Post by Sue Russell
Note from Milo: Sue is a Michigan local who started her own fashion consulting company. She is very bright and has a way to brighten everyone’s day. She has the gift of making women feel beautiful from the inside and the outside. Thank you for sharing your tips. To learn more about Sue the Stylish Advisor Click Here. Or visit her on Instagram.
TIPS FOR DRESSING YOUR APPLE SHAPED BODY
If you are an apple shape, you carry your weight in your midsection area. A classic example of an apple
shape body has:
- A full, rounded stomach with no defined waist
- An average to large bust
- Broad upper arms (and/or shoulders)
- Slim hips in comparison to shoulders
- Nice legs
Here are my favorite tips to help camouflage and balance out this area:
Tops
- The best necklines: V-necks that shows some skin or tops with cutouts or embellishment at the neckline.
- Empire waist tops or tops that are knotted at the bust also work. They highlight your slimmest point which is just under your bust.
- Tops with flared sleeves or that have details on the sleeves will also draw the attention away from your midsection.
- Tops should cover your entire tummy and end below your hipbone.
Please stay away from loose / over sized shirts. A baggy shirt will only make you look bigger. A slightly fitted shirt should flow gently over your midsection.
Pants
- Boot cut or trouser legs are best to balance you out up top. Tapered jeans can make you look top-heavy.
- Look for pants that with a smooth front – pull on pants are best or pants with zippers at the sides, not the front.
- Stay away from pants with too much detail at the waist, such as pleated pants.
Dresses
- Dresses should have elevated waistlines that are just below the bust.
- An empire waist dress.
- A wrap dress is perfect because the V-neckline emphasizes the bust. Just be sure the tie wrap on the dress sits just under the bust and not around the tummy.
- A shift or tunic dress that falls straight down, but is not loose, is good.
- Another good style is the drop waist that narrows at your hips leaving nothing tight around your tummy.
Jackets
- A structured one-button jacket worn over a loose, flowing dress or a long skirt is a great way to add a fake waist.
- A duster coat or vest that ends just above the knee is slimming.
Skirts
- Skirts will show off your legs, but keep them no shorter than above the knee or you’ll look too top-heavy.
- A-lines are a great go to for a flattering look.
Colors/Pattern
- Patterns help to camouflage an apple midsection.
- Dark colors such as navy, black, brown shrink large areas.
What to avoid
- Baggy shapeless clothes
- High necklines
- Clingy, tight clothes
- Detailed skirts and pants with pleats, or zippers, buttons or ties at the tummy
- Bulky coats and heavy sweaters
- Avoid double-breasted jackets as they will make you look overly busty and wide.
TIPS FOR DRESSING YOUR APPLE SHAPED BODY
The Pear Shape is the most common female body shape. Grab a mirror and take a look: If your hips and backside are wider than your shoulders, you’re the lucky owner of a pear-shaped body. Pear-shaped bodies typically have a smaller bustline as well. Depending on your overall proportions, bustier pears may actually be an hourglass body style.
If you’re a pear, your fashion goal is to elongate your figure so that you look less bottom-heavy. The first line of attack to reaching this goal is to balance your hips and your shoulders while showing off your curves. The key here is to accentuate your top half.
As a pear, you want to direct attention to your top. Fun colors, prints, or details at the neck all serve the purpose of drawing the eye away from the hip area. Just make sure that your tops don’t end at your hips because that draws unnecessary attention there. For example, you can combine a tailored, flared pant with an attractive, eye-catching top can play up a pear’s best features.
- Focus attention upward. Pear-shaped women should focus attention on the upper half of their pear-shaped bodies by choosing slim, fitted tops, button-down shirts, and cardigans.
- Embellish around the neck. Shirts and dresses with embellished necklines naturally draw the eye upward toward the slimmest part of a pear-shaped body.
- Layer it up. Layering garments can balance a pear-shaped body by adding visual interest to the top half of the body.
- Go for A-line dresses and tops emphasize the upper body while slimming wider hips characteristic of a pear-shaped body.
- Wide is good. Keep the hems of pants, skirts, and dresses wide to visually balance a pear-shaped body. Pointy-toed shoes with a wide-hemmed pants will elongate your legs.
- Get a little structure. Structured pants are a great fit, especially those that skim the hips and thighs of a pear-shaped body. Avoid flashy embellishments like cargo pants, funky pockets or embroidery.
