My Style Tips for Real Women Like Me: Short, Overweight, Apple Shaped

Do you cringe when you look at yourself in photos? Do you have bumps and curves in all the wrong places? Is clothes shopping a depressing chore for you? Do people ask "when are expecting"?! Then, my friend, you and I have a similar dilemma.

It is an uphill battle trying to find appealing outfits for someone 5ft 3in, overweight, apple shaped and 50-something. My main source of advice has been the Internet. The tips I usually find are useful but when the examples are designer outfits for celebrities I don't have much to go with.

A petite size is a standard clothing size designed to fit women of shorter height, typically 160 cm (5 ft 3 in) or less.

Apple-shaped women are fuller around the middle. If they gain weight, it shows up around their belly and upper body. They’re usually larger-breasted and their upper arms and shoulders are broader, too. Their legs tend to be thin and their butts tend to be flat.

The ratio of bust:waist:hips is 4:4:3.

No wonder I've been frustrated with my appearance. I've come to understand that my short and round body type is the most challenging to clothe -- a fine line between frumpy and cutesy. I'm sure there are many of you who feel the same way.

After years of trial and error, I found a few nice pieces that I rely on, they never fail to make me feel confident. And I figured out why they work. So I hope my thoughts in this hub will help you out.

the low down

When I look up styling tips typically I see these recommendations:

«The main goal is to create the illusion of a trim waistline. Choose tailored tops, dresses and sweaters. They trim the silhouette, as opposed to boxy tops, which exaggerate a wider waistline. A plunging neckline lengthens the neck and minimizes the chest and torso. Tops and dresses featuring ruching or shirring at the middle or side define a large waistline. Wear straight wide and flare leg pants, which balance the bottom of the body.»

These tips are useful:

• Wear properly fitted bras that support the bust
• Dress in one color / hue / shade to give a uniform look
• Wear clothes that fit properly (don't sag or bind)
• Select garments with vertical lines
• Choose V- or U-shaped necklines
• Avoid bulky fabrics
• Avoid sheer or clingy fabrics
• Avoid styles with extra bulk: frills, pleats or ruching
• Avoid bright colors and large patterns
• Avoid belts altogether
• Choose pants without cuffs, bulky pockets, or pleats

But these I find are not practical for me:

• Avoid oversized handbags > I have a lot of stuff to lug around
• Wear high heels > having bad feet rules out high heels for me for everyday wear
• The empire waist top is often recommended for the apple shaped body. The idea is to emphasize the bust and therefore diminish the stomach region but it doesn't work for me. In fact the cinching or gathering below the bust draws attention to my rounded mid-section. It only works if you have a flat tummy, or if you can flatten your torso with a body shaper.

I highly recommend medium weight jersey and knit fabrics with a little spandex for tops, they provide maximum comfort and moveability. For apple shaped ladies, dark colors with no or small pattern is best -- sometimes a pattern can camouflage lumps and bumps. And it is true that hip-length tops are more flattering than waist-length tops (think of how waist-length tops slide upward when you lift your arms up, hmmm?)

Another tip -- "pants should be cut lower than the waistline" -- doesn't work for me either. I get a muffin top when I wear pants cut lower than my waistline. Loose fitting pants that sits at the waist and hang straight to the floor is better.

When shopping online, stay away from clothes that include the following phrase in the description: "emphasize your feminine curves" -- because you want to de-emphasize your curves. Descriptions that include "easy-care stretch fabric", "comfortable and effortlessly stylish" are good.

Wear shoes that are comfortable with good support. Sensible shoes don't have to mean ugly shoes, there are lots to choose from these days. But comfy is key because feeling good is essential to looking good.

The best news is you can wear dazzling necklaces to emphasize your neckline. Medium sized pieces that lie flat work best for you. Don't go too chunky -- this will make you look top heavy.

dresses

plus size fashion doesn't have to be boring, this simple velvety electric blue cocktail dress with black scroll pattern is guaranteed to dazzle

A-line chiffon floor length one-shoulder formal dress with fitted bodice and rhinestone trim

jewel neckline chiffon dress: trapeze silhouette, long sleeves

evening pant set with chiffon popover capelet, cold-shoulder sleeves, sequin trim at neck and shoulder

sleeveless V-neck loose-fitting swing dress with asymmetrical hem

swing dress with lace yoke and sleeves detail

sporty and youthful sheath dress with printed flounce hem

knit sleeveless maxi dress with a scoop neckline and a high-low flounce hem

feminine sheath dress with beautiful border of flowers at the neck and hemline

deep V-neck empire-waist black and white jumpsuit

3 piece pantsuit with glitter details and mesh sleeves

easy trendy lace slip dress: spaghetti straps, romantic lace, V-neck and back

sleeveless dress with A-line silhouette, colorblocking and high-low hem -- the stylish hemline emphasizes the legs

crinkle-chiffon maxi dress with split neckline and elasticized waist

sleeveless chiffon swing dress with stone embellishment on chest

relaxed jersey sleeveless swing dress, scoop neckline with beaded embellishment, cutout back with an embellished beaded trim and a dipped reverse hem

basic relaxed jersey swing dress with V-neckline

velvet T-shirt dress with round neck and long mesh sleeves: curves have never looked more sexy

A-line swing dress with floral placement print

swing dress with rounded split neckline, lace up styling and eyelet trim at front yoke, seamed shirred back waist

rayon stretch jersey dress, relaxed through the body with a flared hem that swings out

bottoms

midi skirt: sheer pleated tulle, lace underlay, high-rise waist

faux wrap skirt

for those with lovely legs, this vibrant stretch-knit skirt with asymmetrical black-mesh overlay wrap is for you

casual yet elegant pull-on straight-leg pants with elastic waistband, no pockets (70% viscose rayon, 24% nylon, 6% spandex)

classic straight-leg cut pants tailored for a smooth, clean fit in seasonless crepe, elastic insets discreetly hidden at the side waist , zip fly with hook-and-bar closure, back welt pockets

extremely comfy relaxed fit cotton-poly velour pants can be dressed up or down -- the thin elastic waistband won't fold over at waistline

cotton/polyester fleece relaxed sweatpants with flat elastic waistband -- no drawstring, pockets or cuffs

comfy, stretchy wide legged denim pants: all around elastic waist, drawstring, slash pockets, stitched cuffed hem

classic fit lightweight cotton canvas pants with elastic waist

cotton-polyester French terry Bermuda shorts with drawstring waistband and 2 side pockets

soft cotton jersey shorts with wide, ribbed elastic waist that flexes for ease of movement

tops

easy fit long-sleeved blouse with lace overlay and scoop neck

long sleeved cardigan with shawl collar, light textured polyester-spandex fabric

sexy sleeveless top

split V-neck henley, soft lightweight burnout jersey in all-over stripes with drop-shoulder, rounded hi-lo hem

cami with front and back pleats -- and lace trim along the neckline, armholes and bottom hem

lace trim top in a lightweight rayon knit with floral lace overlay, scalloped hem, gathered shoulders and deep scoop neck

short sleeved viscose/spandex top with ombre effect

loose fitting tank top with embroidery & beads, scoop neck with functional zipper, side slits

scoop neck tank with ombre sequin pattern, can be dressed up or down

blouse with lace yoke and sleeves, wear with black skirt or pants for an elegant look

3/4 sleeve top with adjustable zipper neckline

3/4 sleeve top with cutout neck detail

trendy sleeveless summer top: shirt-tail hem with front and back asymmetrical cut out

if your bust area is small, shoulder ties are a good way to add balance and interest to the shoulder area without adding extra bulk

jackets and outerwear

topper jacket with elongated hem, floral embroidery at front

hip length blazer with long lapels, mock pockets at front, and vent at back

notch-collar jacket softly structured from a textural stretch knit

hooded jacket

classic long wool coat

wool blend A-line walker coat

A-line water-resistant poly color-block jacket with button-tab sleeve cuffs and detachable hood

A-line wool blend coat, single-breasted style cut with simple kimono sleeves

collarless long, lightly structured coat with gunflaps; unlined, side slits

raglan-sleeve coat cut from a wool blend in a longer, A-line silhouette

swimwear

tiered tankini with contrasting trim, ruffled design offers coverage and a flattering look

handkerchief tankini top

the dresskini: the coverage of a swim dress, and the convenience of a tankini top

my choice for everyday shoes

mary janes with concave heel

comfortable lightweight sandals with adjustable straps

comfortable suede loafers

leather multi strap slide sandal with fully padded contoured foot bed

dressy shoes

comfy, super stylish over the knee boots: fabric upper, round toe, hidden wedge with rubber outsole -- and super sexy too!

black suede wedge pumps. 1.5 inch heel

perforated leather open toe booties, 2.5 inch heel

suede open toe bootie with 2 inch heel

stylish platform sandal with chunky heel and slingback strap, molded and shock-absorbing sole make it comfortable, mix of leather and elastic laddered straps, 3 inch heel, 1.5 inch platform

slingback sandal with peep toe and stacked heel is shock-absorbent, flexible and slip-resistant, adjustable strap with buckle closure, leather upper/textile lining/rubber sole, 2.5 inch heel

comfy, classy low wedge slip on pumps

low suede block heel ankle boots with cutout design and zipper back -- style and comfort at its best

block heel ankle boots with zip back fastening can be dressed up or down

trendy cage wedge sandal

Kelly Osbourne, Elizabeth Hurley, Drew Barrymore