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Original poster

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:
Original poster
helloitsme · 02/04/2012 10:08

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:
everythingtodo · 02/04/2012 10:20

Primark £8 skinnies are also very good - size up though.

Rustygussets · 02/04/2012 11:30

Boden did a dress a couple of years back with applique that is perfect for my apple shape. It is an empire line jersey BUT without any poofy gathering under the bust. It is a maxi- so a bung on job! I think cropped cardigans work best. I think with an apple shape your best bet is to totally avoid any waist details. Tops hitting hip level, or layered pieces work pretty well. A tank over another longer top seems to do the trick.
Cropped jean jackets that are around everywhere at the moment are a good option as are cropped swing jackets/coats.
If you can find plain things in Per Una then they can be a good fit as they seem to cut for apples esp the maxi skirts in cord. The style which suits me best is the straight cut maxi but with godets that swish out below knee level. A lot of their older design stuff was cut with a side zip, stretchy weighty material ( good for the lack of cling) with this flattering fishtail bottom. Some of their more a-line things can be O.K. It is a bit hit and miss. I find picking things up on Ebay my best option because they have gone a bit mental with the embellishment and the design has gone to pot in the last 4 years.
A lot of 'lagenlook' stuff with interesting asymmetric hems etc can be good as long as it isn't oversized. Komodo popi and fitch tops are really flattering too. They are slash neck but casual and have an interesting detail to emphasize a shapely rear.
Betty Jackson Black cuts really well for apples and the plainer stuff is adaptable.
Finally I really like shrugs and cropped tie front cardigans. I have a collection of Gringo bali knit shrugs which I wear over a black maxi. They are great and lots of friends have (cough) borrowed them only to find them indispensable. They work in cool and hot weather. Boden do one too in merino wool which is very comfortable and warm.

Original poster
helloitsme · 02/04/2012 18:02

I have no idea how my last post came up three (three!) times....can I blame it on the phone? Blush
Good luck Elastic with the weight loss! I'm impressed! And thanks Everything and Rusty for the shopping tips.....
I want to ask about two more tricky characters for us bigger tummied girls:
Swimsuits. What do you wear? I have a nice empire line black one from Landsend, but would love to be a bit more godesslike adventurous.
Also, coats. I always find that fitted coats are too tight around the tummy and I have to take a massive one to accomodate my tummy, which then looks rubbish. And unfitted coats just swamp me and make me shapeless. Jackets of course are great, but I have really spent too many winters freezing in jackets because I could never get a good coat! I know it's a bit of an unseasonal question, but I'd be delighted to solve this life-long problem in any season!

OP posts:
MrsCampbellBlack · 02/04/2012 18:28

Super skinny jeans work well - topshop leigh are very good.

To look feminine in jeans though is fairly easily achieved. So in spring - I'll wear skinnies (probably bright colour) with a pretty broderie anglaise top - there are loads around at all different prices with my hasbeens.

For going out I often wear jeans but will normally wear a premium denim version with heels and either a silk shirt in winter or a lace top in spring. Silk shirts are fab though as if worn tucked in and slightly bagged over - they emphasise your lovely slime legs whilst the silk hides any problem tummy areas. And with super skinny jeans if they're higher-waisted (James jeans twiggys are brilliant) it has a slight corset effect.

Gilly - that fcuk dress just doesn't work on me at all - I really have no waist. In fact tried on a dress in jigsaw a while back and it was a bit shapeless so helpful assistant suggested a belt - I said 'really that won't suit me' but she insisted I try - well her face was a picture as she said 'gosh yes I see what you mean'.

MrsCampbellBlack · 02/04/2012 18:29

And regarding coats - for me the best shape is a very slim fitting collarless single-breated shape to a few inches above the knee. Zara often do this shape and Whistles.

I have a navy wool one for winter and a while back I bought a heavy cotton one in ivory - incredibly flattering over skinnies with heels.

MrsCampbellBlack · 02/04/2012 18:30

This style coat is what I meant - although that one is horrid fabric.

Original poster
helloitsme · 02/04/2012 18:39

woooow! the coat looks very grown up style for me...but I think that might be the fabric. I can imagine it looking great with jeans and heels, but terrified of wearing heels! Even my 2 yo DD recently looked at some heels I was looking at online and said 'Mummy will fall over in that shoe'. She must have heard me say it, but still, what a warning!

OP posts:
bigpants103 · 02/04/2012 18:59

Yeah I second Primark Jeggings. I size up too. The elastic, high waist is brill for a big tum and also holds everything in. Fairly tight on leg so suit an apple. Only £8 too!!!

talkingnonsense · 02/04/2012 19:03

Skinnies look awful on me- like ice cream in a cone! Though I think I am more of a brick on legs than a proper apple- shrugs and cropped cardis would make me look v top heavy.
A tank over a t is good though, and short skirts with boots to balance my boobs.

MissBeehivingUnderTheMistletoe · 02/04/2012 19:31

I wear dresses practically everyday for work. I love this and have it in 2 other colours

I "fake" a waist with a belt and sucky in pants with other less forgiving dresses. Uniqlo are very good - no seams and you can wear them all day.

I never wear empire line.

Stangirl · 02/04/2012 20:15

AlOuise Sorry, it's Vollers. They have a website. Best thing to do is measure your self up and then order one of the hand made ones. the corset measurement is a couple of inches down from your actual waist size as that's the point of them. Quite pricey but they are lovely and comfy.

ElasticNipples · 02/04/2012 20:19

nice dress miss behave! dotty p its catching my eye!

this is a bit more expensive than the £9 i payed in primark and its identical figleaves

fluffywhitekittens · 02/04/2012 20:34

I'm feeling inspire to go shopping now, thanks for starting the thread hello :)
I've never really looked at primark clothes for me as didn't think they would fit well but I shall look out for the £8 skinnies now.

Al0uise · 02/04/2012 20:40

Thanks Stangirl I've had a google :)

ElasticNipples · 02/04/2012 20:48

hey fluffy, you should try them all on in the shop as the sizes are aload of rubbish, my sister swears by primark skinnys they make my legs look like carrots though Hmm

i cant get jeans right anywhere Sad

kingbeat23 · 02/04/2012 21:58

Primark ultra soft super skinnies are my new found jean as they sit higher than any of the other jeans and so just below the belly button, not on my hips, anything that sits on my hips in trousers is just a bellyflop waiting to happen! :)

I have now found that with a slim fitting tee (not a stretch tee) or a longer line vest with scarf combo (as someone said above) is a good one for me as i have great legs and bum but boobs smaller and shoulders of a builder, so no spaghetti strap tops for me.

Dresses are tea dresses just above the knee or this....here looks amazing and when i wore it on my birthday got more approving glances from both men and women in one walk down the road than I'd had in my life! :)

Stresstoimpress · 02/04/2012 22:34

Has anyone looked at adinionline? Some "interesting" fabrics but would love some advice re styles am tall and a size 18/20 having reduced from a 26. Still reduCing but am def an apple. Actually more like a slim person with a large rubber ring round middle!

ViolaCrayola · 03/04/2012 14:22

I am an apple shape (just realised I am actually) and wear dresses every day. I find the most flattering styles are with an empire line but also an A line skirt -preferably one that flares away from the tummy. Something like this? I usually wear above the knee dresses with tights and boots. Plus short-ish cardis to emphasise waist. Scarfs are always good if feeling particularly tummy-ish!

I am pregnant ATM - the BEST time to be an apple IMO - you can stick your tummy out for once and look slim-ish elsewhere! Although towards the end the big boobs and enormous tummy start to look a bit funny together...

MoaningMinnieWhingesAgain · 03/04/2012 14:34

YY loved being pregnant, looked relatively really slim then! Wore bikinis happily which I never usually would. Maternity jeans fit me really well as they are designed for fat bellies like mine Grin

graceinabundance · 03/04/2012 19:03

You guys have given me hope - Im the only apple I know and I am not a happy bunny nor well dressed.

Wish we could have an apple party and try stuff on, IM atrocious and have almost lost the hope of ever looking good - I mean EVER

:(

Original poster
helloitsme · 03/04/2012 19:10

Oh Grace! There has been some lovely stuff linked in this thread, I hope you find something that inspires you!
What do you girls think of this? I am still new to finding dresses that work, and noticed quite a lot of different styles suggested on the thread, so interested to know what you think.

Also, belts...is this the look that some people are suggesting? some people have said waist belt are great, some say they don't work at all, so I'm trying to figure out exactly what the look is.

OP posts:
Original poster
helloitsme · 03/04/2012 19:11

ps - thanks for swimsuit and dress recommendations by the way. am avidly looking at all and making mental notes for next shopping trip when I can actually see the impact of it all on my tummy!

OP posts:
kingbeat23 · 03/04/2012 23:00

tbh, i fucking hate belts as for me, it feels like an accesory that is accentuating my tummy and not hiding it. I love, love, love the link to the dress you've put and would look wonderful if you have great pins.

I try and hide my tummy with other accessories like bracelets and scarves, but then i've always been shit with accessories! :)

p.s. i have found the 5 pack of shorts from sainsburys have been fab for me in terms of cheap and crappy underwear as they are seamfree and are quite high cut, £5 for 5 and rather than inbetween sizes (12-14 et al) come in individual sizes.....just a thought

(you'd think that being in fashion retail i'd know how to dress myself, but other people.....no probs!!!!!!!!!!!!:) ) if you're near east london and have time on your hands i'll be of help, plus a decent bra IN THE CORRECT SIZE will do wonders for you

ElasticNipples · 03/04/2012 23:14

oh i love that combo! the only problem i would have is the gathering of fabric in the middle of the waist- makes me look bloated.

but you have to remember that we are all built diffrent and what suits you may not suit me and vise versa.

when you go shopping take a camera with you and try stuff on and take pics, a photo always shows up if something is right or wrong Smile