BlogHer - Figure matters: What to wear if you're an apple - Comments

nice work, ladies

Susan Wagner — Thu, 24 May 2007 18:39:07 -0500

The babydoll dress is tricky no matter what your shape; honestly, they look the best on girls with no curves, or girls with actual babies in their tummies.

As for Clinton and Stacy and the "lock-n-load" theory, I really think a good bra is more important than a jacket that buttons up, primarily because, like Kay, I think most of us don't actually WEAR our jackets buttoned up. HOWEVER, the jacket needs to FIT, which means that you SHOULD be able to button it without it pulling or gaping or otherwise looking like it is too small. Again, that goes for ALL shapes and sizes.

The one-button jacket is, indeed, most appropriate for smaller-busted women, but for an apple shape, the lower stance is key; you're trying to create the illusion of a waist, or to emphasize your existing waist, and a jacket that buttons TOO close to the collar bone will not do that. Women with smaller chests can easily pull off the one-button, while those with larger chests might want to opt for two-buttons. Again, it needs to fit when it's buttoned, even if you NEVER wear it that way.

Okay! What else have you got for me?

Friday Style
Friday Playdate

oh, goodness

chezshoes — Thu, 24 May 2007 17:48:36 -0500

I knew there was something a bit off about those cute cotton print babydoll dresses I picked up from Target! In the dressing room, I thought they *camouflaged* my apple-shaped body. In reality, they just make it worse, and are now destined to become skirts or something.

Aside from that, you've recommended that I dress pretty much the way I do: A-line skirts, mid-rise pants, V- or scoop-neck tees. While I'll never have a waist, at least I think this formula saves me from looking like a stuffed sausage, or from emphasizing my muffin-top :)

Lock and load

kperfetto — Thu, 24 May 2007 15:02:19 -0500

Am I the only one who thinks that the women Clinton and Stacy suggest "lock and load" look a little stuffed in their post makeover clothes?

Edit:Sorry. That didn't come out the way I wanted it to. Going off on a bit of a tangent here, but it kind of seems like they push the same clothing for everyone with that body type regardless of personal style. I'm slightly apple, and I hate buttoned jackets on me.

Five Dollar Camera

Hypnotizing Chickens

I guess I'm doing it right then...

Lyssann — Thu, 24 May 2007 08:14:05 -0500

I guess I'm going in the right direction then, because this is mostly what I do, though I did break down and buy one empire waisted top because I couldn't resist anymore (though someone told me when I wore it I looked like I had lost a ton of weight).

My biggest question is what do I wear on top in the summer? It's too hot in Ohio to wear a jacket in the summer. Also, what do I do about the shirts that by the time they fit me in the chest, the shoulders are nearly down to my elbows? (exaggeration maybe...) Can they actually tailor that?

Healthy Manifest

but wait!

Mir Kamin — Thu, 24 May 2007 07:13:16 -0500

Clinton and Stacy (fellow WNTW junkie, here) are also going to recommend that a bosom-gifted woman properly "lock and load" with a blazer, right? Meaning, buttons up to the chest. That blazer you have pictured is only suitable for women on the Itty Bitty Titty Committee like the model (and you and me, heh). In that case (with a higher-fastening jacket) my understanding is that you create the visual V with a brightly-colored top underneath.

I may be a little too invested in all of this.

--
Mir from WCS
(BlogHer Mommy & Family contributing editor)

Personal: Woulda Coulda Shoulda

Having it all with less: Want Not

Figure matters: What to wear if you're an apple

Susan Wagner — Thu, 24 May 2007 06:36:36 -0500

Over the next few weeks, we're going to talk about strategies for dressing specific body types (curvy on top, curvy on the bottom, a little extra in the middle, flat on top, etc). We're looking at what to wear to create a long, lean line, and at where to shop for all sorts of events, from everyday to dress up. Today we're starting with the apple shape. You're an apple if you carry most of your weight through your mid-section. Alyssa is a perfect example:

I'm what most people would call a curvy apple, I guess. I carry most of my weight on the top and middle. I'm 34" around my ribs (and 33" at the smallest part of me) and 42" around my chest, making me a 34G cup size. I'm about 40" around the widest part of my bottom, I'm stuck between a size 12 and 14 pants right now. The worst of it is, I'm 5'6" with a 33" inseam. I wear long length pants most of the time. The biggest thing I have trouble with is tops usually and also with pants not being too long in the crotch or too short. That's probably too much info, but hope it helps.

It does help, Alyssa, for two reasons: it gives us a real body to imagine while we're talking about what to wear, and it reminds all of us that most women are NOT built like an Olsen twin (thank god).

First let's start with two basic rules (these apply to EVERYONE, by the way): no matter what your shape or size, you need a bra that fits properly and a tailor that you trust. The right bra can totally change your look, particularly if you have a large chest; a great tailor can make sure that EVERYTHING fits properly, all the time.

Okay! Moving on.

The goal for an apple shape, or for anyone who is carrying most of her weight in her midsection, is to create a waist. Do this by looking for tops that fit properly through the chest and shoulders but ALSO nip in at the waist. Look for tops with a V neck, or a deep scoop neck; this will lengthen the neckline and draw attention up to your face. Button-up shirts or blouses should fit through the shoulders and bust and should taper at the waist; have them taken in if you need to.

Clinton and Stacy recommend "a one- or two-button fitted jacket with a stance that hits above the natural waistline." I agree (of course) but I would add that you can think about where you're going to wear the jacket. For work, choose something in a wool crepe or tweed; for casual wear, think about corduroy or a nice cotton chino. Make sure you can button the jacket comfortably; if you can't then it doesn't fit. Again, if you need to, have it tailored through the waist. Jacket from Ann Taylor, $198.00. Available in sizes 00-18.

Shirts and jackets should hit at the high hip, no lower. Remember, you're trying to create a waist; a long jacket or long shirt will swallow you up.

On the bottom, look for skirts with a little flare (an A-line is good, OF COURSE) that hit just below the knee. Choose trousers with a mid-rise (not all the way up to your boobs, but not low-rise either) and a wide leg, one that falls straight from the hip. This will give you a long, lean line. Choose a shoe with a pointy toe, or at least with a narrow toe box, rather than something wide and round. Peep toes are a nice alternative as well, as long as you are appropriately pedicured.

Avoid baby doll tops and dresses (I know, this is hard this season, but trust me--they will only make you look wider through the middle), skinny pants and skirts (again, they will make you look wide through the middle). Instead, choose pieces that create the visual image of a waist, through seaming or tailoring.

Coming Monday: the pear. Oooh, that's me! Excellent.

Susan Wagner writes about fashion at Friday Style and everything else at Friday Playdate. You can e-mail her your figure questions at fridaystyle DOT susan AT gmail DOT com.