In this post, we take a look at the apple body shape and how to get the most out of it. Knowing your body type and dressing accordingly is key if you want to be wardrobe-conscious. It makes shopping and your daily dressing routine easier. Read on to find out how to choose the right clothes so that your body proportions are as close to ideal as possible.

What Are The Characteristics Of An Apple Body Shape?

As its name suggests, the apple body shape is characterized by rounder shapes. The upper body is stronger; the breasts are fuller; the waistline is not defined; and in cases of weight gain, the extra kilos accumulate mainly around the abdomen.

The arms and legs are slimmer; they should be emphasized, though. By the way, I have also written articles on the rectangle, inverted triangle, hourglass, and pear body shapes; feel free to check them out!

Although many people think that dressing this body type is a real challenge, it’s actually no more difficult than any other body type; you just have to choose the right clothes, just like with all other body types. As with all non-hourglass shapes, the goal here is to use clothes to correct the disproportions that take the silhouette in a different direction than the ideal.

Can An Apple Body Be Skinny?

Yes, of course. It is important to understand that our body shape is something we are born with. It is not determined by our weight but by our body structure, bones, and other physical characteristics.

However, it is also worth mentioning that, in many cases, certain – often less desired – body structure characteristics are more prominent in the case of getting some extra pounds. For example, it may easily happen that a person only “becomes” an apple body shape when gaining weight because they become rounder, even though before that they had the characteristics of a rectangular body shape.

What Should I Wear?

To sum it up in one sentence, the aim is to get as close as possible to the ideal waist-to-hip ratio, the hourglass figure. How can we do this? We try to distract attention from the more problematic parts, but at least not to emphasize them. What is advantageous, let’s show it off! 

In the case of the apple body shape, for example, the upper body is more problematic, so don’t overemphasize it. The legs are usually slender, so it’s worth highlighting them; a lighter pants-dark top combination, for example, can be used to play with proportions by using color. For trousers, go for high-waisted styles, and if you opt for a skirt, an A-line is recommended to visually offset a stronger torso.

When choosing tops, it is better to prefer V-necks, as they optically stretch the upper body. The same goes for dresses and tops cinched under the bust: they elongate the waistline nicely, and if they are looser fitting, they also cover up problem areas. Extra tip: Longer necklaces can be a good alternative to a V-neckline.

What Clothes Should I Avoid?

On the one hand, you should avoid pieces that are too form-fitting, and on the other hand, choosing very baggy clothes is not a good choice either, as you can hide existing curves, which is definitely not the goal.

Also, avoid any garment that draws attention to your shortcomings: pants and skirts that are too low-waisted, and leave waist belts for other types. Of course, any extra embellishments (e.g., ruffles) on the upper part also add to the appearance and will not look good on an apple body shape.

What Type Of Skirt Is Best For An Apple Body Shape?

As the legs are generally slimmer in the case of an apple body shape, it’s fine to emphasize them, and it’s worth doing so. If you feel comfortable in them, miniskirts are a good choice. You should make sure that you choose a flared fit. This also applies if you opt for a longer skirt.

As we talked about before, A-line skirts, mid-rise waists, and you can’t miss too much. You can even play a little with colors, patterns, and fabrics. You want to accentuate the lower part of your body, so you can go for skirts and trousers with lighter colors and/or patterns.

What Shorts Look Good On An Apple Body Type?

The principles described earlier for the skirt can be safely applied here too. We want to draw attention to our lower body, so what we wear here can be bright, patterned, and striking. Make sure it is flared and not low-waisted. We should always keep in mind that what we wear should compensate for the disproportions of our body.

What Jeans Are Best For Apple Body Shapes?

When choosing jeans, it is also a good idea to choose styles with at least a regular waist. In terms of tailoring, wider or straight-leg trousers with a loose fit or even bootcuts are best. Skinny is not a winner here, as it draws attention to the slim legs in relation to the torso, resulting in a disproportionate silhouette.

If you’re having a hard time giving up skinny jeans, make sure you wear a longer top that stretches the torso, and definitely don’t tuck a T-shirt into the pants, as this will also highlight the problem area around your waist. 

What Necklines Look Best On An Apple Body Shape?

The aim here is to stretch the torso as far as possible. The best choice is a V-neck, and avoid tops with round necks that widen the torso. If this is not possible, a long necklace can be used to offset the positive effect of V-neck tops. It’s also a good idea to choose a halterneck top if the weather conditions allow.

What Bikini Is Best For Apple Body Shape?

I’ve read in several places that they recommend high-waisted bikini bottoms for an apple body shape. Well, I would argue with that. The reasoning is that it’s beneficial because it flattens the tummy. That may be, but it also draws attention to an area that is less advantageous.

Think about it: if a high-waisted skinny jeans and t-shirt combo is not recommended (there is a general consensus on this), why would a high-waisted bikini bottom be a good choice? Because they both give pretty much the same visual effect. I’d rather recommend a tankini to bring the positive effects of empire-line dresses into your beach set, or a shapewear one-piece swimsuit with the appropriate cleavage.

By appropriate, I mean the V-neckline, which has been mentioned a lot before, or a halter neck, for example. These are a very nice way to draw attention to the cleavage rather than the problematic tummy area. If you insist on a two-piece swimsuit, no problem, but I’m still of the opinion that a high-waisted bottom will not be a better choice than any other bikini bottom.

Which Celebrity Has An Apple Body Shape?

Many of us like to take inspiration from celebrity outfits or red carpet event outfits. Drew Barrymore, Oprah Winfrey, Queen Latifah and Adele are all apple shaped, and often worth drawing inspiration from. Be aware, however, that there are often mistakes and poorly chosen outfits when it comes to dressing A-list stars, even at red carpet events. 

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you to better understand the apple body type and its characteristics. Knowing your body type is very important, but at the end of the day, the key is to instinctively choose the right outfit for your body type.

If you know the basic principles, chances are that this will be easy after a while. And never forget that while knowing your type is a big help in building your wardrobe, nothing is set in stone and you can be more indulgent with yourself in certain situations.

Credit for the collages: H&M