Apples - how do you dress? Feeling despondent

[NoveltySlippers]

Evening all

Please help a despondent apple.

This is me:

• All weight collects round my stomach (no waist to speak of)
• Love handles a plenty
• No hips
• Flat bum
• Sizeable boobs
• Chunky arms

Urgh - I just feel so top heavy and unfeminine. I'm 5'3" and a size 12 roughly but not unknown to have size 10 bottoms and size 14 tops.

I constantly have to wear cardigans as I look so shapeless from behind, and a cardigan disguises the fact that I don't really go in at the waist.

I can only wear V necks as anything high necked creates boob-shelf.

I am stuck in a rut and would love to know what other apples wear to make themselves feel good - both work and going out clothes.

My uniform of trousers with cardi is depressing me!

in advance.

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Holly I know, but the thing is whatever size you are the proportion thing is awkward.

It's almost like you can't win. I remember when I was at my lowest weight (a size 10), at 23, my boyfriend at the time said that weight didn't 'suit me' and I should put some weight back on.

And I remember at 16, I wore a belt to school once and someone told me I'd look better if I removed it. And that was when I was a (relatively) slip of a thing at 16!

It must be that the eye can see the proportions aren't right, even if you're slim. I know there's worse things in life, but I do fantasise sometimes about waking up with a waist and hips!

Astronaught have you got any links to the kinds of tops you mean? I just can't think what would work apart from V necks. Would love to have my eyes opened to alternatives.

Pompbear- re the Evans dress, I seem to look chunkier with any sleeves that stop just above the elbow. I don't know why.

Meg wow those dresses are cheap! I like the style. Is the quality of that shop any good? (Hadn't heard of BooHoo before.)

Oh yes, I can see how that sort of top would work astronaught, thanks!

I'm a 16 apple. I got this top for Christmas Day to wear with black skinnies. Honestly it is the most flattering top I've bought for years, the phot on the website doesn't do it any favours. The low shimmer glitter just gives it a bit of sparkle too.

I'm more straight than apple, but also have no waist whatsoever. Top-wise I find wide necklines really flattering, also tops with ruching or other horizontal detail give the illusion of a waist. If you're high and/or short-waisted, avoid tops that are too long-line - something that just skims the hipbones is most flattering ime. Cold-shoulder tops also work well I find. Fussy, feminine details don't work - avoid tea dresses, peplums etc.

I know a few people have said on here that skater dresses are good but they just make me look like a quarterback in drag.

Thanks BeHo. Good price too.

Amethyst, I'm going to have to google skater dress!

...just did. Oh god yes, no - you'd need a waist for that kind of dress, surely?

Well, quite, OP

Ignore the frumpy print, but this sort of shape top www.phase-eight.com/fcp/product/phase-eight/tops/evie-print-top/301620395

I find exposing a bit of shoulder looks better than a deep v neck.

I am an apple, too, (and have just ordered that top, BeHo!) I really love dresses, especially the false wrap style, as I find they give an impression of a waist. Also, if they are jersey, they are more forgiving of the size disparity between top and bottom. This would be a good dress for me.

Personally, I like V necks, quite low, long or 3/4 length sleeves, and more fitted on the hips, stopping just above the knee, as I have good legs. Agree that it's a definite no to anything frilly or fussy around the neck.

Yep, see what you mean about the cowl neck Amethyst.

Knock - I really like that red dress! That model really has hips though and the worry is that it would just sort of hang. Am tempted to go to a Phase 8 shop and try it on though!

Ha - what I wouldn't give to look like this from behind!

That's why I find the stretch aspect quite useful. But yes, definitely try on! I have surprised myself lots of times by trying something on, both when things look far better than I thought they would, and when they looked far worse!!!

knockme hope you like it on as much as I do!

Lurking with interest! Am a misshapen hourglass

I find layering my greatest friend. Also disguising an apron tummy after too many c-sections (God I sound gorgeous!!)

Long coordinating cami tops under skimming tops / blouses look ok on me. I never go down the empire line route, norks are too big and I would automatically look pregnant. Jeans , well structured leggings and slightly a-line or straight skirts suit me best.

I agree with the PP who mentioned Mint Velvet. I am almost identical to you in terms of height and size although I don't know if you look as battered as I do!

Love cowl necks, v necks and boat necks. Raglan sleeves are the work of the devil and make me look like a shot putter on steroids.

I envy my friends who are slightly pear shaped as they have the flattest tummies even after many pregnancies.

This is a great thread OP, thanks for starting it off!

Am I the only one totally in denial about what I look like from behind?

This is a good top from Anthropologie. Gives the illusion of a waist tho the sleeves might not be long enough for you.

No problem Val! So good to know I'm not alone I just find clothes shopping so depressing.

Raglan or puff sleeves are indeed the devil's work!

Hmm yes those sleeves might draw attention to undesirable bits Ginger.

Amethyst maybe you don't look that bad!

I sometimes wear long sleeved skinny tees under tops when I am unsure about the length of the sleeve on the outer garment. A long sleeved top might look ok under the Anthrpologie tunic as opposed to going down the cardigan route (which I am also all in favour of)!

I'm a size 20 and apple shaped. I agree with what Val says and I also like to wear all one colour as a base layer i.e. black trousers and black vest/t-shirt and then wear a coloured jacket/cardigan/gillet, etc. I find this works for me and goes a long way to disguising my tummy.