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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:
hoxtonchick · 11/05/2008 21:44

ok, you're all very nice! it's fine for bumming around the garden in, & looks better when you can see my norks .

brimfull · 11/05/2008 21:46

I have on a very forgiving top today,wish I could buy another.
I got it from BHS last yr and it's great for hiding tummy.
Although it may be described as a smock it has no empire line seam and no gathers at the top,the only detail/gather are in the middle.Hard to explain...will try and find a link...I want more of them.

brimfull · 11/05/2008 21:48

like this

VanillaPumpkin · 11/05/2008 21:58

Hoxton - I love the pattern and colour on the dress and think it looks good!

Bias cut is a def no no for me though. Makes me look wide at the one point I am actually not .

Love the Monsoon skirt. Think that should be perfect for controlling any muffins. Lovely.

Loving the pintuck top too. I have loved the tops like this over the winter but think they have to be worn with skinny/straight jeans which was fine for me with boots but what footwear do I wear now. Yikes.

Today I have on a Per Una skirt I got on ebay. It has gathered pleats at intervals all the way round so is a bit flippy as I walk and draws attention away from midriff. I am wearing with a black v neck M&S t shirt and I like it! Waist band not too tight so smooth lines and no muffin. A rare thing. Yay.

Anyone heard of Joe Brown then???

VanillaPumpkin · 11/05/2008 21:59

Pleaty bits are just at the bottom...

VanillaPumpkin · 11/05/2008 22:02

Can I wear smock type tops with cropped trousers and birkis? Have big feet so don't want to do ballet pumps or birkis at end of skinny trouser leg .

I really want the Monsoon dress CD linked too. Is it posh enough for a wedding?

hoxtonchick · 11/05/2008 22:02

you are lovely vp! your skirt sounds great. i seen joe brown linked to on here but haven't bought anything.

hoxtonchick · 11/05/2008 22:03

oh, yes & yes to both your questions!

VanillaPumpkin · 11/05/2008 22:22

Great ! Thank you.

Botbot · 12/05/2008 09:11

Can't do bias cut. I like full skirts in which the full bit starts at the hips, not the waist - like the lovely one in the Monsoon link, but fuller (50s style, I suppose). A bit three years ago, but hey, they suit me. My favourite one (plain black, with subtle horizontal pintucky bits around the top bit - nicer than it sounds) was a TK Maxx bargain - the only nice thing in my size I have ever found in there!

Botbot · 12/05/2008 09:15

Tell you what's also wrong, wrong, wrong - wrap dresses, though people keep trying to persuade me into them for some reason. Again, looks fine (if shapeless) from the front, but catastrophic from the side. God I look hideous in them.

fishie · 12/05/2008 09:36

hoxt waah i missed pic! delightful children you have there.

vp that is more or less what i'm wearing today. got a lovely red top in gap sale £10 with cropped jeans and gladiator sandals.

empire tip, try not to have sleeve finishing at the same height as 'waist' or it makes one look more peculiar, so short or long sleeve but not mid upper arm.

now where else can i get nice slim fit cropped jeans which aren't black? there is a white stuff 15% off event this thursday, i am going along to see whether they have anything good. they are often good for apples, as are fat face.

hoxtonchick · 12/05/2008 17:28

thanks fishie. it was blurry & shit, the picture of me. i will post one where i actually look nice!

i've told you about my topshop skinny crops haven't i? surprisingly succesful.

redadmiral · 12/05/2008 17:52

www.johnlewis.com/14686/Product.aspx

These are pricey but flattering IMO. There's a nice linen skirt in browny black that I think looks good too, but I can't see it on that website.

CocodeBear · 12/05/2008 19:31

Very, you know, thingummy, i've forgotten her name, hugely famous actress renowned for style who was in Breakfast in Tiffany's... Audrey Hepburn that's it...

Has taken me about 10 mins to dredge that up.

redadmiral · 12/05/2008 20:23

Yes, would be nice to look like her

fishie · 12/05/2008 20:42

i'd forgotten about top shop ones, will try to look later in week. what is their name?

and thanks also for john lewis ones i do like high waist but a bit too expensive.

do you think they've borrowed m&s photographer? that model looks quite bonkers on tiptoes and what can they mean by "sitting just above the ankle, you can also put them in the washing machine"

hoxtonchick · 12/05/2008 20:47

here you are

CocodeBear · 12/05/2008 20:53

Hoxtonchick, are they low-waisted though? If so I'd have a major muffin top going on

hoxtonchick · 12/05/2008 20:57

they are a bit. but i have potential muffin top problems (arf, understatement) & they're really not too bad.

fishie · 12/05/2008 21:13

thanks, i will see whether strand branch runs to these, they look really nice.

here is nice dress shorter is good, not sure re arms. lousy colours for me though.

fishie · 12/05/2008 21:14

oh and i've just looked at john lewis link again, you have to click on the white ones to get the mad tiptoes and washing machine stuff.

hoxtonchick · 12/05/2008 21:29

very pretty dress. i have a couple of fatface ones that kind of shape. haven't dared wear them without skinny jeans underneath yet. perhaps tomorrow will be the day (working at home ).

i ordered those jeans online, & was quite surprised how well they turned out. for a random purchase....

CocodeBear · 14/05/2008 08:17

I have on today the bravissimo top i linked to earlier, with a full short skirt from Top Shop and i look slim.

felt confident and pretty on the tube to work. Haven't felt that confident since about 2003.

wineplease · 14/05/2008 19:02

Have you got a link to the topshop skirt? I'm off shopping tomorrow for summer clothes