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HELP! I'm an atypical 'apple' shape
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Anonymous
| I am overweight, no doubt. And I need to lose weight. But meanwhile, I can't figure out how to dress to flatter my shape. I was always a thin person before my 3rd child and the insulin resistance that came with her (no...I'm not postpartum...she's almost 4!) Anyway. I have a large amount of belly fat, but I don't have a very large bust (my waist may even be an inch or so larger!) and my butt and hips are smaller than my waist. All of the 'body shape' advice I read online for 'apples' are for women who have a large bust. I try the styles they recommend, like emphasizing the smallest part just under my bust and I look preggers. I try to 'define' my waist and I just draw attention to the roundness of my belly b/c I have no balance on top. I think I just am not built to carry this much weight. I have had a HUGE amount of stress during and after the pregnancy and I think that and the gestational diabetes have completely messed up my metabolism. But while I'm trying to solve that problem and lose the weight, how can I dress so that I don't look frumpy or pregnant? |
Anonymous
|
The way you're carrying your weight (midsection instead of boobs/hips/thighs) is very typical of women struggling with diabetes-related weight. It's not your body;it's your illness.
That said, what worked for me was wearing something that visually broadened my hips (like a slightly poofy or A-line skirt, or really wide-leg slacks) along with a cardigan to skim my middle and add vertical lines and a T or cami with an interesting neckline (or just a necklace) to draw focus up toward my face. I didn't look "curvy" until I lost a good bit of the weight, but I found I could balance my figure so my belly wasn't as noticeable. |
Anonymous
| I am shaped this way and wear pretty (read: feminine) tunics or baby doll tops with slimline pants or leggings. Cute, in-fashion shoes. Fun earrings. Get plenty of compliments and am maybe 80 lbs overweight. |
Anonymous
| 23:16, where do you shop? |
Anonymous
OP here and are you sure you are shaped like me? If I wore a baby doll top, I would no doubt look pregnant. This would not be the case if I had a larger bust, however. |
Anonymous
| I'm plus size. There are often very affordable ($15-$40/item) finds on: Woman Within, OneStopPlus, Avenue, Alight. (For some weird reason, all of those websites are having big sales this weekend so their merchandise levels are low -- I was just looking for summer stuff and there was limited availability of the pretty tunics. But you can look on there to see what I mean.) For higher prices, I really like Ulla Popken. Hope this helps! |
Anonymous
| Sorry -- I was 23:27 and 23:16 -- I don't *think* I look pregnant and I'm not that big on top! Take a look at the sites I mentioned -- they offer different things from Lane Bryant, at least. Maybe you'll find something there. |
Anonymous
|
I had that shape. I did lipo and I'm so happy now. I used to hate my body, and yes, this made it better.
Probably not what you wanted to hear, but it really did change my self image. Now I love to get dressed up, because I have a waist. |
Anonymous
| I think you should take a look at Chico's. Yes, they're associated with clothes for women of a more "mature age," but they do have jacket designs and elastic waisted skirts and slacks that are very forgiving. I know some teachers and school administrators who dress pretty stylishly with Chico's outfits. Also, Macy's has a department that carries clothes for larger sizes. Maybe some of those could work? |
Anonymous
| Try Eileen Fisher, as well |
Anonymous
| What works for me are tops with a flattering neckline - scoop necks, v-necks, usually some type of open neckline to help draw the eye up, not down. If you are not too busty this works well. Necklaces also help, or other type of detail around the neckline like a simple ruffle. I don't wear anything baby doll that could suggest a pregnant figure. Tops that hit you just slightly longer on the hips, but not too long or baggy help elongate the waist. And pants that are mid rise, slim cut, help you avoid the muffin top. I think this all helps create the illusion of a sleeker figure, and draws the eye up towards your face. |
Anonymous
This cut is often seen at Chico's. Definitely helps. |
Anonymous
|
Chico's queen here, since my late twenties. It just suits my shape. I know the dowdy reputation on DCUM, but it doesn't have that effect on me. I need the slightly longer drop of the tops and make use of all their dresses. I stick with boatneck, major scoop necks, or deep v's. The crew neck just doesn't draw the eye in the same way. I stay away from babydolls but will try on anything with either a tie-knot or ruching that draws attention to the bust line. I almost always match tops and bottoms to create the illusion of length. And if I'm wearing a black skirt, I use black tights and shoes to lengthen the leg. I also stay away from arm jewelry (watch, bracelets) and hand-held clutches because these things only seem to broaden the hip. Instead, I rely on brighter eye make up, bolder earrings, and big hair  to keep focus up, up, up.
I've had decades to experiment with all of this. I don't envy having to figure this all out. |
Anonymous
You did a great job here of giving more details about the Chico's look! I'm the poster who mentioned it earlier, and you've described what my educator friends have done very successfully! |
Anonymous
| I am so this shape also... always have been, but it's gotten 100x worse since after I had my daughter (2 1/2 YEARS AGO!!) I've even lost 40 pounds.. (now weighing 20 less than when I got pregnant) but it is still JUST as bad! |