How to Dress an Apple Body Shape Like Adele: A Stylist's Guide
A practical, step-by-step guide to dressing an apple body shape the way Adele does — the number-one apple-shape style icon. Necklines, dresses, tailoring, fabrics and a capsule wardrobe.
Want to dress your apple shape and not sure where to start? Copy the best in the business. Adele is the number-one apple-shape style icon, and her wardrobe runs on a small, repeatable set of rules that anyone can apply. This is the stylist’s version of her formula, step by step. (New to the topic? Start with what body shape Adele has.)
How to Dress an Apple Body Shape Like Adele: A Stylist’s Guide — illustrative figure for this report.
Step 1: Learn Adele’s Formula
Every Adele red-carpet look obeys the same three principles. Memorise these and the rest is detail:
| Principle | What it does | Adele’s go-to |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical lines | Lengthens and slims the torso | V-necklines, monochrome |
| Defined shoulders | Balances a fuller midsection | Structured Armani tailoring |
| Skimming, not clinging | Floats over the waist | A-line & empire silhouettes |
Step 2: Necklines and Tops
Lead with a V-neckline — it is the most effective single move for an apple shape, drawing the eye down and lengthening the neck. Deep scoops and sweetheart necks also work. Keep tops in flowing fabrics and let them fall past the waistband rather than tucking tight. Avoid high crew necks, which widen the upper body.
Step 3: Dresses and Skirts
This is where Adele excels. Reach for A-line dresses that flare gently from under the bust, empire-waist styles that sit above the midsection, and wrap dresses that create a soft diagonal line. A-line and pleated skirts do the same job for separates. For the full breakdown, see the best dresses for an apple body shape.
Step 4: Bottoms and Tailoring
Balance a fuller top half with high-waisted, wide-leg trousers that elongate the legs, and use a structured blazer or tailored coat to add shoulder definition. A long-line jacket worn open creates two vertical columns down the body — a quiet, powerful slimming trick.
Step 5: Fabrics to Choose and Avoid
Choose fabrics that drape: silk, crepe, ponte and fine wool. Avoid stiff taffeta or thick ribbing at the waist, and skip clingy stretch jersey across the midsection. The goal is movement, not compression.
Step 6: Build an Adele-Inspired Capsule
A starter capsule that covers most occasions:
- One V-neck A-line dress in a solid colour
- One structured blazer with a defined shoulder
- A pair of high-waisted wide-leg trousers
- A wrap dress for events
- Flowing silk or crepe tops in V or scoop necks
- A monochrome colour story so everything layers into a vertical line
Do this and you are dressing, in effect, like the apple-shape icon herself. For where Adele sits among her peers, see our ranking of apple body shape celebrities of all time.
Frequently asked questions
How do I dress an apple body shape like Adele? +
Follow Adele's formula: a V-neckline up top, an A-line or empire silhouette through the body, structured shoulders, and flowing fabric that skims the midsection. Keep colour monochrome where possible to create one long vertical line.
What should an apple body shape avoid wearing? +
Avoid stiff fabrics that add bulk at the waist, clingy stretch jersey across the midsection, and belts pulled tight at the natural waist. These draw attention to the fullest part of the apple silhouette.
What is the best neckline for an apple shape? +
A V-neckline is the single best choice — it lengthens the neck and torso and creates a slimming vertical line. Deep scoop and sweetheart necks also work. Adele uses V-necks constantly.
What dresses work for an apple body shape? +
A-line dresses, empire-waist dresses and wrap dresses all flatter an apple shape because they define the upper body and flow over the midsection. They are the backbone of Adele's red-carpet wardrobe.
Can apple shapes wear fitted clothes? +
Yes — as long as the fabric holds its own shape. Structured blazers and tailored coats flatter the silhouette; clingy fabrics do not. Aim for definition at the shoulder, not compression at the waist.
Senior Runway Correspondent
Elise has covered the Paris, Milan and New York collections for over a decade, reporting from the front row on the business and craft of high fashion. She reads a show for cut, construction and commercial intent — not just spectacle.
