Apple Shapes! What works for you...?

[babysaurus]

I think I have a reverse version of body dysmorphia and am actually bigger, rather than smaller, than I am. However, some recent purchases have shown that some fresh ideas may be in order while, or if (if), i get round to losing a few stone.

Generally I reckon I dress okay but I was wondering what other apple shaped people wear, and where from. I am round of the middle (ie no waist), horrors big upper arms but relatively slim legs and not too bad a bum.

I feel like a sack of shit in everything at the moment, and don't appear to have any summer clothes at all that fit. I bought some of the M & S apple shape jeans (they are for apple shaped people, they're not round and green) and even they fall down.

I think the warm weather, and subsequent need for less clothes, is having that effect. Crap innit?!
Friends who are bigger than me at least have waists. I think apples are quite hard to dress without simply looking shapeless.

Will watch with interest.

I wear leggings and tunic tops a lot - but no idea if they look good or not.

I currently have no jeans as I cannot find any that fit me properly.

Dresses - Wallis do good selection of wrap/ straight but not too clingy. Jeans with tops/tunics at least hip length. Leggings/footless tights with just above knee dresses/tunics. ( But I am probably older than you, and you might be fine with shorter). Sleeves or cardi/jacket, plus fake tan on arms for hot days! Arm excercises with weights while watching TV on the approach to summer.

I'm quite booby and find that gently fitted tops and slim bottoms work best. Tightly fitted tops obviously don't work at all, since they simply don't fit. Anything not fitted makes me look like a house. Wide trousers take away the one slim bit of me.

Next jeans tend to be cut wide on the waist in comparison to hips - higher waisted ones stay up better.

I am a fat apple. I just bought a peplum dress which I was very unsure about but actually it makes me look like I have a bit of an hourglass figure going on which is nice. Im wearing a lot of straight jeans and bubble hem tops at the moment too. Although I think thats more because Im fat than an apple. Always show some cleavage otherwise I look like a fridge!

Mmm. I'm apple shaped and find that the following work well;

Fitted jackets/blazers (no longer than hip level)
Dresses with ruching/draping around the middle
Cropped flat fronted trousers/jeans
Silk shirts/blouses/tshirts that can be left untucked (hip level)

Peplum dress?! God, youre brave! Not sure I could even bring myself to try one on!

I was desperate! its sort of stretchy fabric and seems to work. Had lots of comments about looking slimmer which is never a bad thing. Mind you I've tried on others which have been hideous. I think it depends where the peplum bit sits iyswim.

this is good for an apple shape

I've had a couple of flattering bargains in summer dresses recently, not normally a dress girl but quite comfortable in these. (Size 16 btw)
this jersey twist dress but with a bird pattern on it, and a cotton wrap dress from Great Plains (Brand Alley) sorry cant link to that one.

I am too and size 12/14. Skinny jeans - new look high waisted are good and shirts are best for me as I need the deep v shirts create to break up my broad shoulders. Also feel that because of the structure they are more forgiving.

Empire dresses are good - have a nice current season boden one atm - has capped sleeved but you could wear a thin cardi.
Other shape that works well is 50s prom dress style cotton daydress rather than posh frock but must have a v neck rather than round and high

Corny linked to my boden dress
Can second the recommendation!

Not only am I apple shaped, I'm short-waisted too. Even when I was a size 12 I had no waist.

Every photo of me looks like I'm trying to escape from quicksand.

If I was religious I would pray for us all.

You wear dresses? I always looked pregnant. Even past 50.

Olgaga - [grin

I'm apple shaped and wear:

Slim leg trousers or jeans (GAP slim crops, fatface skinnies, Topshop high waisted Kristens, Boden linen crops) Heard good things about Boden bistro crops too. Sometimes wear wide legs too - as long as the top part round bum and hips is fitted and worn with a fitted top half these are really flattering.

Cropped ish jackets (just below waist) GAP, sandwich, part two. Swing jackets are good, worn over a fitted dress or slim trousers and top. The jacket ends at hip length accentuating slim legs and hips.

Tops are harder. Need to be looser but not voluminous. Like Boden's ravello top. Also Jaegar in sale, Hobbs, Zara, Great Plains, Whistles seam back tees.

In winter boxy jumpers work well for me: Anthropologie, H and M. I avoid cardigans now as I think they make me look a bit frumpy. But I love the pencil skirt, fitted cardi and heels look.

For non work days I wear dresses (GAP, Mint velvet, White Company, Hobbs NW3, Jigsaw) and SHORTS. Feel like I'm always banging on about this on here but shorts are brilliant for apples. I've got great one from Fatface, Great Plains, M and S. Playsuits also great. Especially halter neck ones.

Going out: I used to go for 50s style dresses but realised this just accentuates my wide waist and swamps my slim hips. Now I go for a narrower, shorter dress tunic to show off my legs, or slim trousers or jeans with a fitted top and some sort of loose lacy jacket or bolero. The jacket edge distracts from the middle bit and ends at the hip.

Wear bags at hip length.

Fatface bottoms are cut for apples. Find Hobbs is too, and some Boden (read reviews to get a feel for this). Mint velvet also. Great Plains sometimes good. Me and Em expensive but appears to suit apples.

As you can tell I have spent far too much time thinking about this. I'm still working it all out though, but feel much happier with my shape and clothes as a result. Apples rock!

feelthis - I have 2 of these dresses that I bought last year. Wear them all the time when it's hot!

Isabella Oliver (or baukjen as they are now called) do nice jeans with a waist that isn't too low and more importantly not too skinny!
They are normally £££ but they drop down to about £30 in the sales sometimes. Have to pay for returns though.

I find being a short arsed apple that skinny bottoms work best as that gives some shape but teamed with an oversized or boxy top. Slash necks work well on me. Tunics are bad on me as they cover the slim bits so I just look fat

Empire line tops with skinny jeans, empire dresses. Get empire line with ties and tie them at the front instead of the back. So much more flattering.

This has more than likely been said, but I am definitely leaning towards being an apple (am tall with massive cans, but have no waist to speak of and a bit of a belly) and what really works for me is dresses. Anything that creates a waist is a winner- whether that be an empire line or some definition lower down. Tunic style things are the worst and should be avoided at all costs. 50s style dresses are also a winner because they force you into a shape. I always wear leggings or tights too because I think they give you a bit of control in the stomach department. And heels are your friend!

Everything that Bill said

Slim bottom half, love Boden Bistro crops and their ankle skimmer jeans. Next cigarette trousers for £28 also good for work. Avoid wide leg trews at all costs. For summer Ive discovered slim fitting maxi skirts are good, nothing flarey or supertight thought. I got this one and am wearing it on constant rotation www.fatface.com/skirts/jersey-paisley-maxi-skirt/invt/42184?source=220_74

Agree the Boden Ravello top also good, have also had success with tops from Next, this kind of thing www.next.co.uk/g88186s6#476665g88 I size up so its roomy. Looks nice with the Boden crops or Next cigarette trousers for work

I think our best friend is a jacket no longer than top hip length, something with a little waist definition so its not too boxy. This is working for me right now but again, size up its small made. Made of jersey so works for casual too www.next.co.uk/x51202s3#963073x51

Oh and also agree about bags at hip length or hand held bags with short straps. Shoulder bags are a DISASTER on me. I only wish it hadnt taken me 40 years to figure that one out

Phase Eight has a fab range of tops suitable for apple shapes.