The Apple & Inverted Triangle Thread

[Frostycake]

I can't see any recent threads on this topic so thought I'd start one.

For those of us who are 'blessed' with top heavy figures - whether that is in the form of big norkage or broad shoulders - and don't have the worry of big bums or saddle-bags perhaps a bit of a tummy though

It seems really difficult to find style/fashion advice for non-pears, which doesn't focus on how to hide your bum, hips, thighs, legs, so I thought I'd even out the playing field.

I thought we could have lists (god, I love lists) on which shops and makes or styles are 'apple' friendly (both high street and online and both cheap and expensive, so come and add your favourite apple/inverted triangle friendly shops, web sites, blogs, online retailers (in this and other countries) so that we have a one stop shop resource for all things apple/inverted triangle.

here's what I've learned so far which has helped me find my kind of clothes.

Boden: Bistro crops are perfect for apples as they have a larger waist than you'd expect for the hip size and the legs are narrow.
Topshop: Kristen jeans / leggings are perfectly cut for apples
DKNY/Donna Karan - everything fits.
Monsoon - great if you avoid the over-bedazzled stuff
Phase 8
FatFace
The White Company
Biubiu
Saint Bustier
dd-atelier
Pepperberry
Joules
Ralph Lauren
PURE
COS
Other stories
White Stuff

My favourite blog is styleisalanguage simply because they show stylish, beautiful women of all ages. I also like theschoolrun and wearingittoday (WIT). I know a lot of Mumsnetters don't like WIT but I like her simply because she looks normal and un-model-like so I can imagine wearing what she's wearing. I also like doesmybumlook40 but I'm not that fashionable and fear I may look quite mad if I tried to emulate her look. (I look middle-aged whereas I don't think she does due to being thin and wearing dark sunglasses)!

Handkerchief hems bring me out in hives Could never contemplate those.

I don't know how to layer ... [wails]

Hello all, can I join this thread please? I am probably a 'straight' figure but tend towards apple when I gain weight as it all gathers around my midriff making me look pregnant (which is ironic and sad as have been trying for 7+ yrs and just look it sometimes) I am 5ft 9" size 12 with 34" legs, long arms and small boobs. I struggle to find flattering shapes to wear.

I have been nodding like a crazy thing at some of the stuff already said here, although I am only a size 12 I get camel toe or the 'V' happening at the crotch and hate it! I like skinny jeans but tend to layer the top half, usually involving a long layering vest.

I have very recently bought new jeans in GAP, called slim straight, they are very slim fitting but not skin tight at the ankles so a nice change from super skinnies. The best bit is they are high waisted so hold the tummy on nicely without muffin top. I got a very soft dark grey / faded black colour but will be back for the indigo version .

I also got a dark grey heavy jersey biker style jacket in GAP and it is a very flattering shape one me. I love it and which there were more colours!

I trend to wear a short of shell shape nice top (lots from boden and french connection, similar to Ravello style from Boden) and wear then with small fitted blazers / cardigans, skinny or straight jeans and chelsea boots / brogues for work. I have quite a few colour variations of this style and feel it works reasonably well.

For more formal wear I find, counter intuitive though it seems, dresses with an inbuilt wait (esp if it is slightly high) are far more flattering than empire line or full skirted.

It is such a challenge though and I am regularly envious of my more pear shaped pals and colleagues....

I love seeing the recommendations on this thread though and have been clicking all the links like a maniac!

Frosty thanks for the link to calculate your body shape. It reckons I'm a spoon shape!! I've never heard of that one before. It reckons I have a defined waist - ha! My measurements are bust 40, waist 38, hips 43, so not much definition I think!

Noddy- if you know how to style it, it works.

No I think naff no matter what size or shape you are!

I have several of these shaped jumpers and they are so flattering but I have to get them on eBay as they aren't stocked any longer. They are by far the most flattering shape for my figure but I have to go down two sizes to get the right fit - tight across the norks and drapey below. They finish at my slimmer hip level so create the illusion of not much going on in the middle.

here

I have this jumper in black, navy, pink,light aqua,grey,camel and red and I get asked about them all the time.

I find you exceptionally rude Noddy and not in the least helpful.

I don't like anything shaped/handkerchief/waterfall etc just not me too 'per una' fancy. I am sure others like. I prefer a simple silhouette with less bits hanging iykwim.

Why is that rude I don't like them and I am just saying!

No, you aren't just saying you don't like them but are making sneering comments about them looking naff no matter what size/shape you are.

Oh AND we managed to squeeze a little passive/aggressive Per Una mention I see. Here have a

Fair enough if they aren't your style. The things you recommend aren't to my taste. The difference is I wouldn't say that the things you linked to look naff on everybody though because I recognise they will suit some people and style is a very personal thing for many.

and I wouldn't be so fucking judgemental

2fat I'm also 50, there is life in us yet!

That's a lovely shape of jumper kissy perfect for layering over long jersey vests too

2fat on the Hush website there are some tutorial videos showing you how to layer

Yay Behooven, glad I'm not the only one

Dancer, thanks I'll have a look on the Hush website. I keep reading about layering, but haven't a clue

FWIW hankerchief hems look too little girly on me, although I like them on others. I can't do fussy at all, unfortunately. At the moment I go for black straight jeans, grey T-shirt and dark grey long cardi or waterfall cardi. If only I could find some comfortable jeans now ... Jeggings are great, but I don't like wearing them without a really long top/tunic to well and truly cover my bum, or they end up looking like tights/leggings.

I'm on my tablet, so can't see the link, KissyBoo.

It's not just a question of clothes that suit your shape, they have to suit who your personal style. I'm not really very girly, but will accessorise boyish clothes with scarves, jewellery, hats etc. Someone else might find that too fussy, someone else might want to look more pretty or feminine.

I personally didn't think Noddy was rude.
I honestly don't get it when people are offended when other people don't like clothes that they like
I think that we need to see that not everyone likes what we like and also that sometimes what we like might be fugly or madly out of date.
Very often I suggest dresses etc on threads and they are madly sneered or openly laughed at but so what, they are only dresses and my opinion is what counts

Kissyboo I've just ordered some of the things you linked to, feel free to send any more tips my way! It sounds like we are the same shape, but I'm icky about dresses. I used to wear jeans, but finally realized the extra bulk at tge waist was a terrible idea, right now I live in elasticated waist black trousers, but I've ordered that black dress, I'll give it a go.

The thing is, what shoes do you wear with those? I tend to go for either trainers (when my knee is bad) or ankle boots. I expect ballet flats look good, but I need more foot support than that!

I honestly don't get it when people come onto threads and just state that something is vile without offering constructive criticism. It has an air of the superior bitch.....

Gatorade my shoe collection is, er,somewhat extensive and varied but the beauty of that dress is that it can be worn all year round and goes with everything. I like supportive shoes too so wear a lot of Fly London,Birkenstocks,biker boots, slouchy buckle suede boots, Chelsea boots,handmade Conker POBs,Softinos pull on boots, ballerinas and those converse inspired trainers from New Look ( which are wider and more supportive than converse). I also love Camper, El Natualista, Art Company and Toast. I don't like dainty shoes or heels.

For the person who asked about underwear -these are brilliant. They stay put, streamline over the tummy but don't cinch in the waist to create a chub roll above them. They are comfortable unlike other shape wear,they never roll down and you don't get VPL. They also have the added bonus of stopping thigh rub when it gets hot if you like to wear skirts and dresses.

GatoradeMeBitch, where do you find elasticated waist trousers?

I struggle with shoes too. In winter I wear ankle boots mostly, I have some special insoles to wear for support. Around the house and all summer I wear Birkenstocks in dark gold/bronze colour. I would love to wear ballet flats still, but I guess years of doing so have ruined my feet and now they just hurt.

I am laughing out loud at KissyBoo and her Skim over the fecker comment. My thoughts exactly Kissy - skim is best by far. NO belts or, as you rightly point out, we end up looking like an overstuffed, belted bin bag.

I agree on the knicker front too. I've lost count of the number of times I've work normal keks only to go out and after an hour, find that my knickers have slid down under my arse cheeks to form a kind of Maddona-esque bum harness. Awful but I don't know what the answer is as you say, since the demise of high legged knickers and thongs, everything seems to slip down as there's not enough curve to keep em up. Hellish. I now wear M&S mid-rise seam free knickers and to hell with looking frumpy. At least they stay up.

I'm another one who'll put my hands up and admit to having had a breast reduction in the hope of evening up my figure. They're half the size they were (down 500ml / 3lbs) but I still have the shoulders, arms, back and ribcage to contend with.

Anybody attempted waist-training as a last resort? I can't face it.

Kitekit I have the dreaded camel toe even though I'm a size 12 and have a (1") thigh gap. It's bizzare that material collects there. As I said, I think it's due to the extra waist poundage and lack of hips. I've seen it in other women my shape too, that, together with the back seam of jeans that disappears up your back-side. Why?

Does anyone else have freakishly long arms and legs compared to body size? I always have to get the 'long' length trousers even though I'm not that tall and I always struggle with jacket arm length too. One good brand I've found for that is YaYa (I think they're Danish). Very good limb length.

Thanks for the blog recommendation quirkychick - she looks stunning. It's nice to see someone with my type of figure.

I am definitely not a 'superior bitch' and never said anything was vile just that I think its a bit naff which I do. You are the person using bad language and nasty comments