Here’s what you need to know to find the best jeans for your apple body shape.
This post was updated on Sept. 4, 2023.
When I started this blog, I never planned on writing about how to dress my apple body shape.
But then I fell down a rabbit hole reading about how to dress my body, and I couldn’t believe what I saw.
Illustrations of apple-shaped figures but not actual women. Stock photos of women who aren’t even apple shaped. No pictures of real-life women who look like me.
It’s hard to know what to wear when you don’t see anyone shaped like you.
That’s why I’m sharing what I learned about how to dress my figure, starting with the best jeans for the apple body shape.
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Read This First
I’m not gonna lie: Finding jeans for an apple body shape is not easy. Most jeans – shoot, most clothing – isn’t made with our kind of bodies in mind.
You’ll have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince. You’ll have to try on a lot of jeans in a lot of different brands, sizes, washes, and styles to find the best ones for you.
And then you’ll have to try on some more.
You’ll notice that throughout this post, I have a lot of photos of me in store fitting rooms. That’s because I’m still trying on jeans. I know what looks good on me, but I haven’t found it yet. I’m picky about finding the ideal rise, wash, and leg style for my specific body.
And you shouldn’t settle, either. But you should also be realistic about what you won’t find.
You won’t find jeans that magically give you curvy hips, a narrow waist, or Kim Kardashian’s booty.
Your best jeans are going to make your own body look and feel its best. There’s no competition or comparison to other people. It’s all about you.
What Is an Apple Body Shape?
Apple body shapes are heavier on the top (shoulders, bust, and waist) than they are on the bottom (hips, butt, and legs). Apples carry most of their extra weight in their middle; it’s the first place they gain weight and the last place they lose it.
Apple body shape traits include:
- a thick waist;
- narrow hips;
- a flat butt;
- slim legs;
- broad shoulders;
- a wide back; and
- a large bust.
You may have all of these characteristics, or you may have some. You may also morph into different body shapes if you gain or lose weight. Similar body types include the inverted triangle and rectangle.
While most people think of apples as plus size, they can also be slim or mid size. They can be tall, petite, or average height. They can have long, short, or regular torsos.
The Best Jeans for Apple Body Shape Figures
The best jeans for an apple shape will have a wider pant leg to balance your wider top half. The rise should be high and the fabric should be heavier to pull in your midsection.
1. Wide Leg
Wide legs are the best jeans for an apple body shape because:
- they balance your top half; and
- they don’t have to fit perfectly on your small bottom and narrow hips.
Wide leg jeans vary from slim to extra wide. The key thing to look for is that they’re slim through the hips and bottom before flaring out on the leg. They look sloppy if they’re too loose on the hips and bottom.
Look for a cropped wide-leg jean for a trendy, fashionable silhouette.
2. Straight Leg
Try straight-leg jeans if you don’t like wide legs. They work well, too!
3. Boot/Flare
Boot and flare jeans are another compromise between wide-leg and skinny jeans. They still provide fullness to your legs with the slim fit of a skinny jean. A cropped pair is very on trend!
4. High-Waisted
High-rise jeans cover and hold in the extra weight apples carry in their middles. They sit at the smallest part of your waist and emphasize the narrowest part of your middle.
The best rise depends on your torso length, and should hit at the smallest part of your waist. My torso is short, and I’ve found that I like a rise around 11 inches.
5. Non-Stretch or Heavier-Weight Stretch
Non-stretch or heavier-weight denim is flattering for an apple body shape because it provides structure and weight to your smaller bottom half. Rigid jeans also skim along the stomach and create a straighter line down your belly.
The best rigid denim style is wide-leg or straight-leg because they’re not meant to be super tight. Even though they don’t have any stretch, this style can be comfortable because of their shape.
If you don’t like non-stretch jeans (or can’t find any that fit), look for stretch jeans in a heavier fabric that still provide structure to your bottom half. Your jeans should look like jeans.
The Worst Jeans For an Apple Body Shape
This section may throw you for a loop. I don’t agree with much of the advice on the internet about the best jeans for apple body shape figures. My experience comes from years of dressing my own body following these same “tips” and never feeling good in my clothes.
1. Skinny Jeans
The problem with skinny jeans for apple body shapes is that they make our top halves look larger. Our bodies are unbalanced, especially if we wear oversized shirts.
It’s also really hard to find skinny jeans that fit properly. If they fit in the waist, they’re often too large in the bottom and legs.
2. Thin, Super Stretchy Jeans
Thin, super stretchy jeans cling to the rolls and round parts of your stomach. They highlight exactly what you’re hoping to hide.
A little stretch for comfort is fine, but avoid super stretchy jeans like jeggings.
I know I’m in the minority by advising you to avoid super stretchy jeans. Pretty much all other advice says the opposite, and I used to think that way, too. I wore stretch jeans for years until I realized they didn’t help my figure.
3. Mid-Rise and Low-Rise Jeans
Mid-rise jeans hit at the widest part of your waist and draw attention to your thickest area. Low-rise jeans sit low on the hips and can create a muffin top.
Plus, when I wear these rises, I’m constantly pulling them up because my narrow hips don’t hold up the wider waistband. But with a high rise, my jeans sit at the smallest part of my waist (on top of my stomach pooch) and don’t slide down.
Apple Body Shape Jeans Brands
Here are jeans that I’ve found fit wider at the waist compared to other brands. Not all styles from the same brand will fit well, and not all washes in the same style will fit the same.
And sometimes the fits vary from season to season. I might have good luck one time, then their jeans don’t fit me the next time I try.
My brand recommendations are based on my straighter apple shape.
1. Old Navy
Old Navy’s jeans are a consistent go-to for many apple shapes, and I love that they come in petite, tall, and plus sizes. These jeans are great if you’re still not sure about wide-leg jeans because you can try the style without breaking the bank.
2. MOTHER Denim
MOTHER Denim’s styles to try are:
MOTHER Denim’s jeans typically have a lot of stretch, but they are more flattering than other super-stretchy styles I’ve tried.
3. Other Styles
I’ve found that some Reformation jeans fit me, like the Emma High Rise Wide Leg Jeans. I have them in black, and they feel more like pants rather than jeans because they’re stretchy.
Madewell’s Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Jeans have fit me well in the past, but I haven’t tried them on recently. These have more stretch than I prefer, which is why I don’t typically buy Madewell jeans.
I also typically have good luck with the fit of J.Crew’s slim wide-leg jeans.
Shop Jeans
Final Thoughts on Jeans for an Apple Body Shape
I wish I had a different body shape. I wish I had an easier time finding jeans that fit. I wish I looked like the Instagram influencers who could make a paper sack look good.
But this is the body I have, and it’s the body I need to make the most of. I’ve spent most of my life trying to hide it, and I’m finished with that nonsense.
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This post is about the best jeans for apple body shape figures.
Thank you! I’m going to read everything you’ve written!
You’re very welcome! I’m glad this was helpful!
Thank you. I have been buying skinny jeans for too long. But I don’t like high waisted! I appreciate you acknowledging the challenges we face as “apple” shapes!! Thank you thank you
You’re welcome, Peggy! If you don’t like high-waisted, try mid-rise. Ultimately, the goal is for you to feel your best. It is such a challenge to dress our bodies. I’m even a straighter apple shape, and I have a terrible time finding clothes that fit. 🙂
Being a full blown apple shaped individual (big stomach and mid-section with no sign of a waist), I find your information pretty much useless. In looking at your photos, you don’t even look like you are an Apple shaped individual. The Mother Denim looks are quite laughable. Close fitting tops only accentuate the muffin top. Straight, slim and skinny jeans really accentuate the big stomach. I have not yet found a pair of jeans that makes me feel good. So all I do is buy a pair of jeans that fit so-so and cover my mid-section with a long top and a jacket that hits my hips.
Hi Suzanne, I’m sorry that you didn’t find this information useful. Let me respond to a few of your comments. While I am not a “full-blown” apple as you describe yourself, I am still an apple shape. The Mother Denim photos aren’t meant to be full outfit looks to replicate; they are meant to be product photos showing the jeans. I still think that close-fitting tops are a better look, but I respect your difference of opinion. Finally, I always recommend wide leg jeans and wider straight leg jeans for apple shapes because I agree with you that slim and skinny accentuate the stomach. Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment.
I am thankful to have found your photos of your apple-shaped body like mine. Your information was great and it was nice to actually see someone apple-shaped in the photos. Thanks for sharing! I was like yes finally someone I can relate to!
You’re very welcome, Julie! I get so frustrated when I see information about how to dress the apple shape and the woman in the photo is an hourglass shape. It’s not helpful!
Thanks – useful info. I’m an apple shape like you; totally recognized myself in your descriptions and your photo from the back!
Hi Lexie! You can really see my apple shape when you see me from the back! Glad you found this information useful!
Karen, I was so happy to come across your site. You described my shape to a “t”. You get it!!! Jeans have been so difficult for me and I practically live in them (albeit, unhappily). I have been searching for hip enhancer shape wear to combat the straight hip shape but have not been successful. I find they are too exaggerated. I read somewhere that I should try on men’s jeans as they are narrow through the hips (will try that soon). 95% of my jeans and work wear pants have all been taken to the tailor to add fabric in the back of the waist band so I’m not spilling over with my muffin top. This has been the only way my pants will not bag out in the hip area and still allows me to breathe. Trying to balance my broad shoulders to my skinny legs has been a challenge for sure. My search for the most flattering Jean continues. I thank you for your suggestions and sharing pictures of you in your search.
Hi Shirlee, thanks for your comment! Jeans are such a struggle. I’m still looking, but will probably find a “close enough” pair and then have them tailored. I think it’s the only way to get what I want!
Thank you for this article. I have not made peace with my body but it is the one I’ve been blessed to have. Last month I turned 64 and I should be thankful my body is healthy & able. I like looking my best & struggle most with finding fit & flattering jeans. My challenges: full bust, large tummy, short/high wide waist, flatter bottom, narower hips, pencil legs & slim thighs. I am 5′ 7″ & a true size 12 but my waist dictates a 14. None of the jeans for full-figured women are made for my curve-less body. With all this, I think I can look pretty good when I choose. This article is real for me. So far, I’ve had some luck at The Gap but I plan to use your guidance to continue my search. Thank you for giving direction.
I always find it so interesting that when I look at “full figured” or “plus size” clothing, they’re always made for curves. The models are always curvy or very tall, so they don’t look anything like me. And I see a lot of women who look like me. So why aren’t we represented in the fashion world?
I am 79 and have this same problem! I used to have an hourglass figure, but since I’ve lost some height, my waist is only about 4 or 5 inches smaller than my 38 1/2″ hips! I only weigh about 124″ and am now barely 5′ 3″ tall. Since I’ve lost about 1 1/2″ or so, everything fell and is around my middle! To top it off, I am short waisted with a long torso. If I buy jeans to fit my waist they are huge in the hind end and hips. I need some jeans to fit my hips with a very stretchy waist. Do they make jeans for old ladies to acommodate the changes that come with age? Any suggestions?
Hi Trish! I know a lot of apple shaped women like Judy Blue jeans, although I’ve never tried them. They are super stretchy, so it’s worth trying them!
Your description of apple shaped body really helped. When I was super skinny I had to wear men’s jeans but thought apple was a fat mid-section. Now that applies to me as well, not super skinny but it is nice to know that I fit the apple to a T when I am heavy or skinny. No wonder I had such a hard time with women’s jeans – no waist means you must get a size or two up to fit the waist and then everything waist down bags and sags…
I think a lot of people think apple means a large mid-section. And I see people on social media who say they’re apple shaped but I personally don’t think they are. But then again, a lot of people tell me I’m not an apple. 😉