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)!

And I'm in love with my new M&S work trousers. They look fab with heels!

Also as someone mentioned already, the Boden Rainy Day Mac is very flattering. The colours and prints are not everyone's cup of tea though

I have an m&s mac from 2yrs ago, very similar and a lovely blue.

Those work trousers look lovely, really flattering!

Bodicea I find that 'J' by Jasper Conran at Debenhams cut perfectly for inverted triangles and apples. I get a lot of my work wear from there. If you can't face the colour riot that is Boden, this is an alternative from there. www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_017010412043_-1

I'm this shape! I hate my upper arms and lack of waist.

what do you think of this dress for apples?

www.cosstores.com/gb/Women/Dresses/Draped_neck_dress/46881-23266212.1#c-24480

That's a gorgeous dress Nigellas guest Hides a multitude of figure flaws while showing off the legs.

My tribe! I live in skinny jeans from river island and stretchy tops. I've learnt to do only t shirt bras as you don't get the lace poking through. Down side is that my cleaner assumes my clothles are DPs. So I end up not finding stuff.

Watching for tips.

Nigella's guest - gorgeous dress! I hear good things about Cos. I find jumper/t-shirt/tunic dresses are most flattering, but you have to watch they are not too baggy and shapeless.

I used to have lovely cocktail dress from J by Jasper Conan, in another life before children.

Whoever said on this thread the Hush Santa Monica dress was unflattering and shapeless, you were RIGHT

Hideous things, I even bought 2 colours. Going straight back.

Now that we're heading into summer, I thought I'd give this thread a re-boot!

Is anyone else VERY unimpressed by this year's fashion offerings? I find that once again, if you're not 22, tall and thin then there's not a lot out there in terms of beautiful, wearable, flattering fashion at the moment and I find that at my age I've seen it all before, many, many times "not fucking flares and fringing AGAIN."

I think am an apple shape, in fact I know I'm definitely an apple shape & I think I'm inverted triangle too. I see myself as an upright walking bulldog. Not great from any angle!

You all seem to have lovely narrow backs, I'm a 38D!

Tunic tops, I find, can make me look pregnant. Boxy style tend to make me look like a fridge. Perhaps somewhere in the middle might be better?

Skinnie jeggings I get mine from Sainsburys - but I'm guessing from the way I described myself above, you won't be rushing to buy anything I say!!!!

Great thread by the way :)

Arf! at 'upright walking bulldog.' You sound lovely NinjaBriefs but I know exactly what you mean. My top half is bigger than my bottom half so I always stick to darker, plain colours on top, which fit and skim. Don't be tempted to go down the loose, billowing route or you'll end up looking like Letitia Dean.

I think the key is to skim the fecker when it comes to our shape, so not loose, not tight but shaped and skimming the problem areas is best. I've found over the years that the best thing to do if you have an unusual figure is to find a tailor (wedding dress shops are great) who will adjust your clothes.

I take loads of things to my local bridal shop to be fitted, including coats, jackets, dresses, tops, blouses etc. They're more than willing to provide a service and it normally costs between £8 and £20 so a real bargain if it means you can get tailored clothes. The fit makes all the difference. I often buy a size 14 and then get it altered to fit. It then means that the shoulders and sleeves are wide enough and long enough to fit but the rest doesn't hang like a tent. The seamstresses marvel at my thigh gap and lack of hips like it's a good thing. It's difficult being a good size or so smaller on the bottom than the top because it's the opposite of what most manufacturers produce.

I agree that Sainsburys skinny jeggings are perfect for apples. I also like < whispers > Wallis jeans/jeggings. They have skinny legs and hips but a more generous waist.

I'm both an inverted triangle and a pear simultaneously. My measurements are 33-27-38 (pear, yes?) but I have very, very broad shoulders on a 28DD chest. My shoulders are fractionally wider than my hips so I have to dress to suit my shoulders which are size 10/12 compared to my ribs (size 6).

Things that suit my shoulders:

• Vee neck, low slash, lowish scoop neck
• Pendants on a slightly longer chain that finishes in the top 1/3 of my boobs
• Sleeveless pencil dresses
• Long sleeved shirts unbuttoned to just above cleavage with arms rolled up
• Vee neck wrap dresses
• Cropped jackets and cardigans
• Single button blazers

I get most things tailored to fit, I buy jackets/dresses and get a tailor (Ma Tailors in London) to take side seams in, as nothing fits me off the rail.

Things that look atrocious on my shoulders:

• Any detail whatsoever on shoulders (seams/beading)
• Short, round necklaces
• Round neck tops
• Shift dresses/tops that hang straight from the shoulders
• Tunics

Interesting rubybleu

Do you like your shoulders or do you find them a pain and try to cover them at all costs? are they the straight across type or the rounded/sloping type?

I'm often told that I have 'man' shoulders. It's true. My shoulders and arms look very manly and I'm often asked if I play tennis. I have very slim, muscular legs too so it's a shame my middle looks like play-do.

Ninjabriefs are you measuring correctly at 38D? Underband but NOT adding inches? Bending over to measure your bust (not just putting the tape across your chest whilst standing?)

Sainsburys do the best jeans for inverted triangle/Apple shapes imho, very reasonably priced too (especially if you get them on 25% off days). Their jeggings are amazing and don't lose their shape like many others.

Frostycake Well im going on a measurement from a store quite a while ago, I've always been a 38 across, hmm haven't measured myself in years & the last time I did I was doing exactly as you described! Pretty sure though even if I measured again it'll be 38-40!!!

Frostycake for all my shoulders cause me grief when shopping, I quite like them. They are square, I think. Showing off my collarbones is definitely a flattering look, but I can't wear strapless or very thin straps.

Topshop Joni skinny jeans are amazing for apples.
M& S jeggings work their way down on me.
Next were useless.
But not the Joni - they are high waisted.
No other brand comes close.

I find Next useless generally. Their shoulders in tops/jackets/dresses stop while mine carry on.

Their trousers and jeans have too much material around the bum and hips too so I end up with elephant arse syndrome (baggy pants) or worse - two 'ears' flapping at the side of my thighs.

rubybleu I have the square type too. I think they can look nice if I am thin but easily stray into 'shot putter' territory if I put weight on.

I agree that shoe-string or spaghetti straps look terrible. I like thick straps (at least one inch wide, preferably two inches).

Autumn re-boot for the Apple/Inverted Triangle Thread!

What's everyone wearing now it's gone cooler?

I must admit that it's a relief to dig out my old skinny jeans/slim leg jeans and boots.

I've been on a quest to find the perfect 'transitional piece'

My thread finally! I'm undoubtedly top-heavy, with small boobs to boot, but wide shoulder, big torso, big tummy, boyish hips, flat bum, and long lean legs. But I have large arms too.

Another inverted triangle here. Looking forward to seeing lovely new Autumn clothes and spending more money

Autumn is much easier, you're right!
Living in DP Eden jeggings atm. And ALDI (yes seriously) bamboo Ts (£1.99, gorgeous colours, long, so comfy).