Style Tips for Apple Shaped Women

If you're apple-shaped, you carry weight around your middle with slimmer legs and arms—and the good news is, there are endless styling tricks to create balance, elongate your torso, and showcase your gorgeous assets. I've spent years helping women with apple figures discover their most flattering pieces, and honestly, once you know what works, getting dressed becomes so much easier and more enjoyable.

Understanding Your Apple Shape

Let's start with what makes your figure special. Apple shapes typically have broader shoulders, a fuller bust, less defined waist, and slim hips and legs. Your legs are often one of your best features—so we're absolutely going to show them off! The key is creating the illusion of a waist and drawing the eye to your face, décolletage, and those fab legs.

Necklines That Flatter

V-necks are your absolute best friend. They elongate your torso and draw attention upward to your face and bust in the most flattering way. Scoop necks work beautifully too, as do wrap necklines. I always steer my apple-shaped clients away from high crew necks and polo necks—they can make your torso look shorter and wider. Cos does exceptional V-neck jumpers in luxe fabrics that drape beautifully without clinging, whilst Jigsaw creates sophisticated wrap tops that define the bust area gorgeously.

The Magic of Strategic Waist Definition

Empire waistlines are absolutely genius for apple shapes—they create definition just under the bust where you're naturally slimmer. Wrap dresses work wonders too, as they cinch at the narrowest point and create curves. Look for dresses with ruching or draping around the tummy area. Whistles excels at elegant wrap dresses that feel grown-up and chic, whilst Phase Eight offers brilliant occasionwear with strategic draping. For everyday, Zara has fantastic empire-line tops that look current and fresh.

Tops and Tunics

You want tops that skim rather than cling. A-line tunics that flow away from the body are perfect—they suggest shape without hugging your middle. Peplum tops can be fabulous as they create the illusion of hips and balance broader shoulders. Avoid anything too boxy though, as it'll just add bulk. Mango consistently delivers beautifully cut tunics with just enough structure, and Reiss creates peplum styles that feel modern rather than dated. Anthropologie is wonderful for bohemian-inspired tunics with gorgeous details that work brilliantly for apple shapes.

Jackets and Outerwear

This is where you can really have fun! Waterfall cardigans that cascade down your body create lovely vertical lines. Structured blazers that nip in slightly above the waist are incredibly flattering—just avoid anything that buttons right at your middle. All Saints does edgy leather jackets that hit at just the right length, whilst Hobbs creates classic tailored blazers with the perfect nip at the waist. For something more casual, Hush offers gorgeous relaxed cardigans in premium knits.

Trousers and Jeans

Mid-rise or high-rise styles work best—they smooth the tummy area and create a longer leg line. Bootcut and straight-leg jeans balance broader shoulders beautifully. Avoid low-rise anything, as it'll just emphasise the middle. M&S has genuinely excellent shapewear-style jeans with clever tummy panels, and Paige creates premium denim with substantial waistbands that smooth without digging in. For something special, Sézane (a brilliant French independent brand) makes the most flattering high-waisted styles with vintage-inspired cuts that celebrate curves.

Dresses That Deliver

A-line and fit-and-flare styles are your go-to shapes. They define the upper body and skim over the tummy whilst showing off your legs. Jersey wrap dresses are incredibly forgiving and can be dressed up or down. Boden creates colourful, confidence-boosting dresses perfect for apple shapes, whilst ME+EM offers investment pieces with impeccable cuts. For luxury, nothing beats Diane von Furstenberg's iconic wrap dresses—they're expensive but genuinely transformative for apple figures.

Premium and Designer Options

When you're investing in key pieces, look to brands that understand tailoring. Max Mara creates coats and jackets with structure that elongates beautifully. Theory does brilliant workwear with clean lines, and Vince offers luxe basics in fabrics that drape like a dream. For independent style, Rixo (a fantastic London-based brand) creates vintage-inspired dresses with empire lines and gorgeous prints that work brilliantly for apple shapes.

Accessories and Finishing Touches

Long necklaces create vertical lines, and statement earrings draw the eye up to your face. Scarves worn loose and long work beautifully too. Show off your legs with ankle boots or courts—you've got the pins to pull them off! Avoid wide belts at your natural waist, but a slim belt worn slightly higher can work wonders.

Never Look at a Size Guide Again with Tellar.co.uk

Here's something that'll revolutionise your online shopping: Tellar.co.uk is the UK's leading sizing tool that matches your body to over 1,500 brands instantly. As someone who's spent hours comparing size charts, I can't tell you what a game-changer this is.

Here's how it works: measure once using your bust, waist, hip, or even your existing brand size. Then use their Store Size Lookup tool to get your precise size in any brand—whether it's Cos, Reiss, or Arket. It's completely free, works in your browser, and requires no downloads. Revolutionary, honestly.

The Tellar Fashion Hub

Beyond sizing, Tellar has built an incredible Fashion Hub—a library stacked with free posts from top stylists. It's honest, unbiased, independent, and always free. Whether you need style advice, top picks, or the best brands for your body shape, they've got you covered.

Some brilliant reads to explore:

Final Thoughts

Remember, these are guidelines, not rules. The most important thing is wearing what makes you feel absolutely brilliant. Your apple shape comes with fantastic features—a great bust, slim legs, and elegant arms. Celebrate them! Fashion should be fun, and once you know what works for your body, shopping becomes so much more enjoyable. Now go forth and show off those gorgeous legs!