BODY SHAPE SERIES: STYLING TIPS FOR AN APPLE SHAPE
You carry most volume in the middle.
You have a fuller midsection and bust, with narrow hips and a flatter bottom.
Your ribcage and back appear somewhat wide.
You have little to no waistline.
Your silhouette appears rather round.
Weight gains are first visible in the central torso/tummy area.
This body shape is frequently referred to as O-shape, as well. There are three common indicators to easily know if this is you:
You go to the store and buy a top that is bigger than your bottoms.
You do not get a gap in the back when you buy pants. This gap is usually an indicator of a rather well-defined waist.
Since you usually have good legs, if your pants fit you comfortably at the waist, they're usually too big in the rear, hips, and legs.
Having recently put on some extra weight in the tummy area for whatever reason does not necessarily make you an apple shape. You can have a little bit of weight around your tummy and still be a pear shape, or an hourglass, for example.
DO’s
Highlight your best parts - usually the bust and/or legs - and lengthen your silhouette to help take attention away from the midsection.
Wear clothing that is slightly fitted and choose soft and drapey fabrics to avoid unnecessary bulk around the waist, and tummy.
De-emphasize the midsection and create a more defined waist by pulling it in visually.
DON’Ts
Add more volume to the top by wearing oversized clothes that will make you look even more shapeless.
Wear garments with rigid and padded fabrics.
Add excessive fabric around the midsection.
Must-Try Tops & Jackets
Lengthen your silhouette by choosing wide and low necklines such as V-necks, scoop necks, and bateau necklines. Necklines to avoid include crew necks, mock turtlenecks, and full turtlenecks.
Opt for tops in solid colors with little to no embellishments or prints, since these can add more attention and volume to the upper body.
Ideally, your top should end just below the hipline.
Layering is an amazing way to elongate your silhouette. Wear jackets open to divide your upper body into three smaller vertical sections drawing the eye up and down.
Opt for boyfriend blazers or moto jackets. Open boyfriend blazers provide a more relaxed fit through the shoulders, while open moto jackets are great for camouflaging the midsection.
Must-Try Dresses & Skirts
For general advice, keep in mind that the waist of your dress has to fit the waist of your body. If you do not have a waist, neither should your dress. Shift dresses, cocoon dresses, and trapeze dresses are your best option since they skim over the midsection without clinging to the body. Traditional body shape advice recommends empire and wrap-dresses, but in my experience, these can make a round tummy look even rounder. I would steer clear of dresses like these if this isn't the look you're going for.
Skirts should disguise the wider mid-section, so preferably they should hit right above the knee, knee, or at the calf. Be careful of lots of volume and/or pleats. Instead, opt for straighter cuts or A-line.
Must-Try Bottoms
Flowing trousers with wide legs are very flattering because they balance out the wider midsection with slimmer legs. Be aware if you are petit, since the volume might be too much. In that case, look for trouser styles that are more structured through the hip and fit a little bit more closely.
Cargo trousers with back and/or side pockets are great to add curves to your hips. Another fun way to add volume to the bottom is a silky jogger.
Higher waist bottoms can be magical as they don't hit a trouble spot and cause muffin tops. Also, look for wide, flat waistbands and no pleats or ruching.
My Secret Styling Tips & Tricks
Sleeves that are three-quarters or bracelet-length reduce visual bulk around the midsection. This is a simple trick I use with all my clients and you can give it a try in front of the mirror. Put on a long sleeve top and roll one sleeve just past the wristband (bracelet length). Leave the other sleeve long and look in the mirror. See how the shorter sleeve shows where your torso ends and your arm begins? Now give your shorter sleeve another roll and make it three-quarters length. See the difference?
When buying jeans and pants, check with the store to find their straightest fit. If your jeans or pants fit well in the waist but are still too big for the hips, I have a secret trick for you: waist extenders. They allow you to size down to fit your lower half but give you a little bit of extra room at the waist. Your other option with pants is to find a pair that fits at the waist and have the rest tailored, which I recommend for bottoms you really love. But the first option is easier and more cost-effective.
When it comes to jewelry, longer is better. You can make your neck look longer by wearing longer earrings. Longer necklaces give your top half a leaner and longer appearance by giving a vertical line to the middle of your body.
