A capsule wardrobe for the apple body shape | 40+ Style - How to look and feel great over 40!

Continuing our Spring series of crafting the perfect capsule for your body shape, we dive deep into the most chic looks and styles for the apple body shape.

The apple shape tends to be top heavy, which is characterized by a full bust and waist, as well as broad shoulders. Apple shaped women are more likely to have thinner arms, legs, and hips (which are great assets to highlight, as you will see below).

The goal is to bring less attention to your fuller midsection, and play up your legs and bust in order to create a well balanced silhouette. You also want to avoid entire outfits in one color, and instead experiment with color and texture in order to create vertical lines. For our extensive original article on dressing the apple shape, click here.

Tops

The most flattering tops for the apple shape are those that that flare out right underneath your bust (which is the slimmest part of the apple shaped body). Don’t go with tops that are too wide, which can be quite unflattering. Select tops that do not cling significantly, but skim nicely over your figure are your best bet.

When wearing with pants, you want your tops to hit just below your hipbone. Wrap tops, drop waist tops, v-necks, and tops with side ruching are the best options for the apple shaped woman.

Pants

The best pant styles for apple shapes are flared or straight leg pants, which help balance out the volume of your upper body. The goal is to create a long and lean silhouette, so pleats, visible zippers, and any other embellishments should be avoided. Medium to high rise pants are best to create a more balanced silhouette, so avoiding low-rise pants is also the best option.

Skirts

A-line skirts and structured pencil skirts are the most flattering styles for apple shaped women. A-line skirts are especially ideal as the flare balances out your wider upper body and creates a more proportional look.

Dresses

The most flattering dresses will hit below your bust and/or barely skim while slightly flaring out. Your best options are drop waists, a-line, shift, empire waist, and wrap dresses. These styles give you a leaner profile, and can also be strategically utilized to show off your legs and arms.

Outerwear

Layers are an apple body shape’s best friend, as they hide and highlight various parts of the body. Tailored jackets that fit the shoulders well and create a v-shape are best. You also want to select single breasted styles. Waterfall style jackets and cardigans are also great, as they camouflage the midsection and create a deep v shape at the top.

Shoes

When selecting shoes, apple shaped women should definitely opt to highlight their fantastic legs. Select shoes with visual interest, bold colors, or elongating lengths. Strappy sandals, pointed toe pumps, and flats are some of your best bets.

Accessories

Great accessories for the apple shaped body bring attention to your best assets. Scarves, sunglasses, statement necklaces, and statement earrings draw attention to your bust, neck, and face. Larger handbags that you can carry in hand also draw the eye down and away from the fuller midsection you are wanting to downplay.

Here are 9 spring looks inspired by our capsule wardrobe selections

What style challenges do you experience, if your are an apple shaped woman? What is your go to style?

Shop the items and looks above from the boutique below