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.

And I'm long in the body, so tunics end just nicely at my excuse for a bum.

I was more of a pear pre-kids. DS1 completely destroyed my backside. At 10st, when I was 25, I had 39" hips and a 27" waist. At 10st when I was 40, I had 36" hips and a 31" waist.

Pregnant, I was flaming enormous and showed really early. With DS1, I was asked at 9 weeks if I had long to go

My friend is an apple shape and she looks fab on fit and flare dresses .. I'm the same as one of the posters above . I'm hourglass and to get my bum to lose weight my collar bones stick out half a mile !!!!

I used to have a lovely fit and flare navy jersey dress, it was heavy jersey and didn't show the lumps and bumps, I loved it, but wore it til it fell apart. Can't find any more now ..

Apple shape here. I like skinnies with a tight, longer length vest top and a looser v neck top over it. Also agree to open jackets.

Look absolutely horrendous and about 2 stone heavier with a belt tied round my middle.

Longer line tops all the way.

Hula hooping, planking, no fizzy drinks. That all helps!

Fit and flare dresses are everywhere ..try Dorothy Perkins .

kazza Some fit and flare dresses here

I have the purple one and get loads of compliments when I wear it.

This is me too,

I tend to go with either fitted stuff or clothes that skim the waist with emphasis on the lower part of my body (shoes, hems, jeans, trousers etc).

Unless you want to go down the route of waist training/corsets there's not a lot you can do to alter your body shape, just give it the illusion of a waist that's all.

I agree that even when you lose weight, it goes from legs, bum and hips, not belly/boobs/arms. The downside of being an apple/inverted triangle.

FarmyardAnimals - I never could hula hoop and if I tried now I'd probably end up completely immobile. At least I'd stop caring about my belly if I couldn't even stand up.

The fit and flare dresses around are too short.

Am also an apple

I find soft blazer type jackets and cardigans with dress/skirt/ jeans are quite flattering.

Have also ventured into a bikini - size 10 bottom and 34E top. The top is padded and the bottoms have side ties - am aiming fur curvey/ voluptuous and praying no one notices my stomach ( which has endured three c sections)

Yes OP, skater dresses on apples, esp those of us with athletic figures/big shoulders are the work of the devil incarnate.

If your body shape is an apple, you will remain one even if you lose weight

I was a very skinny size 6 apple at 71/2 stone and now I'm a healthy size 10 apple at 9 1/2 stone. My basic shape doesn't change

And for the clever clogs suggesting that cutting out cakes, biscuits, pastries and fizzy drinks will stop you being an apple . Well it hasn't for me . I've not eaten any of these for 5 years and I'm still an apple.

And general exercise , going to the gym, swimming, walking- won't change your apple shape. I run about 70 km a week and I'm still an apple. I do light weights, which have toned up my back ,shoulders and arms. But I'm still apple shaped .

AFAIK the only way to change your body shape is serious weight lifting , I mean the body building type . Which is a great look , if that's your thing, but it's not mine .

< high fives fellow apples >

Kristina I completely agree - although I'm an hourglass, my thighs are stubbornly large, and they rub even when I managed to diet down to a size 8 - now that was a very depressing revelation. But weirdly once I realised it was my shape rather than my weight I became more accepting of my body shape and am happy to be a 10/12 rather than starving myself for the impossible - slim thighs I will never healthily have.

Spanx cami

I'm an apple too (5'6", 11.5 stone, 34 inch waist) and don't normally like to wear shapewear every day because of the 'how do I easily go to the loo' issue but love the above vest. It is really comfortable, holds in my very wobbly belly under fitted tops/jumpers. You need to be wearing either trousers, a skirt or thick tights to tuck it into. And it's machine washable.

And I agree with pp who say the mid thigh length tunic/leggings/boots combo really works for us. I realise it's a MN fashion crime, but as I look bloody marvellous in it, I give not one shiny one!

Size 14 apple too, I wasn't an apple before I had 3 kids, people saying their shape doesn't change if they lose weight, were you an apple before you had kids?

Getting fitted for decent bra made a huge difference but now my boobs look big where as before they were squashed down. Finding tops pull across my chest now used to be my tummy. Tops with buttons always pop open so have to wear a vest under. I definitely look slimmer in fitted clothing, it's taken me a while to realise tunics, maxi dresses and anything loose over the tummy do nothing for me. Long boyfriend style cardigans are not great either shorter cardigans or those jersey blazer jackets look good. I will admit to living in these baggy trousers with a fitted vest at the moment, this year I've bought them a size smaller so they aren't as baggy. Do struggle to find any suitable dresses, wanting to get married at Gretna green, but gave up looking for a dress, don't even want a wedding dress. I do suffer from Ibs and notice fizzy drinks bloat me, and have a feeling bread doesn't help last night had chicken and rice and didn't have any tummy trouble.

Oooh

Even when I was a size 8 my tummy stuck out and I have never been able to see my ribs. I do bikram yoga which has toned back and legs and made me a bit narrower round the waist bit I am still annoyingly thick around the middle.

I meant to ask about peplum tops, can't decide if flattering or not?

I think peplums work if you have a long body, and the peplum isn't too exaggerated. On me (short body) they make me look dumpy...

Bluebell, yes, I was an apple before I had my 3 children.
Back in the day when I was a teenager, early 70's, Chelsea Girl did sizes 9, 11,13, etc as well as 8,10,12 etc. although I was a 34A with narrow hips I still needed jeans and skirts with big waist. Although I could squeeze into a 10 dress I had to have size 13 jeans etc.
40 years on I still have the apple middle and I have given up on it going. I am still fairly straight up and down.
I find the winter clothes much easier to wear. I love the mid thigh tops leggings and boots as it skims the apple bits and highlights the narrow bits.
I don't think apple shapes are hereditary though as my mum and sister are 6" taller than me, size 16+ but with smaller waists than me.
Today I am wearing a summer dress from monsoon via eBay which is fairly straight to the knee with a small gathered frill round the hem and a decorative frill down the front centre if you see what I mean. It skims the waist and hips and hopefully disguises the fact that they are almost the same width as each other!
By the way, I don't know why wrap styles are always advised for big boobs tum etc. I always look like a sack of potatoes in them or a 1940's housewife with one of those old fashioned crossover pinnies!
Wear your best most flattering clothes everyday to feel good about your shapes. Don't save anything for best as today is as important as any day.

Re the buttons popping open. If at all possible, I machine them permanently closed and just leave enough open at the top to get the garment on a nod off. Makes such a difference to the look.

Nod? On and off

But no good for those moments of passion , nanny

" hold on darling, I'll just get me unpicker "

Haha! I was thinking of work type "blouses" I suppose!