There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all body type – we all come in different shapes and sizes. It can be useful to understand a bit about what body shape you’ve been gifted with though, because dressing for your shape can enhance your look and flatter your figure no matter what size you are.
People often use body shape as a way to work out how best to cover and hide certain areas of the body, but that shouldn’t be the goal! Your body is perfect no matter what shape it is. Your outfits should be more about spotlighting and highlighting your best bits rather than trying to hide the bits you don’t like!
Different Body Shapes
Body shape describes the overall silhouette of a person’s body and is characterized by certain proportions, although there are always exceptions to the rule! The following are the most common body shapes:
- Hourglass: Hourglass figures have balanced proportions, with shoulders and hips that are roughly the same width and a defined waist. It’s the least common body shape but has often been considered the most desirable (have you seen pictures of Marilyn Monroe? She had an hourglass figure)
- Pear : Pear-shaped bodies have wider hips and thighs than shoulders and bust.
- Apple: Apple shaped bodies have broader shoulders and busts, a larger waist or round midsection, with narrower hips and slimmer legs.
- Rectangle: Rectangle bodies are the most common, and have a straight up-and-down silhouette with little waist definition.
- Triangle (Inverted): An inverted triangle shaped body is top heavy, with broader shoulders and busts with narrower hips and thighs. This often gets confused with apple as it has some similar characteristics but is actually completely different (I’ll explain more later).
We’re all unique and there’s no one “ideal shape”, in fact you might not even be one of the above. You could be a mix of two different body shapes or have what’s known as a secondary body shape! Also, your shape can change over time if you gain or lose weight.
In this article we’re going to be taking a more in depth look specifically at what is apple shape body type. It’s said to be one of the less common shapes but many women find as they get older and put on a little weight around the midsection they become more apple shaped.
Characteristics of the Apple Body Shape
Apple shape (also known as ‘o’ shape) is characterized by broad shoulders, a big bust and a round “apple shaped” mid section. This doesn’t necessarily mean you’re overweight though! It can also just be a midsection with less definition. An apple shape might also have a flat butt but slender, shapely legs and slim arms. There can be some variation, but the general consensus is that shoulders are wider than the hips, and the bust is full and shapely. If you do gain weight, it tends to show up in the midsection, shoulders and bust area first while your legs and arms remain reasonably slim.
Dressing for apple shape
When it comes to clothing, apple shaped women often wear a larger size on top and a smaller size on the bottom. A larger waistline is always going to make it a struggle to find pants that fit your waist but don’t look too baggy on the legs. If you opt for tighter pants, then you’ll probably just end up with a muffin top which isn’t ideal either!
Rocking an apple body shape is all about creating balance! Choose tops with V-necks, empire waists, or A-line silhouettes that flatter your curves without clinging. Avoid boxy cuts and horizontal stripes. High-waisted pants and darker washes around the midsection will elongate your legs. Wrap dresses, A-line dresses, and fit-and-flare styles will create a stunning silhouette. Remember, tailoring is key for a perfect fit, and don’t be afraid to show off your legs! Accessorize with statement necklaces or belts to draw the eye upwards and define your waist. With these tips, you’ll be turning heads in no time. If you’re looking for the perfect dress, check out our article on the best dress shape for apple shape.
Mistakes people make as an apple shape
Clothes that are overly tight or overly baggy won’t be flattering. Tight clothing will accentuation the midsection whereas baggy clothes can overwhelm your frame. Boxy or oversized tops will add bulk on top making you look more top heavy and belts around a wide mid section probably won’t be flattering as they’ll just draw attention to it. Horizontal stripes are always a bad idea on the upper body – vertical stripes will have a more slimming effect. The right neckline (v neck preferably) can also help to elongate your torso and draw attention away from your broadest areas.
Myths about apple shape
One of the main myths about the apple shape is that it’s only women who are overweight. This couldn’t be further from the truth. True, you can veer towards an apple shape with weight gain. However, you can also be very slim and still have an apple shaped body. Celebrities such as Reese Witherspoon and Kate Upton are slender apples. While it might not be as easy to spot, they do have the full bust, flat butt and fuller midsection. Other well known apple shapes include Drew Barrymore, Rebel Wilson, Eva Longoria and Jessica Simpson – all skinny women but still boasting the apple shape!
Apple vs inverted triangle
People often mix these up (or think they’re the same thing) as they share some characteristics in common. Namely a larger bust and shoulders with narrower hips and thighs. However, they’re not the same thing, and therefore shouldn’t dress the same.
The main difference between the two is where they carry their weight. An apple will tend to put on more weight in the midsection – the tummy, bust and shoulders. Their figure may be rounder overall.
The inverted triangle’s weight will be more focused in the shoulder and bust area. However, they may have a defined waist tapering down to narrow hips. The inverted triangle silhouette is just that – an upside down triangle with broad shoulders and becoming narrower lower down the body.
Conclusion
All body shapes are beautiful and embracing your apple body shape is all about understanding what flatters your figure. Celebrate your unique curves and enjoy dressing up! Getting the fit right for your shape is the key to looking your best. Here on this site we’ll show you some great dresses that will flatter your apple shape to the max!