What should women wear to disguise an apple body? Gals with this body shape are the orphans of the design world. So, clothing tips come from all directions: Wear a sheath, A-line dress, fitted jacket, straight cut blouse, no complicated patterns, and all the other horrid, blatantly wrong ideas. (Granted, these suggestions must work for some.) Anyway, there are many very bad ideas floating around the internet to try to help marshmallow-tummied girls. By the way, the wrong empire waist cut or fabric can make anyone look pregnant.
Clothing Brands for Apple Shapes
Most clothing styles are made for stick thin models or pear shaped women. Yet, a few well-loved brands for tops and dresses can be relied upon when nothing else seems to fit:
- Maggie London
- Donna Morgan
- Karen Kane
- Lily
- Rachel Pally
- Kiyonna (said to be good for plus sizes)
Look around for other jersey tops and dresses with styles similar to the brands on the list. However, most cute dresses, slacks, jeans, and tops seem adorable on apple women, until they try to breathe.
Clothing Tips for Apple Shaped Women
Here are some tips that have been found to be helpful:
- A deep V neck or U-neck style makes broad shoulders/chests look thinner. Cleavage is always good, as a diversionary tactic, for women over 40 or 50.
- Stretch jersey prints are apple friendly and the right print will give good camouflage and confuse the critics.
- Color blocking, done right, will draw the eye up to the face or down to one's shapely legs or cute shoes.
- Wrap dresses, in stretch jersey, are wonderful if they have enough fabric so they will not fall open. Wrap dresses must have a flared skirt, for balance, or people will see only tummy.
- Any designer who decides to make a wrap dress with enough fabric to wrap an apple stomach then flare out, in a cool trendy DVF-type print, will make zillions. If the dress comes in both larger-missy and plus sizes, has no collar and hits below the knee, the designer will be canonized.
Short or cap sleeves should be avoided as they make apples look top heavy. Sleeveless dresses (or tops) are good for showing off slender arms. Sometimes wearing a sheer gauze top over sleeveless styles will look hip and, if long enough, will help cover the tummy.
Try light fabrics in dark colors for tops. Use layers, but avoid tops that stop at the widest part of the waist. Soft fabrics (sometimes used with layers) are also friendly to apple shapes.
Empire Styles for Apple Shapes
Empire dresses and tops can be tricky for women who carry their lunch on their waistlines as some styles will read like maternity tops. Moreover, every woman’s body is different so each garment must be tried on to determine if the cut is good. (That's why God created return-shipping labels.)
Some brands (like Maggie London and Karen Kane) sell empire styles with a cascade of fabric that falls from between the breasts and somehow, though it shouldn't, looks great.
Balancing a Heavy Top Half
The bottom half of an outfit should not be short or tight. Experiment with different skirts, pants, and shoes:
Skirts for Apple Shapes:
- Knee length (or shorter) skirts can make some top-heavy women look like they will tip over, but short dresses are good as tunics.
- Flared skirts are better than pencil skirts.
- Stiff a-line skirts are dorky.
- Gypsy skirts with tiers (any length) can be hip.
- Long hippie style skirts (mid-calf or longer) with stretch can be pulled up so the waist sits at the slimmest part of the torso. Tops should be in a similar color and can be tucked in or left out. Try both.
Trousers/Jeans for Apple Shapes:
- Wear bootcut or flared jeans or pants.
- Belt buckles are bad.
- Look for side zip slacks.
- Bottoms with wide stretchy waistbands are good for long hours of jet travel.
- Whoever invented the yoga pants and gauze pants, with the drawstring tie in the front, should be publicly pilloried.
Shoes for Apple Shapes:
- Wedge heel sandals or chunky heel shoes (especially in nude or tan colors) will lengthen the leg and make a girl look skinnier.
- Try fashion boots with chunky heels. (Nude or tan boots for spring/summer dresses. Black or dark boots to match hem.)
- Slim or stiletto heels often look out of proportion.
The best hope for apple shaped women is that some young designer will have an apple shaped mom and he or she will experiment with designs that make "the old mum" look great. Apple gals, young and old, skinny and fat, are waiting.
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Christina Gregoire - Christina Gregoire writes about divorce, fashion, and baby boomers. Her forte is explaining complex ideas in simple language.
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