Style Advice – The guide to body shapes
The apple body shape
To determine if you are an apple body shape, look at yourself in the mirror in your underwear. Stand with your legs together and your arms a bit away from your sides. Examine the area from under your arms, past your bust and ribcage, over your waist and hips to the fullest part of your thighs.
Then compare yourself to the image and review the questions and characteristics below. We suggest you look at all the body shapes to find your closest match.
BODY SHAPE STYLE ADVICE
DO YOU
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Have rounded shoulders?
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Have fullness in the tummy area?
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Have ok/good shaped legs?
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Feel uncomfortable when tops are tucked in?
YOUR BUILD IS CHARACTERISED BY:
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Rounder shoulder line and flattish bottom
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Average to big bust
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Fullness around the middle
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Good legs
OTHER BODY SHAPE TENDENCIES
If you have gained or lost weight many times your body shape can change into another one. Read below to see what other body shape tendencies you might have
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You lean towards a pear shape if your hips are slightly broader (saddle bags) then
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You lean towards an inverted triangle if your shoulders are slightly broader than our hips
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You lean towards a full hourglass if you lose weight around your tummy and gain a waist instead
GENERAL RULES FOR YOUR BODY SHAPE AND HOW TO CREATE VISUAL BALANCE:
Follow your bodyline – avoid details around bust, tummy and hips. Keep detail in top and lower thirds.
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Keep the clothing line straight to slightly fitted, but fabric soft so you avoid unnecessary bulk around the bosom, waist and tummy
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Keep details above the bust line and below the hip line – for everything in between keep it plain and simple
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The shoulders need attention so you should balance them from the front and side views
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Keep your silhouette fitted under bust and as well below your arms and along your waist
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Splits at waist works wonder
YOU SHOULD AVOID:
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Wearing belts whether big or small
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Sleeves which finish next to your bust
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Any details, fuss and volume near bust, tummy or hip area e.g. no lapels, double breasted coats or jackets, high-waisted trousers or waistbands
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Skirt above knee length
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Clothing that finishes at your fullest points e.g. jackets, cardigans
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Excessive fabric in the mid section
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Gathered or tiered skirts
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Clutch bags or shoulder bags
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Petite shoes, kitten heels, boots with buckles, Uggs boots
THE BODY SHAPES AND THEIR CLOTHING LINES
Every body shape has its own characteristics and silhouette, which needs to be addressed when choosing your clothes. The aim of choosing the right clothes is to balance your silhouette. You may not be able to follow all the fashion tends that are out there, but nowadays there are so many trends in fashion that there is something available for every body shape. So, don’t get sidetracked by falling in love with a style and look that doesn’t match your body shape:
NECKLINE FOR APPLE BODY SHAPE
Choose lower and wider necklines like scoop, square, large V-neck or sweetheart.
SLEEVES FOR APPLE BODY SHAPE
Cap (avoid these if you have big arms except in the most informal of settings), ¾ length, above the wrist, built in shoulder pads (which ensure that your clothes will hang from the shoulders), wrist length, flared or draped.
TOPS & SHIRTS FOR APPLE BODY SHAPE
A well fitted bra is a must, simple lines, avoid details and fuss, empire line or styles that go in under your bust, open front, opt for zips at the side or back.
JACKETS FOR APPLE BODY SHAPE
Single button – ideally placed under your bust and above your tummy, simple empire line or straight line that hangs from your shoulders, should have a deep neckline or be worn open, shoulder pads.
COATS FOR APPLE BODY SHAPE
A-line, cardigan style, worn open, big lapels (that sit on your décolleté and not bust line), shoulder pads, vents in the back.
DRESSES FOR APPLE BODY SHAPE
A-line, wear dress designs which take attention away from the tummy.
SKIRTS FOR APPLE BODY SHAPE
Flip, A-line, panelled or box pleats but they need to start at a point below your tummy, side fastening and flat fronted.
TROUSERS FOR APPLE BODY SHAPE
Flat fronted, wide leg, fastened on the side and should not cling to the body.
JEANS FOR APPLE BODY SHAPE
Simple denim styles in classic boot cut, wide leg or flares are best. Stick to clean lines without any extras. Darker colours in jeans are best.
SHOES FOR APPLE BODY SHAPE
Opt for chunky shoe styles, wear colour and details in your foot wear, medium to high heels, wedges or platform shoes work well.
BAGS FOR APPLE BODY SHAPE
Handbags are better than shoulder bags. Keep size medium to chunky.
SWIMWEAR & BEACHWEAR FOR APPLE BODY SHAPE
A halter neck is suggested for swimwear, as it\’s able to support fuller bust. Wear underwired cups and thick straps to help with bust support. Low cut bikini tops aren\’t recommended because they show off the waist, which isn\’t the best feature for apples. Try a tankini or vest top that covers the middle and isn\’t too figure-hugging. For more cover use a sarong. Details on the shoulders draw the eye towards your face.
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