K/R casual summer dress for apple shape (long & whining) - YouLookFab Forum

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K/R casual summer dress for apple shape (long & whining)

harmonica

Veteran

Feel free to skip the whining --- keep or return? I want a dress that fits me really well, not just ok. (might be a bit too demanding, though)

I have no summer dress at all. Summers are usually 18-22 Celsius, but I still want a summer dress and I can't recall when I last bought one. It must be at least 7-8 years ago. I've been imagining a fit & flare dress and a safari dress.

Whining: I haven't seen any safari dresses at all - maybe they're not on trend??
The fit & flare style usually don't fit because of my short waist. So I end up with nothing. Maybe these styles don't fit an apple? I've been all over town and the hunt has not been a pleasant journey. I have actually been a bit down, though I know it is not me & my body. I just haven't found the right dress.Still it is bothering me. I don't mind wearing larger sizes than 10 years ago and having a tummy is ok. I have been trough three pregnancies and I'm proud of it. I just don't want a dress that makes me look pregnant again.Front view is usually fairly ok (if the general fit is ok), but side view is all apple :-/ How do you minimize the feeling of looking like a balloon from the side? I am probably too sensitive.

Sorry for super messy hair, no make up and goofy faces. Please be honest!!

#1 The dress feels soft and breezy and I was thinking the pattern could work well on concealing the apple, but side view never lies. Pregnant look?

#2 I haven't found any safari style dresses at all this year. This dress is the closest. I know I posted it earlier and many approved it belted. I just wanted to post some better pics (than cell phone photo in changing room) to give a better impression of the shape and fit. And with my own belts - one is sparkly silver and the other is leather cognac color.

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17 replies

Latest reply was from harmonica

bj1111

Veteran

i am going to nix the green dress, it makes you look preggers with the location of the ruched waist right underneath the girls.

the second has more potential, but again, a bit poufy down below the belt.

Tanya

Veteran

I do not think either of the dresses does you justice, you could do much better. But I hear you on the diffculty of finding an appropriate one. I do not know if you have already seen her thread, but here Mochi posted a gorgeous dress she found for tango dancing. I think you should look for similar shape. Your #1 dress was close, but not quite.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I actually like the green dress. Is the last pic a smaller size? It seems to fit a little better than in the first. I don't think you look preggers in it.

harmonica

Veteran

Thank you, BJ, Tanya and Chewyspaghetty!

Tanya - Mochi's dress is gorgeous - thanks for pointing at a potential direction! I'd rather have no summer dress than one or two that is just so so

Chewyspaghetty - all are actually the same size. I can never get used to being in front of the camera, so tend to get a bit stiff and akward

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I love your expressions! You look like you're having so much fun! I want to tell you that you look so friendly

I don't think the green dress is great for you - it sort of has that empire waist kind of - you know? And this sort of makes everyone looks preggers - I don't wear empire waists for this reason.

The second dress is better; is it easier for you to shop for separates? I know that this doesn't help you with the "summer dress" - but a light tank and a cottony A-line skirt could help you satisfy the fit-and-flare kind of look you're looking for

Also - I haven't found any Safari dresses this year either! I got mine because it was a return from last year's stock ($11, score!)

Nicole D

Veteran

Apple here. Have you tried a faux wrap? Like below. They can be so flattering, better than a true wrap I find. Fit and flare looks crap on me so I tend to avoid too although I love how others can wear this style. I think the shirtdress has potential, with the thin belt. And even the green one, but I would like to see it a bit shorter.

ETA: Here is a pic of a dress I just bought and it looks great on my apple bod.

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Jjsloane

Veteran

I have the same issues. I find I need drape! Anything woven will not drape (sorry #2). I also avoid the extreme empire waist as it makes for pregnancy look (sorry #1) and I'm top heavy so that just accentuates it. I found a few great options this year in crinkly viscose that fit me at the right place (not too high under bust not too low where waist is fullest.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Imo neither of these is good enough for you. Mochi's dress is gorgeous & I love the idea of Nicole's picks on you. Shannon's dress posts could provide inspiration too

harmonica

Veteran

Thank you, Lyn, Nicole D, Jjsloane and Caro! You give me hope

Lyn - I see what you mean about empire waist and I'm usually avoiding that too. Separates are usually easier to find and I did come across a really nice linen skirt. I let it go, though, keeping the dress in mind

Nicole D - Thanks so much for the pics! Those dresses look amazing. I'll keep them in mind when searching. I find sack dresses very comfy, but sloping shoulders are not so good - IT shape wears sack dresses better. Fit & flare is actually not good on me - especially with pleats. Thanks for reminding me!!

Jjsloane - I've been looking for drape, but havnen't found any that fits well.

Caro - I'll take a closer look at Shannon's dresses

Lantana

Veteran

Harmonica, I have been browsing your WIW's and there is a cap sleeved green summer dress there that looks lovely on you. Do you still wear it? If so, you could update it by having it made sleeveless.
I find the green dressposted here does not have enough structure for you. You have great shoulders and arms that deserve to be on show. The ties at the shoulders detract from your shoulder line. However I do like the way this dress highlights your neckline.
The safari dress is a great colour for you but I find the short sleeve and the high collar soften your line in the areas where I would like to see it emphasized:your collarbones, shoulders and arms.
Have fun in your search for the perfect summer dress.

Traci

Veteran

Have you tried the safari dress without a belt? I find sometimes that helps with putting the focus at my pregnant looking belly and it de-emphasizes its protrusion.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Well, I actually don't think the green dress looks bad at all! I do think the belt on the second dress creates a line that draws attention to the tummy.

As someone who looks slimmer from the side than from the front or back, I have the opposite problem. No tummy, big hips, and I struggle to find dresses too! Just goes to show you we all have issues.

I love the dresses that Nicole posted -- I think that lower band at the waist rather than an empire cut could be really great on you.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Harmonica - dresses on short waisted apples like you and me can be tough to find BUT not impossible!

I'm going to second Nicole's suggestion of a faux wrap. A true wrap dress just shows my lumps and bumps but a faux wrap works wonders at disguising my apple and giving me curves. I despise anything with an empire waist as it just accentuates my tummy in a most unflattering way. A sheath dress with a bit of waist definition like a couple of tucks also works really well.

A safari type dress (or shirt dress) can work well but only if the waist of the dress hits me in the right spot.

bj1111

Veteran

I second jjsloane finding draped dresses that skim but don't pouf.

harmonica

Veteran

Awww - you are all so sweet and give me hope

Lantana - I love the greep dress, but it is a wrap dress and best from front view. I like the sleeve and would prefer the summer dress to have a sleeve. Thanks for your insightful comments

Traci - well, I get a bit of scrub feel in the dress without a belt.I think I'll return it and go for PPP

Janet - yes, we all have our issues. Nicoles pics are really helpful

Shannon - you rock dresses and I never actually thought of you as a short waisted apple. You have killer style and knows how to find the right fit, so I guess I'm blinded by both factors I'll see if I can find a faux wap dress and maybe a sheath dress. Sheath dresses can be hard to fit too, because there is no petite sizes here and I usually get a big bump of extra fabrics in the back

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Harmonica, I meant to suggest checking Shannon and Natalie's (gp) posts. They have nailed dresses.

Also, my approach would be elimination from the word 'go'. Know which things don't work at all (neckline, sleeve type, front closing or not, etc etc - all these are the factors I look at to begin with) - then don't even bother checking the dress with such feature. Waste of time and precious mental energy.

FWIW, good dress is hard to find, apple or no apple. So, arm yourself with some patience and the right thing will come along.

harmonica

Veteran

Thank you, Ornella! My morale is on it's way back again Very useful and efficient to pass by all the pieces you know isn't working!