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Calling all apples... (let's share tips and good finds that suit our shape)

221 replies

CountessDracula · 09/05/2008 19:28

I thought it might be a good idea to share our good finds that suit our shape.

I saw an apple in a gathered full skirt today. It looked dreadful. It made me think that there must be loads of us on mn. What is your favorite outfit? What do you get complimented most in?

"Apple shaped tends to describe women who have wide torsos (full bust, waist and upper back), as they store body fat around the mid section of their bodies (stomach, abdomen and chest). Such women have relatively slim thighs and upper legs. Apple shaped women often have a 'top-heavy' appearance, with a bust and midriff bigger than their hips, a prominent tummy and a flat bottom.

To assess whether you are apple shaped, again measure your hip-waist ratio; if the ratio is greater than 0.8, then you are apple shaped.

If you are apple-shaped then you are in good company ~ other famous UK 'apples' include the beautiful Elizabeth Hurley and Oscar winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones.

What to wear if you are an 'apple'

Trousers and skirts that are straight. Avoid very fitted or tailored garments, particularly those with well defined waist bands as these will only draw unwanted attention to your mid-section
Avoid mixing and matching many different colours. Choose monochromatic outfits, as the use of just one colour will create an overall impression of length that will focus away from your width
Tops should cover the hip area and be worn over tapered trousers that flatter slimmer legs. Shorter skirts also help to draw interest to your lower body region. Light coloured hosiery (preferably 'nude') will help focus attention on your legs
Pockets should be avoided as often these can be unflattering and attract unwanted attention to the upper body"

allegedly

OP posts:
MissingMyHeels · 09/05/2008 20:32

I'm an apple - find pencil skirts, high heels and shirts very flattering, work wise. Tend to denim mini and black v-neck tops (ideally that have a flare) or a colourful cotton smock type thing, ideally fitted around norks.

MissingMyHeels · 09/05/2008 20:34

This I bought yesterday and looks good.

AitchTwoCiao · 09/05/2008 20:37

okay, i hate per una with a passion but i have these jeans. they're nice and comfy on the waist and come a good bit higher than normal stoopid lo-rise jeans so actually control your tummy a bit. this means, i have found, that you can actually buy a smaller size that will fit an apple's non-arse and thighs because it Actually Fits At The Waist!

wineplease · 09/05/2008 20:38

Love the top although I can't wear wee straps due my massive bust. New look do have some fab summer clothing in stock just now.

redadmiral · 09/05/2008 20:39

I discovered Betty Barclay last year when I bought a fantastic linen jacket. I've only bought one other thing since as I haven't liked all the styles and colours, but she often seems to get it very right for my body shape - as above really...

Botbot · 09/05/2008 20:41

Oooh I'm one. I have great legs (honestly, they really are properly great) but I'm very tubby round the middle ? size 18 tubby. Like wineplease, I wear size 18 jeans but am always tugging them up because they fall off my arse. Am currently wearing Dorothy Perkins skinny jeans, which fit my waist but are far from skinny on the legs - positively baggy. In fact, I reckon I've got a size 18 waist but size 12 legs!

Last year was blinking great - lots of empire-line/tunicy tops and leggings. But I was really dismayed at the wide trousers and filmy little blouses around this year - I do have some wide trousers but they don't look great, especially since I'm a bit of a shortarse too, and anything that buttons down the front makes me look like my mum. My gran if it's floral.

I'm glad I found this thread because I've just come away from a session in front of the full-length mirror miserably prodding my flabby bits and thinking 'I really shouldn't have a glass of wine tonight because I need to lose weight'. Not a fun Friday night activity .

AitchTwoCiao · 09/05/2008 20:45

try those marks and sparks jeans i linked to, seriously. i'm two sizes less in them than in most other shops cos of the stretch and the waist height (so you can use your hips and a belt to keep them up).

MissingMyHeels · 09/05/2008 20:47

What exercises do you lot find good for keeping the tummy under control btw?

foxinsocks · 09/05/2008 20:50

oh aitch, you are so the same size and shape as me aren't you. I wear those jeans too.

That Monsoon dress is divine Countessdrac.

I got 2 nice work summer tops in LK Bennett yesterday although one is a bit low cut.

I am an apple (I have no waist) but with chunky legs which apparently makes me a Brick!

AitchTwoCiao · 09/05/2008 20:55

my legs are Rocking, foxy, they're my best bit. dh said only the other day 'how come your legs are so toned when in fact you barely get your arse off the sofa?'

he's dead now.

foxinsocks · 09/05/2008 20:59

lol

my forearms are my best bit. Which isn't much really. Perhaps if I keep on eating ice cream I'll be on this thread talking about my lovely fingers .

it must all be genes musn't it. But you have short legs too don't you?

AitchTwoCiao · 09/05/2008 21:00

yup, long body, short legs. gary barlowe syndrome, we call it in this house. hence the need for the high waist jean in order to avoid the dreaded hoof.

wineplease · 09/05/2008 21:01

Ha aitch, my DH calls me the 'the barrel'

foxinsocks · 09/05/2008 21:02

oh it's so pleasing meeting someone with short leg long back issue. You are the only other person who gets it when I talk about normal shirts only reaching my belly button.

foxinsocks · 09/05/2008 21:02

is your husband the same then aitch? 2 Gary Barlowes together? The mind boggles.

AitchTwoCiao · 09/05/2008 21:03

ah yes, the barrel. we were watching an old western when a man wore a barrel and braces and had spindly wee legs hanging out the bottom. cue dh: that's you, that is.
it's a wonder he survived as long as he did, really...

AitchTwoCiao · 09/05/2008 21:04

no, dh has a bowler's bottom, you know, one of those cricketing boyos with big arses? his mother is a pear...

foxinsocks · 09/05/2008 21:07

OMG you married into a pear family? apples and pears TOGETHER? girl, you were misinformed.

AitchTwoCiao · 09/05/2008 21:07

a big muscley arse, i should say. not blubbery.

it's weird, isn't it, about the shirts? lots of these empire line smock tops are like babydoll nighties on me. not a lood gook, as almost no-one in the world says.

AitchTwoCiao · 09/05/2008 21:08

i dunno, it could work out well for dd. or it could work out Really Badly. don't think for a minute that i don't catch myself worrying about it. seriously.

wineplease · 09/05/2008 21:09

Don't mentioned the P word Aitch.....

foxinsocks · 09/05/2008 21:11

are empire line smocks those pregnancy like tops? They make me look pregnant. Properly pregnant. People ask me if I'm pregnant type pregnant grr (and I'm not)

yes, I see those dress like tops and they look like shirts on me. Is all very annoying.

Botbot · 09/05/2008 21:19

They make me look pregnant too. But then fitted tops make me look pregnant too. In fact, I just look pregnant

foxinsocks · 09/05/2008 21:21

oh yes bot bot but it's worth glossing over that issue I feel

let's focus on your best bits rather

wineplease · 09/05/2008 21:23

People offer me seats on buses as they think i'm expecting . I usually accept as i'm too embarrassed to say otherwise.