Apple shapes - what suits you?

[confuseddoiordonti]

Hi,
Am an apple shape and have fallen into an empire line / smock rut. Most fashion advice seems to be more geared towards hiding big bottoms etc and apples seem to be sidelined. My bum is curvy but very toned (lots of dog walking) but my stomach is not, and neither are my upper arms.
So, to give me some inspiration, can any fellow apples point me towards shapes that would be worth looking into (other than bloody smocks and empire lines!)

Thank you!

[bran]

I'm going to lurk as I could use this guidance too. (I am currently lurking in a smock style long sleeve t-shirt, I have quite a bit of smock/empire line stuff.)

[Malkuth]

Ah, just came on to suggest empire lines. Will join Bran in her lurking!

[traceybath]

Definitely not empire lines - will just make you look pregnant.

Draping is your friend in terms of dresses - see Viv Westwood Anglomania for £££ or the phase 8 janice dress for less £££.

Nice silk shirts tucked into slim fitting jeans looks good and disguises tummy whilst showing off toned bottom.

I also like camisole type tops worn with jeans and a jacket/cardigan on top. Necklaces and scarfs also good for distracting attention from stomach area.

[confuseddoiordonti]

Oh no! Does this mean we are destined to wear smock tops and empire lines forever...?

Sometimes I think they can actually make you look bigger, which isn't great (obviously.)

Most of pics, even for bigger ladies (am not 'bigger' especially myself, just, er, beer bellied) even have models with waists / smaller stomachs so can't even look there.

Bugger.

Anyone....? ANYONE.....??

[confuseddoiordonti]

Ooh, cross posted with Traceybath - will have a peruse of your suggestions, thanks

[traceybath]

perfect dress for apples Wear with black opaques, shoeboots and a black jacket if going out.

[hoxtonchick]

ha, i am an apple & have, ahem, 4 viv westwood dresses - listen to tracey! skinny jeans good too.

[melezka]

Am lurking because I am apple with absolutely MASSIVE tits. I know I'm not the only one either - but I don't know what to wear any more.

[traceybath]

This type of look also works well.

And can be achieved for less £££ on the high street.

[traceybath]

Or this - see image with jacket again works well at tummy disguising.

[traceybath]

Lovely viv

[TheFarSide]

As a big boobed apple, I find I look much better/slimmer with close fitting tops and, on the bottom half, bootcut trousers or fairly straight skirts.

[confuseddoiordonti]

this is fabulous thank you! i think i knew, deep down, about layering but i also know i have got into a rut with what i wear and since my time to spend on myself is limited i have kind of lost touch.

the striped dress you posted the link for is something i wouldn't have considered as i would have thought it would pull around my middle. might have to give it a try and see what the score is.

i tend to go for the safe option of toast / boden tunics and am getting a bit bored of them. lovely clothes but time to try something else i feel.

melezka - not sure about the massive tits as mine are an decidedly unmassive 36b. will have a look and see what i can find though as imagine it could be a bit of an issue.

lastly, am LOVING the Vivienne Westwood stuff! a friend has one of the dresses and it is amazing on. you do get what you pay for with these things... (am al wistful now!(

[hoxtonchick]

this is gorgeous

[confuseddoiordonti]

i used to wear slightly fitted tops but can't really now as my, er, back seems to be getting a bit layery

[traceybath]

Confused - loads of anglomania will be in the sales very soon. You should be able to pick one up for about £100.

[confuseddoiordonti]

That purple VW dress is amazing but, and sorry if I am wrong, would it make the bulges bigger with the way the fabric hung or not? As it's a fresh way of looking at styles I may be still drowing in my smock smothered rut!

[confuseddoiordonti]

am relooking at that purple dress and think i may need to hide credit card! this thread was for RESEARCH purposes after all.

And I spend half my time walking dogs!

[confuseddoiordonti]

Tracey - will bear that in mind! Do like quite a few of the styles (see last post re the purple one) but have slight reservation in case it doesn't fit.

Is VW good for apples due to the layering or is it the excellent quality cut of the fabric that makes it more wearable for, er, everyone?

[hoxtonchick]

i have this dress (though not in that weird colour, it's black) & it looks to be the same type of silk & it really does hang beautifully, especially the skirt. g'wan, you deserve a christmas present....!

[glub]

this has reminded me why junk food is bad, gym is good...

[hoxtonchick]

but you can send it back for free with my wardrobe.... i just think vw designs with actual proper women in mind. the fabric is high quality but not exceptionally so, it must be the cut.

[confuseddoiordonti]

Hoxtonchick - are you apple shaped then? Looking at that my first impression is that it would make me look rounder (with short neck and fat arms to complete the look - have body issues, sorry!)

I have a lovely Farhi silk smock-ish style dress in khaki green and tried it with a belt - looked atrocious and went from looking 11 stone to about 14!

[hoxtonchick]

yy, am apple shaped, but have big tits so kid myself they balance tummy out. have good legs too, so flash them around in (perhaps mistaken) belief they are good distraction. i have some nicole farhi stuff too. it's not as flattering as viv.

[confuseddoiordonti]

VW does look more suitable for, er, 'real women' I agree. I find Farhi a bit dull a lot to be honest, but did like this dress (which was spotted in TK Maxx...)

I guess I dress to hide as much middle as possible and don't really consider things that are more fitted. I also cannot bear SPANX (yes, they work but they ain't comfy and are also rather sweaty - ugh!) Like clothes I can put in, feel great in but then forget I am wearing, if that makes sense.