Fashion For Apple Shaped Body Types: Expert Style Guide

Gone are the days when only an hourglass or athletic body shape was considered the ideal body type and fashion revolved around those norms & expectations. With the introduction of fashion science and fashion styling, a lot of awareness has been spread regarding the right fits & tips that celebrate all body types.

I am going to help you out by sharing the most popular guidelines when it comes to the most complimentary fashion for women with an apple-shaped body structure.

Apple shaped body

An apple body shape is characterized by broad shoulders, a heavier middle body, and a wide waist; with the majority of the weight evident in the belly area. The bottom half of the body i.e the legs are slim with narrow hips.

Although it can be crafty for an apple shape to look slim and fit, especially for the torso section, playing around with clothes as per the following guidelines can make the task so simple and fun. If you've recently discovered your true body figure and are looking for some styling tips, go through the following expert guidelines to look your best!

Topwear style guide for an apple-shaped body

Since a person with an apple body shape has a heavier midsection, it is suggested to wear tops and tees that draw attention away from it.

Here are some of the most suggested guidelines for wearing tops and t-shirts for an apple shaped body:

• One should wear printed tops instead of solid colors. Patterns such as stripes and other geometric patterns can camouflage & create the illusion of a slimmer waistline.
• Tops that accentuate your bust, shoulders, and neckline are a great way to divert attention from the belly area. 
• A great way to drive away attention from the torso to the shoulders is to opt for cap sleeves, slit sleeves, drape sleeves, cuff sleeves, Bardot sleeves, and flare sleeves. 
• Wearing v-neck tops and wrap tops can make the waist area look more defined and peplum tops can also create the illusion of an hourglass figure.
• People with an apple-shaped body can also nail the ongoing trends of a ruched top and smocked tops.
• One of the most important things to take care of is to wear a bra that is of the perfect size. This is because a well-fitted bra makes sure that the tummy area and bust area don't merge to look.

Bottom wear style guide for an apple shaped body

It is best to wear mid-rise or high-waisted bottom wear as it can make the waistline silhouette quite flattering. This also helps to hide the muffin top and love handles to an extent.

Below are some tips to keep in mind while selecting bottom wear if you have an apple shaped body:

• It can be tricky to wear high rise so make sure that you buy a material that you feel absolutely comfortable in. Make sure to buy stretchable materials because apple-shaped bodies are already heavy on the top and sitting can often be uncomfortable with tight-fitting clothes with no stretch.
• One of the bottom wear items that look uber cute on apple-shaped girls is a skater skirt. They can be paired up with most tops and tees and end up making you look younger and feel confident. However, make sure that they do not have too many pleats or you may end up looking too baggy and bulky. A-line and high-waisted pencil skirts are some more options that can make you look flattering. It is suggested to go for skirts that end above the knee level.
• Even though slim-fitting jeans can help flaunt those great legs but it is often risky as they may push a lot of skin on the top to the abdominal area. Hence, it is suggested to wear straight-leg jeans, wide-leg jeans, or flared jeans for a more flattering look. Skinny jeans can also make your legs look slimmer which may seem un-proportionate as compared to a heavier upper body.
• Wearing trousers are a great way to keep it smart and sexy. While tapered trousers make the legs look slimmer as compared to the upper body, wide-leg or flared trousers do a great job in giving just the right fit!

Guidelines to wear a Dress for an apple shaped body

Girls with this body type are lucky when it comes to dresses as there are so many options that look great on them. It is suggested to look for dresses that either help you hide the belly area or create a defined waistline.

Here are some tips to keep in mind while selecting a dress if you have an apple shaped body:

• Dresses with color blocking and patterns are another great way to create a slimmer look. 
• Dresses that have voluminous shoulders can also help the tummy area look slimmer as compared to the upper body, which may further balance out the look and make your body look more defined. 
• Some examples that would look great include wrap-around dresses, A-line dresses, empire dresses, and bias cuts.
• Speaking of the latest trends, cowl neck dresses are an amazing way to create the perfect balance.

Swimwear style guide for an apple shaped body type

Everybody has a bikini body! But it can feel like a challenge to find the right swimwear if you do not want to show the chub on your lower belly region. However, with so many options to choose from, it most certainly isn't impossible.

Here are popular tips to choose the right swimwear for an apple shaped body:

• If you want to create an illusion of having a more defined and slimmer waist, it is suggested to go for one piece-bikinis. This swimwear will also make your legs look longer and divert more attention towards them.
• Surplice swimwear is a great way to flaunt the bust and hide the belly. The deeper the neck, the slimmer you will look. 
• Do not think twice before going too colorful and experimenting with textures, effects, and prints. Patterns like color blocking and effects like ruched texture are some of the best ways to look and feel more defined.
• One of the best ways to add a more streamlined look to your figure is to go a more colorful side pannel and print or contrasting color in the middle.
• If you want to wear a two-piece bikini, it is suggested to go for high-waisted bottoms instead of string bikinis. This can help to tuck in and conceal a lot of that tummy.
• Sarongs, kaftans, and overshirts are a great option to hide that tummy. 
• There are many swimsuits in the market that have in-built tummy control panels and give you a defined look. Look out for them.

Winter wear style guide for an apple shaped body

The winter season is one of the best times for all body shapes. Playing with just the right layers with some polished styling can help you slay your figure just the way you want, and also up to that oomph factor.

Here are a few winter wear guidelines for an apple shaped body type to look their best:

• Always wear longer cardigans and sweaters along with skinny jeans to keep them classic, stylish, and slim.
• Almost all jackets and sweaters bring the vest out of an apple-shaped body, but the key is to avoid the items that end up in the widest areas. This is because the point is to draw attention away from it, not towards it.
• In case you are going for blazers and coats, try to opt for single-breasted ones. 
• Jackets that are well fitted on the slimmer upper half of your waist and flowy towards the end are a great way to accentuate your slimmer upper waist and securely conceal that muffin top.
• It is suggested to buy open cardigans that may have a wrap-around and aren't clingy on the skin. Staying clear of clingy garments is one of the best ways to prevent looking too bulky.
• When it comes to jumpers, sweaters, and cardigans; it is suggested to go for solid colors instead of prints like horizontal lines and embellishments.
• Long overcoats and trench coats can create a nice silhouette and make you look taller and slimmer.

Mistakes to avoid for an apple shaped body

• It is suggested to avoid crop tops and tight-fitted tops to avoid drawing attention to the torso area. One should also steer clear of jeans that are too baggy so that you can flaunt your asset instead of hiding it!
• One should avoid tucking in tops into the bottom wear, especially well-fitted tops.
• One should avoid wearing tops with embellishments on the torso area to avoid bringing attention over there.
• It is suggested to avoid wearing a turtle neck, high neck, or halter neck top as they will make the neck and shoulders look narrow, and the torso region looks heavier and unproportionate in comparison.
• One should avoid wearing tops and t-shirts that are too baggy. It may appear as if they will conceal the muffin top and love handles, but they will only end up making you look huge and too bulky. 
• It is suggested to avoid wearing leggings instead of pants. Even though legs are one of the highlights of an apple-shaped figure, leggings will make your leg look too slim and in comparison, the upper body would be heavy.
• One should avoid wearing dresses with a built-in waistline as they can make the waist look broader and bulkier.

Ways to disguise the apple shaped bulge

1. Layering clothes to conceal the bulge

This is a great way to hide whatever goes on within. You can always make use of some fancy shrugs, stoles, scarves, and jackets to hide those stubborn love handles and look fancy!

2. Making use of accessories

Making use of accessories is the ultimate exclamation mark to an outfit! So do not compromise on this factor. Add that statement belt and chunky jewelry to divert attention from the torso. It is suggested to wear a belt that helps to clinch your waist & make it look slimmer.

3. Choosing the most suitable necklines and cuts

Choosing suitable necklines can make a huge difference in the way others perceive you. Besides high and halter necks, women with apple-shaped bodies have the liberty to play around with a lot of necklines. Be it plunging V, scoop neck, or sweetheart neckline; you can slay it all!

4. Wearing underbust shapers, shapewear, and corsets

These are definitely game-changer! From tucking in the tummy fat to giving an instant slimmer curve, they can really help to disguise that apple bulge. You can wear corsets underneath your dresses, on top of a shirt or t-shirt, or even as a top itself. Bring out your A-game by styling it creatively!

5. Wearing flowy dresses

Wearing flowy dresses is an excellent way to reflect those beachy vacay vibes and also help in disguising the apple plump at the same time. Don't second guess your decision of wearing that wrap-around floral dress, just go for it!

6. Choosing the right material for clothes

Choosing the right material is everything! Wearing clothes composed of flimsy and skin rubbing material will only make you look and feel congested. Structured materials like fine cotton and linen can give you the freedom to move around freely without looking bloated.

Celebrities with an apple shaped body to take outfit inspiration from!

• Angelina Jolie

• Ashley Benson

• Tyra Banks

• Catherine Zeta Jones

• Adele

• Elizabeth Hurley

It is a myth that people with an apple-shaped body have limited options as compared to other figures when it comes to clothing. Because it all boils down to using your assets in the right manner.

However, in the end, the only thing that a woman can wear to feel & look sexy is confidence! All of this smart styling would be for nothing if the one who's wearing it is feeling too insecure about oneself.

So whatever you put on, wear it with the intention of pulling it off for YOURSELF! As ultimately, a body that proudly owns itself is the only fashion statement that matters!

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