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

131 replies

helloitsme · 31/03/2012 18:00

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?

OP posts:
fluffywhitekittens · 01/04/2012 21:02

Some empire styles work ok, although was better when I was a couple of dress sizes smaller and had an apple rather than two babies worth of apple and muffin top, jelly belly :)
I tend to just not wear dresses, I also have the issue of big boobs, wide shoulders and aforementioned massive apple so find it very difficult to find a dress that fits 18/20 top, 14-16 middle and 12-14 hips....

fluffywhitekittens · 01/04/2012 21:03

Pretty much Johnworf, plus the big boobs in my case Wink

musttidyupmusttidyup · 01/04/2012 21:13

Watching with interest. Dressipi suggested empire line for me but agree it makes me look preg. Bought a lovely maxi which is my first. Tunics suit me so would like one long enough to be a dress iyswim.

musttidyupmusttidyup · 01/04/2012 21:14

Yes johnworf but no bum.

Gillybobs · 01/04/2012 21:22

Empire line works for me as long as there is also a fabric, self-tie belt to tie loosely at hip height. Stops the smock/maternity effect you see! The FC dress I suggested above does this very thing and it works a treat

reastie · 01/04/2012 21:32

Shift dresses have never worked for me. I love empire dresses though Grin

Can anyone link me the apple shaped thread on jeans OP mentioned? I have a nightmare getting any trousers to fit my 2 pin plug shape Grin

musttidyupmusttidyup · 01/04/2012 21:44

jeans thread

MoaningMinnieWhingesAgain · 01/04/2012 21:45

Fat belly, no bum/flat bum and thin legs here too. Nice tits though Grin

musttidyupmusttidyup · 01/04/2012 21:45

Grin 2 pin plug. always thought of myself as a fennel.

reastie · 01/04/2012 21:46

ahh thanks. I agree with high waisted comments. I've just got a pair of trousers from new look (no expense spared me Wink ) which are high waisted and pretty good. Infact, for some reason new look jeans seem to fit me the best from anywhere Hmm

ElasticNipples · 01/04/2012 22:09

tea dress's, shift dress's & also tunics with bold patterns i wear everyday, but its all about your underwear-with a pair of good knickers and you can wear almost anything. huray for the return of the hight waisted jeans! Grin

ElasticNipples · 01/04/2012 22:19

ohhhh and a 3inch heel.

Sanuk · 01/04/2012 22:59

what good knickers do you recommend, Elastic?

ElasticNipples · 01/04/2012 23:13

hey Sanuk i have a few diffrent pairs but my fav ones are from M&S
i also have a great pair from peacocks which only cost £6, spanx are always good.
always buy the correct size aswel otherwise they are vair uncomfy and roll down all the time, and push your bodyfat out of other places instead of smoothing your silhouette.

Sanuk · 02/04/2012 00:23

thanks Elastic (good name for being an underwear adviser Wink)

I have worn support underwear in the past but have mostly found it v uncomfortable, although Spanx is tolerable. I couldn't wear them on a day-to-day basis though! How often do you get your support pants on?

Zwitterion · 02/04/2012 01:47

I'm an apple and wear dresses a lot. I've had most luck with ones that are fitted on top to the waist, and then semi structured a bit with pockets - gives the illusion of hips which balances me out. In the last two years I've got some great dresses from White Company, Joules, Laura Ashley, and Hush.

I also love shorts.

helloitsme · 02/04/2012 08:16

Wow! It?s so great to see so much good advice from girls facing the same tummy issues as me! I find my friends always complement me on my legs or how good I look in jeans, but I so often struggle to find something more interesting/feminine. And usually when I hear advice about defining the waist or putting detail around my waist to emphasise that it is there, I think, but it?s NOT there, I have no waist, why would I emphasise that? So, great to hear what other appley girls are doing in real life, as assume if others are doing it, it must be working? Right?
So, thanks for the specific tips and advice, it?s really great :).
I have never bought from Boden, and I see lots of very varied opinions about it on here, but Styleguile, could you link to the dress you mean, just to give a clear idea of the shape?
I agree that shifts often seem worky, as well as making it difficult to disguise the tummy, but I love the one Tree recommended from Oasis. I can really see that one working! It?s more like a variation on shift dresses, than the classic stick to your tummy type.
Perplexed, I have always steered away from flared skirts, thinking I should go for things which hang closer to my bum, so I like this idea, and will keep a look out for a wide belt. Where did you get yours?
I also liked the idea of little cardis and shrugs (thanks lower and others), again I usually avoid in order to hide my tummy, never thought about them as balancing!
Gilly, I like the Chica dress, I just looked at it online, but they?ve sold out of most of the sizes now. Is it something they do every season? (it?s here by the way).
I am interested in the underwear suggestions! I had never ever thought of it! Is it really comfortable? I am suspicious, and also mother of a two year old, so comfort is something I think about?.still, am tempted as I love the idea of creating a waist, even if just for half an hour! Let alone a whole day! I didn?t even do that for my wedding!
Thanks Zwitter for the shop recommendations too, it?s good to have some ideas of where to start.
Reastie, if it?s any help, I always wear jeans under the tummy. I can then get away with ridiculously small ones which look good on the legs, but I have to be careful about which tops to wear so that the resulting tummy overspill is not too obvious?.I?m interested in how high waisted things are going to turn out for me though, I am imagining having to buy a much bigger size to accommodate my tummy, and then being voluminous on the legs?.
OK, I have another question: belts. Apart from the Perplexed who put a big wide belt with flared skirts, have any of you had any luck with belts around the waist? I am still wearing mine around the hip on occasion, and I know it?s not really on trend, but it works for me and my figure :). Anyone been brave enough to venture into belts and other details around the waist (as Dressipi advised me)?

OP posts:
Gillybobs · 02/04/2012 08:31

Yesvfrench connection seem to do this style often, there are others on the site at the moment I think, definitely a sleeveless one you could team with a
No luck with proper belts here. Sack of spuds effect. Love fabric self tie belts on dresses and tunics though. Softly tied so the fall onto hips

Gillybobs · 02/04/2012 08:32

Sorry iPad. " Team with a cardi"

Al0uise · 02/04/2012 08:41

I definitely recommend Gap high waist skinnies. It means you can wear a t shirt over the top without the muffin effect. I have to go up one size in them but they look great on the leg still because they're so stretchy.

33goingon64 · 02/04/2012 08:54

Hooray for 'les pommes'!! I thought I was the only one with a flabby belly and no waist, but decent legs, bum and boobage. Tunics or floaty tops with skinny jeans or leggings are perfect for weekends. My favourite work outfit at the moment is a flared, layered knee length skirt from Kew with a tightish top tucked in and a wide belt cinching the whole wobbly mass in. Wouldn't wear every day as can't exactly breathe normally. Alternatives are a loose top tucked into trousers but with plenty of top billowing around to hide the flesh. If I realise too late that the old tum can still be seen poking out, I put a big scarf on.

ElasticNipples · 02/04/2012 08:55

Sanuk- nearly every day, make sure they are the right size get measured in m&s you will feel alot more comfortable in them.

alot of apple ladies think their waist is down by your hips but if you wear a belt in your natural waist )(

helloitsme · 02/04/2012 09:18

This is great :) thanks!
Elastic, where did you get your style consultation done? I'm not in London so don't know where to find a Dorothy Perkins flagship store, but I think i could get to a Debenhams. i've always wanted to do this, but never seemed best use of cash. Is there an implicit expectation you will spend a lot?
Elastic and 33, are you on the skinnier side so you don't have so much tummy to tuck in? I would soooo love this style to work for me, where do you get your belts? Or a link to this look possible? (looks hopeful!)
Thanks gilly, will check out FC website for carefully.

OP posts:
ElasticNipples · 02/04/2012 09:45

oh i havent had one but i have an interest in it all, gok had a great program he touched my life without even seeing me Grin. my friend went to debenhams and had it done and she bought a few items but even if you dont but anything it doesnt matter you can go home and ebay to your hearts content.

i have skinny legs, skinny arms, slim bum and a whole lot of tummy to tuck in its going this year though im determined now, i have gone from a 24-16/18 in 1year with ww for me it is bread that makes my tummy bloat out but at certain times of the month i crave it so i dont avoid it completely.

helloitsme · 02/04/2012 10:07

This is great :) thanks!
Elastic, where did you get your style consultation done? I'm not in London so don't know where to find a Dorothy Perkins flagship store, but I think i could get to a Debenhams. i've always wanted to do this, but never seemed best use of cash. Is there an implicit expectation you will spend a lot?
Elastic and 33, are you on the skinnier side so you don't have so much tummy to tuck in? I would soooo love this style to work for me, where do you get your belts? Or a link to this look possible? (looks hopeful!)
Thanks gilly, will check out FC website for carefully.

OP posts:
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