Any apples out there? - YouLookFab Forum

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Any apples out there?

Lana

I am new, and a short Apple. When I look at clothes the question is will it go around me? and do I have a top layer to cover it all up? It is hard to see where to begin breaking out of that, but I would like to try. I also sew, but fitting patterns has been difficult so I haven't sewn much clothing lately but would like to. Thanks

Body Type

16 replies

Latest reply was from Lana

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I have Apple tendencies, and my tummy is definitely one of the most difficult to dress. I have found that cut and fabrication are the two things that really make a difference in how a garment fits me. I look for tops that flow away from my midsection and fabrics that won't cling.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Welcome, Lana.

There are many very stylish apple shaped women across all ages on this forum. Hopefully, some of them will chime in. In the meantime, these body type guidelines provide a solid starting point:

http://youlookfab.com/2014/02/.....type-2014/

Lana

That is a great list of guidelines! And Chewyspaghetti those are good thoughts about tops. I have just altered a knee length Aline skirt with gores inset at the bottom that adds a little ruffle-y fullness ar the hem. I think it will work with a short cardigan and t-shirt. Can you think of another style of top that would go with it? I tried two different woven short sleeved shirts today and both were "underwhelming".
Thank you!

Traci

Veteran

Petite Apple here. Welcome!

I find dresses much easier to fit and flatter than pants. I notice those with an elastic wIst can be my most flattering. A sheath under blazer also flatters.

I find it very helpful to take pictures of my outfits. Pictures give me a different perspective on what works and doesn't.

Anonymous

Hi Lana. Welcome. I am a rectangle with strong apple tendencies. Dressing around the midsection is a challenge. I try to avoid anything too voluminous. On me, all that volume accentuates my apple tendencies. That means I lean toward a more fitted and tailored look. I know this is contra-intuitive, but it seems to work for me.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Hi Lana and welcome. I'm an apple too and I sometimes feel like my belly is the bane of my existence! I have to keep reminding myself that I should thank my belly for giving me three wonderful kids! Anyways, you can check out my WIW's for how I'm trying to dress my apple shape. In fact in the WIW I just posted, I couldn't wear the pencil skirt I originally had worn for this outfit because of my food baby (ugh!), so I had to adapt and changed to a looser flared skirt.
http://goldenpig.lookfab.com/p.....dded-flats
That's great that you can sew! I wish I had that talent. I totally sympathize with your way of thinking but I think we have to try to be kind to ourselves. Look at Angie's tips and keep on developing your style!

Lana

Thank you everyone! These are all good thoughts and I do need to develop a new way of thinking about clothes. I am thinking this is the best place to post as I sort out what pieces/shapes are the best. Let me know if somewhere else is better. Is there a place to learn the jargon? WIW, ETA, I even looked up fabrication so I could be sure what we were talking about!
Thank you again

Anonymous

WIW -- What I Wore.
ETA - Editted to Add.

elpgal

Veteran

Hi there, non-WIW posting rectangle-Apple, petite and short -waisted. What works for me - super supportive bras, drapey fabrics, woven dresses, v-necks and showing slimmer ankles and fore-arms. But more than anything, I have come to realize that my apple belly is not going away and there is no point in feeling poorly about it.

Joy

Veteran

Like Sterling, a rectangle with apple tendencies. My solutions are usually shapewear, layers of varying lengths or diagonal lines like a semi-tuck.

elpgal

Veteran

Yeah, agree with Joy re the semi-tuck. I find it tricky to maintain between bathroom breaks and extending hands over my head during a work day but the effect is great.

Also strategic belting is your friend.

Sally

Veteran

Yes I'm an apple. It's the first place I put on weight. Semi tucking is good....so is rouched tops and dresses and tricking the eye with patterns.

Aziraphale

Veteran

I'm not an apple yet but I bet I will be once I'm postmenopausal. I'm a short rectangle now, and some of the tips and tricks are similar -- wear columns of colour; wear stuff that skims the torso rather than clings to it; ruching around the waist; created vertical lines using an open blazer; semi-tuck tops in the front (never full tuck), etc.

Debbie

Veteran

I am a short 5'3" apple. You will get plenty of inspiration and advice here. My first recommendation and something Angie says is to get a bra fitting if you haven't already. It is really worth it.

Tunics and leggings work well. So do dresses and semi-tucking. Post pictures when you are comfortable and I promise you will get lots of help!

Liz

Veteran

If you type "abbreviations" or "acronyms" in to the search field at the top of the screen and change the date settings to "all time," you'll pull up lots of threads explaining what the different letters mean.

Lana

Thank you all!
I decided to take Traci's suggestion and take pictures as I go along and realized how long it has been since I looked in a full length mirror, other than the dreaded store dressing rooms!

So I tried a black knee length skirt with some flare at the hem, same color t shirt and then 2 different short cardigans- one leopard print, one bright gold. I would give it a B-, both looked put together but the cardigans hang straight from the bust and create a wide profile. A keeper for now

I have 2 print tunic style tops that I am on the fence about, Debbie how do you keep from feeling swallowed up by them? I haven't worn leggings so would probably wear them with slim jeans or straight black pants.

Thanks for all your input!