Having an apple body shape means that you have softly sloped shoulder edges, a large and shapely bust, and slim legs. These gorgeous features are what make your apple-shaped figure remarkable and that’s why you always have to accentuate them!
But of course, every body shape is not without its problem areas wherein some may even perceive them as “flaws”, so you also definitely need to go by certain dressing rules to enhance the beauty of your figure. Apple body shapes tend to carry more weight in their midsection, that’s why they are more prone to a belly bulge and therefore contribute to the lack of waist definition.
Your lower body is less prominent compared to your upper body, no thanks to your relatively narrow hips. The natural presence of these imbalances is something I will thoroughly address in this article so that you will be able to choose the right clothes to flatter your apple body shape.
Always cinch your waist
Defining your waist is always very important in order to establish a visually pleasing balance between your upper and lower body. Since your apple body shape naturally lacks waist definition, this area is going to need a bit of help to make your side curves look more apparent.
The extra weight you carry on your midsection and the narrowness of your hips makes it difficult for the curved transition between these two to show up. So to be able to achieve this much-needed indentation, you have to look for clothes or accessories that efficiently cinch the waist.
You can properly cinch your waist with the use of belts or by looking for clothing pieces that feature side seams or strategic side darts that narrow down the sides of the waist. Belted garments, A-Line silhouettes, empire waist structures, and wrap clothing are just some of the most efficient ways for you to bring definition to your waist.
Go for peplum silhouettes
The peplum silhouette is the perfect company for apple body shapes because it helps address two of the most major concerns this body shape has – an undefined waist and narrow hips. As the peplum silhouette is specifically structured to give a snug fit around the waist, it cinches the waist to bring definition to the midsection.
Peplum dresses and tops also typically have a fitted bodice, which is highly beneficial for apple shapes who take pride in their beautifully prominent upper half. In addition to this, the subtle overskirt flare from the waist seam flawlessly skims through your narrow hips, adding just the right amount of volume to make your hips look more pronounced.
Because of its strategically structured silhouette, peplum tops and dresses instantly give your apple body shape better balance. It is because of the additional volume around your hips and waist cinch that creates a visually pleasing proportion between your upper and lower body.
Wear fit and flare dresses
Fit and flare dresses are just some of the most effortless dress silhouettes any body shape can absolutely pull off! For apple body shapes who lack waist definition, greatly benefit from the waist cinch this dress silhouette has to offer.
The flare of the skirt that seamlessly skims through the midsection is also quite helpful if you are trying to camouflage a muffin top. You can make your heavier midsection less obvious while also adding a nice amount of volume to amp up the appearance of your narrow hips.
Fit and flare dresses can instantly bring symmetry to the natural imbalance you have in your apple-shaped figure. For this dress silhouette to fully work its magic, you need to be mindful of the right fit and avoid tight-fitting dresses that may hug your thicker midsection too tightly.
Go for a ruched design
Ruching is a sewing technique that many apple-shaped can find very helpful in terms of masking a heavier midsection area. Due to its characteristic wherein it gathers fabric to form pleats and create texture, clothes with ruched design efficiently camouflage any potential imperfections that may be present in the area where the ruching is placed.
Look for tops and dresses that feature a ruched design that adorns your midsection area, as this gentle fabric draping will minimize the visual weight you have on your midsection. In addition to this, it can also help cinch the waist if you opt for ruching that is thoroughly seamed on the sides of the waist or right at the very center of the garment.
Because of the added texture and wave-like pleating that comes with the ruched design, it can also contribute to producing the illusion of curves, which apple shapes usually lack. As a result, your figure will have a more pleasing and very well-balanced upper and lower body ratio.
Wear open necklines
Open necklines such as square, scoop, sweetheart, and V-neck can be very helpful in creating a visually flattering frame for your apple figure. As you already know and may have probably noticed on your body as well, you have an amazing upper body and you have to fully showcase this feature of yours!
These types of necklines open up a generous amount of space on your upper half to allow you to flaunt your highly-coveted decolletage. Open necklines draw the eyes upwards so your best features become the focal point and the attention on your heavier midsection gets significantly minimized.
They also create the illusion of length to give you a taller and leaner figure which can be quite advantageous if you’re trying to downplay your thicker midsection. Because of the space, it opens up on your torso, it also gives your frame a slimming effect that can also contribute to the overall balance of your apple-shaped body.
Wear structured clothing
Wearing structured clothing is one of the key strategies for apple-shaped individuals to fully enhance their figure and establish a well-balanced silhouette. The structured nature of these garments helps provide the illusion of a more defined waistline, which is typically a challenge for an apple body shape.
It would be ideal to wear tailored blazers and jackets that nip in at the waist to accentuate your curves and choose skirts and pants that have defined waistbands and structure through the hips and thighs, as they are particularly flattering for apple-shaped individuals and create the appearance of a longer torso. The structured shoulders of these garments also help enhance the upper body without overwhelming your lower body, as well as add visual balance to your overall shape.
You can wear A-line dresses with fitted bodices and defined waistlines that work wonders for apple-shaped figures as they cinch in at the waist and then flare out to highlight your upper body while adding subtle volume to your lower body. Additionally, consider incorporating garments with structured details like peplum accents, pleats, or ruffles as they can further enhance your curves and create the illusion of a more hourglass-like figure.
Avoid tight-fitting clothes
Tight-fitting clothes may be tempting to wear because of their sexy appeal, but for apple-shaped women, they are best avoided. The main reason is that these types of garments tend to highlight your heavy midsection, drawing attention to the area where apple body shapes like ours carry extra weight.
Moreover, wearing tight-fitting clothes can inadvertently accentuate the lack of waist definition, making the figure of apple-shaped ladies appear less balanced. Additionally, tight-fitting clothes may create unflattering bulges and emphasize any self-perceived flaws, diminishing body confidence.
Instead of opting for tight-fitting clothes, apple-shaped women should consider looser, more flowy options that provide a comfortable and flattering fit; for instance, A-line dresses with empire waistlines are a great alternative as they gracefully skim over the midsection and minimize the focus on the belly area. Always choose dresses made from lightweight fabrics like chiffon or silk that offer movement and create a feminine silhouette as these styles not only provide a more forgiving fit around the midsection but also draw attention to the bust and shoulders.
Avoid jersey fabrics
Although jersey fabrics are often praised for their comfort and stretch, apple-shaped women should exercise caution when wearing them; and in most cases, these fabrics are not ideal to be worn at all. The stretchiness of the jersey can cling to your apple-shaped figure, accentuating the midsection and drawing attention to any perceived problem areas.
If an apple-shaped lady wears clothes that are completely made out of jersey fabrics, this will badly result in a less balanced silhouette and make the waistline less defined. This will detract from the overall flattering appearance of the apple-shaped figure.
Apple-shaped women should consider fabrics with more structure and drape and must wear dresses made from woven materials like cotton or linen as these fabrics provide a crisper silhouette, skimming over the midsection without clinging to it. Additionally, garments with strategic draping or pleating and dresses with details such as ruching or knotting at the waist can help create the illusion of a defined waistline and provide a flattering fit for apple-shaped figures.
Avoid tapered jeans
Tapered jeans, with their narrow leg openings, are not the most flattering option for apple-shaped women. These jeans can make the lower body appear imbalanced compared to the broader upper body, further emphasizing the lack of definition in the waist and the narrower hips.
Furthermore, the tapered silhouette can create an uneven proportion and draw attention to the midsection, undermining the desired balanced and harmonious look that apple-shaped women strive for in their outfits.
As an ideal style alternative, apple body shapes should consider jeans with a straight or bootcut leg since these styles provide a more balanced look by adding volume to the lower body, creating the illusion of more proportionate hips. Look for jeans with a mid-rise or high-rise waistband to define the waistline and create a more hourglass-like shape, and always consider dark washes and minimal distressing to achieve a slimming effect and draw less attention to the midsection.
Avoid large prints on the midsection area
Every apple-shaped woman should constantly avoid large prints on the midsection area as they can draw attention to the belly and make it appear more prominent. These prints have the tendency to visually add volume to the area, accentuating the lack of waist definition and unbalancing the overall figure.
Indeed, it is best to steer clear of large patterns, especially if they are centered around the midsection. If you are not aware of the appearance or style of patterns, you might create an unproportionate and unsightly silhouette.
So instead of going for large and bulky prints, apple-shaped women should opt for smaller, strategically placed prints or patterns that divert attention away from the midsection and choose dresses with prints that are concentrated on the upper body or lower body, drawing the eye to those areas instead. Aside from that, a dress with a small print on the top and a solid or subtly patterned skirt can help create a more balanced look, while vertical stripes can elongate the body and create a slimming effect.
Avoid baggy pants
Baggy pants have made their return to the fashion scene in recent years because of their hip and street-style appeal. But if you’re an apple-shaped beauty trying to bring pleasing proportions to your figure, baggy pants should be something you need to steer away from.
You are missing the chance of showcasing the natural beauty of your slim legs by concealing them with the overpowering width of baggy pants! So instead of opting for this style, go for pants that offer more streamlined and tailored leg shapes to accentuate your legs.
