McIntosh, Granny Smith and all other apples are deliciously round in shape – and this applies to the body type, too! Women who are apple-shaped tend to be thicker through the middle. But look on the bright side! On average, the appeal of apples includes their great legs and a décolleté worth flaunting.

One of the first steps to unleashing your style is to define your shape!

For starters, being an apple refers to your shape and proportions – not your height, weight or dress size. You could be a size 6 and still be apple-shaped.

You’re a delicious apple if you have:

• an average to above-average bust size
• broad shoulders and a full upper back
• a thick waist with not much difference between your waist and your bust or hips
• a flat butt or one that appears to connect straight to the back of the thigh
• good legs, although sometimes the upper thighs may carry a little extra weight

Apples have an undefined waist and may have a tummy or appear top-heavy. Also, apples have a tendency to gain weight through their middle area and upper arms or all over.

You’re in good company! Famous women with “apple appeal” include Kate Winslet, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Drew Barrymore, Jennifer Hudson and Queen Latifah.

Top Ten Tips: When you’re trying to decide what to wear in the morning – or when you’re heading to your favourite Cadillac Fairview shopping centre to update your wardrobe – here are the “do’s and don’ts” for dressing the apple body type.

1. Do wear solids, especially in dark colours such as black, navy, brown and deep purple (the hot colour this season!) to give your body a slimmer, streamlined look.
2. Do wear flowy tops, tunics and dresses. Empire waistlines, styles that drape loosely and hems that reach past the waist to the hips are all perfect ways to hide a tummy or love handles. Wearing an unbuttoned jacket on top is also a good figure-flattering strategy.
3. Do show off your bust line. Wear V-necks or U-shaped necklines to bring the focus up and away from your tummy. And invest in some good-quality, well-fitting bras. Another trick is to invest in conservatively sized shoulder pads (or clothes that have them built in), as they will bring balance to your shape by emphasizing your shoulders – again taking the focus away from your middle.
4. Do make the most of your shapely legs. You can get away with shorter, straight or slightly flared skirts to show off your legs. Try elongating and slimming them with flat-front, boot-cut or flared pants.
5. Do wear accessories that bring the eye upward to your décolleté, neck and face and away from the trouble zones. This means an apple can never have too many earrings or necklaces!
6. Don’t wear clingy fabrics or overly fitted clothing. Avoid anything that feels snug.
7. Don’t wear anything that accentuates your round shape. Stay away from tops with breast pockets, boat-necks and waist-cinching belts, and avoid wearing bright colours or patterns around your less-appealing areas. Also, don’t wear anything tucked in – doing so will break the sleek line from top to bottom. If you must wear a belt, keep it the same colour as your skirt or pants.
8. Don’t wear horizontal patterns across your midriff as they will make you look even wider. For the same reason, avoid anything double-breasted.
9. Don’t wear sleeveless or capped sleeves. Try looser sleeves if they must be short, or go for an elbow or bracelet length to make the most of your graceful forearms and wrists.
10. Don’t wear pants or skirts with pleats, which add unwanted volume. Stay away from anything that’s extremely narrow on the bottom, as you’ll gain the appearance of being very top heavy. Avoid skinny jeans or leggings – unless you are wearing a long tunic on top.

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