What Is an Apple Body Shape?
An apple shape carries more weight around the middle: the waist is the same width as, or wider than, the bust and hips, and it's less defined. Shoulders are often rounded, and many apple shapes have slim arms and legs. It's sometimes called a round or O shape. It can describe women or men; for men it's usually called oval.
From a health point of view, carrying weight around the waist is worth keeping an eye on, and a doctor can advise. From a style point of view, apple is just a shape, dressed like any other by balancing proportions.
Necklines and Tops
V-necks and scoop necks draw the eye up and create a vertical line. Empire waists, where the seam sits under the bust, let fabric flow over the middle. Wrap tops create a waist. Choose fabrics that skim rather than cling: jersey, crepe and soft woven fabrics. Avoid boxy cropped tops that end at the widest point.
Read more: Body Types for Women: The 5 Shapes and How to Dress Them
Dresses
Wrap dresses, empire-waist dresses, shift dresses and A-line dresses all work. Hemlines at or just above the knee show off the legs, often an apple shape's strong point.
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Trousers, Skirts and Jackets
Mid- to high-rise trousers with a flat front and a straight, bootcut or wide leg balance the middle. A-line and straight skirts work. Open, longline jackets and cardigans create two long vertical lines down the body; a structured blazer worn open defines the shoulders.
Read more: How to Dress for Your Body Type: The Simple Rules
What to Avoid
Tight waistbands that cut in, belts at the natural waist (try one just under the bust instead), very clingy thin knits, and horizontal details across the middle. See the 5 body types and how to look slimmer in clothes.
In Ollie Stylist you can set the model's build to plus and try real pieces on it before buying.