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Apple Body Shape: Ultimate Guide to Building a Wardrobe

Apple Body Shape: Ultimate Guide to Building a Wardrobe

You’ve tried outfits from your favorite influencers, borrowed clothes from friends, or even attempted a look from your favorite fashion magazine, and none of it is working. Then comes frustration with your style, loathsome feelings towards your wardrobe, and you figure “well, maybe fashion just isn’t my thing”.

But, I’m here to assuage those fears and give you the key to unlocking your style potential. Understanding your body shape and then being able to dress for your body, is the biggest hurdle people unknowingly face with their style. And if you’re an apple body shape, you’ve probably experienced this.

The apple body shape is a beautiful and unique shape that shines when dressed to highlight its best assets. Correctly identifying your body shape and then learning how and where to apply the focal points of your outfit can not only do wonders for your style but can also help you find confidence and strength through style.

There are so many flattering and fashionable outfits for the apple-shaped body, and this ultimate wardrobe guide will help you shop for your body shape, dress for your best features, and create the look you’ve been craving.

But, first, let’s make sure you are in the right place.

What is an Apple Body Shape?

An Apple body shape is characterized by a top-heavy figure. They can sometimes be confused with the inverted triangle body shape, however, the apple body shape (or oval body) has an undefined waistline. The apple body shape, like every body type, has some variations within the shape.

They can either have broader shoulders and a larger bustline with an undefined waistline. Or they can have shoulders and hips that are generally in line with one another and a larger middle section.

apple body shape examples

There is a misconception that apple body shapes are always plus-size people, which is completely untrue. There are all different size apple bodies, and the key to determining if you fit this shape is through your measurements.

I have an easy 5 minutes guide, here, to confirm your body shape.

The apple body shape is most often confused with the inverted body shape. Because as you saw in the above photo, there are two different shoulder shapes associated with the apple/circle/oval body. They can be broader with a full bust, which can mimic the same inverted triangle shape. However, the key differentiating factors are where they gain weight and the roundness of the bust, and the general lines of the body.

Characteristics Of An Apple Body Shape

apple body shape example

As I’ve already mentioned, the apple body shape is characterized by a noticeably stacked upper body. Your shoulders are often broader and pretty much in line with the hips. Your stomach and hidden waistline probably carry most of your fullness, making it the widest part of your figure. But, not wanting to be outdone, your bust is one of your most sizeable assets. 

One of your most stand-out traits is killer legs and slimmer arms. Most people with this body type struggle to pick outfits that complement their shape because they struggle to delicately distinguish the different features bundled up in their upper body. 

woman in workout gear with apple body shape, mid-sized example

Some common physical traits of the apple body shape are:

  • You have broad shoulders that sit in line with your hips, or your shoulders and hips could also be narrower than your midsection. (see image above, one looks more “apple”, the other looks more “oval”)
  • Your bust size ranges from average size to generously fuller.
  • The fullest part of your body is around your stomach and waistline, where your body carries most of your weight, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a pronounced middle.
  • It’s your waistline that you struggle to accentuate as it isn’t clearly defined.
  • Your back is sometimes the other area that carries weight, but your butt/lower half is usually flat.
  • You might also have slim arms with stunning legs.
  • Petit apple shapes still have that undefined waistline and tend to have a fuller midsection when they gain weight

Apple Body Shape

When using the fruit or traditional body system, the goal is to balance out your body. We want to visually draw the eye to our best assets and de-emphasize other elements of our bodies.

To a certain degree, using the fruit body types, your type can change as you gain weight or age.  A lot of people find they become an apple body shape as they age.  So there is some overlap between the different types, as well. 

The rectangle body shape also has an undefined waist and well-proportioned figure, however they lack the curves and fuller bust shape that the apple is known for.  Which means you may find yourself borrowing style goals from other body shapes depending on your unique proportions and style goals. 

A lot of women explore having a primary body type and a secondary body type so that they can create a style recipe that is unique to their body. 

Still not sure you are an apple shape? Check out this article to confirm it. 

Style Goals: Apple Body Shape

woman wearing puff sleeve sweetheart neckline shirt

When using the fruit or traditional body system, the goal is to balance out your body. We want to visually draw the eye to our best assets and create a more balanced (hourglass) shape.

And people with an apple body shape can become overly focused on hiding their stomachs, instead of showing off their legs, bust, and arms, which are often their standout features. 

I recognize that it can be difficult to find great style icons for apple body-shaped women, because throwing a belt over a day dress is “the look” right now, and that is not sound advice for the apple shape.  But, I hope, after reading this guide you will come to see what a beautiful shape you have, and start embracing the styling and silhouettes that will make YOUR body shine. 

But personal style also comes down to comfort, lifestyle, and style goals.  You can check out this video if you want more information on it, but ultimately I think it is a helpful to have a concrete understanding of what body parts you like to highlight, what parts you are neutral about, and what parts you do not want to be shown off. 

While I would like to encourage everyone to embrace body positivity, that can be a long journey, so in the meantime, I suggest one embraces body neutrality.  Accepting your body, your point of view regarding your body, and doing your best to show the parts you love and de-emphasize the parts you don’t love yet. 

You may be tempted to skip this, but it’s a great step to evolving your style goals and having a plan. You wouldn’t bake a new dish without a recipe, or plan, so why create outfits in that manner? 

Take 5 minutes to write down the following to determine your body emphasis points:

  • 3 parts of your body you love and want to highlight
  • 3 parts of your body you are neutral towards
  • 1-2 parts of your body you want to de-emphasize ( if it’s zero that’s even better!)

So, based on that list you may find you either want to stick with the apple body shape guide or check out the other guides here. 

This guide will go over minimizing your undefined waist and highlighting features like your bust, legs, and arms.  

What To Wear With An Apple Body Shape

woman in empire waist dress apple body shape

You might hear conflicting information if you’ve been exploring the apple body shape for a while.  And honestly, that is to be expected with any body shape. 

There are many different ways that an apple body shape can present and because each body is unique, you will have to create your own style recipe.  This is why it is helpful to have that body empahsis list. Before you go in and buy every suggestion in this guide, double-check if it accomplishes what you want to highlight, and what you want to de-emphasize. 

A lot of people with apple body shapes end up opting for baggy looks in order to hide their stomachs, and I must discourage this practice.  You have a beautiful shape and there are more effective ways to dress it. 

You can either choose to gracefully skim over your stomach area with looser yet defined silhouettes,  create alternative focal points within an outfit, or use layering to help create a dynamic outfit that de-emphasizes the width in your waist. 

Monochromatic, tonal, or column dressing can also be especially effective. 

And because apple shapes have a full bust, bra shopping can be incredibly important.  Your bust most likely needs real support, and if you lack that, the outfit covering it will not have a proper foundation. 

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The Proper Bra for an Apple Body Shape 

Apple body shapes often have moderate to full chests, and that requires a proper bra for support and comfort. 

You want a bra that lifts and supports, without pinching your torso and creating an indent. Getting fitted by a bra department is very effective if you have the time.  Because you would be surprised at how many women get their bra size completely incorrect. 

You will want to look for a bra that has underwire and potentially has side boning.  This creates a strong foundation to lift and support. 

If you have a moderate size chest or wide set apart breasts, a balconette bra can be especially flattering. But does not provide a lot of support for people with C cups or higher. 

V shape or plunging bras can be great for women whose chest has a tendency to look slightly deflated or saggy ( hello, aging!).  I would aim for half coverage or 3/4 coverage so that you can still highlight your cleavage (if you want to).  Push-up bras can also help with this. 

And if your chest is very full and larger, you’ll want to go for an underwire/boned option that is unlined. This will allow you to showcase your chest without adding any extra to it. 

If all of this is seeming a bit much, your best bet is to get properly fitted by a professional.  

What Should You Avoid Wearing With An Apple Body Shape

For the apple body shape you want to avoid baggy, large clothing that will hide your shape completely and even make you look a bit lumpy (no, thanks!). 

The “baggy” look isn’t your easiest look to pull off.  If you want to try it, I suggest you experiment with it and take photographs of the outfits that you can refer back to later.  This could provide you with some data on what, if anything, is working with this style. 

You should also generally avoid anything that visually and strictly defines your waist.  A contrast color belt or thick belt can highlight your middle section and visually define where it starts and ends. And because you don’t have a defined waistline naturally, this can make you appear wider.  

Similarly, horizontal stripes can overemphasize the width in your bust, and waist, creating a widening effect. 

Corset-style pieces are also difficult to wear as they can look constricting in the waist and over support your chest ( meaning, the girls are really out!). 

We will go over easier silhouettes to wear, but ultimately you want your clothing to skim and gently flare away from your body.  And for the most part, avoid pieces that cut in or constrict in towards the body.  

Crop tops can also be tricky to pull off because they create a strong focal point exactly at your stomach and waistline.  

Apple Body Shape “Rules”

I hate using the word “rules” because personal style should never feel confining or like you can’t wear something.   But, I also want you to be able to showcase your beautiful body in the best light, so let’s go over some general style tips to make that happen. 

  • Don’t bury your body in fabric, but allow your clothing to have some space
  • Opt for pieces that gently flare out from the body 
  • Keep your silhouettes more open and straight 
  • Use layering to your advantage 
  • Balance out your lower half by adding visually to it
  • Don’t be afraid to show off your legs 
  • Support your bust 

Only you can decide which of these “rules” you apply to each outfit, but it’s good to have some style goals to experiment with. 

The Apple Body Shape: Building A Wardrobe

Ok, I hope you have a better understanding of how effective dressing for your shape can be, and the overall goals of your outfits.  Now, it’s time to explore individual silhouettes that work best for you.  

Necklines For The Apple Body Shape

necklines for the apple body shape

You’re probably going to notice a theme while we go through the apple body shape wardrobe, and that is silhouettes, and shapes that flare away from the body.  We want to visually draw the eye outward and not in.  

In the below image, we can see the fitted neckline further emphasizes a round shape.  Our eyes follow the lines of the garment in towards her neck and in turn, we end up visually widening the middle.  

Whereas the wide v-neckline draws the eye out and visually shrinks the waistline.  

neckline comparison apple body shape (fitted neckline = constricting, open neckline = flattering)

Any necklines that show off your bust, as long as you’re wearing the correct bra, are fantastic for the apple body.  Now, if you prefer to dress more modestly, you can opt for higher necklines that still have an outward shape (like a higher scoop neck).  Ultimately this will be a personal decision. 

Best Necklines for the Apple Body Shape 

  • V-neck
  • Deep V-neck or plunging
  • Strapless ( if well supported!)
  • Scoop 
  • Sweetheart
  • Cowl
  • U-shape
  • Off-the-shoulder
  • Square
  • Wide V-neck

Avoid: You should generally avoid high and narrow necklines that make your middle section seem wider in proportion 

Sleeves For The Apple Body Shape

sleeve styles for the apple body shape

Apple body shapes usually have great arms, and you’ll want to show them off.  However, you don’t want constricting sleeves, fitted, or overly tight sleeves.  

Your arms are naturally thin and if you wear a fitted sleeve it will visually widen your torso in comparison. 

So sleeveless or shorter cap sleeves work because they don’t visually define where your arm begin/end (horizontally).  And sleeves that have volume, flare out or have a soft shape work as well because they create movement that flows outwards. 

apple body shape sleeve comparison

Best Sleeves for the Apple Body Shape

  • Flutter
  • Flared
  • Puff ( watch where it cinches with your proportions)
  • Gentle cuff (loose sleeve body)
  • Split
  • Draped
  • Butterfly
  • Open Cap ( doesn’t constrain or feel tight at hem) 

Avoid: Fitted or tight sleeves that visually minimize your arms and make your torso appear wider in comparison

Shirts, Tops, and Knits for the Apple Body Shape 

apple body shape tops, knits, and shirts

A lot of the recommendations within this guide will stack on top of one another.  When looking for tops that fit your body, the necklines and sleeve information will be essential to pay attention to, as well.  You may not find a top that “hits” all your recommendations at once, but the more elements you can get working for your shape, the easier that piece will be to wear. 

A-line, flowy, and relaxed shirts are best for the apple body shape.  We want the general shape of the top to either be straight or flow gently out.  We don’t want to further create circular shapes within our bodies with hems that taper in or create a “bubble” shape. 

You’ll also want to pay attention to the fabric in your tops.  Woven tops hang better and a soft woven will loosely flow over your curves.  Stretch fabrics and tight knits (while initially seem like a good idea) can overly constrict your top half and create more shadows along your stomach line.  

For hemlines, you’ll generally want to opt for a hem that isn’t cropped but also doesn’t go past your hip bone.  I generally prefer figuring out your exact proportions and adopting the rule of thirds to get the best balance for your body, and I go over that in this video.

Best Shirts, Tops, and Knits for the Apple Body Shape 

  • Loose Peplum (look for elastic at the waist or soft woven fabric, not constricting) 
  • Loose tee (ideally with an apple body suggested neckline) 
  • Soft-shaped fabric shirt (open cuffs are ideal) 
  • Swing/trapeze top 
  • Tunic
  • Soft wrap top ( keep the ties gently to the side) 
  • Babydoll or empire waist (with a hem that flares out) 
  • Ruffle top ( this doesn’t work for everyone) 
  • A-line silhouettes
  • Relaxed, boyfriend button-ups
  • Waterfall cardigan
  • Open cardigan
  • Open knits

Avoid:  Overly structured shirts, corset elements, shirts that taper in at the hem, crop tops, contrast color belt tops, or anything overly bodycon, and patterned knits 

knitwear for the apple body shape examples (open, loose)

Jackets for the Apple Body Shape 

jacket styles for the apple body shape

The right jacket can look beautiful on an apple body shape, the V-shape lapel and visual neckline it creates highlights you bust nicely and visually draws the line down towards the ground (instead of horizontally). 

You’ll ideally want to look for jackets that have a button below the bust (if they have any closures).  And you can also rock a beautiful straight or open-style jacket. 

If you opt for a peplum style jacket it has to have elastic or rushing at the waist instead of a single seam line.  This will softly give the illusion of a waist without constricting your torso. 

Open necklines in jackets are also a great element to look for. 

For hemlines, generally, shoot for the hip bone or upper thigh.  

Best Jackets for the Apple Body Shape 

  • Straight jacket
  • Peplum with soft waist (rushing or elastic waist)
  • Open jackets
  • Fitted jacket with a flared hem
  • A-line jackets 


Avoid: Double-breasted jackets, wide belts on jackets, and shorter or cropped hem lengths are not the best choices for the oval body shape. 

jacket styles for the apple body shape

Coats for the Apple Body Shape 

coats for the apple body shape

You’ll find a lot of overlap between the coats and jackets recommended for your shape.  Open and straight coats work beautifully.  As do A-line coats and ponchos.

Wrap coats can look chic, as long as you watch where the tie hits on your waist.  A softer fabric is best for this option so that it doesn’t sharply define or suffocate your torso/bust. 

You can also try a modified trench style.  Depending on your body you could try a less-embellished style, a single-breasted trench, or a knee-length trench with no belt.  This is a slightly trickier silhouette, and I suggest trying several of these options in person before purchasing. 

Best Coats for the Apple Body Shape 

  • Open styles
  • Straight silhouettes
  • A-line
  • Wrap coats (watch the tie placement and fabric weight)
  • Cut-away coats (watch where the closure placement is and where it exactly it cuts away on your body, but the diagonal lines can be very flattering)
  • Poncho 

Avoid: Double-breasted styles, decorative elements above the waist, and any large/decorative belt placements 

Dresses for the Apple Body Shape 

dresses for the apple body shape

I hope you’re picking up on the theme here, and that is flowing gently out with your silhouettes and not overly emphasizing your undefined waist.  The reason I want you to understand the goals of these suggestions is that when you’re shopping you may see a dress that accomplishes your style goals but isn’t on this list.  And I would hate for your closet to be limited by these general guidelines.  This might take some time to train your eye, but it will do wonders for your style journey.  

Best Dresses for the Apple Body Shape

  • Wrap dress ( soft fabric is key and watch the placement of the tie) 
  • Fit and flare (soft waist seam) 
  • Ruched waist dress 
  • Ruched dress
  • Peplum 
  • Babydoll or Empire waist ( with flared hem, not a bubble or cupcake shape) 
  • Draped elements 
  • Tunic style dresses

Avoid:  Bodycon dresses, structured seaming along the waistline, corset styles, or narrow/tight necklines or hems 

dress style tip for apple body shape

If you want a more fitted dress option, or want to show off your body in its sexiest light, opt for a ruching or draping below the bust.  This creates room for your stomach and creates less obvious shadow lines.  It also prevents the silhouette from looking a bit lumpy. (this has nothing to do with size but the emphasis on the shadows created by the apple shape.) 

Bottoms for the Apple Body Shape 

Now, the general recommendations for the apple body shape for bottoms can vary quite a bit and this will come down to your proportions, and body emphasis points (which we went over in the first section).  

And there may be a few recommended silhouettes that seem more “confining” than I have suggested in previous sections. So, recognize this may take some trial and error to see what is working for you and how you pair the different elements together. Because one individual piece can look flattering or wrong depending on how you create your head-to-toe look. 

Jeans for the Apple Body Shape 

jeans for the apple body shape

Flat-front pants are the easiest for the oval body because they don’t create any focal points along your waist to the hip region.  

In terms of silhouette straight, and bootcut tend to be the easiest to wear.  And wide-leg or flare also works because they draw the vertical line down and slightly out.

Now, skinny jeans tend to be a bit polarizing with the apple body shape community. And I will say they won’t work for every oval body out there.  This will come back to your personal body emphasis list.  

Skinny jeans can look beautiful and show off your slim legs and long legs.  However, if you are a more pronounced apple they can make your middle seem bigger in comparison.  This will be a personal decision and reflect your personal style goals. 

The rise in jeans will also be somewhat personal, and my proportions video can help you determine what your natural rise is in comparison to the rest of your body. 

Mid-rise is often a safe bet.  It avoids shirts from becoming “crop tops” and it keeps your line long.  

In the below image, you can see how small outfit tweaks are used to compliment her apple body shape more effectively.  The first outfit makes her stomach the focal point.  There is a visual break between the top and bottom (color and texture-wise), and it is a cropped top.  We could tweak this look by creating a column effect and wearing a monochromatic outfit.  Or we opt for a shirt that has a longer hem and flares out, therefore drawing your eye down and balancing the overall silhouette.  

apple body shape outfit style tip

Best Jeans for the Apple Body Shape

  • Straight
  • Bootcut
  • Wide-leg
  • Flare
  • Skinny (depending on your individual shape)
  • Darker shades of denim 

Apple Body Shape Trousers 

trouser styles for apple body shape

For trousers, you’ll want to keep the silhouette flaring outwards as we have discussed.  And you’ll want to keep the front of the trousers (from hip to waist) decoration-free.  We don’t want to add any focal points or extra bulk to that area.  

And visually we want to draw the eye down, to create a longer vertical line.  So generally, cropped silhouettes are not recommended (unless you are petite). 

Best Trousers for the Apple Body Shape

  • Flowy 
  • Flare
  • Cargo
  • Bootcut
  • Straight
  • Wide-leg

Avoid: Trousers with decorative elements along the waist or hip area, pants with a structured tapered leg, built-in wide-belts, and sailor-style pants

Apple Body Shape Skirts

skirts for the apple body shape

Skirts can be extremely flattering and effective for an apple body shape. They often create that visual outward movement we are shooting for.  

In terms of skirt length, you can go anywhere from a high midi-skirt to a mini skirt (again, your own body emphasis list can help you narrow this down!).  You have great legs, so don’t be afraid to show them off in a mini skirt.  

If you opt for a pencil skirt, make sure it goes straight down from the hip and doesn’t taper in towards your knees.  

And be sure to watch the volume on the skirt. We want to visually balance our lower halves, but too much fabric on your frame can shorten you.  

Best Skirts for the Apple Body Shape

  • A-line
  • Paneled
  • Circle
  • Asymmetrical 
  • Wrap
  • Bias
  • Straight pencil (from hip down it is straight) 

Avoid: Tiered or ruffle skirts can create too much bulk around your stomach, and bodycon pencil skirts can widen your middle

Jumpsuits for the Apple Body Shape 

apple body shape jumpsuit

Again, we want our silhouettes to flow outward, and not taper.  Keep your necklines and fabrics in mind, and you can find a super flattering jumpsuit.  

Shorts for the Apple Body Shape 

Knee-length shorts, that have a straight silhouette, are often the best for oval body shapes. You can also try cargo or Bermuda shorts just watch your individual proportions. 

Super skinny or tight shorts need to be longer in length and will depend on the individual.  They can make some apples look top-heavy and unbalanced.  If you do opt for a more fitted short, keep your top flowier or tunic-shaped. 

Accessories for the Apple Body Shape

Accessories can be really effective in completing your look and having a polished style.  

For belts, you’ll want to keep them tonally matching or the same color as the pants.  

belts for the apple body shape

Notice how the matching belt blends in and doesn’t sharply define the waist. Whereas the contrast color belt creates a visual horizontal line, which defines the starting and ending spot and can widen the overall look. 

apple body shape belt example
if you do add a contrasting belt, make sure the fabric of the outfit can gently drape over and flow out from it

Generally, belts won’t be your go-to accessory.  You want to visually draw the eye to your head/neck area or down to your feet.  So a pair of really cool shoes or pumps are fantastic.  And scarves, earrings, or hair accessories can be very flattering.  

apple body shape proportions with higher boots example

Be sure to watch the proportions of your entire outfit. While the dress in the above image is a great casual silhouette for the apple body shape, the boots are shortening her look. Because there is a small chunk of skin showing paired with knee-high boots, her outfit is being visually divided three separate times in a small amount of space. This causes the eye to stop three times when taking in the outfit.

This shortens the vertical line. You could adjust this with a heeled boot, tights to continue the line vertically, or a shorter boot or heel option.

Celebrities with an Apple Body Shape 

Now, sometimes it’s nice to see others with your body shape styled.  And since the apple shape can present in a variety of different ways, finding a celebrity with similar proportions can give you some insight into styles that work or don’t work. 

  • Melissa McCarthy
  • Queen Latifah
  • Chloe Grace Moretz
  • Drew Barrymore
  • Whoopi Goldberg
  • Adele
  • Missy Elliot
  • Amy Schumer 
  • Kate Winslet 

Outfit Building for the Apple Body Shape 

Let’s go over some examples of outfits and where they are working and where they could be improved. Please note, that personal style is personal (duh, I know!). I am in no way saying any of these outfits are bad, or unflattering. Ultimately, that is for the wearer to decide. I simply wanted to show how combining the different suggestions and style tips can adjust or change the look.

apple body shape woman wearing a sequin wrap dress

Talk about a fantastic and eye-catching look. This outfit proves that apple body shapes should not hide their bodies. The neckline shows off her cleavage, her waist is softly defined, and the skirt flares out nicely and balances out her lower half. Plus, this color is fantastic on her. If you want to learn more about choosing the right colors, check out my guide to seasonal color analysis, here.

apple body shape outfit, wide leg trouser, neutral cardigan

Here’s a great example of tweaking the style suggestions to your own body. The wide-leg black pants create a nice column effect and lengthen her outfit. Paired with a neutral, buttoned-up cardigan it creates a harmonious look from head to toe. Now, I did suggest more open knits, but this knit is heavier weight and doesn’t feel like it is suffocating this woman’s body. And the hat creates a nice visual focal point.

apple body shape dress idea

This is a nice style of dress for some apple body shapes. The shoulder seams/shape slopes in slightly, so if you have broader shoulders this silhouette might be a skip. The asymmetrical/open hemline creates nice movement and doesn’t hug the stomach area. Plus, the soft elastic waist gently defines the waist without creating a focal point around it. It allows space for your apple body shape.

A beautiful, casual outfit for the apple body shape. The open neckline blouse loosely tucked into the wrap skirt allows for a feminine, but a breathable option for the body. It allows space for your midriff and doesn’t create any unflattering shadows in that area.

For peplum-style dresses, you’ll want to look for soft fabric, a soft waist seam, and/or a bottom hem that is straight and not constricting. The dress above showcases the apple shape without showing cleavage, and the peplum helps balance out the lower half. Just watch your hem proportions.

Column dressing can be effective for a lot of body shapes. It creates a long, slim line from head-to-toe. I have a body-positive guide on visually slimming or lengthening your look here.

I love the colors of this outfit and the general shape and weights of this silhouette. However, the sharp contrast in color (the color-block technique) creates a strong horizontal emphasis right on her waistline. If you are a fan of color block, this may be a style you embrace regardless. Personal expression reigns supreme, so don’t be afraid to break any of these “rules”. In fact, there are no rules in fashion 😉.

Remember, you have killer legs, don’t be afraid to show them off with a mini-skirt. If you’re worried about your stomach being emphasized, try a darker shade mini-skirt like the above outfit.

apple body shape petit dress

This is a great dress for a petit apple shape or someone with a secondary inverted triangle body shape. You’ll notice this woman has a full bust and strong shoulder line, and the dress emphasizes her upper body, but because of the ruched waistline, her lower body is well balanced.

Shopping for the Apple Body Shape

Remember to shop wisely, because we want to create a wardrobe that actually works for your lifestyle and daily needs.  A fantasy personal style is cool until it sits in the back of your closet going unworn. 

Cleaning out your closet and vetting purchases is extremely important to a well-rounded and loved wardrobe.  I go over the steps to do this in my Craft the Closet of Your Dreams Playbook.  It will show you how to declutter, organize, and shop for your wardrobe gaps. (note, it does not specifically cover body shape, that is what this guide is for). 

But, here are some apple-body shape approved items: 

I hope this guide has shown you that your oval body is beautiful, and can look absolutely fantastic when dressed for its needs.  Choosing clothes that work with your body can make you feel more confident and find strength through style. 

Now, I don’t want you to feel boxed in by these recommendations.  These are merely foundational blocks and guidelines to get you started.  Eventually, the goal will be to create your own style recipe that embraces and expresses you.  

Embrace your beauty, and show off that gorgeous figure. 

Keep this guide for reference, by pinning the below image!

apple body shape wardrobe style guide

Barbara

Friday 29th of December 2023

This is the very best article I have read about the Apple shape. I am pleased to note how well this piece is written. I am also really pleased that the author recognizes Apple shaped women who are not plus sized; in my youth I was often referred to as fat or big when I was actually quite slim. At 67 I have tried it all and I completely agree with all of the suggestions. Thank you JoAnne!

Gabrielle Arruda

Saturday 30th of December 2023

Thank you very much! It means a lot and I'm thrilled the information has been helpful and correlated to your own experiences with the apple shape

Donna

Monday 20th of November 2023

Thank you for given me a few ideas

Louella

Sunday 29th of October 2023

Always wanted to know what to wear for apples. Now I know.

Kate

Monday 7th of August 2023

Thank you for sharing. It's helpful. I got some content from here to educate people on social media.

tamara mwanza

Wednesday 26th of July 2023

i have really enjoyed reading this article and i have learned a lot on how i should dress my apple body shape and i would like to recieve more guidance.