Casual outfit ideas for an apple-shaped figure? Please help me!

[FlorianTV]

I’m so lost clothes wise. For so long I was hugely overweight and thought I looked awful because I was so fat. It’s taken me 7 years to lose weight (5 stone) and I still look awful in everything, so I figure it’s me and not the weight.

can anyone recommend any casual outfits, literally anything at all that might look even half decent on an apple shaped figure? Size 14-16. Things for the cinema, pub lunch etc.

I buy things that are suggested by influences or stylists and I just look and feel awful or like an old lady. I’m 40.

please help!

Hi, I am an apple shape and a size 18-20 and If you are following apple shape advice I bet you look great. This sounds more like a confidence/self esteem.
You have worked so hard to lose 5 stone! Well done.
I once tried to hide in oversize, black clothes and it made me miserable. My advice would be to start small with 1 item that makes you feel amazing. For me this was a popsy dress, I then moved forward from there.

Think about what you like to wear, dresses or trousers and top? It could even be an amazing pair of shoes that make you feel good. I recently was gifted a pair of leopard print trainers and I love them. They make me feel so good. If I was you that is where I would start thatb1 item that feels great.

To give you some hope I now wear whatever I want and this recently was some pink and orange stripes trousers. So with time and work you will feel good again.

Congratulations on your weight loss, @FlorianTV. I can imagine it must take a while to adjust to being a new shape and size.

You don’t give your height, or budget - but I’d be surprised if a 40 year old woman who wears a size 4/16 didn’t look pretty good in almost anything that fits properly. (In accordance with the current fashion for oversizing.) So I suspect it’s a combination of your perception of yourself, and not being able to rid yourself of old shopping habits that no longer serve you well.

Can you say where you have been shopping since you lost weight? And what specifically seems unsatisfactory in the clothes you’ve bought.

I do think you need to be looking for ways of dressing that bring you joy, not just what random influencers are being paid to promote.

I’ve added a picture. I’m 5’7 in height.

thank you so much for your replies. I guess I’ve hated clothes because I always wore loose, dark things to hide myself. Now I want to look ‘nice’ and I just can not seem to find anything that helps me feel like I do.

I have always worn ‘jeans and a nice top’ to feel comfortable. I haven’t been this weight for 20 years and can’t go back to dressing like a teenager. I’m so lost!

I buy tops I think look nice but I feel frumpy. Other people seem to look lovely.

I think you maybe need to think about how you’re wearing things. Your figure looks lovely in the jeans and t shirt but the t shirt needs to be a little looser, so it skims, if you want to wear it untucked or maybe a little shorter and then wear a belt. Do you accessorise?

Your shape looks great, but your T-shirt and jeans aren’t quite working for you in terms of what’s current. As minnow says, the T-shirt could be shorter and looser, or tucked in. Maybe try a few different Jean shapes, wide leg or barrel. That fitted T-shirt would look fine tucked in to looser style trousers, possibly with something over the top if you feel too exposed, like a jacket or open shirt. Can you get to some shops and try on a variety of shapes and styles to see what works? Almost all the T-shirts and tops in the shops at the moment are cut much shorter, so you should have a lot of choice.

Well done on the weight loss. You look great. I am an apple and clothes are difficult! Looking at your photo, I think the neck shape suits you - v shaped necks are also good for apples. But agree the bottom half needs to be looser or tucked in. Something over the top like a shortish shirt, cardigan or boxy jacket will also break up the top half and can add interest/colour or if I am wearing a tshirt I think three quarter length sleeves work best as it makes my top half look longer. I like bootcut jeans even though they are not desperately fashionable. For dresses I suit skater style. I agree with the start with something you love - often shoes or a jacket for me too. It's worth thinking what colours you like/suit you as well as that can really lift your outfit.

You look like you have a lovely figure! Well done on getting where you want to be.
If I were you I'd start by getting a belt and tucking in my top and then sort of pulling it out a bit just to give some structure.

As an apple I am so unused to doing anything that would add focus to the waist, and tbh I still avoid it except with the right trousers, so talk of belts and tucking in scare me! I do find that I’m happier with my look when the tops I choose are much heavier or drapier - T-shirts like this one that dont drape don’t look good on me. I really like this neckline on you though. I also prefer 3/4 sleeves every time.

Maybe try some higher rise and/or side-fastening trousers? I also prefer these.

As an apple I am so familiar with these issues. You’ve described them perfectly, and I feel the same about tops. Watching with interest for any other ideas.

The other thing with jackets and shackets is don’t buy them to fasten over your tummy, they don’t need to do up, so try getting a size smaller, something that fits your shoulders and leaves a gap through your torso. Proportion is important too, so as others say longer sleeves and maybe ankle cropped jeans.

As another apple, 46 yrs old, i discovered how much better things look with a belt about 5 years ago! I can now buy so many cheap t shirts or shirts and so long as I have vaguely structured trousers, they'll tuck in nicely. I have a trademark twist-n-tuck I do for most tops which gives them a vague v shape from boobs to belly button which also works for me I think.

This sort of T-shirt I think would suit me. I know it’s not cheap though.

Your body shape is good OP. I mean that very genuinely.

I was exactly your shape a few years ago OP, although I’ve put on some weight in the last 18 months which is really unhelpful as I’m now 16-18 and nothing looks good!

I assume you have good legs, which is sad when the trend is for wide legged trousers. Now you are a bit slimmer you might find a skirt that looks okay. I have some soft floaty trousers for the summer which work better - try to avoid elasticated waists if you can. Something thing with a bit of structure at the top will be best.

I simply have never been able to wear dresses; long skirts look weird as I have no waist. It’s an ongoing problem given trends require you to be shaped like a pipe cleaner prepared to dress in a massive cloth bag.

The previous posters were right: you need heavier T shirts that will skim and/or tuck - I picked up a couple from Joules in a sale. And I recently bought a gorgeous structured flowy shirt that tucks into wide leg jeans which I purchased for Cos.

Buy a decent bra. My best bra is currently an underwired bra with no padding that has a broad strap at the back. It does incredible things for my post-baby, overweight body.

Don’t be afraid of patterns on your top half.

Don’t be afraid of tucking in your top, even though you feel like you don’t have a waist, or it highlights your belly. You have sized down and you definitely can tuck in!

Thank you for the advise, and picture suggestions. The visuals really help. Where is the first top from please? The one with buttons on it?

Thank you so much for the advice, it’s really helpful. I will invest in a belt, and I’ve bought some V neck T-shirts that I can tuck in.

and I like the idea of siding down in jackets, as previously I’d always get oversized so I can fasten them over my tummy.

I really appreciate your replies, thank you

It’s from landsend. I’ll look for the link when I’m home!

I love the brown jacket @minnowonthesay , where is it from please?

Uniqlo do lovely boxy t shirts and I like their jeans too.

It’s White Stuff @Sunny54321 20% off at the moment too!

Thank you

I'm an apple. I find the Uniqlo jersey barrow leg trousers really flattering with a belt and a slightly tucked blouse or thick t shirt. They sit just at the right point to give me a waist

Barrel!