Whilst every woman is different, we all typically fall into 5 categories of shape. If you don't have a defined waist, and weight tends to form on the stomach, you are apple shaped (a very common shape for women particularly over 40 due to hormones). 

To avoid looking top heavy, you will want to balance your shape by creating an illusion of a waist, highlighting your cleavage and/or lengthening your body with long vertical lines. Ideal pieces include:

• V shaped or scooping necklines  

• Tops and jackets that fall to the hips or lower rather than stopping at your waist 

• Tailored jackets that accentuate your waist 

• Dresses and skirts that stop at the knee - apple shaped women tend to have fab legs! 

• Shift dresses with slight structure that will flatter your curves without clinging to them or making you look like a tent! 

• Vertical lines for lengthening your body 

• Fabric that sweeps diagonally across the body 

• Slim fitting trousers and skirts 

Also make sure to invest in a really well fitting, supportive bra!

But to save you the hassle of finding these perfect pieces, we've picked the best ones from our collection specially for you: