I’ve tried on so many clothes and I could cry.

[Ladyofwoods]

Has anyone else been like this? I’m trying to lose weight and am size 16/18. I’ve just tried on loads of clothes and at the weekend too and everything looks hideous on me. I actually got really upset and don’t have enough clothes to wear at the moment.

I'm apple shaped with no hips or bum and skinny legs with large chest. Lumps around the middle which overhang. I look so weird in everything and don’t know what to buy. I caught sight of myself in a window today and I looked like an old frump.

Dresses with a waist are hideous on me. Too loose tops make me look even bigger.

Does anyone have any good advice before I’m forced to walk the streets naked! Thank you.

Tops and skirts will be easier than a dress. Depending on how tall you are choose regular or petite fitting.
If you want a dress definitely go for empire line. Very flattering.
Trousers can work if you keep to straight. Wide leg if wearing heels. People will say bootcut but I disagree especially if you are short.
V neck. Or square or sliced shoulder. Not crew neck. Three quarter sleeves.
No frills. Plain rather than patterned.
Don’t give up.

Absolutely understand, I was a size 20 very pear shaped and just looked awful in everything with a MASSIVE arse which in my view is worse than an apple shape.
Now size 10 thanks to Mounjaro and it was worth every penny I can wear more or less anything. Its well worthwhile trying to lose the weight somehow. I lost about 1-2 pounds a week over a year and a half. It was slow but every pound lost is worth it.

So your thinnest parts are skinny legs and arms and you carry weight in middle - is that right? I’m the total opposite so in theory you should wear opposite of me. I cover arms and legs and always have things fitted on my waist otherwise I look enormous (and I’m a size 10). Never wear short sleeves or have anything shorter than knee length and mostly covered in maxi/trousers cos of my ginormous calves!

So, if I’ve understood right you would look awesome in the thing I look my most hideous in(and dream of wearing!) a short sleeved mini shift dress. That would cover up your lumps and bumps and show off your nice legs and arms. I’m well jel. https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E483820-000/00?colorDisplayCode=01&sizeDisplayCode=003&sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=863943&awc=6771_1778147300_92636cde4b2d1aa050484e93a2c8a7b6&utm_source=awin&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=863943

i also think once you discover the shape that works for you then just get loads of the same in different prints and colours. My wardrobe is basically full of dress with fluted sleeves, long, and fitted around bust and waist. Whenever I deviate I always look like shit.

theres nothing wrong with your body OP - there are women (like me) who would kill to have their arms and legs out - to be able to wear a mini. So stop being critical
of your body and focus on the awesome parts of it cos we all have great parts and not so great parts!

HTH. X

@seanconneryseyebrow I can't speak for OP, but personally that dress would make me look like a barrel 😂 I'm all lumps, boobs and stomach and hips.

I think my best dress shape is a fitted but not tight shirt dress with plenty of boob room (usually have to size up and then cinch in the waist), with floaty short sleeves or rolled up to 3/4 length, unbuttoned at the bottom for a bit of swish and leg. But they're very hard to find and not overly practical for running around with kids.

I have to agree a shift dress on larger boobed lady with slimmer hips doesn’t work well at all.

You are right about that dress shape. That works for me as a skinny-limbed Apple.

So nice to be on a thread where people understand the horrors of dresses with a waist seam!

Ha. I am all boobs and belly but no bum so that dress is ideal for me!

@Ladyofwoods have you tried ‘Yours clothing’ but online? I’m the same and I’ve managed to find lots of flattering bits.
i watched a YouTube video on dressing for apple shapes, current trends (just googled them and clicked on popular ones). Then just copied a couple of styles. It has really helped me. I haven’t got loads of outfits but I’ve got a good few now I feel happy in for going to work or to see friends.

Not guaranteeing it will work as I have slightly different body shape issues, but I think a cocoon/barrel dress like this would be worth a try:
https://www.hush-uk.com/liddie-air-flow-barrel-tank-dress-black/013798-0456.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_brand_allusers&utm_content=brand&src=paidjourney&tw_source=google&tw_adid=791953631945&tw_campaign=23344296717&tw_kwdid=pla-2471900870565&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23344296717&gbraid=0AAAAADmDz97_oHvdcrUgHMLfMtyM4nx8e&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8PDPBhCeARIsAOJwmWVcZJYYz614pDE-8wCHI_Albm-YO5FkLXLzk6px98oO6EjjJPSELZsaAibSEALw_wcB

Add a cropped cardie, trainers or sandals, kick-ass shades and wafty attitude.

I'm liking their tops, thanks for the recommendation. I just hope they aren't too low on the v-necks as I don't have particularly big boobs! But nice to see some classic tops without stupid adornments and frilly bits!

I would also add that I've found that loose / oversized / baggy things can really work well, but you have to get them right. Just somewhat loose or shapeless can exacerbate the areas you don't like. But dramatically oversized, flowy or cocoon-shaped things can be really flattering. I don't actually have a cast-iron rule about it, I find I just have to try things on and some magically work.

Best thing i did when i put on weight was to stop trying on clothes in the shops. I only do it if it’s a really last minute urgent purchase.

It’s cramped, the lighting is horrendous, often you have underwear and socks on that don’t really apply to what you’re trying, it all just adds to a horrible experience.

Have you tried Oliver Bonas? Their size 14 is about an 18. They have plenty of great outfits in bigger sizes. They have good sales too.

You're quite a similar shape to me by the sound of it, except I have chunky legs too! It's not easy, I feel your pain. Dresses are terrible on me, they just highlight my thick, short torso and drop off my large boobs. I look matronly. I stick to jeans and a top mostly.

This top in JL is simple but my current favourite, it hangs well. Looks nice with all my jeans and shorts, I wear m&s carrot jeans at the moment. I have a great straight denim skirt that works with lots of stuff too.

www.johnlewis.com/kaffe-amber-stanley-round-neck-top-mid-red/p113905327?s_share=jlappdroid

OP we could of come so close to posting up the same thing 🤦‍♀️ I am and have gone through this for a long time.
You are a smaller dress size than me, so I would usually read that and think oh lucky her! But I know to each of us we all have our things that we don’t like/frustrations etc.

Okay what sort of stores/brands do you usually buy from?
Is there anything you already own that you like better than other items, if so where did you get those from, as a starting point to go back to.
Totally get the apple shape issues, I am the same, I am also big busted too even when I was smaller still big, big arms.

You can google tops for Apple shape/outfits and you should see some ideas come up. I have done this and actually found a few nice bits.

I do agree that although we don’t want clingy tight things. Oversized/or wrong style is not good either.

Alwsys try to go for v neck etc for top half.

With dresses yeah maybe avoid those ones that have stretchy area, I hate those I say where they sit on me makes me look like I’m wearing a maternity dress etc.

You are lucky to have skinny legs don’t knock it, and you can really dress to make the most of your shape. As with the right tops or a dress which will add length etc, and bottoms you can wear what you want.

I agree with the recommendation for Scamp & Dude zipped dresses. They hang beautifully, the sleeves are not very puffed and they have pockets!

I’m a 36GG and don’t look like a linebacker🤣

I usually buy them from Vinted.

I agree about the massive arse. I envied those with flat bums and slim arms and legs but it was the arse mainly which spoiled every look. That’s a lot harder to work with. Something would look nice full on view, but turn sideways and it’s like I’m wearing a bustle! Plus as a pear shape I don’t have a nice big bosom. It’s the worst shape!

Ive also been slowly losing weight and that arse is slowly, slowly coming down in size

😬

Flat arse like mine re huge arse are opposite sides of the same coin i think. Both are really hard to dress. If you're big on top everything just hangs as there are no curves to catch it. Top heavy with skinny legs just makes you look like a sparrow if you're not careful. The suggestions on the thread have been very useful to me.

It really doesn't!

I feel the same, I hate clothes shopping and end up cross and sweaty, with nothing to show for it. I'm thinking about booking a JL personal shopper, is that something you could try? There WILL be suitable clothes out there, and it should be a nicer experience if someone else is doing the choosing!

I am the opposite with an hourglass figure so a small waist and larger thighs. Would love to have lovely slim legs.

For an apple shape you want to give the illusion of a waist and balance out uneven proportions. For summer high waisted, a line shaped denim shorts, a scoop neck well fitted but loose ish vest top and a light shirt over the top would be ideal.

The shorts will give you a waist with the a line shape giving a bit of volume, the vest top is fitted not to clingy and the scoop neck is flattering in the boob department so as not to feel large or matronly, then the shirt skims over your arms and body creating a balanced silouette and disguising the larger top half.

If you are looking for someone to follow with a similar body shape lux_island page on facebook is really good and a down to earth lady who shops on the high street.

Will attach pics, hopefully they work and that helps a little.

I feel your pain. I'm a chunky size 20-22 and you can guarantee that when I'm desperately looking for clothes, I can't find anything. Yet when I don't have the funds to splash out, everything suddenly looks amazing on me!

My recent 'happy' purchase have been from M&S and Next. I particularly love M&S 'Harper' cigarette jeans (they're slightly wider in the leg than they look and are really comfortable) and Next bootcut jersey leggings (so soft yet smart looking):

https://www.marksandspencer.com/harper-supersoft-high-waisted-jeans/p/clp60712425?color=MEDIUMINDIGO

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su684036/f57764

These linen trousers would also work with the vest top, shirt combo and this style top that has some shape to it would also look great if you wanted to drop the shirt but still have some coverage.

Here’s a few dress options also, may not be what you are looking for but hope they help.

a few more