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

[CountessDracula]

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

Hello fellow apples. It really is a sh*t shape to be, however I've always worn tightish trousers to show off my decentish legs and baggier tops that cover my big fat tummy. I love cropped trousers too. Aside from huge knockers, slim legs, no waist and fat tum, I also have shortish arms (is this also an apple thing?) so have to turn sleeves up (sigh) I've also found that my arse has got flatter as i've got older!! Happened to my mum too so I'll blame her.

I'm 5ft 7, but long bodied, so shorter legs.

oh God it could have been me you saw CD - i bought this skirt in a charity shop and have a soft spot for it but it is VERY gathered and i agree a mistake

must buy full length mirror and Know the Truth

so can i join? - am a tall apple with very broad shoulders and back, mahoosive belly, am 40C or thereabouts, have decent legs and jeans permanently heading for the floor

I've got good arms as well as good legs, it's just the stuff in between my head and my bum.

I'm short, but think the crops still work, if I have heels. Killer shoes distract attention from the top.

Also attractive cuffs draw attention to elegant wristage.

You need skinny city shorts, botbot .

I'm an apple too. 5' 7" and size 22.

Some empire line tops just make me look pregnant. Enormously about to deliver my 43 week baby pregnant. So I avoid.

Bought 3 nice tops in Debenhams last week - John Rocha. Empire line but not flowy.

Have good legs - trousers that fit my waist are too bit everywhere else. Another one who constantly pull up jeans and trousers.

I reckon my stomach is a full size bigger than the rest of me.

I find Evans is the worst for me. Really struggle to find anything in there.

Yes, Evans is dire for apple shapes, the cut for all their trousers is entirely pear-oriented so they look like rediculous clown trousers on apples.

Buda I bet if you measured you would be several sizes different between your waist and your hips. I generally wear a 20/22 but when I measured it turned out that my hips were a 14. On another thread someone suggested I try maternity trousers so I ordered a pair from jojomamabebe in size 16 and they are a very good fit compared to 'normal' trousers, although I probably could have gone for size 14 as they are a tiny bit loose on the hips still. I have to wear long tops to hide the flexible waistband, but I always wear long tops anyway.

This is a little like being at a family wedding on my Dad's side. We are all apples and all turned up in pretty much the same outfit at the last wedding. Genetics, pah!

LOL Bran!

Measure? Hmmmm. Not sure if am brave enough!

May hunt out tape later.

can you all, my new apple friends, tell me if i'm deluded or not when i think that long bias cut dresses suit me? be kind, i'm wearing one today....

I always thought bias cut suited apples but I'm not sure now.

I was at a posh do and was sitting next to uber fashionable fashion student and a woman (apple) went by with bias cut dress on and fashionista girl nearly vommed on her cheese and crackers saying "bias cut is so not a good look if you have a tummy"
I immediately thought of all my zillions of linen bias cut skirts
I think from the front ok ,but side not good and sometimes they gape at side and look like your bum has ears.

we need pic of you in bias cut skirt Hoxtonchick, then we can settle it once and for all.

While I'm here, I must apologize for recommending tummy exercises in Red. I tried them tonight. My abs are so shot I COULD NOT do them as per instructions. Specially one where you're supposed to lower yourselves down to ground slowly slowly and then slowly slowly raise up again, like a sit-up in slow mo.

My version - Coco falls to ground groaning then has to use arms to get off floor again.

What skirt shapes are recommended for us 'apples'? I've been looking at purchasing a few like this
www.monsoon.co.uk/invt/21206424

Not sure whether to stick with plain or liven things up with some colour and prints! My wardrobe consists of black clothing and i'm so bored with it!!

ok, will take a pic & upload it. anything to avoid doing the ironing!

ggirl bum has EARS?

lol yes

wineplease that could be good with panel across tummy.

i think shorter skirts are good for apples too though. show as much leg as you can get away with, if they're good.

am wearing Boden a-line above the knee skirt today, is v flattering, a-line balances out massive norks.

coco -which boden skirt?

I am desperate for summer skirt

er, i wouldn't get too excited... am choosing the least bad!

Was going to join in but I think I may be a brick!
DH reckons I'm a goblet..
Still, I've got no waist, big back and shoulders, decent legs.
Am I allowed?

ok, it's there .

tbh I think ggirl's fashionista friend might be right.

Not sure about the ears issue mentioned though.

Bias cut prob looks lovely from front but unforgiving from side.

Here is link to Boden skirt, wineplease.

mostly sold out in sale

Hello Ingles. Welcome to the group .

Thanks Coco
I don't know if this has been discussed yet, but what do you all do about muffin tops? (if you've got one )

hoxton-how does it look from the side though?
Looks ok from the front-no bum ears.

Thanks, the skirt is lovely coco. Good price is the sale too. HC, maybe it is more to do with the pattern on the dress. I always thought that us apples should break up patterns (i.e patterned skirt with plain shirt) as it helps to define our shape (or lack of it!) more.

Remember, I recommended an elasticated waisted skirt so quite possibly my opinion should be discounted!

Hi Ingels! My muffin top is horrendous too. I have given up with trying to hide it really . It was however, mentioned earlier that high waisted jeans/trousers are good for keeping the old stomach in place.