Calling all apples! What to wear when you've a big tum and no bum...

[helloitsme]

I was just reading another thread about jeans for apples, and noticed one person suggested dresses. I am dying to know which style of dresses since Dressipi has let me down and suggested shift dresses, which I know always cling badly around the tummy and make me look fat.
So, here's my question: fellow apple shaped girls, what makes you look great?

OK, well, here's what I like:

1. Obviously skinny jeans/leggings with tunics
2. Pencil skirts (but rubbish for crawling around after toddler)
3. Wrap tops
4. Bias cut skirts or any skirt which clings around the bum but worn with a much looser top
5. I used to like the trend for wearing belts around the hip, which emphasised this area and allowed me to wear something a little loser over the tummy without losing definition.
6. Shorter skirts.

But here's my main problem: dresses! I have never really found a style to both flatter my hips/legs and disguise my tummy....and this season I really really want to wear dressed, but I just don't know what to try! So, please please share your tips and ideas!

Lurking with interest (in an apple-y way!)

ahh
good to have company :)

Dresses are very tricky when you're an apple.

The shift style do work well but as you say can be clingy round your tummy.

Wrap style can also work - I've got a DVF which is fab.

Styles with ruching can also work especially if worn with spanx.

Some slim cut maxis can look good in summer too.

But overall - I think jeans and skirts work better.

I wear dresses. Wrap styles, or something with stretch.

I wear dresses more as skirts just emphasise my tummy too much!
Have found Wallis dresses to be the best in terms of cut

I'm an apple! i don't ever wear dresses. But i've just got this as an exception for my holiday later this year and i think (my husband agrees & he's usually very honest!) it looks okay. I hope the link works, its the 4th dress down, the ruched waist dress, the waist is elastic. I got the navy one, they do it in red also. Next are always updating their sale website so it may have moved position, so its that 'tea' style dress with the floral print. I'm on the lookout for a coulple more in the same style.

offers.next.co.uk/search?p=Q&w=*&cnt=16&nxti=0&nxtv=000&isort=publication&sale=OFFERS&pfg=03tyu3er5&images=on&af=cat%3Awomenswear+sub%3Adresses+si%3A14&div=womenswear&group=dresses&size=14&price=

I style lots of apple shaped ladies and one of the best styles is a shift dress with an empire line - Boden do them each season. There isn't a huge amount of fabric under the empire line - it's not a Jane Eyre look, which we all know would be a disaster - but the dresses do have enough fabric to skim, rather than cling in the tummy area and of course because they are a shift they emphasise your narrow hips. Good luck!

Empire lines just make Apple shapes look 4 months pregnant.

Boden cut too big on the hips in my experience and also their dresses are a tad frumpy.

Shifts do work but they're very worky in my opinion so not great for a good everyday dress.

I do like an elongated vest style for out and about and if worn with a denim jacket and scarf - you don't really notice your tummy.

i mark my spot with interest as i am more 'pilllow stuck on front' than apple, but apple is the only one i come close to

A v shaped waist is flattering but hard to find- I have one from brora 2 yrs ago. Agree empire line tends to make me look pregnant. Short shift with spanx, or like you said hip belt os ok.

I have found certain Joules dresses fit well especially jersey ones.

Sorry cant link as on iPad, but french connection jersey day dresses are great on my apple shape, just got the Chica day dress in sale for 28. Wearing it with leggings and ballet flats today. Also I find slash neck tunics with a self tie belt work well with skinnies or leggings for a nice casual look. For work I wear shifts with ruching detail at the front or pencil skirt and blouse

Totally agree empire line makes me look pregnant too

shorter length shirt dresses, structured tunic dresses, formal cuts and stiff fabrics, princess seams/cut.

cropped jackets & shrugs minimise/balance the middle

good shape but obviously vile pattern.

If anyone likes maxi dresses then this one from DP is good on an apple here

And yes I too used to love hip belts.

Shift dresses with a slight flare from the wasit onwards (as opposed to tight up and down) look best on me. Also look good with a shrug type cardigan.

Like this which is v flattering.

I like a flared skirt and a wide belt on the waist for definition. Also looks nice with shrug/little cardi. I have several nice ones and wear them for work/pub.
I do have one dress that makes me look pretty knockout, if I do say so myself. It's an 80's vintage 40's style wrap dress (so easy to come by ) and I think the key is that it has shoulder and waist detail and a lot of ruching, meaning the eye is kept on my good bits (boobs and legs), rather than bad (flabby tum).

OK - I'm for a bit of hardcore re-shaping. Expensive corsetry via Voller followed by some nice tailored clothes. For days when a corset is too hot then shorts or mini (hipster/under tun) with loose top/tunic with
flattering v neck.

I have a major problem with jeans; what fits me on the waist isbaggy on the hips.

Most tops that look good on me have low scoop necks or v necks. Emphasise the cleavage.

Empire used to be good but now just makes me looks pregnant.

Help!

johnworf depending on the style, I often buy mens jeans for that very reason - they don't have 'hips' and neither do I

Tell me about Voller corsetry? I may be in the market for some.

Hmmm never thought about men's jeans. Will have to investigate and try on.

Are all you ladies like me; fat on the waist, nice hips, pert bum and skinny legs? All my weight seems to be from the waist upwards.