How do you like them apples?

All right, are you ready?

I am about to impart all of the wisdom that I have picked up as an apple shaped girl. The best thing about carrying your weight on top is that we apple shaped girls have great racks. Call me crass, but there’s no bones about it. We are women and we carry it out front for all to see. As such we have to take care of those girls with a really well structured bra. In my experience Victoria’s Secret and the Cacique bras from Lane Bryant have been the most supportive and comfortable but you have to shop around and see what works best for you. Also, it’s absolutely essential that you get a fitting. Victoria’s Secret and all the high end department stores like Nordstrom have people who are trained to take your measurements and can point you in the right direction for a bra. If you’d feel more comfortable doing it at home click here for a link that will give you instructions for a DIY bra fitting.

So now that you’ve put the girls in their proper place it’s time to think about shirts. It’s tempting when you have a tummy to wear shirts that are loose and flowy (a temptation that I’ve succumbed to many, many times) but this can make you look bigger than you are. Instead look for shirts that either have some sort of darting (little sewn in folds or seams that create curves in a garment) or have a waist line with some gathering so the shirt pulls away from the tummy. Button up shirts can be a great option because they are often cut in such a way that they are very flattering for girls with a tummy and they’re made of a stiffer fabric so they hold their structure well. Plus, button up shirts with a slightly western or “prairie” feel are an emerging trend so if you buy one get ready to be the coolest girl on the block. Here’s an example and an outfit to go with it:

Nordstrom button up

To create even more of a waist try putting a belt over the shirt at the thinnest part of your torso.

Anthropologie Shining Double Strand Belt

You’ll also want to emphasize the thinnest part of you which is your legs. A great way to do this is with a pencil skirt. Remember, if it doesn’t fit properly you can always get it tailored. Just buy it so that it fits the largest part of you and then have the rest of it sized down.

Talbots Triomphe jacquard pencil skirt

Wearing fun socks is very trendy and looks super cute when you’re going with a more classic, preppy look.

Urban Outfitters Pointelle Sock

ModCloth Small College Town Wedge

Another thing to watch out for is shirts that make you look pregnant. You want to find shirts that have either a high natural waist or empire waist and pull away from your stomach, but aren’t so loose that you look like you bought the shirt with a growing tummy in mind. Make sure the fabric just skims your body. Here’s a great shirt that has a high, natural waist and gently gathers without looking tented.

ModCloth A Bushel and a Dress

I’ve heard a lot of people say that they don’t think bigger girls or apple shaped girls can pull off skinny jeans but I don’t think that’s right. It’s true that if you’re not careful you can end up looking like humpty dumpty but I think if you wear a long shirt (or short dress) that hits at the mid to upper thigh then you can get away with it. (Like the shirt above.) But if you’re like me then you probably have a hard time finding jeans that fit. There are companies that do custom made jeans but they can be pricey. Jeggings are a pretty good option because they have a lot of stretch. And you can always try companies like Lane Bryant and Levi’s that have different fit options. The important thing is to try stuff on and see what works for you, and again you can always get them tailored.

Also, white jeans are fun right now but can look a little bit like you’re trying too hard to be a Gossip Girl so try rolling them up a few times in a sort of messy way, not a clean cuff, so they look beachy and modern.

Levi's Slight Curve White Jeans

As far as cardigans go, in my opinion the cardigans that are made of thicker fabric or have too many folds or lots of ruffles can ad girth that you don’t have. Also, if you’re not careful they can make you look boxy. My advice is to wear thin sweaters that hit no lower than mid hip or if they’re longer they need to have a sloped hem rather than a rectangular one. For example:

J Crew Cadabra Cardigan

Urban Outfitters Aztec Print Lace Up

Jackets are the best structural pieces you can have in your wardrobe (and by now you should know that I’m all about structure!) but you need to be careful about the cut. Look for jackets that are cut for a womanly shape, rather than being menswear inspired, and preferably find jackets with a strong shoulder. Why? Because strong shoulders can trick the eye into thinking that your waist is smaller than it is. By strong I mean it has a detail that will make your shoulders look bigger and straighter, like a particularly stiff seam or some kind of gathering. Also, if you can find shirts with strong shoulders then that’s awesome too, but please avoid shoulder pads unless you want to look like a linebacker.

Urban Outfitters Sparkle & Fade Maximilian Leather Blazer

For an apple shaped girl, finding pants and jeans can be its own special kind of torture so consider wearing more skirts and dresses on an everyday basis. They’re a great way to show off your awesome legs and they can be super comfortable. The principles for finding a great dress are the same as finding a great shirt: Look for extra seams and darting or a waist that hits you at your natural waist or higher, it needs to pull away from your tummy without being too loose (so as to avoid the pregnancy look), and try to find pieces with a strong shoulder if you can.

ModCloth Sketching Memories Dress

Urban Outfitters Over the Knee Pointelle Cuff Sock

Steve Madden Hitchike Boot

Here’s a fun fact for you, did you know that during the Northern and Italian Renaissance period it was actually fashionable to look pregnant? In this portrait by Van Eyck the bride to be is holding her dress in a way that makes her look like she’s got a baby bump. Maybe someday the tides will turn and that dreaded pregnancy question will become a compliment rather than an insult.

Van Eyck the Arnolfini Marriage