Wide-leg pants: these are trendy right now, but I’ve been wearing wide-legs and flares for a few years. I find that they balance out the upper half nicely, and DON’T make you look bigger, no matter what anybody says. They give that hourglassy illusion that is so appealing.

Long tops with shorter, military jackets: The long top comes all the way down over the admittedly larger stomach, hiding it nicely, but the shorter jacket breaks up the long expanse, making it look as if you have a smaller upper half. Why military styling? The long parallel rows of buttons and high neck have an effect I like to call “lock-and-load” that trims things down right proper. Plus you can flash a bit of cleavage by leaving the top buttons undone. When worn with those wide-leg jeans, this look is incredibly versatile.

Double-breasted trenchcoats: I don’t CARE if they’re said to expand your waist. I find that a fitted A-line trench which fits and doesn’t strain at the buttons makes the waist trimmer and emphasizes the cleavage. I would suggest an A-line version around mid- to upper-thigh-length. Belting it is a bad idea, though; it breaks up the slimming vertical line of buttons in the front, and creates an unflattering “blousy” effect that only skinny flat girls can pull off (though why anyone would want to, I do not know). I like to pull the belt tight and tie it in the back: it emphasizes the waist and doesn’t ruin the line of the coat. I have a black double-breasted trench that I wear ALL THE TIME, and I always feel so chic in it.

I’m also a big fan of the dress-over-pants look, but it must be a dress with a shorter hem over fairly trim flares: the dress has to stop above the knee so you can see the pants trimming in before flaring, or else it looks a bit weird and swampy.

Those are the ones I use more than anything else. I’ve found that empire tops don’t really work for me: they just emphasize the emergence of my stomach from my waist. I would like to point out that the thing that makes you look skinniest or most hourglassy is not always the best thing. One of my favorite tops is drapey and does NOT make me look skinny — it possibly even adds a couple pounds– but it’s such a lovely fabric and color that I always get compliments on it. Even if I don’t feel slender in it, I feel magnificent and majestic: it just feels so wonderful and swishy against me, and the SOUND of this lovely fabric is not to be believed! Based on this, the only real advice I can give you is to take risks, try things you don’t think you’ll like, and wear what makes you feel fab.

The Emanuelle should first get fitted for a good brassiere, if she hasn’t already. Sexy heels next, and a fabulous hair do.

Empire waist don’t work on me too, but v-necks, men’s shirts, shorter skirts (at the knee or higher with some swing (at the knee or above) are great.

Not apples are the same, so experiment

For bottoms, straight leg jeans are my best friend. I’m a particular fan of Jeanstar jeans because they have more give in the waistband than most jeans so they have space for my tummy. A-line and fuller skirts are also flattering. I’ve pretty much given up on dresses because of the huge difference in size between my top and bottom halves, but am at peace with that because there are tons of cute separates out there.

Good luck Emanuelle!

Too many “fashion experts” (ha!) try to “hide flaws” or use “tricks” to make us apples appear tall & lean. I think that those techniques are great ways to offer more fashion options, but a tall & lean look is not the only flattering way to appear.

In my experience, when I wear a mandarin-collared print tunic with tapered pants (“oh, horror!” all brainwashed folks exclaim), I get compliments GALORE from friends, family, & strangers alike!! (I have several of these outfits, and wear all feeling great & ready to be adored).

I think the positive reaction these outfits illicit is because I’m playing up my OBVIOUS body shape & even highlighting my pleasantly round belly and teeny ankles & wrists, and being comfortable with how you actually are is a HUGE turn-on to many folks :)

Mind you, I only wear outfits like this when I want to look cute – and I recognize it took me a long time to become comfortable with myself enough to wear what I think looks great (& what the “experts” tell me looks horrible).

I hope, one day, you’ll feel happy enough with yourself to wear what makes you smile, too :)

The Annalucia is also the fan of the 3/4 sleeve and the deep V-neck – almost all her shirts and sweaters are so constructed. She also likes the plain wrap dress, of which she has three, and she makes up for the plainness of style by having them in bold colors (the Annalucia is a Winter and can get away with the solid black and the hot red). She also wears her skirts midcalf and A-lined. She does have the nice shapely legs, but alas she cannot display them in the short skirt, not with that most solid torso which looms above.

By the way she also recommends the high-waisted Spanx underpants, to help keep said torso under control.