What shape of dress for an apple?

[MrsMcGregor]

I haven't bought a dress in years. It needs to be casual/smartish rather than dressy. Don't want strappy. Do want a longer length but not maxi. Does such a thing exist? It needs to disguise my horrendously rounded middle although the rest of me is slim .... which makes the middle look worse .

Where on earth do I start?

Thanks

Sorry no ideas but watching with interest!

If you're an apple you should have good legs so can you go a bit shorter?

Good legs? Noooooooooo! Varicose veins, skinny and white. Not to be shown off.

Think you are my long lost twin Mrs McGregor, lots and lots around the middle, my mother affectionately calls it "thickness" skinny veiny legs, plus 38A cup size - how am I even married???? Did you check out LK Bexxet?? kinda expensive but good for the apple types, some of their dresses are cut just above waist/below boobs, so eye drawn to thinner part of torso. Good length as well.

Twins apart from boobs then .... mine seem to be shrinking daily! Which serves to make my middle look vaster! No, I hadn't thought of LKB although I was perusing shoes on there this evening but will go back and look at dresses. Thanks Skyler!

Are your varicose veins lumpy? If not, you should show off your skinny legs in opaque tights and a just above the knee dress /skirt , come the autumn

Shift dress showing off your nice slender arms and elegant neck and skimming your tummy. Possibly with an open jacket, but really you want to show off your arms.

I would also say shift dress or loose tunic style. Make sure its looks neatly fitted around the neck and shoulders to give yourself shape and structure, otherwise you will look to baggy and a dress size bigger. Also a busy pattern helps disguise lumps and bumps.

Was browsing the Avenue57 blog yesterday and was directed to an amazing new (and free) online personal adviser from Wallis - you enter your details and they make recommendations:

Wallis Style Adviser

A swing dress is a good bet, as long as the neck and shoulders are fitted and you have your legs and arms on show

Thank you. I wouldn't have considered a shift dress because my tummy really does stick out - same thing with pencil skirts. Sadly, Kristina, said veins are bumpy. Where should I look for shift and swing or tunic dresses? Meantime I shall browse HoF or JL. Will check your link out, Dudess, thanks!

Of you are a true apple (carry weight around your middle, sloping shoulders and a flatfish bum), I'd look for something that drapes from the bust but nothing too voluminous. Keep the neckline open, a soft v for example and length to finish just below the knee. Keep it really plain and then go to town on accessories, lots and lots of bangles and a chunky necklace. Funky shoes and bag. The idea is you're detracting from your not so good bits by drawing the eye to your jewellery.

Sometimes rectangles get confused and think they are apples. A rectangle has a much straighter shoulder line and frame but can also carry weight around the middle hence the confusion.

Go for it, you'll look stunning :-)

*If not of!!!

i always find \link{Broad Colney Lakes Nature Reserve\these} sort of dressers flatter my apple shap

oops obviously not that link! www.karenmillen.com/fcp-product/103DS27840