How to Dress an Apple-Shaped Body

The “apple-shape”, also known as an “O” shape, is a common Asian female body type, characterized by a larger waist size than busts and hips.

Pros: Larger busts and slimmer legs!

Cons: Broader shoulders and large amount of fat accumulated at the abdomen area.

Not to worry, you’re not alone! Many apple-shaped women struggle with trying to overcome the “cons” above. Let us give you some fashion tips to show off your curves and hide those trouble spots.

A Chinese celebrity known to be curvy is Jiang Xin. She’s a perfect example of how to make the O body shape work to your advantage.

Some less desirable characteristics of Jiang Xin’s body type include broad shoulders, bigger arms and fat around the waist area. Below are some examples that illustrate unflattering dressing styles for an apple-shaped body.

Fashion Mistakes

Mistake 1: Horizontal Stripes

Horizontal stripes are usually a staple in our wardrobe due to the ease of mixing-and-matching these pieces. However, it may not flatter all body types. For example, the body-hugging horizontal striped shirt shown in the picture below, makes women with broad shoulders look bigger.

Mistake 2: Off-Shoulder Tops

Shoulder-baring tops may create a romantic and sexy look, but maybe unflattering for women with broad shoulders as it accentuates the shoulders, making them look even broader.

Mistake 3: Body-hugging clothes

Body-hugging sweaters and Women’s Pullover Sweatshirt, such as the one shown in the picture on the right, completely exposes the flaws of an O body shape – broad shoulders, big busts and fat accumulated at the abdomen area.

Mistake 4: Tight/embellished collars

In addition, women of such body shapes should avoid wearing loose-fitting dresses and go for those with looser collars. Turtlenecks or tops with too many embellishments at the chest area should also be avoided as it may make the upper half of the body to be perceived to be visually larger.

So, what are the outfit styles that flatter the “O” body shape? In the Chinese drama series “Blind Date”, the thirty-five-year-old Jiang Xin successfully pulled off a refreshing twenty-year-old look, and this has to do with the way she dresses that made her look young and lively.

Tip #1: Dark-coloured Outfits

Curvier females should never forget this dressing tip – dark-colored clothing makes you look slimmer. This has proven true for Jiang Xin who is wearing a dark blue top in the picture above. The single white stripe at the shoulder area is an excellent embellishment as it has made her broad shoulders seem narrower. Together with a cute hair bun and black round glasses, a youthful and refreshing look is created!

Tip #2: Vertical Stripes

Vertical stripes can visually lengthen one’s body proportions. This is especially so for narrow and dense vertical stripes, which creates a slimming effect comparable to wearing dark-coloured outfits.

See how the combination of dark-coloured clothing and vertical stripes saves the day?

Other than the above style suggestions, here are other good fashion tips and tricks not to be missed!

Accentuating the Waist and Creating Visual Diversion

The main trouble spot for women with an apple-shaped body is at the waist area. It is therefore recommended to wear clothing that accentuates the waist, elongates the lower part of the body and creates a slimming effect at the abdomen area, such as:

  1. Clothing with waistlines below the busts, or put on a belt to create the impression of a waistline.
  2. Showing collarbones or neckline can look slimmer by creating a visual diversion, putting less attention on the upper part of the body.
  3. Wearing heavy accessories such as earrings and necklaces to bring more attention to these accessories instead of your body.

Showing Off Your Legs and Elongating Body Proportions

Regardless of your height, do not be shy to show off your legs! Women with an “O” body shape typically own a pair of beautiful legs.

  1. Short bottoms are good for showing off your nice pair of legs. Try A-line, skater skirts or skirts with an uneven length to flatter your figure.
  2. Slit skirts with an opening and flow-y cut are recommended, as it can show off some skin conservatively. Showing off your legs during each step you take flatters the lower half of your body.
  3. Shoes are also an important accessory. Wedges, boots and platforms are some recommended matching choices.

We hope you enjoyed the above styling tips and tricks for women with an “O” body shape. Now it’s time to do some shopping!

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