Best Dresses for Apple Shaped Women

Calling all apple shaped women! Finding your new favourite dress just got easier, because we’ve broken down exactly what to look for and rounded up the styles that’ll actually work for you. From wrap to empire waist to skater, keep scrolling for the full edit.

What Is An Apple Shaped Body?

Apple shaped women tend to have an average or larger bust and wider shoulders with narrower hips, slender legs, and a less defined waist.

The general idea on how to dress an apple shape is all about highlighting your chest and legs, whilst defining your waist to sculpt your midsection.

Apple Shape Dressing Tips

1. Highlight your assets – Draw attention to your legs or bust, this lifts the eye line away from your midsection.
2. Define your waist – Dresses that sculpt your waist help bring your shape into proportion.
3. Choose clothes that flatter your shape – Know what styles suit your shape and how you can enhance your best features. It’s all about trial and error to find the styles that flatter you the most.

What Is The Best Dress Style For Apple Shapes?

Style:

• Wrap Dresses
• Empire Waists
• Skater Dresses
• Ruched & shirred details

Why it works for you:

• V-neck and tie waists define your midsection
• Sits above the tummy, skims below it
• Fitted bodice with a flared skirt creates shape
• Gathering at the natural waist adds definition

Wrap Dresses For Apple Shapes

Wrap dresses are an apple shaped best friend! The v-neck draws the eye upward and the tie waist creates definition, all without clinging anywhere it shouldn’t.

A floral wrap maxi dress with a V-neckline and flutter sleeves, finished with a leg split for ease of movement.

• Best For: evening events and special occasions
• Pair With:heeled sandalsand aclutch bag for a polished finish

A linen-look wrap dress with short angel sleeves and a floral print, giving an effortless, elegant feel for warmer-weather occasions.

• Best For: summer weddings and daytime events
• Pair With:wedge sandals and simple gold jewellery

A V-neck wrap dress with balloon sleeves and a tie waist, bringing a soft, playful shape to an easy mini length.

• Best For: daytime events and summer occasions
• Pair With:wedge sandalsand a strawbag for a warm-weather look

FAQs

Are wrap dresses good for apple shapes?

Yes! Wrap dresses are one of the most reliable styles for an apple shape. The V-neck draws the eye upward and the tie waist creates definition, without needing a tight or clingy fit anywhere through the midsection.

Empire Waist Dresses For Apple Shapes

Empire waist dresses sit just under the bust, then flow loosely below, which is exactly the kind of shape that works wonders for a fuller midsection.

This knot-front dress gives you definition right at the empire line, then flows loosely to a midi length. Effortless and easy to dress up or down.

• Best For: everyday wear that still feels put together
• Pair With: heeled sandalsfor evening, orflats for daytime

A textured midi dress with a gently gathered yoke and long elasticated cuff sleeves, giving a relaxed shape that skims rather than clings.

• Best For: everyday wear that carries easily into cooler months
• Pair With: knee high bootsand acrossbody bag for an autumn-ready look

A mesh mini dress with a V-neckline and an empire seam sitting right under the bust, flowing loosely into a swingy skirt.

• Best For: evening plans that call for something a little different
• Pair With: heeled sandals and delicate jewellery

What’s the difference between an empire waist and a regular waist dress?

An empire waist seam sits just under the bust, above the natural waistline, then flows loosely to the hem. A regular waist dress is fitted or gathered at the natural waist instead, which sits lower and closer to the fullest part of the midsection for an apple shape.

Skater Dresses For Apple Shapes

Skater dresses combine a fitted bodice with a flared skirt, instantly creating a more defined waist and balancing your shoulders against the rest of your body.

A simple jersey skater dress with a round neckline and short sleeves, giving you a fitted bodice and flared skirt for effortless everyday wear.

• Best For: everyday wear that still holds its shape
• Pair With: trainersand adenim jacket for a casual look

A square neck skater dress in a soft floral print, with a structured bodice and thick straps flaring into a full skirt.

• Best For: summer occasions and daytime events
• Pair With: heeled sandals for an elevated look

A V-neck skater dress in a striking 3D floral fabric, with a fitted bodice and cap sleeves flaring into a full occasion-ready skirt.

• Best For: weddings and formal evening events
• Pair With: statementheels for a look that’s sure to turn heads

Are skater dresses too clingy for a fuller midsection?

Not if the bodice has some structure to it. A skater dress with a lined or slightly thicker bodice fabric holds its shape rather than clinging, while the flared skirt does the work of balancing the rest of the silhouette.

Ruched & Shirred Dresses For Apple Shaped

A ruched or shirred waist band creates definition right at your natural waist, giving you the shape and structure your midsection deserves.

A gathered waist maxi dress in a striking cobalt blue, giving you all the waist definition you need with a flowing, floor-length skirt.

• Best For: making a statement at any evening event
• Pair With: strappyheels and simple, elegant jewellery

A jersey midi dress with a side tie detail that creates ruching at the waist, giving you shape without any clinginess.

• Best For: easy everyday wear with a bit of added definition
• Pair With: trainersfor daytime, orheeled sandals for evening

A fully shirred sundress with a square neckline and thin straps, giving you effortless stretch and shape from bust to waist.

• Best For: warm days that call for comfort and definition in equal measure
• Pair With: flatsandals and a straw bag for an easy summer look

Which is better for an apple shape, ruched or shirred dresses?

Both create waist definition, which is exactly what an apple shape benefits from. Ruching is fabric gathered into folds at one specific point, like the natural waist, giving a sculpted drape that skims over the tummy rather than clinging to it. Shirring uses rows of elastic thread across a wider area, giving more stretch and all-day comfort while still holding shape at the waist.

Remember

• Wrap, empire waist, skater, and ruched waist styles all define the waist in their own way
• Loose, floaty fabrics that skim rather than cling help balance a fuller midsection
• Smaller, subtler prints tend to work better than large-scale ones on apple shapes

Frequently Asked Questions

What length of dress is best for an apple shape?

Midi and maxi lengths work well for apples shapes since they create a longer line through the legs without cutting across the body at an unflattering point. Mini lengths can work too, as long as the neckline and waist detailing are still doing the work of balancing proportions.

What dress colors are best for an apple shaped body?

Darker, solid colors through the midsection help create a slimming effect, while colors or prints work well lower down on the skirt to draw the eyes downward.

Can apple wear shapes a belt with a dress?

Yes, a belt can work well for an apple shape, but it helps to choose one that sits at the narrowest part of the waist rather than cinching too tightly against a fuller midsection

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