Reply
Honored Contributor
Posts: 18,611
Registered: ‎10-25-2010

Re: Fashion for the Short and Heavy Gal

 

 

Apple shaped ladies usually have great legs, their legs are their best asset.  So, they look best in pants that have thinner legs like a straight leg pant or thin pants with a flare at the bottom.  No baggy pants.

 

Tops and dresses should have an empire waist just under their bust line  to accent the thinnest part of their torso. covering the middle area.

 

IMG_0271.JPGIMG_0279.JPGIMG_0274.JPGIMG_0278.JPG

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,755
Registered: ‎03-16-2010

Re: Fashion for the Short and Heavy Gal

I feel for you, I am 5 '9 and over 200 so I have some weight on me to. I did lose 58 pounds on weight watchers so my body has been changing. I think as a rule that you should wear clothes that fit your body. Clothes that fit your body look better than big flowy clothes. If I were you, I would wear slacks, a tank and a blouse or jacket over the tank, The blouse or little jacket will help hide your abdomen and I like that look because it also hides any fat you may have on your back. I found Vanity Fair Beauty Back bras and I love them. They really help smooth that back spillage that happens around the bra strap. Again I think you can wear skirts with the same tank, top/blazer or jacket look. Being 5 foot I would stick to a mid-length or knee length skirt that way you will not look swallowed up by a dress or skirt. I recently started wearing maxi skirts but I am tall and have a 32 inch inseam so I don't look like I am swimming in the skirts. I would think a shorter woman would not be able to pull that look off as easy. For me, I try and stick to basics that I can mix ad match. Solid slacks in navy, black, brown, gray, lots of tanks, and blouses/jackets to wear over them. For the jeans look, I just purchased Iman's jeans that were the TSV the other day and I like them. They have stretch but not to much and they fit me great. I am 59 now and I want to be comfortable. Good luck to you. Being on the shorter side, to look taller, I would stick to the solid bottom, that will help make you look taller. Just make sure your slacks are the right length . Just a little heel on your shoe will look good, I would not go over 2 inches. I would not wear flats, a little clarks ankle boot would look nice, a pump, etc.  

Honored Contributor
Posts: 43,246
Registered: ‎01-08-2011

Re: Fashion for the Short and Heavy Gal

[ Edited ]

Vintage Hatchi Cardigan

 

Shark bite, done in proportion adds length.

Long pants add length.

Every line you draw across the body creates a line which subtracts height as well as shows width.

 

casual style fat women

 

This outfit has the mid tones adding unity as well as the scarf drawing the eye up.

 The seperation of the cartigan shows a four inch waist because that's all the eye sees!

 

The negative is the handbag which calls attention to the hip

The boots which cut off her leg and show the width of her leg.

 

 

Dresses For Plus Size Women

 

This model is wearing a top with strong vertical lines which increases height.

 

The jeggings are dark and she has on a little heel, both of which add height.

 

 

Chic 75+ Charming Torrid Plus Size Women's Fashion Outfits Summer 2017 Collections https://www.tukuoke.com/75-charming-torrid-plus-size-womens-fashion-outfits-summer-2017-collections-3441

 

The best top length is at the leg line.  This one has a longer center which carries the eye down.  (From Torrid).

 

Beige shoes elongate the feet. 

 

Drapey Cardigan. Great for apple body shape;I like this style if it is not too long;#40 plus Style Accessories Course.

 

This is the "long column" a lot of women use.  

The black line goes from the neck to her foot.

The outer piece isn't bright, but in a compatible tone.

The line could be extended with a longer chain necklace.

 

Hope this helps.Smiley Happy

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,656
Registered: ‎06-09-2010

Re: Fashion for the Short and Heavy Gal

[ Edited ]

You share the same closet and outfit strategies as Rectangles which is to trim and define your waist. But if you carry extra weight around the midriff (which most Apples do) the goal is to skim over that area. That's why structured garments are your best bet - simply, because they hold in and camouflage the extra weight.

Your abdominal and torso are in general your biggest body issues, so you'll need to focus on de-emphasizing this area as well as accentuate your best bits. In many cases of Apple shapes, these bits are your breasts and legs.

Trim the Waist

Wear clothes in a way that makes your mid-section narrower. This will help you achieve a proportional body shape and visually take 10 pounds off your figure. Adding interest to your shoulders and neckline, along with adding volume to your hips help.

Examples of waist trimming styling:


Trim your waist if you're an Apple body shape, like Catherine Zeta-Jones
Courtesy of Whosdatedwho

  • Dark colored wide belts (however if you are very full and heavy around the waist, a wide belt made out of stretch material is recommended)
  • Clothes that skim past over your midsection but ****** right below your bust (eg. empire line, long tops, tunic shirts) lift your chest and make your waist look trimmer
  • Add more volume and structure to your hips (prints, full circle skirt, bias cut skirts, etc.)
  • Shapewear, especially waist cinchers will do the trick in an instant.
  • A good push-up bra lifts up your bust



You can experiment with various textures and details, but be careful with their placement on your body frame. Compared to solid colors - patterns and texture with a dark base are great for camouflaging. Keep your waist free from details that widen and highlight (eg. light colors, horizontal details, etc.)

Focus on woven garments because their rigid fabric helps skim the contour of your midriff. So avoid clingy jersey knits! Weighty jersey is an exception though but needs to be placed on the right areas such as your hips to help balance out your upper body.


Flaunt Your Best Assets

This helps draw attention away from the midsection and give the spotlight to your best parts, and in most Apple body shape cases that's your bust and/or legs.

How to do it:
  • Low-ish neckline. Low v-necks are especially (universally) flattering on your body frame, and making your torso look slimmer at the same time. It draws the eye up and down, instead of from side to side.
  • Details on the hemline to bring attention to your legs
  • Tops with sleeve details such as slits and gathers to accentuate your upper body and pretty arms

When wearing jeans or pants, make sure the top extends just below your hipbone to draw attention away from your midriff.


Other Factors to ConsiderYour horizontal Apple body shape along with vertical body figure (are you short-legged/long waisted or short-waisted/long legged?), height and body scale are important factors to consider when dressing your body shape.


If you for example have a short waist you'll benefit from wearing long tops that visually elongate your waist because it'll slim your midsection. On the other hand, if you have short legs, focus on your lengthening your legs with simple bottom styles or pair a long top with a short and structured jacket.

 

Also, if you're Petite or a Plus size then some rules may have to be customized. 

Now over to clothing recommendations that complement your Apple body shape:

Your Best Clothes

If you're a thin Apple body shape you'll be able to dodge past most of the restrictions but your main closet strategy is to trim that waist. So wear clothes in a way that minimizes and make your waist appear thinner.

Dresses Skimming Past Your Midsection

Dresses that skim down over your midsection without clinging.

Examples are:

Dresses that skim past midsection look good on Apple body shapes

Courtesy: Debenhams, Miss Selfridge

  • Empire waist
  • Bias cut hem
  • Wrap styles tailor your midriff by visually lifting up your bust
  • Low'ish necklines that slim your upper body and draw the eye up and down


But make sure the dresses highlight your bust to balance out your frame and keep eyes away from your tummy. A low neckline alone will often do the trick.

Your best dresses also feature:

  • Shoulder, neckline and sleeve details
  • Structured shoulders to keep the eye on and above your bust
  • A hemline that flares outwards to balance out your top heavy body, such as an A-line


Tip: Experiment with a belt to find your sweet spot. Usually, the thinnest part of your waist (above the natural waistline) is the most flattering area for your Apple body shape to wrap a belt.



Tops with Embellished Neckline or Shoulders

Fashion tops and dresses with embellishment around the neck and shoulder area to keep the attention to your bust and your slim limbs.

Examples of your ideal top details:

Best tops for Apple body shape

Courtesy: theOutnet, Evanity, My-wardrobe

  • Embroideries and other pretty shoulder details (eg. sequins)
  • Flare sleeves
  • Cuff sleeves
  • Slits and cut outs (they slim Inverted Triangles shoulders but will attract attention to your pretty arms)
  • Embellished necklines
  • Gathers and ruching


Avoid waistline details such as beads and bows, and even skinny belts (the thin look make your wide waist look bigger in comparison). However invest in medium stretch wide belts – they pull in the weight nicely without bulking.

Always make sure to wear necklines that "open up" your chest and face. Looks very flattering on your heavy torso.

You can also wear simple tops, but you might want to define your waist, slim your torso and create an illusion of an Hourglass body shape - by pairing them with a structured (and nipped) jacket. Avoid jackets with sloppy shoulder-line and make sure they're snug on the shoulders.



Pants and Jeans Styles that Complement Your Heavy Top Jeans and pants that will bring balance to your top heavy body figure - specifically a hem cut that widens from either your thighs or knee.
Best pants and jeans styles for Apple body shapes

Courtesy: Old Navy

Examples are:

  • Flare and wide leg
  • Bootcut


Skinnys and tapered styles are tricky on your Apple body shape because they'll accentuate your thin legs and make you look bigger on top. A slight flare adds balance.

However another alternative to skinnys is straight cut pants worn with a pair of eye-catching shoes. You can wear skinnys as long as you add knee high boots (that's because the boots add volume).

Normal to high rise with a flat front will help keep your belly and midriff in place and avoid bulking up. Avoid pleats or ruching on the front of your pants rise, and look for styles that add volume to the sides of your hips and around your thighs.



Longer Skirt Hems

Right above the knee, knee and calf length skirts. Short skirts will only highlight your midsection and make you look blocky.

Your best skirt styles that draw attention to your legs are:

Longer hems look best on Apple body shapes

 

  • Bias cut
  • Asymmetric
  • Hanky hems
  • Trumpet skirts
  • Structured pencil and A-line skirts


If you're petite, stick to right above the knee lengths or add a pair of heels to avoid overwhelming your short height.

Short skirts are recommended for petites, but will emphasize your apple shape - so try putting more effort in your top by visually elongating your torso with shoulder details.



Long Tops

Long tops that float away from your waist – hip-length tops and tunic shirts. They help balance out your Apple body shape.

Long tops balance out an Apple body shape's body frame



Unfortunately, frills aren't your best friends because they add too much volume. But simple draping fabric (eg. waterfall tops) will have a slimming effect on your mid-section.

If you have short legs, long tops will shorten them, so add heels.

Long tops with structured shoulders are your best bet but aren't an absolute necessity if you can put more work on other areas of your body shape. A structured jacket on top of the long top helps balance it out.



Structured Jackets and Coats

Preferably hip-length to skim past your midsection and balance out your frame. Buttons should be below the bust to trim your waist.

If you're an Apple body shape you'll look best in structured jackets

Courtesy: Stylecompare.co.uk, Zara, Lagarconne

Also, nipped waist, V-shaped lapels, and a V-neckline look best on you.
Also make sure that your jackets are single-breasted. Too much details such as double breasts accentuate your midsection.

The best and simplest way to camouflage your heavy midriff is to layer whatever top you are wearing with a structured jacket or coat. This draws attention away from this area and create curves on the right places such as your shoulders and chest along with your hips. So invest in tailored blazers and coats!

Wearing your jacket open will trick people into thinking that there's a tiny waist hiding in there. Looks slimming and streamlined. Although cardigans and waistcoats aren't structured, leaving them open helps disguise your midriff.


 
   

 

 

    
  
    
    
    

 


 

 

 


Super Contributor
Posts: 490
Registered: ‎07-20-2017

Re: Fashion for the Short and Heavy Gal

Thank you to all that took the time to post such helpful info and some beautiful style ideas. Who needs a fashion magazine when there are people like y'all with so much knowledge that share it freely? Really enjoyed it.

 

I think (?) I'm some kind of modified apple shape...under 5 ft 4 very long torsoed and my spare tire is more in my upper abdomen than lower belly. Weird.

I know I cannot wear bathing suit tops (not talking bikini!) unless they are a halter style. Maybe I'm a linebacker-apple? Also don't like tops that have the two to three inch longer length in the back and shorter in the front. My caboose and legs are my best assets and prefer to highlight that while hiding the high spare tire. I'm a B cup on a good day so not a whole lot to highlight there Smiley Embarassed.

Definitely a strange body shape to be heavy, but it's what I've got lol. 

Never mistake kindness for weakness
Super Contributor
Posts: 490
Registered: ‎07-20-2017

Re: Fashion for the Short and Heavy Gal

I came back to this thread because I was going to add that I have super short legs (I like them, they are just extremely short) and for some reason every time I tried to click on the topic it took me to Truffle's profile. At least 4 times.

 

I'm still not familiar with all the ins and outs of this forum but wanted to state if it shows somewhere when someone views your profile I promise you Truffle I was not stalking you Cat Surprised

Never mistake kindness for weakness
Honored Contributor
Posts: 12,845
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Fashion for the Short and Heavy Gal

I'm also an apple shape and petite at 5'2".  I wear a Q size large most of the time and what frustrates me about the sizing is that long sleeves are usually too long when they aren't a "petite".  I try to buy 3/4 sleeves or tops with sleeve that can be altered or rolled up.

 

For me it is a hit & miss (I return a lot) . I have had success with Logo, Halston, Denim & Co. and a bit with Isaac Mizrahi.  I like Quacker Factory pants.  I try to find tops that flow away from the body and always wear dark or jewel tone colors...I'm not a fan of light colors and I feel that dark is more slimming.

 

Talbots is one of the few clothing stores that offers petite plus sizes.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 19,038
Registered: ‎03-14-2010

Re: Fashion for the Short and Heavy Gal

To address the "short" aspect of the equation (I'm 5'2"), I often dress monochromatically.  Tops and bottoms of the same color can give you some height as they make you look like one long line.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,537
Registered: ‎03-15-2010

Re: Fashion for the Short and Heavy Gal

I have a friend with a 'difficult' shape, that always looks perfectly styled, her secret?

 

She has a personal shopper at Nordstroms that is a fuller figured gal.  They get together a few times a year to refresher her wardrobe  and it anything comes in or goes on sale the shopper contacts my friend and sends it to her.

We live about 2 hours from Nordstroms but for her it is worth the trip to not have to worry about selecting outfits or wasting time/money on things that do not work for her figure.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 5,660
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Fashion for the Short and Heavy Gal

GEt thee to a Talbots that carries the WOman and Woman Petite clothing sizes.  THey have sales associates who are trained in how to fit and dress all figure types.