Rectangle Body Shape with Apple Midsection, Help?! - YouLookFab Forum

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Rectangle Body Shape with Apple Midsection, Help?!

Michielles

I’m a 51 year old, 5 ft 9 inch tall, high waisted rectangle body shape with apple or bulky belly area (including muffin top) looking for help in dressing myself better. I have never been this large in my life, so I’m so lost in how to look and feel better in my clothes. I’ve watched quite a few videos but none have my body requirements. I don’t have anyone to take with me shopping that can help teach me so I rarely go anymore. I work at a desk all day so I deal with how clothes fit for my midsection more while sitting rather than mostly standing or moving. I sit down and all my lumps explode, making it more uncomfortable. I can’t wear a body shaper either due to a medical problem. Help?!

Dressing

32 replies

Latest reply was from Sisi

Carol

(website)

Veteran

Maybe some empire-waisted tops and dresses? That would probably work. And pants with some stretch/spandex in them.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Welcome! You'll find help here for sure. Frst of all -- it's not you, it's the clothes!

First off, Angie has a few pointers in the blog that might get. you started: https://youlookfab.com/2014/02.....type-2014/

But there are a whole lot more in the section on "body type" -- including ideas on why and when to ignore all that body type advice! https://youlookfab.com/categor.....body-type/

A couple of questions -- are waistbands a particular problem? What do you currently own that is comfortable (if anything)? What type of professional environment do you. have to dress for?

Others will jump in, I'm sure, but this might get the wheels turning.

Michielles

Thank you Carol! I wanted to try that but I wasn’t sure if that would work with my belly sticking out. I’m not big busted at all so I don’t want my belly to stick out further than my bust. or even look like it. I do like the elastic in my pants and I already wear stretchy fabrics. Mostly high waisted jeans but some mid rise as well.

Michielles

Thank you Suz! This helps a lot as well! To answer your questions… 1. waistbands are not “always” an issue but no matter the type of pants, elastic or jeans, they are a common complaint on some days.
2. My high waisted jeans are more comfortable but still I have to adjust the waist band every time I get up from my chair. Ugh. Even my elastic pants I have to do the same. I guess honestly I don’t know if I have pants that I TRULY am 100% comfortable in. Shirt wise I am most comfortable in my flowy tunics in the cooler months when I can wear my jackets over them. I feel more covered and confident. I just don’t want to keep hiding everything but I don’t know how to place all the pieces. For instance, I just bought a beautiful pair of black wide leg trousers that are super comfortable and high waisted but I have NO IDEA what shirt to buy and wear with it. I don’t really want to tuck anything in.
3. I work in a church office where I am sitting at a desk most of the day. I have to get up and down a lot. Therefore having to readjust my waist band almost every time. I am able to wear mostly casual clothing so I wear jeans most every day. I used to dress up more before I gained all of the weight. It’s a bit depressing, but I still like being extra comfortable too.

Irina

Veteran

I like dresses and flowing shirts/tops over wide leg pants. Mine must be cropped to balance my petite stature. I know volume over volume is not everyone’s cup of tea. Another style of tops I like to wear with wider pants is cropped and wide but not too short. I like to hide my mid section, too and find pants with elastic work the best.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Yes trousers can be tricky if your mid section is starting to feel like an issue.Dresses can be easier to fit.I would suggest looking at the resources on here as Suz said.l also would suggest MelissaMurrell on YouTube.She does a lot of very helpful videos dressing “real”women ie not models and she covers issues such as you describe.

Sal

Veteran

Welcome to the forum!

I would be tempted to look at columns of colour (matching top and pants) as a really flattering easy look. Or the right dress. If you get a good shoulder an neckline fit I think loose dresses can be so comfortable and easy for work. The three finds below are all loose and comfortable but have a good shoulder fit and feel flattering to me.

I think the length of the top can make such a difference - you might just want to experiment a bit with tops and cuts. I like tops that sit over my waistband the best (I do tuck but I prefer a welted top). These just seem very flexible and comfortable and easy for work.

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Helena

Veteran

Echoing Suz' suggestion about Angie's body shape tips ... with the added comment that you might need to play around with the options to make them just right for you! I've learned from this forum that one size fits all recommendations don't work except as a handy starting point. So try to be patient as you experiment

Michielles

Thank you Irina. That does help!

Michielles

Thank you Cardiff girl. I’ve been looking at some of those links Suz has suggested. I’m hoping to apply them very soon. I have watched many of Melissa’s videos but she has mostly people who are either much shorter than me or doesn’t quite fit my needs. I look forward to more of her videos tho.

SarahD8

Veteran

Hi Michielles. I am also a rectangle with apple tendencies, albeit much shorter (5'2"). Some strategies that work for me:

Empire waists are my friend, as Carol suggests. The structure below the bust actually maximizes my small bust, and hits at a relatively narrow point on my torso. If the skirt is fairly voluminous, the shape of my belly doesn't show.

At a high weight I don't find sack/shift dresses very flattering. I need some structure somewhere.

I favor low rise pants. Partly bc I have a short torso, partly bc the shape of my torso means that pants just naturally creep down to a hip-slung point. Might as well make it intentional.

Some stretch in the waist is good, but a waistband with a flat front and elastic back is best. Elastic on the front part of the waist can really add bulk.

I don't like to tuck my tops either, I look for a top that is slightly cropped and a bit boxy. Structured shoulder line and tailored arms to provide some sort of shape.

Actually I find paying attention to the cut of a garment's arms surprisingly important. Wide arms, dropped shoulders, etc. just make my torso look like an undifferentiated mass. So I look for cuts that establish my torso and arms as separate shapes.

Michielles

Thank you Sal. Your pictures help a lot as I’m a visual learner. I actually bought shoulder pads and hope that’s a good start. I would like to start wearing more dresses but one reason I stopped is because I get cold. Lol If I wear tights underneath you know they create bulge at the waist. This is much harder than I thought it would be.

Michielles

Thank you Helena. I do agree. I guess this is my starting point and I’ll be going to just simply try on clothes for a while to learn how to understand my new self per sey.

Michielles

Thank you SarahD8. That really helps a lot too. I am grateful to be able to take these suggestions to the next level. Yes I am taller than you and my torso is long therefore my waist is high. But you hit some of the things I am dealing with and what you suggest helps me incision more. Several of you have mentioned the empire waist. I am looking forward to retrying it again. I liked them in the past with my pre weight gain but since then I noticed with my bust being smaller, my upper belly was revealing (to me) larger. I’ll try it again maybe in a different size or style.

Olive Green

Veteran

I am much shorter at 5 feet, but many of the same problems. Structured, woven shirts in medium to heavier fabric (natural fabrics help) that glide over the area, and stand out a little, are friendly to my aging waistline and intolerance for anything but loose waistbands. So, button downs, popovers, and shoulder seams that stay close to the shoulder have been helpful. Bonus points for looking a bit crisper than having knits lay over the lumps like tiny moguls.
Dresses over pants or leggings also look good.
Especially during the winter (yay, cooler weather) a vest as a third piece really pulls the attention from the waist area.
Sometimes a pant band is not happy at the waist nor the midpoint, and those head for the holding area. Can’t fix that.
And from the short ladies, we envy your ability to stand tall and carry weight with dignity.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

My fit issues are very different from yours (a widening-with-menopause hourglass shape with wide hips, big boobs, large thighs), but I just wanted to say welcome and I’m glad you’re already getting great suggestions! This is a great place to get support and ideas as you figure out how you’d like to dress for this stage of your life. If and when you feel comfortable posting photos, folks here are very kind and constructive with feedback.

Michielles

Thank you Olive Green. Shorter or not I’m taking notes.

Michielles

Thank you Janet. I’m feeling very comfortable here so far. I hope to keep it going. Hopefully once I figure myself out I can help others as well. I’m grateful for all of the feedback helps!

Star

Veteran

I have a rectangular/slightly inverted triangle shape and when I gain weight it is nearly all on my tummy and I become an apple. I found empire dresses and tops very unflattering. Made me look pregnant. I avoid them at all costs now.

Kyle

Veteran

I wonder if searching for a phrase like “long over lean outfits” or “long over lean style” would give you some inspiration and ideas. I tried it on Pinterest. While there were plenty of examples with tucked tops, there were also a fair number without.

Michielles

Thank you Star. That was one of the first styles I was going to try on soon. That’ll help me feel better if they do not work on me either.

Michielles

Thank you Kyle. I’ll definitely try that!

rachylou

Veteran

Hi Michielles! My backside has basically moved around to my front, lol! I always have muffin top, doesn’t matter what my weight is. I have learned fabric really makes a difference. I can’t say it’s a matter of polyester v cotton or anything so simple. But some fabrics really cling to every lump and bump and some skim. I agree also with shoulder and armholes effecting drape.

Also: waistbands really bother my digestive system. I only wear fake jeans and things with stretch…

Dee

Veteran

Welcome Michielles, my abdomen area has become an area of concern for me as well. I'm 5' 8 inches but I'm a bit of an pear shape. I agree with both Irina and Olive Green that slightly longer buttons downs which fit well at the shoulders are great because they don't shown all the lumps and bumps in the tummy area and can work well over most pant styles.

With other types of tops as Rachylou suggested a decent quality fabric or knit that just skims over the abdomen seems key to avoiding the sausage roll effect.

I also sometimes wear my slightly more fitted tees untucked with an open button down over top to act as a topper which seems to helps camouflage the stomach area as well and I agree with Sal that a column of colour is another great way to deal with this problem. You'll just have to experiment more to see if you can find the right cuts and shapes that look right for you.

Michielles

Thank you everyone. I went out and tried a few things on that were available at one store after all of your expertises. I didn’t end up finding a piece to buy but I did find things that I can now eliminate. I agree that fall and winter wardrobe is easier to handle by layering but summer is more of an issue. That will actually give me time to try some new things by next summer.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Michielles, I'm back from vacation and welcoming you too!

Great suggestions from the awesome Fabbers

I dress clients with your body type, and generally, if you don't want items to cling to the midsection, they need to float away fluidly, drape architecturally, or stand away with more volume.

You can belt bottoms, and semi-tuck tops with draping to offset a bumpy midsection. Constructed waistbands in substantial fabric can work well. Half elastic waistbands can work too. The detail has to be right in the cut AND fabric of the bottoms.

If you're comfortable taking photos of your outfits, we can help you more effectively.

Michielles

Thank you Angie! I hope you enjoyed your vacation! I’ll be adding some pictures soon! Can you tell me what you mean by “ drape architecturally, or stand away with more volume”? I’m visual learner and I can’t visualize what you mean by this exactly. Thank you!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

We had a magical time, thanks!

Here are a few examples of blouses that drape away from the body:

City Chic Shibara Faux Wrap High-Low Top

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NYDJ Pleated Yoke Long Sleeve Peasant Blouse

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Gathered Sparkle Georgette Top

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Caslon Floral Print Split Neck Shirt

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Poet Sleeve Top

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PLEATS PLEASE ISSEY MIYAKE Shore Mist Pleated Top

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Chaus Metallic V-Neck Blouse

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Charter Club Women's Floral 3/4-Sleeve Pintuck Top, Created for Macy's

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3

Michielles

That’s much better to understand! Thank you Angie!

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