I've had trouble finding tunics as well -- I did find a sweater one at H&M that I wore today. But other than that, it has been slim pickings.

Hi Maya, you didn't say anything about sleeve length, colours, patterns etc., and I wasn't sure if you are considering 'sweater dresses' as well, but here are some examples. (I seem to remember you're not fond of empire waist dresses, but I did include a few).

http://www.express.com/catalog.....egoryId=22

http://www.martinandosa.com/we.....=1755_2820

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/.....sn_results
(like the dress, not sure about the contrast sleeves)

http://www1.bloomingdales.com/.....sn_results

http://www.bluefly.com/Design-.....detail.fly

http://www2.victoriassecret.co.....rfnbr=5271

http://www2.victoriassecret.co.....rfnbr=5271

http://www2.victoriassecret.co.....rfnbr=5271

http://www.ardenb.com/catalog/.....;source=pf

http://www.rampage.com/items.php?itemid=12459

http://store.delias.com/item.d.....pAdZLmdPVA

http://www.bananarepublic.com/.....ID=2178999

http://www.bananarepublic.com/.....ID=2178999

http://www.bananarepublic.com/.....ID=2178999

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....0423bb4e95
(I absolutely love this one, but it might be too long for you?)

http://www.maxstudio.com/cgi-b.....lor=COFFEE

http://www.maxstudio.com/cgi-b.....r=AUBERGIN

http://www.maxstudio.com/cgi-b.....r=AUBERGIN

I can't link to the items directly, but there are a few nice (patterned) dresses on the Mango site too.
http://www.mangoshop.com/home......F5.mangof6

Wow, Inge! Thank you so much for posting all those. It includes a little something for everyone.

Inge you have done another magnificent job of tracking down options!

I didn't get to peruse them all, but as a fellow petite, one issue I did notice popping up (on a couple of the BR dresses, for example) was the length. Dresses are often just too long to wear with leggings, like Maya wants, or with skinnies. What I've found on myself is that the tunic/dress really needs to hit mid-thigh to look best. When it's longer (a couple of inches above the knee, for example), it looks off, and I've seen that issue on a few women recently.

I'll be watching this thread, Maya, to see what you find!

Looks like Inge has posted some great links. Thanks! I found a tunic at Forever 21, but wearing it by itself it is rather shapeless. I found I needed a belt to give it a better shape. It is the outfit I posted in the other thread from my outfit from 11/5.

Wow Inge, you are like a personal shopper for me. Very impressive! I will have to go through the list and see what you came up with. I'm pretty open so I didn't want to narrow my choices down too much, but sleeve length is important. It's too cold here for short sleeves. I love sweater dresses, but Laura's point is right: they are usually too long. That's the problem I keep running into. Tops are either too long or too short.

OK. now that I have gone through them all I'm picking up on some things:

-Absolutely no high necklines. They make my boobs look like they start at my neck. Turtlenecks make them look like they start at my chin!

-You're right that I do like empire waistlines, but I rarely wear them anymore because they almost always come with gathers or pleats.

-Some of them have little details at the hips, which gets a big fat no.

-No ties around the waist. They almost always tie at an unflattering part.

-And as expected, some are just too long and sweaters can't be hemmed.

I guess I just want something fairly clean and simple that doesn't draw attention to any specific part of my body. Voluminous sleeves are nice because they make everything in between my arms look a little bit smaller and take away some emphasis from places where I don't want it.

Got it!-)
And my apologies if some of them are just too long: I find it difficult to estimate where those dresses will end on somebody less tall than me. (maybe Aj, or somebody else will find them useful...)

If I run into anything else, I'll post it here;-)

Inge! You don't have to apologize. I'm happy just knowing you put such a grand effort into helping me.

I know what you mean about the length, but since I'm 5'2 I always make the assumption that the dresses on the model will be at least 3-4 inches longer on me.

Maya, i have recently picked up a sweater dress at H&M that may satisfy all of your requirements. Here's the photo of it on me:
http://s300.photobucket.com/al.....CN3685.jpg

It comes in a lot of colors and it's only $20.

Maya, Is this print to matronly? (I was going for funky)...also is it too voluminous?

http://www.newport-news.com/sh.....#38;zoom=1

http://www.newport-news.com/sh.....ry_id=7660

S/S but it screams Maya:
http://www.newport-news.com/sh.....ry_id=7660

http://www.newport-news.com/sh.....ry_id=7139

http://www.newport-news.com/sh.....ry_id=7139

http://www.newport-news.com/sh.....ry_id=7139

http://www.newport-news.com/sh.....ry_id=7139

http://www.newport-news.com/sh.....ry_id=7139

You should just look thru the whole Tunic section at Newport news....it'll be easier than opening all my individual links ;)

oooh thanks Nicole. There are some good ones there. I have never ordered from them though. Have you? Do you know what the sizing is like?

I like the geoprint dress from this page:
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/c.....ory=Petite
and I think it's quite a steal at $25 on sale! The length is around 33", which for me at 5'4", hits about mid-thigh. Dunno if that's what you're looking for but I think it's cute! :)

Well I have not ordered from them in a LONG time--probably more than 20 years ago. I honestly don't remember how long ago, what I ordered or if I was happy with it.But I did order something from them last week and I'm waiting for the package to arrive.

Maya, the things I ordered from NPN arrived today. I tried everything on, and I'd say the sizing runs a little small. Not so small that you have to order a size up--I think the style of the clothes is just more "fitted". The quality is the same as NY and Co, IMO.

I ordered 2 pair of skinnies (the ones with the side zipper), and 3 tops. I think the tops will be returned. A little too much va-voom for my va-voom. The pants--I'm on the fence. I ate a big bowl of chili tonight before trying the pants on so I need to try them on again when my belly is bloated! The rise if VERY high--well above my belly button. I'd only wear them with tunics though, and I was after a pant front that wasn't all bumpy with zippers and buttons and pockets. I'll take some photos and start a thread later this week so i can get some help in whether or not anything is a keeper.

Maya, the things I ordered from NPN arrived today. I tried everything on, and I'd say the sizing runs a little small. Not so small that you have to order a size up--I think the style of the clothes is just more "fitted". The quality is the same as NY and Co, IMO.

I ordered 2 pair of skinnies (the ones with the side zipper), and 3 tops. I think the tops will be returned. A little too much va-voom for my va-voom. The pants--I'm on the fence. I ate a big bowl of chili tonight before trying the pants on so I need to try them on again when my belly is not bloated! The rise if VERY high--well above my belly button. I'd only wear them with tunics though, and I was after a pant front that wasn't all bumpy with zippers and buttons and pockets. I'll take some photos and start a thread later this week so i can get some help in whether or not anything is a keeper.