"My thighs touch in the center, can I wear skinny jeans?"
Lower Figured in Las Vegas "Where can I find boots for wide calves?"
Sturdy Stems "Can I combine a scarlet blouse with wine hued flats?"
Chromatic Experimenter
Cardigan Empire was founded to serve fashion's sovereign subjects. So send me your fashion quandry (via comment), and the empress shall respond post haste next week.Lower Figured in Las Vegas "Where can I find boots for wide calves?"
Sturdy Stems "Can I combine a scarlet blouse with wine hued flats?"
Chromatic Experimenter
In the meantime, I shall be conducting fashion research on this subject:
If I have broad shoulders, can I still wear colorful skirts even though my bust/waist/hip measurements designate me as a pear?
ReplyDeleteAnd why is it only frumpy swimsuits come in long torso small cup sizes?!?
I have a big bust (36 HH) and cannot find a style of dress to accomodate. Which style would you recommend? All my tops are of the stretchy variety too...
ReplyDeleteSince having my son every pair of jeans is either too baggy in the waist or they squeeze and give me the cupcake. I've tried every type of rise and none seem to work. What jeans should an apple girl wear?
ReplyDeleteI have short legs with thighs that touch, can I pull off skinny jeans?
ReplyDeleteMy problem areas are my arms and stomach. In the winter when I can wear loose sleeveless blouses with a cardigan I feel content, covered up, and cute.
ReplyDeleteHowever where I live (Mesa) I can only wear a cardigan for a few months and the rest of the year seems sweltering. What can I wear in the summertime that allows me to feel content, covered up, and cute?
I am a middle figured girl--always a bit so but after four children it is exaggerated a bit. Can I ever pull off wearing a belt? Sometimes I wear one higher up under the bust. Should I? Also, it seems everything is made to flatter a smaller waist. In general, do you think skirts or dresses better flatter an apple shape?
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your blog and advice! I have learned much from you! Most importantly, I have learned to celebrate my body for the wonder that it is and recently after having my fourth little baby, I am especially grateful to my body for the miracle it can produce. Thank you.
Dear Empress,
ReplyDeleteMy calves are 17" around. Regular boots don't fit and plus sized boots are way too big. Help!
-made for boots
How can an hourglass with a middle that is soft and prone to rolls (after 6 pregnancies in 7 years), despite being considerably smaller in circumference than hips and bust, flatter her shape without accenuating her mummy tummy?
ReplyDeleteMy problem area has recently become my tummy.. I am a post pear shape (pre-baby) so I still have a wide hip as well. Can I wear skinny jeans? I live in Minnesota where boots are a must and I would like to be able to tuck my pants into my UGG's or my rain boots on slushier days.. otherwise I end up wet up to my knees... any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteAlso, what fabrics should I stay away from for blouses?
I like to refer to my calves as buff calves because I workout so much?? Coco wants you to know that she is waiting for an update on reachelandrew.com of her fun vacation to California.
ReplyDeleteI am a mom of 3 young boys, and a classic pear. I live in GA, and in the summer it's H-O-T!!! I detest shorts (although I give in and wear city shorts if I must) because I don't feel they flatter my lower half. Skirts, however, don't seem to lend themselves to chasing kiddos all day. What is a pear-shaped mommy to do to look fabulous and put-together in sweltering weather?
ReplyDeleteGreat! My question is.... I am on the warm side when it comes to coloring (blonde hair, yellowish toned skin, gold/green eyes) but I really feel like there aren't many shades that look good on me. Maybe because stores don't sell very many colors out of the usual primary and bold colors? I feel so limited because I can't seem to find the colors that look good at the regular stores. Where can I go or what other options do I have? I hate seeing a cute shirt in the wrong color....and it happens often.
ReplyDeleteWhat modest shorts flatter my lower figure?
ReplyDeleteDear Empress,
ReplyDeleteI'm a negating the upper figure flattering V-neck if I wear a straight neck camisole under it? Because with this much chest, V-necks are scary.
I'm young and an hourglass and I need a way to flatter my little waist with my limited budget and closet full of jeans and t's. I have fallen in love with waist high skirts but I need a quicker solution that doesn't mean buying all new bottoms!
ReplyDeleteAs others have posted, "The Mommy Tummy" such and issue, muffin top, do I really have to wear spanx every day or are their jeans that will not let me spill over the top without being "The mom jeans" (have you seen that skit on SNL)
ReplyDeleteps I do exersize but the skin well it just does not behave!
I do have a problem finding boots that fit my calves. I'm a pretty average size, but I guess my calves are bigger than normal. I adore tall boots and I wish I could find more to fit me. Any suggestions?
ReplyDelete-FringeGirl
My dearest Friend,
ReplyDeleteWhat do I do with a linear shape that isn't so skinny? And occasionally I experience theigh growth. Do I wear pants, etc, on my hips or my waist?
Love,
Living the Linear Life
I know I'm not the Empress... But, to all you ladies with wide calves (like my own)... I have a suggestion for a great boot that I bought this winter.
ReplyDeleteThe Naturalizer 'wide shaft' Bradbury boot... It's on Zappos, along with a few other styles that I cannot comment on (because I don't own them).
I have a question about accessories. How do you decide whether you have too little or too much on. I'm the type who always feels like I'm wearing too much when maybe I'm probably not.
ReplyDeleteWith my pregnancy weight gain still hanging around, I am now at the upper end (sometimes exceeding) the available sizes at traditional stores. (Not my favorite thing to admit.) I need to cover my frame but am at a loss for cute, fashionable, flexible clothing to do so. I am working to shed the extra lbs, but want to dress my current body rather than squeeze into clothes from my past.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
no question here.....but that is the prettiest baby doll you have in your arms!
ReplyDeleteI am a former hourglass who is now an apple girl post-baby (and probably will be indefinitely since exercise doesn't seem to change my proportions). With a closet full of fitted shirts and dresses, what's a girl to do? Can you recommend the top 5 items we should all invest in if we want to start dressing right but can't afford to totally overhaul our wardrobe?
ReplyDeleteThanks! I love your body type advice and share your blog with all my friends!
I have been interested in getting a pair of skinny jeans. But where can I find a good pair and who should where them?
ReplyDeleteFortunately, I do not have any questions. I booked and had the most wonderful fashion session with the empress herself. I do look forward to hearing the answers to all these ladies' questions.
ReplyDeleteI love my fashion look book! Have fun dressing that sweet subject - she is adorable!
Dear Empress,
ReplyDeletePlease help! I'm in search of an outfit to wear to my intimate and simple courthouse wedding next month - just my 5-year-old daughter and fiance - followed by dinner?
I'm an hourglass shape, 5'7" and a size 2-4. I love Anthropologie and vintage pieces(1960s).
I would very much appreciate any suggestions.
Thank you kindly!
Elizabeth
I, like many others, am now (after 2 children) an apple shape. I'm so frustrated, because frankly, I've never been like this in my life. I don't know what exactly I'm looking for when it comes to color or cut, and don't even get me started on the rise of my jeans. And while we're on the subject, how do I even get rid of this stomach? The fat is one thing -the baggy skin another! And one more thing, tell me what to do with my boobs. they are huge, and yet so flabby. Do I cover them with ruffles or just find a good sports bra? oh, me. What is a girl supposed to do?
ReplyDeleteThanks for listening:)
I have really enjoyed reading everyone else's queries and look forward to the reply since I find myself in the same boat as many others. My comment, however, is not about my apple figure or what boots to get but of how to make my clothing ensembles more interesting. I tend to wear only solids but love flower patterns and other designs and was wondering how to shop for such clothing and how to wear it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm a lower figure, 35 year old mom. I've learned how to wear skinny jeans in winter (long sweater/cardigan, boots over jeans to draw attention away from the hips and thighs) but how does someone with my shape and at my age wear skinny jeans in the summer. Especially what shoes do I wear???
ReplyDeleteI have broad shoulders and back and large muscular arms. I am a total apple shape who is well endowed up-top, but have great legs (at least).
ReplyDeleteI have no idea how to balance hiding the squishy middle, covering the boobage, and finding tops that fit over my swimmers back and arms. I am also an elem. teacher, so clothes that work for work is a hard balance. I want to look professional, covered and not bigger then my actual size.
I've always had a problem with shoes. I have insanely high-arches and wide feet...making it extremely hard to find great shoes...especially boots and and definitely anything with heels. Since they're the only thing I can find that fit, I've resigned myself to the fate of wearing skate-shoes and my Chaco sandals for the rest of my life...do you have any advice as to where I could find shoes?
ReplyDeleteWhich part of a linear slightly lower figured body would you focus on?
ReplyDeleteDear Empress
ReplyDeleteCan you advise what is best to wear with shirt dresses? A jacket, a cardi? What works?
Thanks
Helen
I am loving the boyfriend jean look and just purchased myself a pair. Now i don't know what to pair them with for late winter and spring looks. HELP!
ReplyDeleteI'm a petite 5'1". Am I restricted in the lengths of skirts I can wear?
ReplyDeleteDear Empress,
ReplyDeleteYour blog is utter inspiration and my thanks will be extended into the net decade.
My issue is this: I need a "uniform" that I can go to when work or pleasure calls me in the truncated amount of time it always does. I spend HOURS in front of my closet to finally give up walk out of the house with the usual boring t-shirt and jeans.
I'm a petite kinda-sorta hourglass that needs your wise assistance!
xo,
Wren
Dear Empress,
ReplyDeleteI'm still confused about accessories. How do I know when enough is enough? Or when I have too little on. I tend to always feel like I'm wearing too much.
Thank you,
Plain Jane