Women are getting bigger!  Australian women come in all shapes and sizes, and are from many different ethnic backgrounds. In the last 80 years, all of our measurements have increased. Regardless of how we start out, we can guarantee that our shape will change as we get older.

For those of us who have sedentary jobs and eat a ‘western’ diet, we have much larger waists than our mothers and grandmothers, and will tend to become apple shaped once we are over 40. So we are then defined as australian 'plus size woman'.

I started out shaped like an inverted triangle, with large shoulders, rib cage and boobs, a small bum and long legs. I was a swimmer and water polo player.  My centre of gravity was above my waist.

As I got older the middle bit expanded and now I am shaped like a toffee apple on a stick – or 2 sticks! A mistake that we plus size women can make is to just buy anything that is big enough whether it actually fits or not.  It’s not all that long ago that I bought this square top because it’s big enough regardless of the fact that it is completely hideous! It is also a mistake to emphasise the smallness of my bottom half compared to my top half. 

So, it is great to be able to find stylish plus size fashion that acknowledges that women are now shaped differently and a plus size woman is the new normal, so that we can feel comfortable about our bodies.

As an inverted triangle I should wear V-necks not round or square necks (like the Spliced Top below), and not emphasise my broad shoulders, but emphasise my lower section with a full skirt or long leg pants.

Being apple shaped is not massively different from being an inverted triangle it just means that my centre of gravity has moved downwards to my belly!

Apple shaped is defined as:

• A wide torso
• Broad shoulders
• An average-to-fuller bust
• An undefined waist
• Thinner arms and legs
• A flat bottom
• Hips that are narrower than your bust
• You don't have to have a very large belly to be apple shaped -- it just means that your centre of gravity, or your extra weight, resides in your belly area.

So, I find that it’s important to draw attention away from my belly area and avoid wearing an outfit with a different pattern in the belly area. I do like the stripy top (Stripe Cotton Jacket) because it has the different pattern is below the waist.

I also avoid wearing thick belts, which will draw more attention to my middle, and avoid clingy shirts or dresses, which will also draw attention to my middle.

I know that what suits me best is long black pants with a black camisole and a long colourful top. I love this leopard jacket. 

I am trying to branch out into other shapes and colours, like the red, yellow and blue dress.

It is great to discover plus size fashion to look and feel good, and a lot more confident, instead of feeling like a freak and past my ‘sell by’ date!