallestDaffodil]

Following because I'm stuck too! Red Herring at Debenhams sometimes has nice things?

[pollycazalet]

Yep I have realised that. Any ideas?

[pollycazalet]

Thanks - haven't ever come across red herring.

[pollycazalet]

What I need is a nice apple shaped woman blogging about work clothes. So I can just slavishly follow

[pollycazalet]

I love the idea of that website sunnyshine but it's suggesting empire line (look preggo) wrap dresses (similar) and no skinnies which I practically live in

[noddyholder]

I am similar shape and I buy loads in there but have to size right down as they can be a bit voluminous.

[pollycazalet]

I have bought some non work stuff from there but the more formal stuff appears to be cut in v squarish shapes. Also if you have boobs the dresses just look like kaftans, even at smaller sizes. They don't hang properly

[pollycazalet]

I need drapey but the very word is making me think of bloody Hampstead Bazaar

[Datahub]

get some slim leg trousers and a ravello top.
Its all I live in

[Datahub]

i lol at that website - the idea of a belt around my waist is laughable

[pollycazalet]

Yes - i did wrap dresses when they were in w while ago (must have been 10 ish years?) and looking back looked like sack of spuds. Over jeans what was I thinking

[pollycazalet]

Blimey datahub - Boden?

[Sunnyshine]

I'm not apple but have found my shape clothing ideas useful! I'm very hippy ( big hips not new age) so live in floaty tops and high wasted skirts and trousers to belly squash !

[angeltulips]

See I completely disagree with that chic fashionista link. I'm an apple with v v short waist and v long legs - and wearing a belt doesn't cinch my waist, it just looks like I'm a thick waisted woman wearing a belt. Similarly empire line (instantly pregnant looking) and wrap dresses (the belt thing again - they cut me right at the point I don't want it to)

Op I dreas reasonably casually for work and have got it down to a wardrobe of hip length silk tops (Vince do nice ones on the outnet) with structured jackets and skinny trousers, or cap sleeve non-tight dresses that hit their slimmest point on my hips and end a few inches above my knee - with black stockings and flats. Pretty straight forward. Oh, and no patterns. Block colours only.

[Datahub]

YES
they are ideal for overheated offices.
ANd gap skinny trousers. OR Banana republic ones.
Also i like a shirt (I know many don't)

[noddyholder]

I can't do belts I don't think anyone appley can unless on trousers/jeans but not as a statement just as a requirement to keep said trousers up! I find things need to be a perfect fit if they are tailored which is rare or they need to sort of skim. Fluid tops but not baggy and slim trousers but not too tight as legs too skinny. Play up the good bits like decollete wrists ankles etc. And unfortunately heels do somehow balance an apple

[Datahub]

agree empire line tops are shit - make you look PG

[Datahub]

worn as here with this kind of trouser with coordiinating belt

[Datahub]

wrap dresses make my tits look like torpedos. In fact i never wear them in the day as I feel like Jessica Rabbit in them

[Datahub]

agree with noddy. I have to do belts, as in tailored trousers type not waist cinchers

[Lovecat]

I'm an apple with great legs, big norks, size 16. I've just had to renew my working wardrobe and I bought the following, all of which look v. nice

www.johnlewis.com/almari-cowl-neck-button-back-dress-teal/p1789178?navAction=jump

www.johnlewis.com/reiss-midnight-garland-dress-midnight/p1731325

direct.asda.com/george/womens/dresses/v-neck-dotty-dress/G004916701,default,pd.html - this last now appears to be out of stock, but it is so flattering it's ridiculous, so something in a similar style, perhaps?

I also recommend Sainsbury's "Apple" control underwear in a larger size than you currently wear - smooths out the lumps and the C-section shelf beautifully.

[Oly4]

Try different shops for longer but structured tops to wear with skinny trousers.
French connection? Banana republic? Yes, even Boden! Cos is too unstructured