6 April 2009 , originally uploaded by academichic.
Sources:
- Grey cardi – thrifted
- Print top – thrifted
- Black woven belt – thrifted
- Black skirt – Old Navy, remixed
- Yellow beads – were my grandmother’s
- Grey wedges – Report, via Solestruck.com
Endnotes:
I’m for all intents and purposes what traditional body shape literature calls an ‘apple’. I carry my weight around my midsection and when I gain a few pounds, my arms and legs remain thin, but my waist width takes off (i.e. I gain massive muffinage).
The way in which I’ve found what works and what does not work for me, is by experimenting, experimenting, experimenting. Did I say experimenting? For example, I thought the belted cardigan/jacket/dress look would NEVER work for me, but decided to try it (and to try several belt widths) and have come to actually love what it does for my shape.
By a methodology called “trial and error”, I have realized that the skinny belt works best for me in creating a slimmer waist line. Because my torso is fairly short, a wider belt tends to stump it even more, but a skinny to medium width belt pulls in the garments I’m wearing to create the illusion of a more defined waist: See today’s outfit, as well as here, here, and here. I also belt fairly high, at the narrowest part of my body.
And stay tuned for more muffinage-minimizing tips throughout this week!
Details, details, originally uploaded by academichic.
I love those yellow beads. I know what you mean about the width of belts: sometimes I can pull off a wide belt, but I have to be cautious.
I love the pop of yellow!! :)
Just lovely…I don’t see any apples here!
Mervat
xxoo
I also am a muffining apple, I feel your pain. :) I am all about belts over tops too, but since I’ve been following this amazing blog as of late, I’ve been inspired to try the belt over cardigan/jacket thing as well. I haven’t made it work for me yet, but I love how all you girls do it so I’m undetered. :) Great outfit today, I’m looking forward to the rest of your tips for us apples!
I agree trial and error is often the best way of finding out which is why my blog has really helped me this year.
Great post/series! I’m a short-waisted apple too and looking forward to more ideas. I never thought a belted cardigan could work for me, but I’m going to give it a try.
I have the same shape as you, except I’m a “plus” size and also very “top heavy”..grr. I’ve tried the belt over a cardigan look and, for me, it’s just not working yet. I think I just have too much muffinage going on there. But maybe when I get a little slimmer I’ll try it again.
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