12 Perfect, Warm-Weather Pieces For Apple-Shaped Ladies
We felt dramatic calling them “life-saving.” But just know we wanted to.
by The Candidly Team
As much as we look forward to the opportunity to wear all the light and lovely styles of summer, dressing for the heat gets old really fast.
And for us apple-shaped ladies (or those of us who just aren’t in love with tight or tiny clothes to begin with), the summer can present a whole host of other challenges. We can’t wear shorts and tees to work. Our jeans feel like heating pads. Our sleeved tops like saunas. So getting dressed quickly morphs into throwing on whatever it is we can possibly stand and not what we actually feel good about wearing … much less love as an outfit.
Well, we decided not to let summer win this time. We’re not giving up on chic sundresses or breathable jeans or sleeves! In fact, we’ve found 12 perfect pieces for those of us with rounder waistlines that present such specific solutions to our warm-weather wardrobe, we’re actually excited to get dressed again.
Let’s get straight to them, shall we?
1. This Gauzy Button-Up We Layer Over Everything
J. Crew Factory Gauze Button Up Shirt
A white button-down is one of the most classic staples in our closet that instantly makes us look a Carolyn-Bessette- Kennedy level of chic. But it’s also a magic trick for our waistlines. Wear it tucked, sleeves rolled up, and a low V created by unbuttoning a few top buttons. Or wear it open over a fitted tank, which makes you look nipped while still feeling covered. It hits that sweet spot between being sophisticated and a bit sexy. And the brilliant thing is if you get one in this light, gauzy fabric from J. Crew Factory, you can wear it on the hottest days without hating your life.
Price: $39.50
2. This Airy Dress That Gives Everyone An Hourglass
Anthropologie The Tommie Cap-Sleeve Smocked Front-Zip Shirt Dress
Because of the low neckline, cute cap-sleeve, and A-line skirt, this dress kills on every body type. But that brilliantly placed smocking has the most smoothing effect on a belly pooch. Also, it’s just soooo comfortable, you’ll want to wear it to everything, from work to weddings, year-round.
Price: $170
3. This Slip Skirt That’s Made To Flatter Midsections
J. Crew Factory has been coming through this season with some everyday staples we didn’t know we needed but now can scarcely picture life without. Take this skirt. Finally a slip skirt with actual stretch. The back is elastic so it doesn’t feel restrictive and always falls perfectly smoothly in the front. Just flattering on every level.
Price: $52.50
4. This Unique Piece Of Outerwear That’s Perfect For Evening Breezes And Indoor AC
Z Supply All Day Knit Denim Jacket
We’re always wishing we owned a light, effortless piece of outerwear we could throw on when the temp drops or we enter the fridge section of a grocery store and still look good. Something that isn’t a plain old sweatshirt or a big old jacket. That’s more tailored than a sweater. But more casual than a blazer. Well, here it is - the piece that’s been missing from our lives. It’s a knit denim jacket from Z Supply, so it feels soft and weighs nothing, but it looks like a cool, blue jean jacket you can throw on over everything, and your whole look will be even better.
For example…
Price: $129
5. This Floaty And Flattering Top We Wear Instead Of Tees
Madewell Puff-Sleeve Babydoll Top
No one should waste a single second hating their arms. It is true bs to act like the minute we hit 40, we have to hide them away. However, some of us just don’t love tanks and prefer the balance of a sleeve. Instead of doing a sad, shapeless tee, we turn to this floaty top from Madewell. Not just because of the flattering sleeve or the feathery fabric, but the cut is very smart and doesn’t just look like a sack. Plus, it isn’t too long, so it hits right at the top of your jeans and makes your legs look inches longer.
Price: $88
6. This Set That Makes Us Look More Put Together Than Ever But Feel Like We’re in PJs
Exlura Women's Summer 2 Piece Outfit
Sets might be our favorite thing. We are lazy and we need these kinds of shortcuts in our lives to look good. This is one of the gems we found on Amazon that is so easily, breezily effortless and chic. It’s spacious, but comes off very polished. We throw it on with THESE luxe, minimalist slides and #12 on this list, and we are our most styled (but also comfiest) selves.
Price: $27
7. This Hands Down Best Swimsuit For Apples
J. Crew Ruched V-Neck One-Piece
If anyone asks how to ensure a swimsuit looks the most gorgeous on your waistline, the answer is ruching. This one simply does it best. And the size and color range is beyond.
Price: $20 - $100
8. This Spacious Everyday Dress That’s Chic And Therefore, Doesn’t Read Muumuu
Tuckernuck Chambray Callahan Shirt Dress
We talk a lot about this dress because it is so original and problem-solving for us apples. We don’t just want to wear tents nor do we want to go skintight with our dresses. We want something that looks smart and clean-lined and summery all at once. Because this lovely dress from Tuckernuck shows some leg, we can get away with it being roomier up top, and it doesn’t make us feel like we’re in hiding. It comes in lots of colors and has a great size range. But we especially love the chambray, which we throw on with sandals and a basket bag and get asked 18 times a day where we got the dress.
Price: $128
9. These Perfect Strettttttchy Cropped Jeans We Won't Sweat In
Madewell The Curvy Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Crop Jean
Finding a pair of jeans we can stand on hot days is a task in itself. But finding a pair that also fits the exact, flattering way we want on our curves is a whole other thing. These might be our favorite summer jeans of all time. They’re not thick, but they hold their cute, cropped shape. They have actual stretch so they sort of melt over curves while still feeling breathable. We wear them with everything (I mean, they’re jeans), but lately we pair them with a tucked tank and an open button-down as a little, daily uniform.
Price: $128
10. This Classic Staple For Those Who Don’t Love Going Sleeveless
Frank & Eileen Patrick Popover Henley
Before you get mad about the price (and believe me, we get why you would), allow us 17 seconds of reasoning. Now that we’re 40+, we’re getting very sick of cheap, ratty tops that don’t fit us well. We find ourselves pretty much reaching for the same 2-3 tops we can stand in our closet constantly. And those 2-3 tend to be the ones we invested a little bit more in. They look better on us than any others. They hold up after a wash. We recently tried this jersey henley from Frank & Eileen and immediately knew it would be that kind of lifetime piece we wish our closet solely consisted of. If you have a belly pooch, you have to see this shirt from the side. The shape is the ideal. It has sleeves you can roll up or leave down. And it turns any dumb thing we wear into a look. Which makes life easy. And this shirt worth it. To us.
And here is one of us wearing it in stripes, with #12 on this very list no less.
Price: $238
11. This Whisper-Soft, Elongating Maxi Dress
Z Supply Cocktail Hour Leaf Dress
We wear this dress out to dinner and on vacation and to the drugstore, because the fit is a dream and the material is whispery soft and silky to the point that it feels like you’re pretty much wearing nothing. And yet, its a proper, elegant maxi. The real hack of this dress is that though there’s plenty of room round the tum, it falls in a way that makes you look longer and leaner. We swear you’ll look taller, even in the flattest of flats. THESE are the ones we wear with it by the way.
You can also wear it belted, and it doesn’t poof out on the top or bottom.
Price: $119
12. This Stunning Sling Bag That Nips Your Waist
We’ve been attesting to the flattering powers of the Fanny for years. And no one ever listens. What gives? But now that sling bags are in fashion, we implore you to give one a try. It’s a perfect way to nip your waist and offer you a little extra belly coverage. And no Fanny is finer than this one from Clare V. Every texture, color, and design it comes in gets added to our cart on a weekly basis. We finally settled on the tan rattan. We have our eye on it in black and white and cobalt though. Someday.
Price: $385
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
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