Dress to flatter your figure: Apple shape

source: Real Simple Magazine


REAL SIMPLE. REAL LIFE. fashion expert Sam Saboura taught Jennifer Fuller how to show her body off to best advantage; here’s his advice for you.

Your Type: Apple shape (you tend to carry weight around the midsection)

The Strategy: Create contrast by using angular lines to counteract the roundness and softness

Look for:

Wrap or belted tops, which will give the illusion of a smaller waist. This one, from Fashion Bug (link) is $24.99.

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Seaming on blouses and anything with a corset-style structure. This Corset blouse
from FashionBug is $26.99. See it here.

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Pleating and gathering under the bust that draws the eye vertically down the tummy. This Jaclyn Smith Women's Soft Dressing Blouse at KMart (link) has an all-over sheen and lady-like design adds soft appeal to this lovely blouse and is $19.99 $14.99.

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Deep v-necks: this charming summer piece with black and white crocheted trim layered with black mesh that follows the V-neck and empire waist is from White House | Black Market (link) and is $78.00.

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Drapey empire styles, provided they’re not too voluminous (that’ll only make the area look bigger). This City Style Floral Pleated Top (link) has V-neck, cap sleeves, pleated at center empire seam and is $26.95.

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Straight-leg―rather than skinny―bottoms build a sense of proportion with your upper half. These 7th Avenue Pant - Original Average (link) are $39.95 $27.96.

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Avoid:

• Extreme A-lines, or anything too blousy that lacks shape
• Busy details like pocketing on your top half, patterns that don’t match your overall size (larger frames can carry off bigger prints, and vice versa)
  

Your Secret Weapon:
Wear a stretchy tank top underneath your garments to create a smooth, seamless base


source: Real Simple Magazine