THE MOST FLATTERING DRESSES FOR APPLE SHAPED BODY-TYPES

This weekend's post is for you luscious apple shaped ladies.  I think the most common problem you'll have as an apple shape is finding a dress that fits and flatters your beautiful curves, but with pins like yours it's a crime not to show them off in a beautifully fitting dress!  So this week I have some tips on finding your perfect dress and have rounded up my favorite pieces available on the high-street right now, in both the UK and the USA!  

I've taken the trouble to include a range of price points and a wide selection of styles so hopefully you'll find you're perfect dress, right here, right now!  Oh, and if you're not quite sure what body type best suits your shape, then pop on over here to read my post on identifying your body shape.

First, let’s talk bras

I know, I started with this in last week’s body shape post, but I really do have to mention them again.  As an apple shape there’s a high chance that you have a short torso and not much of a waist.  Well, one of the best ways to lengthen your torso and give you more of a waist is to wear a good fitting bra that lifts your bust.  So please, if you think you might be wearing the wrong size and shape bra, go and get properly fitted.  I've written about this in more detail here and here, if you want to pop on over and take a peek.

The most common issues you'll come across finding a dress to flatter your apple shape (or boob and belly shape as some of my clients call themselves!) 

1. You’ll sometimes find that if a dress fits' you on the top, it's too big around your hips, and if it fits your hips, it's too tight across your top half.
2. Dresses are sometimes too long in the body, meaning the waist sits too low on you.
3. They emphasize your lack of a waist
4. Some styles of dresses make you feel a little mummsy or frumpy.
5. They can also make you feel broader than you are.

A few things to consider when you're choosing dresses

 

I do want to point out that these are not hard and fast rules, they are just pointers to help you find the most flattering pieces for your shape.  Feel free to break them as you wish and always experiment with dressing your unique shape!

Choose empire lines.

Dresses with and empire line highlight the narrowest part of your body and elongate the legs.  They're quite possibly the most flattering style of dress for any women!

Opt for v, scooped, or plunging necklines.

They are fantastic at slimming and elongating a broad frame.

Look for dresses with added volume on the hips, 

Similar to that of a tulip shaped skirt that balloons out from the waist and tapers at the knee.  This extra shape will give you more shape at the hips and create a waist.

Dresses that cinch you in at the waist are your perfect match!

They create fabulous curves and enhance a waist.

Peplums are your best friend

Dresses with a peplum at the waist are such a great way to create a waist.

Wrap dresses and dresses that tie at the waist are a perfect choice.

The plunging neckline will elongate your body and break up your broad torso, and the tie will enhance your waist.

Look for dresses that use color blocking to create the illusion of a waist.

Colour blocking is a fantastic way to create curves.

Belt it! 

Too many apple shaped women say they don’t want to draw attention to the fact they don’t have much of a waist, but adding a wide belt or ribbon around your waist will actually give you a waist!

Accessories play a crucial role in pulling together a flattering outfit.

A skinny scarf tied loosely round your neck like this will narrow and elongate your body.
The same goes for long pendent necklaces.

Avoid dresses with a dropped waist.

As these will emphasize your lack of a waist.

Step away from shapeless dresses that hang from the bust.

These will hide the curves you do have and make you look wider than you are.

Avoid dresses with a high neck.

These will only emphasize your broad torso.

Opt for a wide belt rather than a narrow one.

A narrow one may emphasize your broadness, or simply get lost.

Here are some fantastically flattering styles

AVAILABLE IN THE UK

1. COLOUR BLOCK DRESS / 2. NAVY JERSEY WRAP DRESS / 3. FLORAL MAXI DRESS / 4. NAVY DRESS / 5. PLAID DRESS / 6. STRIPED LACE PENCIL DRESS / 7. WRAP PLAY-SUIT / 8. PINAFORE DRESS / 9. NAVY LACE DRESS

AVAILABLE IN THE USA

1. FLORAL ROMPER / 2. PLAID WRAP DRESS / 3. PEPLUM DRESS / 4. PINAFORE DRESS / 5. BLACK DRESS / 6. COLOR BLOCK DRESS / 7. STAR MAXI DRESS / 8. PRINT MIX WRAP DRESS / 9. BODY CON DRESS

For more ideas on dressing an apple shaped body-type, pop on over to Pinterest and follow the board below

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product via these links I will earn a small commission. I NEVER link to products that I wouldn’t recommend to my clients, or purchase myself.