tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post3745441323686202585..comments2024-03-14T16:03:32.434-04:00Comments on Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing: Of Apples and Pears: the Body Type QuestionGertiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04314542159287533507noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-56758747769779527172015-01-31T05:57:25.105-05:002015-01-31T05:57:25.105-05:00I just looked up 'apple shaped body' becau...I just looked up 'apple shaped body' because I thought I might be one. Instantly it comes up with "overweight! Diabetes! Post partum and undefined!" As it happens I, like you, do not perfectly fit a category. I'm not even an 'average'. Maybe I'm just 'boring'. The fact that I've survived and am in the process of recovery from anorexia is meaningless, because, right now I am technically overweight. It seems they would rather I was dead than round. I also have a healthy diet and do plenty of exercise and have had lots of random people saying I look great. So it is all utter bullshit, eat, wear clothes and enjoy life and stop obsessing about body shape.That's advice I give everyone who is struggling :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-28987067880393989092013-02-26T09:29:19.920-05:002013-02-26T09:29:19.920-05:00I know this is an old post, but thinking about bod...I know this is an old post, but thinking about body shape classifications bugs me so much that I have to respond.<br /><br />Unlike many of the commenters here, my frustration doesn't stem from being unable to classify my body as one shape (or fruit). I'm a pretty typical apple shape. Whenever I gain weight it's always in my bust, waist, and upper arms. While my lower body is not what you'd call petite, it is comparably smaller than my upper body. What I DO have a problem with, is the fashion industry's attempts to dictate what I can and cannot wear on my body. Everything they tell "apple" types to wear is just SO BORING. No fitted or full skirts. Just A-line skirts, hip-length shirts/jackets, and small-medium sized prints. What I love about sewing is that I can make clothes that I love that fit and flatter my body, and it doesn't have to be a g** d*** A-line skirt. I realize that super-tight wiggle dresses, or overly gathered skirts don't look good on me, but I can adapt these things to wear comfortably on my lovely apple body.Ericahttp://crafty-magpie.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-2807218348252730312012-09-10T07:46:23.651-04:002012-09-10T07:46:23.651-04:00I find it useless too. If you look at me you'd...I find it useless too. If you look at me you'd say I was hourglass. But my measurements make confusing reading. I have a waist that's significantly smaller than my hips, but my chest is bigger than my waist. That and being around the 5ft mark means I'm not in proportion. Makes following any of the 'rules' with dressing to shapes useless. I can wear things I'm not supposed to be able to wear?!?M'ladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02697943030492173302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-7580001521830593812012-01-29T09:04:51.460-05:002012-01-29T09:04:51.460-05:00I know I'm late to the party here for commenti...I know I'm late to the party here for commenting but I find it reassuring that so many other people have a problem with this body shape classification thing. There are as many body shapes as there are people on the planet--7 billion at last count. I say, give it up and wear what makes you happy.Annanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-66901371242169606392010-03-15T05:54:02.952-04:002010-03-15T05:54:02.952-04:00Hello! I'm new to sewing and even newer to thi...Hello! I'm new to sewing and even newer to this blog!<br />I totally get your frustration about the "body type" crazyness...why would I ever want to see my body described as Pear? ever worse as Average (your body looks very much like mine)...I'm no average, I'm pretty perfect, thank you! <br /><br />They also take it one step further...after the body type here comes the colour type...Winter and Summer types, cold or warm skintones...uggh...I'll wear the shapes and colours that I love the most and won't succumb to any categorisation!!! <br /><br />ps: I love your blog already, it's helping a lot with my first sewing projects :) thank you!K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05394170494456346391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-6990052905316527942010-02-22T16:03:13.625-05:002010-02-22T16:03:13.625-05:00I may be the only one, but I actually find this on...I may be the only one, but I actually find this one of the few useful ways of knowing what will suit me. It may well be because I am very much a pear shape. The fact that I am quite tall and slim gave me the impression that I should be able to wear anything, but somethings would just stay in my wardrobe unworn and I couldn't work out why. Once I started thinking in terms of pear shape styles I looked much more in proportion. It also allowed me to have some sort of structure when looking for clothes which was not at all related to clothing fashions, therefore allowing me to keep my own individual style.<br /><br />I do think the fruit based terms and they way they are described seem very negative, however. They imply some sort of deformity and adding in 'average' just increases the idea that some shapes are more 'normal' than others. I also agree with another reader that some people really aren't aware what suits them (we are both from London though, maybe girls here are more bothered by what is in fashion than what actually suits them!?)Clarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13931436948216821554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-15393003516334598172010-02-19T19:12:45.032-05:002010-02-19T19:12:45.032-05:00The whole body shape thing seems false to me. Befo...The whole body shape thing seems false to me. Before them mass production of clothes everyone made clothes to fit themselves. Clothing "sizes" is really a false idea to make mass manufacture of clothes possible - we are all different sizes and shapes!Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06632292350448249509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-61459682673380708442010-02-15T21:23:29.503-05:002010-02-15T21:23:29.503-05:00an athletic shape has a large bust? oh, boy -- how...an athletic shape has a large bust? oh, boy -- how off is that? sure, the broad shoulders may come with physical activity, especially if you're of the strength-training ilk, but most women i know who are truly athletic tend to lose some inches in the bust department over time. <br /><br />rest assured that when i think "angelina jolie," "athletic" is not the first adjective that springs to mind...Kimnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-49608535725314273392010-02-13T18:33:01.459-05:002010-02-13T18:33:01.459-05:00It would be my pleasure, Kelly. hahaIt would be my pleasure, Kelly. hahaCherryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12622785141440415450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-85576941877700463052010-02-13T11:12:20.766-05:002010-02-13T11:12:20.766-05:00Totally agree with Vix about Bradley Bayou's &...Totally agree with Vix about Bradley Bayou's "The Science of Sexy". Not crazy about the name of the book but his recommendations were right on for me.<br /><br />He takes into consideration shoulder, bust, waist, hip, height <i>and</i> weight then gives tips on what to wear and what to avoid. I found his book through Annie Jackson's site. This link has a couple pages from his book and a little more explanation: http://anniejackson.me/2010/02/why-not-every-style-can-be-worn-by-all-body-types/comment-page-1/#comment-19Glendahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08100909774842529269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-66238993771809920432010-02-12T23:33:30.661-05:002010-02-12T23:33:30.661-05:00Cherry, will you be my comment-spouse? Because I ...Cherry, will you be my comment-spouse? Because I love what you've just said. Deeply.kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08183686721305419157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-7344079321884099672010-02-12T23:23:02.478-05:002010-02-12T23:23:02.478-05:00I find it particularly annoying when they make us ...I find it particularly annoying when they make us pick the shape we fit into and then spend the next three pages trying to teach us what to wear to hide that shape. <br /><br />Yes, i have an hourglass. <br /><br />but...<br /><br />No, i do not want to wear "flattering blouses to hide a large bust" or "flared jeans to balance large hips". The whole concept is ridiculous. <br /><br />I know what i feel comfortable and appealing in & if no one else agrees, i don't give a shit.Cherryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12622785141440415450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-81738234171938401062010-02-12T20:27:22.026-05:002010-02-12T20:27:22.026-05:00I've never found those things helpful at all m...I've never found those things helpful at all mostly because my body shape is like if an hourglass, a pear and an apple had a baby that be my shape. And they never have that in there. I just go by my bust and hip measurements and wing it.Cassiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06559898507694130559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-66869748275850312842010-02-12T18:37:46.550-05:002010-02-12T18:37:46.550-05:00with broad shoulders, small bust, tiny waist &...with broad shoulders, small bust, tiny waist & wide hips i usually adhere to the pear or hourglass guides even though neither is a perfect fit. that being said, they usually provide a good general outline. i think it's also just knowing what looks good on you. for me, i have to wear things fitted in the waist, otherwise i look terribly off proportion wise. through trial & error i've discovered i can only wear knits if i add bust & back darts to the pattern.Elizabeth Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00928033549597177234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-85629937079090396502010-02-12T17:04:53.027-05:002010-02-12T17:04:53.027-05:00I haven't read everyone's comments, but I&...I haven't read everyone's comments, but I've always been a very short hourglass figure, and I tend to just wear stuff I love and try it out rather than follow guidelines that a man has probably set long ago.<br /><br />I'm really interested in Built By Wendy's new book though...Veronica Darling...https://www.blogger.com/profile/16416973822037394912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-35190450984795471292010-02-12T14:56:42.772-05:002010-02-12T14:56:42.772-05:00Same here, I don't find the fruit stuff helpfu...Same here, I don't find the fruit stuff helpful AT ALL! It is only confusing. Yes, my hips are wide in relation to my upper body, but I also have a defined waist and some people would say that I have a really boyish figure all around. At some point I was trying to figure out whether I could dress according to my body shape, but gave up because I just couldn't figure out which box to tick, and I'll admit it, I got really irritated reading about things that women with certain body shapes "weren't supposed to" wear. These days I just go for the things that I like and whatever feels right.The Waveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07187385249740092025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-16707044402666301362010-02-12T10:22:47.065-05:002010-02-12T10:22:47.065-05:00I was introduced to the body shapes in my 8th grad...I was introduced to the body shapes in my 8th grade home ec class. My teacher thought it was important I know where I landed in the grand scheme of things. Personally, it embarrassed me almost beyond words. My measurements were (I've had a baby since then and a reduction....) <br />41 1/2 - 30 - 40. She said that I was an hourglass but I couldn't dress that way because the way a normal "X" person dresses would make me look fat..... Confusion at it's best.<br />In the end, we threw the list out of the window, I wore whatever I thought was nice and lived to tell the tale.<br />Return the book! =)Sweet Tea In A Mason Jarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05766813149884479938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-20074761882064040882010-02-12T08:32:35.643-05:002010-02-12T08:32:35.643-05:00ohhh goodness, this subject is a fun one.
There w...ohhh goodness, this subject is a fun one. <br />There were a few reasons I started to get serious about my sewing skills: i had learned to do so as a part of my profession (learned to make costumes even though that is not what my expertise is), to tailor clothes more appropriate for my shape since very few fabrics and styles in ready-to-wear fashions flatter me, and because i have several friends who have very unique body shapes due to genetics or disability and it was beyond frustrating for them to try and force themselves into RTW fashions just as I had to. <br /><br />I have found that the general "shape" categories can serve as a very loose starting point, and that's it. I am technically a pear (i have a 13 inch difference between my waist and hips... O_O), but just like you Gertie, i do NOT have the narrow rounded shoulders. I have shoulders that could cut glass, and i look fantastic in a halter dress (of course, one of the things pear shaped women should no wear, or something). <br /><br />I have learned that the rules for dressing to certain shapes can be bent or broken depending on fabric, pattern, texture, and fashion taste. a good friend of mine wears clothing that i find simply outrageous and could *never* get away with, but she looks fantastic. i have another friend who is a plus size girl with a body shape that is supposedly difficult to dress, but she never fails to find clothing that makes her look like a city princess. <br /><br />i have also found that those "shapes" go out the window once you get past a certain size- which is insulted and infinitely frustrating, and negates the point of the whole "shape" notion in general.<br /><br />again, i find it a good loose start, but i never adhere to them strictly. i figure as long as the cut or style flatters a person, who cares what shape they are or if it follows the "rules" or not? rejecting the idea of getting pidgeon-holed into a shape was the reason I started making my clothes to begin with!<br /><br /><3 BethAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-20871302433883004012010-02-12T04:59:41.281-05:002010-02-12T04:59:41.281-05:00I think pear is a much shorter word to communicate...I think pear is a much shorter word to communicate my bodytype than narrow falling shoulders, no D cups, waist and prominent hips. And even if I do not listen to style gurus, you can categorize eras and types of dress do work and what doesn't. On me, 50ties work, 20ties don't. And because I told you I am a pear you instantly know why. And why, as much as I like Myrna Loy I cannot dress like her or like Audrey Hepburn, but to get inspiration I look at Marilyn Monroe or Brigitte Bardot, even if I am not the sex bomb type. At least there I see what I should not wear, if I don't want to be the sex bomb type. <br />I use pear as a short-hand to communicate and to asses, not to let it define me. Maybe because I am a really typical and obvious pear, it works for me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-54344149442105531872010-02-12T01:40:02.350-05:002010-02-12T01:40:02.350-05:00I have never been able to figure out what I'm ...I have never been able to figure out what I'm suppose to be. I think if you took an hourglass tall gal and squished her down into 5' 1" you'd have me, round with an oval torso and short little legs and arms.<br />The irony is that us heavy, short women could really use some help figuring out clothes, but we are ignored.<br /> <br />I have even heard about some health recommendations based on your shape...pears are suppose to have healthier hearts or some such (don't quote me, I could have it reversed). Again, not much help if you don't know what part of the fruit salad you are!What-I-Foundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01960612319902765855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-83425274186537576122010-02-12T01:21:12.129-05:002010-02-12T01:21:12.129-05:00Lol, body types, never fails to frustrate me. I to...Lol, body types, never fails to frustrate me. I too don't fit into any of the "groups", while i am bigger on my bottom half, my shoulders are too broad to be a pear, yet my bust is too small and waist too wide for an hourglass. I didnt even fit into one of the trinny & susannah's (from "what not to wear")body types and there are , i think, 10 of those. I have come to the conclusion that i shouldn't be comparing my body to a piece of fruit anyway,lol. Also i have to wonder if theres these categories for men? Hmmmrubyslippers_86https://www.blogger.com/profile/18357170072138624681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-91921224815899273652010-02-12T01:05:37.220-05:002010-02-12T01:05:37.220-05:00I find it rather helpful. I think that artists ha...I find it rather helpful. I think that artists have an easier time knowing how shapes will lay on their body. I have a really hard time visualizing things on me. I always look at Vogue's shapes to help me determine if a pattern will work or not.Miss Subhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06807393272869913743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-64246696266872176782010-02-11T23:35:04.147-05:002010-02-11T23:35:04.147-05:00Magazines and main stream stuff tries to fit every...Magazines and main stream stuff tries to fit everyone in a box... it just doesn't work that way. It is irritating but at the same time I think they are hoping for you to identify with one... I am plus size soooo I really dont identify with any of these "shapes"Brookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04798218808241696303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-56920301436165266332010-02-11T23:30:57.435-05:002010-02-11T23:30:57.435-05:00I think I'm an average hourglass pear as well,...I think I'm an average hourglass pear as well, if that's possible. I ignore the Vogue figure flattery icons and buy patterns I want to wear. For the record, you look gorgeous in the clothes you managed to choose without the aid of fruit and vegetables.Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11274649006496918800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3259455441759015869.post-45325435898441270472010-02-11T22:40:39.425-05:002010-02-11T22:40:39.425-05:00I agree - irritating. I do think certain styles l...I agree - irritating. I do think certain styles look good on my "carrot" "athletic" "rectangle" body shape. <br /><br />However, I don't believe Vogue got it right when they did the shapes - none of their retro styles are suited to "rectangle" but I think I can make one work!Pamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13197442485237029218noreply@blogger.com