Body shapes · Female
Apple Body Shape
An apple body shape, or apple shaped body, carries most of its width through the middle. The waist is close in size to the bust and hips, while the arms and legs often stay slim. It’s sometimes called a round or oval body type. This guide covers the measurements, how to tell if you have an apple figure, how to dress it, and what it means for your health.
What is an apple shaped body?
An apple shaped body is fullest through the midsection. The bust is often full, the waist is about as wide as the bust and hips, and the hips and legs are comparatively slim. Instead of curving in at the waist, the outline runs fairly straight or rounds out slightly in the middle.
The apple body type is about where your body tends to store weight, not just your size. Apple shaped women can be any weight; what they share is a tendency to gain around the stomach and upper back first. In men, the same outline is called the oval body shape.
Common apple shape body characteristics:
- A full bust and broad ribcage
- Little difference between waist and hips
- A flatter seat and slim legs, often with good calves and ankles
- Weight gain shows first at the stomach
Apple body shape measurements
On a tape, you’re an apple when your waist is at least 88% of your hip measurement and at least 85% of your bust. In plain numbers, your waist is only a few inches smaller than both, or the same size. If your waist is smaller than that, you’re more likely a rectangle.
| Example | Bust | Waist | Hips | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | 38 in | 35 in | 38 in | Waist 92% of hips and bust |
| Apple (cm) | 97 cm | 89 cm | 97 cm | Waist 92% of hips |
| Apple, fuller bust | 42 in | 37 in | 40 in | Waist 93% of hips, 88% of bust |
| Rectangle, not apple | 37 in | 31 in | 37 in | Waist only 84% of hips |
The body type calculator checks this rule first, before any other shape.
Signs you have an apple body type
- Trousers that fit your hips are tight at the waist.
- Belts sit uncomfortably and roll down.
- Fitted dresses pull across the middle but fit the shoulders and hips.
- Your legs look slim compared with your upper body.
- You notice weight changes at your stomach first.
Apple vs pear vs rectangle
Apple vs pear body shape is the comparison people search for most, because the two store weight in opposite places.
| Apple | Pear | Rectangle | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Widest part | Middle and bust | Hips and thighs | Even |
| Waist | Close to bust and hips | Defined | Slightly smaller |
| Legs | Slim | Fuller | Straight |
| Styling goal | Lengthen the torso | Balance the hips | Create curves |
In the North Carolina State University study of over 6,000 women, about 14% had apple proportions, compared with 20% pear and 46% rectangle.
How to dress an apple body shape
The aim is a long, unbroken line. Draw the eye up to your face and neckline and down to your legs, and let fabric skim over the middle rather than cling to it or cut across it.
Tops
- V-necks and scoop necks lengthen the torso.
- Tunics and longer tops that skim past the hips.
- Wrap and surplice tops with soft drape at the front.
- Structured shoulders give the outline a clean frame.
Dresses for an apple shaped body
- Empire-waist dresses sit under the bust and flow past the stomach.
- Wrap dresses and shift dresses in fabrics that drape.
- A-line and trapeze dresses that skim rather than cling.
- For dresses for an apple shaped body with belly fat, look for ruching at the side, a V-neck and a hem that shows the legs.
- As a wedding guest, a midi wrap dress or an empire-line maxi with a statement neckline is an easy choice.
Jeans for an apple shaped body
- Mid-rise jeans with a flat front and a contoured, stretch waistband.
- Straight-leg, bootcut and slim jeans show off slim legs.
- Darker washes and minimal front pockets.
Skirts and trousers
- A-line and pencil skirts that sit at the natural waist with a flat front.
- Slim or straight trousers; cropped lengths show the ankles.
Jackets and layers
- Open, long cardigans and dusters create vertical lines.
- Single-breasted blazers worn unbuttoned.
For complete looks, see our apple body shape outfits guide.
What to avoid
| Avoid | Why | Try instead |
|---|---|---|
| Belts at the waist | Draw a line across the widest point | Empire line under the bust |
| Cropped and boxy tops | End at the middle and add width | Tunics and longer tops |
| Thin, clingy jersey | Shows every line at the stomach | Fabrics with drape or ruching |
| High crew necks | Shorten the torso | V-neck or scoop neck |
| Pleated or pocketed front trousers | Add bulk at the front | Flat-front styles |
Apple shape at every size
- Skinny apple body shape: a slim frame where any weight still gathers at the stomach, often with very slim legs. Shift dresses and straight-leg trousers suit this well.
- Plus-size apple: a fuller bust and middle with slimmer legs. Empire-line and wrap dresses, V-necks and knee-length hems do most of the work.
- Athletic apple: a broad ribcage and strong core rather than soft weight. Structured tops and straight trousers keep the line clean.
Apple shape and health
Weight carried around the middle is linked with a higher risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes than weight carried on the hips and thighs. That doesn’t mean every apple shaped person is unhealthy; it means waist size is worth keeping an eye on.
Check your waist to hip ratio: the World Health Organization uses 0.85 for women and 0.90 for men as the point where risk is considered substantially increased. If you’re above it, a check-up with blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol tests tells you far more than a tape measure. The waist to height ratio calculator is another quick check: aim for a waist under half your height.
Your frame and the way your body stores fat are partly inherited, so you can’t fully change your shape. Regular activity, strength training, sleep, and less alcohol and processed food all help reduce fat around the waist.
Apple body shape celebrities
Stylists often name these celebrities as examples of an apple figure. These are descriptions from fashion writing, not measured results:
- Jessica SimpsonSinger, designer
- Drew BarrymoreActor
- Catherine Zeta-JonesActor
- Kelly OsbourneTV presenter
Frequently asked questions
How do I dress an apple body shape?
Aim for a long line. V-necks, tunics and open layers on top; empire-line or wrap dresses; and straight or bootcut trousers that show off your legs.
What dresses suit an apple shaped body with belly fat?
Empire-waist, wrap and shift dresses in fabrics that drape, ideally with side ruching and a V-neck. Avoid waist belts and thin, clingy jersey.
What jeans suit apple shaped women?
Mid-rise, flat-front jeans with a stretch waistband, in straight-leg, bootcut or slim cuts. Darker washes keep the focus on your legs.
What should an apple shape wear to a wedding?
A midi wrap dress or an empire-line maxi with a V or sweetheart neckline, in a fabric that flows rather than clings.
What is a skinny apple body shape?
A slim frame that still stores any extra weight at the stomach, usually with very slim arms and legs. The waist stays close to the hip measurement even at a low weight.
Is the apple body shape attractive?
Yes. Apple shapes often have a full bust and slim legs, and the right cuts show both off. Attractiveness has far more to do with fit than shape.
Can you change an apple shaped body?
You can’t change your frame, but reducing fat around the waist through activity, strength training and diet can make the middle smaller and the shape less pronounced.