Late 40s, apple shape: what on earth to wear in the summer?

[VikingNorthUtsire]

I've never been great with clothes. Throughout my life, my summer go-to has mostly been dresses - fitted over my (medium) boobs, loose over my (barrel-shaped) midriff and (flat) bum, and showing off my legs which are undoubtedly my best feature. I'm 5'6" and size 12ish except for my waist which is probably a 16 at least (and I know, this isn't a healthy shape - I run and exercise a lot but appreciate I probably also need to lose a bit of lockdown weight)

The last couple of years I have really struggled to find anything which suits me when the weather turns warm. Shorter styles with bare legs look too young on me now (also really out of proportion) while anything below the knee (including maxi dresses) makes me look matronly. I struggle to wear anything with a visible waistband as my middle is so wide, so while I love harem pants and long skirts on other people, they emphasise my widest area and I feel huge.

Around the house I'm very happy in shorts and a T-Shirt but can't find a look that works for my age and shape when I'm out in public.

If you're a similar age and shape, what do you wear in the summer?

i know you cant do this till after lockdown is lifted, but what i did a few years ago when i had got into a major style rut was go to a shop i liked and asked a sales assistant who looked well turned out, and a similar age to me, to help. she came up with a load of stuff i would never have looked at and i just tried loads on and came out with several outfits. i think some stores like john lewis have specific people that do this - but i just went at a quiet time and asked for help

I wear t shirts or tops with skirts that come in at around or just below knee level. Also wear long shorts and slim fitting ankle grazer length trousers.
Sadly dresses are no good on me, am shorter than you though.

I know it gets sniffed at on here but tunics and close fitting cropped leggings/jeggings and capri trousers. Generally no empire lines- straight cut tunics in plain colours. I add interest with jewellery shoes etc.

I have found bandeau culotte jumpsuits surprising flattering for when it is really hot. Baring shoulders seems to slim the rest down visually.

In person shopping will definitely help! Online is great if you know what you want, but I think I'm going instinctively to the same styles that suited me 10, 20, even 30 years ago, then wondering why I can't pull an outfit together.

I do like a bandeau top as I have slim shoulders. Bandeau maxi dresses look dreadful on me but I will put jumpsuits on a list to try when the shops reopen.

I love skirts on other people but really struggle with the waistband thing. Tucking in makes my waist look even worse.

Following as I have similar issues. Good legs and arms and matronly in the middle. I gravitate towards layers which works great most of the year but struggle in the really summery weather.

How would you be with long dresses? I love them in the summer. You could try a shirt type style (sleeveless) to show off your top half. Also try something that skims your middle. Like this www.baukjen.com/collections/dresses/products/milly-dress-carob-fruit-print

I find them so cool and airy. I do a lot of walking around and where I live is windy so even though my legs are my best bit I prefer a long dress so it’s not blowing up showing my pants!

Why not get a few and try them. Put some photos up and we’ll give you feedback!

I know you said that you don't like long dresses- but this one is incredibly flattering and will be cool for summer- needs to be sized down one or possible two sizes for best fit.

I have a black and navy one of these (they are in clearance section of Next now) and have received loads of compliments. The bandeau bit sits higher than it looks so sits above waist level. Cool material too- sized true to size.

Mentioned it on another apple thread but these dresses are a core bit for my summer wardrobe. Nice cotton, good length and slimming. All from Next. Their cropped leggings are excellent too for a no fuss capsule for summer.

A sleeveless linen shift dress, just at the knee. M&S sell them every year.

Thanks for the ideas 😊

I had a linen shift last year which was gorgeous on the hanger but awful on me. The fabric hung straight down from my boobs and I looked like I was wearing a tent. It was a cheapy though (Matalan I think) - maybe something with a better cut would be more flattering? I'll check out M&S.

I really like the Baukjen dress, although £140 is well above my normal budget. I do think part of my problem is that I still budget for clothes like a 20 year old! No-one my age looks good in a £10 dress, do they....

Was going to mention Next Shift Dresses also!

They have linen ones every year - plain and patterned. Shift dresses are a godsend for apples.

Fairly sure LA Redoute is brilliant for shift dresses also. Wallis is another shop that's always reliable for them (is Wallis still around?)

I think you might need to go for separate pieces instead of dresses. Or you could wear your usual dresses with capri length leggings underneath maybe, if you suit the short length but don't want to show too much leg.

This sort of top, (or maybe like that with shorter sleeves), over these sorts of shorts maybe?

I wear mostly harem pants with a looser top that covers my midriff.

Also A line skirts and dresses just above the knee when I want to look a bit smarter.

Slimmer linen shirt with slim, possibly cropped trousers, I would say.

Or non linen shirt/interesting top with slim linen trousers.

I am short and apple shaped with fat legs.

I have a Next shift dress.
I look enormous (maybe because I am)
But it is comfortable.

I am watching with interest. Although I find anything that is described as long trails on the floor

I'm a size 18/20, I like empire lines as the largest bit of me is my stomach/waist/boo so with a flat bum and skinny legs.

I also like dresses that have a drawstring waist. I've attached a photo of me just before going out for dinner ( when we still could ) in that kind of dress, it skims over my tummy and shows off my smallest part ( my legs ). I've also attached a photo of a recently purchased linen dress with a drawstring waist from joules.

shift dresses do nothing for me as hang straight from my boobs and just look large and boxy as opposed to being able to pull the waist in.

I'm 49 and don't want to dress 'trendily' but don't want to look frumpy either. I love maxi dresses too as they are so forgiving and can make you look quite slim as an apple.

I have to wear wide leg trousers mostly with shorter tops because of the imbalance between my top half and my skinny legs. There are lots of good options for an apple even an extreme apple like me.

@VikingNorthUtsire

Thanks for the ideas 😊

I had a linen shift last year which was gorgeous on the hanger but awful on me. The fabric hung straight down from my boobs and I looked like I was wearing a tent. It was a cheapy though (Matalan I think) - maybe something with a better cut would be more flattering? I'll check out M&S.

I really like the Baukjen dress, although £140 is well above my normal budget. I do think part of my problem is that I still budget for clothes like a 20 year old! No-one my age looks good in a £10 dress, do they....

Yes that price is a shocker! There are normally 20% off codes floating around. I gritted my teeth and bought it and have had so many compliments. You can also wear a jumper over it in autumn and wear it as a skirt...

Also if you like the Baukjen one have a look here
www.east.co.uk/collections/sale-dresses

There are some really nice ones. I like this
www.east.co.uk/collections/sale-dresses/products/amelie-organic-cotton-midi-dress

I'd never thought of a drawstring waist but definitely recognise your comments Wags about shift dresses hanging and looking boxy. I do find that some fabrics work better than others - I have a lovely viscose shift dress, v plain, v lightweight, which I bought for travel as it doesn't crease, but it is one of the few that I can wear, I think the lighter fabric stops that "box" effect.

Love the bodice (is that a granny word?!) on the East dress. Thinking a more structured top half might avoid the boob shelf effect.

Following with interest as I have similar problems, especially in the summer! In winter I wear any above the knee dress, jacket or cardigan, thick tights and chunky ankle boots which seem to balance me out.
I look beyond frumpy in maxi dresses and midi dresses, and shift dresses hang off my boobs and can make me look pregnant.
What I really do not understand is how friends who are several sizes bigger than me can look amazing in a pleated midi skirt and a tucked in top - while I look and feel enormous in the same!!

@VikingNorthUtsire

I'd never thought of a drawstring waist but definitely recognise your comments Wags about shift dresses hanging and looking boxy. I do find that some fabrics work better than others - I have a lovely viscose shift dress, v plain, v lightweight, which I bought for travel as it doesn't crease, but it is one of the few that I can wear, I think the lighter fabric stops that "box" effect.

Love the bodice (is that a granny word?!) on the East dress. Thinking a more structured top half might avoid the boob shelf effect.

Yes that’s a good thought on the fabric. The viscose is more flowy than linen.

Have a look here, you can search by fabric.
www.aspiga.com/

Yes agreed fabric can make a massive difference.

I saw a gorgeous shirt on the monsoon website recently and it was described as 'poplin' I ordered it and it hung horribly, it was 'crispy' and too starchy, perhaps it would have improved with washing but the cut, length and everything would have been perfect if it hadn't been for the fabric

I do think that a structured top may help the bottom half of a top/tunic/dress hang better, I love silk too although it needs to be a good quality thicker sort of silk for it to hang well. M and S do some nice silk tops that are quite 'boxy' but teamed with the right bottoms can be balancing

Not original but I am also apple shaped, I think skinny jeans preferably in a dark denim and a floaty top can look good, with heels or a nice pair of trainers.
I have a bias cut midi dress with black stripes on a dark green background . The stripes are slanted and the waist is elasticated. Weirdly maybe it works.