The Wardrobe Project--Dress Your Apple Shape

If you are an Apple Shape, you have nice, broad shoulders like your Hourglass Cousin, yet with slimmer hips and thighs. Your arms and legs are your best feature. Let's show them off!

Waist not? Worry not!

Your slimmest point is just under the bust line. Belts and waist lines will look best on you here, especially when the fabric flows over your tummy, gently skimming it. Experiment with tying a sash or long scarf under the bust line to create a waist. Empire waists, sweetheart necklines, and ruching are excellent details to look for in a top. Apples will want the lines of an outfit to move smoothly from the slim, high waist down to your lovely legs.

Image Source: http://www.bridefinds.com/shopping-guides/bridesmaids/lavender-bridesmaid-dresses/
An example of rouching, or repeated gathers, at the waist.
Knee length and sleeveless looks show off your thinner arms and legs!

Image Source: http://www.girlieguide.com/apple---oval.php
The waist of this top is just under the bust line and the material
drapes nicely over the tummy, slimming it! 

2. Watch the lines in knits and patterns. Fabric without much pattern or with large, bold patterns will flow more seamlessly over your shape; however, lines and lettering can accidentally emphasize our curves by getting partially stretched out of shape. Be sure to check the patterns for distortion before purchasing.

4. Something else the Hourglass and Apple shapes have in common is a longer line between the neck and the bosom than all the other shapes. Break that line! Wherever there is a break in the outfit, a spot where the item ends or the color pattern changes dramatically, your eye tends to be drawn there. Use that tendency to play down the tendency of the eye to follow the lines of an outfit which visually break only at the dramatic curve of your ample Apple bosom. Draw the eye away by using the natural "break" of a neckline. For this same reason, be sure your necklaces fall well within the neckline.

 Neckline Examples

Image Source: http://preview.tinyurl.com/42ks5pr
Sweetheart, V-neck and Surplice necklines will be the most flattering for you.
The Jewel and Boat and Turtleneck (not shown) necklines will tend to emphasize a larger bust.

Smart Use of Breaks

Strategic breaks in a pattern and the natural lines of a partially
open jacket create the illusion of a slender waist, creating an hourglass.
The loose fabric skims the tummy and is forgiving.

Here's another interpretation of an Apple Style.
Put your belt a little higher, but try out different widths.
Try your shirt tucked and untucked. Experiment with your basic look!

Dressing your lovely legs!

You have fine legs, to be sure. Dresses, shorts, pants will all show them off. Be sure to focus on proportion when looking at the silhouette of an outfit. If your legs look too slim and shapely, you may wind up accentuating your Apple instead of flattering it.

Look for flat front, straight leg, boot cut or flared pants that will balance your top and bottom. Zippers and clasps on the side seam are great for you. Try a mid-rise or higher to keep your tummy comfortable.

Because of your lovely shape, shorts and skirts can be flattering at an inch or two above the knee. Any shorter and you will run into both modesty and proportion issues.

Accessories

Because of your blessings, you can have a so much fun with hosiery. Show off those legs in colors and patterns. Winter is the perfect time to shop for exciting tights!

Watch that scarves and necklaces do not "point" to your tummy or larger bosom. Be sure to emphasize upwards toward your face with shorter lengths. Bracelets will show off your lovely arms, so have fun with them. Feel free to play with earrings, too.

Your shoes will be part of your balancing act. Use them to further elongate your silhouette by choosing pointed toes and slingbacks. Go for a more substantial heel to maintain proportion with your upper half.

Although your necklines can plunge, be sure to stay modest! Your ample Apple bosom needs taming! Layer a tank underneath a bold neckline and always be sure to bend over in front of a mirror before you leave the house so that any exposure problems can be *ahem* addressed.

Modesty Panels come with and without lace
and attach directly to the bra straps.  

Your Bra (No Boys Allowed)

1. Structure and support. Being an Apple Shape, your bra is a vital element of your wardrobe. Like a shoe, it is a structural and supportive element, and nearly as complicated. A good bra will be barely noticeable during the day. A bad bra draws attention to itself by rubbing, binding, or riding up. There should be no gap between your body and your bra at any point, especially between the breasts. With a correctly fitted bra and good posture, the line of your bosom will fall about midway between your shoulder and elbow when your arms are down.

2. Get a fitting. If you have not been fitted in the last three years, go to a lingerie shop and have it done. Department stores may be great for prices but not necessarily for the level of customer service you need. Getting fitted for the right bra is a complicated process for any woman, but especially for a larger busted woman. You need more than average in a bra, so you need better than average service in finding the right one.

3. How many do I need? A woman needs 3 to 4 good bras, which should include at least one nude bra to wear under lighter fabrics and one black or brown bra to wear under darker fabrics. All bras should be hand washed and line dried as part of maintaining your investment.

4. It is an investment, so do not shy away from the price tag. For girls in the larger cup sizes, $30 to $40 is going to be the best minimum price you will find after shopping the sales! A cheap bra may look good in the checkbook, but it is going to look and feel bad on you.

So Go Shopping!

Everyone tries on clothes that don't fit, even your idea of an ideal shaped woman.
Fitting is a process, not a number.

Most women have a few shopping habits to break--shopping for the shape they want rather than the shape they have. This leads to frustration and a feeling that "Nothing looks good on me!" It will take awhile to train your eye to spot the gems on the hangar. Don't give up and don't despair! If you keep picking up clothing for another shape, voice out loud who the item was designed for, "This would look fantastic on So-and-so! She's a Banana," then hang it up and move on to an item designed for you. Everyone tries on clothes that don't fit. Even your idea of an ideal shaped woman. Fitting is a process, not a number.

Nothing breeds success like success. Go have a fun morning with a friend! Take this list, $25, a digital camera (so you can more easily analyze your silhouette in an outfit), and a friend and hit a quality used clothing store (one that only racks gently used items and sorts women's clothing by size) and search for one complete outfit or one fantastic item. Try on items that follow these rules then analyze what looks good and what does not to find out why you love or hate it. Talk over each item and what it does to add or detract from your graces. Giggle when it looks awful! Remember, if clothing doesn't look good--it's the fault of the clothes, not you! God has blessed you, so go bless yourself with a very good time!

 For further tips and updates see my Pinterest Board: Apple Shape Fashion.

If you need help shopping, I recommend Betty Beguiles'  own Bloom Personal Shopping.

Why is all this important, anyway...