Fellow apples- how can we get a waist?

[kazzawazzawoo]

I'm an apple shape, size 12 - 14, measure about 32 inches round the waist.

Any ideas how best to look like I have a defined waist or even how to get one?

When I lose weight it goes from my bum first.

Is there any shape wear that will help? I have shape wear from M&S but couldn't wear it every day all day, I just wear it for special occasions because it's tight.

Yes I was looking for fashion advice, not weight loss advice

Thanks for the tips. A few of these things I do already- low scoop necks, longline tops, fitted rather than loose fitting, wrap dresses. I never wear belts, haven't tried cropped cardis though.

Is there any underwear that will help clinch in a waist without being uncomfortable t

Re. the underwear, a proper, boned corset will give you a waist and after the initial squeeze of putting it on, I don't find them at all uncomfortable to wear (makes you stand up straight too!). You can't wear it under anything too clingy though. I am a high-waisted apple and wore mine all day beneath a wedding outfit recently that included some wild ceilidh dancing (see photo - it's not drawn tightly, just enough to give me a shape). I think my heels were the most uncomfortable part of the outfit!

Not sure I'd want to go to the faff of wearing one daily, but once it's on, you don't really know it's there :)

I think wrap dresses work well. Especially if you have a large bust.

The v-neck is flattering and the waist is adustable, then skims over the problem belly area, then you get to show off nice legs.

I also find blouson type tops which are a but baggy around the middle but fitted on the hip are flattering; worn with skinny jeans.

FWIW I found the health advice useful, even if it wasn't exactly what the OP was looking for!

Kazza, Gok always used to put women in a loose top, cinched in with a wide belt and then a cropped cardi on top. With that constricting corset shaping underwear, they always looked 100% better, which is where my cardi idea came from. Whether that look is still acceptable in the world of S&B I have no idea though!

Thanks, Doing. I didn't see much of Gok, but that seems to make sense.

I'm similar in terms of size and quite busty with it and find that skinny jeans with a tunic top work best. The top needs to define my bust area and then hang nicely from there to no look like I'm just wearing something shapeless.

I look like a sack of spuds tied in the middle with anything belted.

M&S are surprisingly good at tops with a good shape in good fabrics. I have things similar to these and feel quite good in them
www.marksandspencer.com/pure-linen-pintuck-blouse/p/p22292360
www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-rose-print-top/p/p22316305 (though the bottom frill makes me feel a bit of a drip - that's just me, though)

I actually have this one www.marksandspencer.com/monochrome-floral-blouse-with-silk/p/p22302017

Push up padded bras and A line skirts, preferably shorter skirts as as an apple we generally have good legs, it's a case of draw the attention away from the lack of a defined waist (point 2) and create the illusion of a waist (point 1)

I don't need no padding!

I struggle to find skinny jeans that are comfortable and dont slip down all the time.

ouryve I like the second one but would worry it would make me shapeless and hence fat.

I'm a similar size and shape (and for the record when I dropped to 8stone I was still an apple who needed a size 12 at the waist). I don't try and create a waist, I prefer skinny bottoms then boxy oversized tops. A blazer or jacket can then breate the illusion of a waist, or a Y shaped or long necklace or scarf which draws the eye in. I've never been over 25 BMI although my waist is 31" and it's offensive to suggest losing weight is the solution when it simply doesn't come off that body part.

I agree A line can be flattering, wrap tops and dresses are a big no no on me.

I'm a busty apple and although have great legs ( slim with no cellulite) I can't show them off as it makes me look too top heavy

< sobs >

Agree about the low carb diet tho. Did it a few years ago and got down to 9 stone 3! The weight just dropped off my tummy. ( have put it all on again now as got scared about all the scaremongering about how bad fat is for you. Sigh )

Kazza www.apricotonline.co.uk/mall/productpage.cfm/womensclothing/_5051839138063/489999/Black-Daisy-Print-Dip-Hem-Tunic-Top

Example of top as requested. This sort of shape rather than design. It seems to go against what other apples say on this thread as they seem to avoid floaty tops. I do like wrap tops and dresses but if I wear anything too fitted it bulges over my stomach. A looser top just hides it completely and a long top ensures there's no gap showing my rolls of fat.

As for Jeans I just go for a nice boot cut shape. My last pair were lee cooper.

I've had the best success with Next skinnies, though some definitely need a belt to keep them above my hipbones.

What is going on on this thread???

Nobody posts "I'm a size 18" on a thread and gets a load of people piling int to tell them how unhealthy they are!

Leave the bloody OP and us apples alone. Some of us store fat on our stomachs, that's just how it is at least we don't have great fat arses.

God I'm an apple (a skinny one) and I'd never suggest a wrap dress - they make me look like a lumpen refrigerator.

I second the poster above who goes for the minimising approach - I too wear skinny jeans or trousers w looser tops and boxy jackets. Stay away from belts and wrap dresses at all cost.

I've just googled how to dress an apple and there is some appalling advice. Anything with a belt or a seam around the midriff is out for me, empire lines make me look pregnant and/or frumpy, wrap tops and dresses gift wrap the problem area drawing the eye to the worst bit, cropped jackets or cardis create the illusion of a bigger apple, tunics cover hips and thighs (ie our good bits!) so are best avoided, tops should end at a thin bit so mid hip for me, jackets with one button below bust level create a shape, jackets probably shouldn't be fastened though, I also like boxy collarless jackets. Tops are most flattering on me if the have a slash, boat or cowl neck. Cap sleeves aren't good, elbow length or 3/4 length sleeves are good. High waisted is out, tucking tops in is out. Break up horizontal stripes with vertical detail (long necklace or scarf). Dresses should be boxy and square or a line. Fifties style addresses are horrific on me yet swimming costumes are good. Avoid patterns over the tummy. I wear cross body handbags as shoulder bags as they end at a flattering level whereas bags tucked under the arm hit the fat level. Pencil skirts are BAD. Shirts or blouses should be cut with minimal seams, no darts to narrow it, a classic fit shirt would create the look of a waist for me, whereas slim fit would highlight the problem area. I buy super skinny jeans as they fit me like skinny jeans if I buy to fit my waist. I wear a belt with jeans but this is under my top.

i just bought these jeans from tesco -

www.clothingattesco.com/jeans/f+f-indigo-wash-vintage-skinny-jeans/invt/jl411199&bklist=icat,4,shop,catgwomens,womens-jeans

i found they had quite a large, fairly high waist which strangely stays on my hipbones at the front but not on the back. despite that, i don't need to tug them up but i only wore them for five or so hours today, so maybe when they wear out, i might need a belt but at that price, i'm happy so far.

they do come up quite large so luckily i ordered two sizes.

I bought this dress from TkMaxx last summer,

I am also an apple, size 10/12 but with a waist only slightly smaller than yours (30/31 and D cup boobs) but small hips .... its really really flatteriing and I look like i have a defined waist in it (even viewed sideways )!.. So something similar?

On a side issue Bet those of us with DC all looked gorgeous when pregnant though (the best time to be an apple as you don't mind put weight on round the middle but keeping your skinny limbs and shapely bum)

To poster above who said tunics cover the thighs (our best bits), if you go long but not too long, you skim the tummy but can still show off the thighs. We can do the long top, leggings, nice boots look really well.

I always think Empire can work as it creates a high waist and disguises your middle. I know most people think that they make them look pregnant but if I wore a tight dress I would look in the early stages of pregnancy and you'd see the rolls of skin/fat. At least empire just billows over whatever might lie beneath in a more mysterious fashion.

I'm a short apple at 5'2" so that might explain why tunics and empires aren't good on me, my torso is very short.

But YES re pregnancy, it worked very well for me, I found it very easy to dress a bum whereas hourglasses such as Kim kardasian seem to struggle without a waist

I see ceecee makes sense. I am tall so have a longer body so just need to cover a thick waist rather than elongate my whole body.

Interesting

Tops are most flattering on me if the have a slash, boat or cowl neck.

Which goes to show how much even apples can vary because I have narrow shoulders and a bust and need a scoop neck of some sort, or else I look like a breezeblock.

I also hate wearing jackets, but I rarely need to dress for formal situations.