How to dress for your body shape

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Apple shape

If you're an apple shape, you're the most rounded of all the body shapes. Your hot points are your slender yet shapely legs. You are also likely to be in possession of a voluptuous and completely natural chest, which you will have for the rest of your days. Apple figures tend to have quite chunky arms, but usually very slim wrists.  If you have an apple shaped figure you usually gain weight around your tummy, and you don't have much of a waist.

Dos

That last bit might not sound so good, but there are many ways to create a waist. For example:

• Wear tailored jackets and coats that nip in at the waist.
• Go for A-line skirts, as they make your hips look curvier, which makes your waist look smaller in comparison.
• Wear thick belts around the waist, which will clinch it in, giving the illusion of a tiny waist.
• Invest in a corset - a good corset can take up to 6 inches off your waist.

Apple figures should wear V-Necks or wraparound tops to break up the torso and make the most of cleavage. You can also wear pencil skirts to show off your shapely legs.

Don'ts

Avoid wide-leg jeans. They make your legs look bigger and your body appear top AND bottom heavy. Instead, wear straight or boot-cut jeans to flatter the legs most.

To avoid the dreaded "muffin top", wear mid-rise or even high-rise jeans to give the illusion of a slimmer silhouette.

Most importantly, apple figures should avoid clingy tops, because they may ride up - or choose clingy tops that are long in the torso.

Also avoid polo necks. They make you look top heavy. You want to emphasise those curves, not add extra bulk.

Next: Pear shape