Dressing to suit body shape

[losingmymindiam]

No matter how overweight or normal weight I am, I just don't have a waist. Obviously it is better the slimmer I am but a lot of clothes look awful because of my shape. I have quite big boobs also and a reasonably flat stomach so side view I can look relatively shapely but front view is awful and anything that emphasises the need for a waist is terrible.

Has anybody got any advice on what to wear?! Thanks!

Loads of info on body shape online.

Are you an “apple” shape?

What do you feel good in at the moment?

My friend who is “apple” shape with big boobs and slim, long legs wears A-line skirts, fitted jeans/trousers, looser tops with low-ish neck, waist length or just longer jackets but not “nipped in”

I've googled it and have a book but still can't seem to get it right! It doesn't help that I am a bit heavier than I would like but the problem I seem to have is skirts look like lampshades and in dresses I look like a matron! Loose tops hang from my boobs and I look pregnant! I don't think I'm an apple as my stomach is quite flat - I just don't go in at the waist from the front view!

I’m the same. Very high, undefined waist and although I am tall and slim anything belted makes me look like a man in drag. Tops that finish at my hip bones, mid rise jeans, shift dresses all work. I can wear some wrap style dresses but they have to be asymmetrical and without a waist tie.

You could be a goblet shape, from the susannah and trinny book, or a brick shape, not a nice name. It a straight top half with little waist definition and maybe slim hips, that's my shape.

I like Imogen Lamport's classifications of body shapes - insideoutstyleblog.com/2010/05/more-on-how-to-figure-out-your-body-shape.html

Thanks for the link - I will take a look. Half the problem is I can't really tell what my shape is!! I don't have long skinny legs, basically if I had a waist I would be an hourglass as my bottom half balanced my top half but doesn't really go in at the waist... maybe I'm just fat..!! Just need some ideas of what to wear that won't look dumpy!!

You can be a thin apple! It's just about body proportions!

Even at my very slimmest when I was only nine stone and 5ft 6" I had no waist, nothing. I am very straight up and down but with quite big boobs and slim legs and slim hips. But now I'm 3 stone and two pregnancies heavier, and my torso and tummy is very rounded and thickened. I really hate it but it's genetic, all the women in my family are the same shape. Thank God I'm relatively tall.

Yes, “apple” doesn’t mean round tummy! My “apple” friend and family members are slim but still this shape.

I like the categories in the blog a PP mentions, and there are good blogs / images on line showing a selection of clothes for specific body types, but don’t find the blog’s info on how to determine body type easy to follow. I identified my type by looking at those.

I know it's not for everyone on here but I bought a Styled by Susie analysis, I got the results back today and really happy with it. Like you I'm not great at analysing myself and am finding my feet at being stylish. Might be worth a try.

Inverted triangle? Are your shoulders wider than your hips OP?

OP, have you tried shirt dresses? They work on such a variety of body shapes I think. Some of them are more tunic- or shirt-style which is the type I'd normally choose as I'm wee and dumpy, but my friend is maybe the same shape as you describe (she calls herself a rectangle!) and she suits the type with a slight more fitted top half and the skirt part slightly flared.

Thanks for the suggestions so far - I will investigate! Ivy shoulders and hips are about the same and quite broad but I don't go in at the middle so yes maybe a brick or rectangle (how sexy...!) I know what doesn't look good, but I need some ideas what to try that looks better!

*my

One of the problems I have with things like shirt dresses is that they hang from my boobs and make me look pregnant or have a tie around the waist, which on me is non existent so looks terrible!

Yeah, I can't wear dresses with any sort of tie waist, elasticated bit at the waist etc. All of my shirt dresses just button down the front. I have a fairly extensive range of dresses, but none that I've bought this year so I can't link to them.

Sorry, hope someone else can help x

I’m fucking leng swear on my mums my body is like some model shit there fir I don’t wear anything apart from a bikini

Look at Meghan Markle, she dresses well for what might be a similar shaped waist to yours?

You sound a bit like me. Basically I find the most flattering shapes include a v neck, some sort of tailoring/darts/shaping around the waist, and if it’s a skirt it ideally needs to be A -line or flare out slightly over my bum and thighs.
Things that look hideous on me include shirt dresses and boiler suits, they just make you look like you are wearing a sack. Not sure if that helps!

Firstly OP I'm sure you are and can be sexy

If you are comfortable with it post a picture from your neck down to protect your anonymity and I'm sure we can help.

Ok here is a pic.

I would say your a rectangle OP, but could be an oval.
You have a great shape really good shaped boobs, and your legs are a nice shape.
I would start with what styles are you like, does colour make you feel good or do you prefer neutral shades? For example I feel generally boring and not good in black I wear it but usually with something bright. I also barely ever wear jeans or trousers I just that great in them. But for some people that's their go to outfit.

Also buy clothes that fit your lifestyle so if you need smart for work and then spend the rest of the time casual focus on those areas so you have something to wear that makes you feel great the majority of the time.

A couple of people have had success with styled by Susie and stitch fix on the shopping our wardrobes thread. It's also a good way to see what normal women wear rather than models.

If I was you I'd wear things that enhanced my boobs doesn't have to be low cut if you don't want just fitted and showed the nice shape my legs are.

Just been having a look online because I bored, restless and don't want to get on with the house work
Some of these would look great on you. The dress with buttons I've seen in a few places the problem is if you have hips in the wrong place of slightly bigger than your boobs they usually pull but because you are in proportion I think it would work. Not so sure about that loose t shirt dress but 🤷‍♀️

@sickoffamilydrama thanks! I will investigate further some of these! If only I could go to shops and try some things on... sigh!

You look like a "column" in the picture. Take advantage of your relatively broad shoulders to "hang" clothes on you. Longline cardigans with a semi-fitted shirt underneath might work. A flowy wide leg trouser with a plain top too.

You also have nice toned lower legs. Would you be confident in a knee length dress?