Elpgal, welcome! You are built similar to me and two years ago I was about the same weight but 2 inches shorter and also in an 8/10p, but my bust was a bit smaller (B/C) and my shoulders broader (I gain weight first in my shoulders and upper back).
Hannah has given you great advice! Be sure to check out her Bravissmo dress - it's the perfect LBD. I will add:
- For pants, I found Ann Taylor Loft worked better than Ann Taylor, as they are cut slimmer in the hips.
- Also try Banana Republic Martin slacks. They always fit me no matter what my weight or size.
- Tahari dress slacks fit like a dream, and have stretch. (Not Elie Tahari - just plain Tahari. You can find them at Marshall's). These were my Holy Grail slacks before I lost weight and sized my way out of them. I loved these so much, I have them stashed away in event I regain.
- For jeans, try Ralph Lauren, DNKY Soho, and on the premium end ... Citizens of Humanity Ambers, Elsons, and Huttons.
For the tummy you want jeans with a wide-ish waistband that hit you at the widest part - to "lock and load." But you don't want them so tight you get rolls above the waistband. Look for a pair that is just tight enough to hold in the jiggliest part. If your waistband is higher than the widest part, you can end up with an unattractive poofy look.
If you have more than an 0.8 waist/hip ratio, lots of jeans will be too tight in waist, but if they fit in the waist, too loose in the hips. You will have to try on lots of jeans. Once you find a great fitting pair, buy more than one.
Learn to layer. A cami with stretch is your best friend! I really like the cami's at BR and have them in white, black and nude. They do a great job smoothing over slight love handles, lumps, and tummy bulges.
Over the cami add a blouse or knit top that is forgivingly loose in the midsection. Not too baggy, but not too tight either. Ideally you want tops that nip in at the smallest part of your waist, although empire styles can be tricky. Look instead for tops that curve in at the side seams. Wrap and ruched styles are great, as Hannah already mentioned.
If the top doesn't nip in at the waist, and you don't like belts, then layer over the top a jacket or waistcoat that has a structured waist, or a cardigan that can be buttoned at the smallest part of your waist - which on you is fairly high, below the bust.
All this layering - cami, top, cardi or jacket - will do wonders to disguise the midsection and draw the eye up to the slimmest part of your torso. Another favorite trick is to choose a top that has a pattern. The pattern fools the eye better than a solid color.
I keep telling everyone I still have quite a tummy, but nobody believes me, because I'm the master of disguise, LOL.
For skirts, try Ann Taylor Loft.
