Ask Angie: how to dress a flat rear

Connie

Hi Angie,
Have you found a style or fabric that works best on most rectangle (with apple tendencies) body types that also have a small chest and small, flat bottom? In other words, a true rectangle (from every angle!)?
I am 58, 5'5 and my pant size is a 4 waist with size 2 hips and thin thighs. Now that I have been laid off from work, I have gained weight in my belly and waist, so also have a muffin-top to deal with!
Knits, especially dresses and skirts, seem to accentuate my flat rear.
What have you found to be most flattering to this body type?
I need a wedding guest dress and would love to develop a minimalist wardrobe, as my closet is stuffed full of cheap bargains that aren't very flattering.
Thank you for your consideration. I am so grateful for your website. It is the first thing I look for when opening my computer in the morning: Angie, coffee, and great advice!
Connie

11 years ago

Body Type

9 replies

Latest reply was from ElleH

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Not Angie, but welcome! Have you had a chance to look over Angie's recommendations for the Racy Rectangle body type? You might find these helpful.

As far as a dress for your event, I suspect you will do best to try out a sheath style with a high neckline. If you find one with some ruching it can mimic curves, and don't rule out the right knit -- if it is substantial enough it won't cling in the places you don't want it to, or it will disguise them.

Nicole Miller makes some gorgeous sheaths. Angie and I both own one like this, and it is a stunner!

You might also consider a peplum style.

11 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

That's so sweet, Connie. Thanks for the YLF support. And thanks for getting the ball rolling, Suz.

Have you tried the Martin Fit and Sloans at BR? I'd start there first. And Hudons jeans. Or KUT's Catherine BF jeans. And Theory pants.

11 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

Hi Connie, and welcome to the forum. Suz and Angie's recommendations are a good starting point, but I also think you might want to consider how important it is to you to camouflage your lower half vs. embracing it. I tend towards more of an IT shape with slim thighs and a flatter, smaller butt, but I actually like to emphasize my shape sometimes instead of moving towards the hourglass "ideal" which forms the basis for most recommendations on dressing this shape. I'll choose epaulettes over a peplum any day, although the peplum-shaped jackets do give me more of an hourglass shape.

As another older woman (I'm 64), I've also found the cut and drape of a better quality garment can be much more flattering on a more mature body; there can be a world of difference between an Eileen Fisher knit skirt and an H&M one.

11 years ago

Marley

Veteran

Hi Connie - welcome to the forum! I just want to reiterate what the other fabbers have already told you. Dresses with ruching are great to give you some shape - I'd start there for a wedding dress. As far as casual outfits go - I'm not sure if you are a jeans wearer - but if you are, check out any jean that has embellishment (not tween embellishment) on the back pockets area - like Hudsons, True Religion, or Paige. I have a flat bum myself and am in love with the Paige jeans. They seem to lift as well as shape very nicely around the back. Good luck!

11 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

Hi Connie! Just adding my sympathies. I apparently have no bum anymore. Don't know where it went! I have just started a quest for good, real trousers.

Right now my best fitting pair of pants are stretchy, flared maternity pants from Walmart that are super small... No pregnant woman could possibly get in them. I think that's why they were on the sale rack...

11 years ago

Connie

Active Member

Wow...thank you everyone for your comments...love your kind words and insight!
So many great ideas, thank you for the specifics on ways not only to camouflage (yea to Google for spelling help) but also the idea of embracing...interesting where we get the idea to be ashamed of our god-given shape...
Suz, Angie, Gaylene, Marly, rachylou...each of you have added a pop of uplifting confidence to refocus my search using your great suggestions.
I will check out all your suggestions and keep positive about the search and also keep re-reading Angie's posts on body-types. Usually it has to cross my path many times before it sinks in for me!
Maybe I'll print the page?

11 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Hi Connie, I dream of shifting my tummy to my rear so sympathies
I think Gaylene's observations are spot on - welcome

11 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

Hi Connie, and welcome!

Have you tried pants with back flap pockets? Those can add a bit of volume in the right place.

11 years ago

ElleH

Veteran

Connie for jeans I would try the Vince welt pocket in blue denim or dark olive from NAS. They are medium rise to hide muffin but also bigger up the top with skinnier legs & seams on back pockets & legs to help a little with butt appearance.

Have you tried Bailey 44 sheaths? They seem to give everyone curves, while concealing tummies.

11 years ago

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