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What dress shape suits me best?

skitt

I have a holiday party to go to for DH's work and I'd like to wear a dress. I just lost 10 lbs (10 to go) and I would like to look fab. I tried this faux wrap dress from LE and it's just not working for me. Not sure exactly what is wrong though, I just know I don't look that heavy when I wear more fitted clothing. I included a picture that maybe shows my shape better. I'm not sure if I'm hourglass, or if I'm a busty rectangle. Before I lost these 10 lbs I wore a 34F bra, now I think I may be down to 34D or E, but I still feel they're problematic when shopping for tops. I don't think I've ever looked very good in dresses or skirts, but maybe if I can identify the reason why I could find one that works. Any insights?

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Dressing

14 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

rae

(website)

Veteran

Congrats on the weight loss! Hm, from the picture, it looks like you might have a similar shape as I do - hourglass with a short waist that sometimes makes us feel rectangular.

You might try a dress that has a tapered skirt and no belt/waist detail. The lack of belt will elongate the torso, and the tapered skirt helps to show your slim legs - whereas the straight skirt creates the illusion that you are as wide as the widest part of your hips all the way down.

Kathleen M

IMO, the shape of that dress works really well on you! I think it's just a little too roomy in the hips, and the gathering at the waist accentuates that. Maybe you're one of the many people who are a different size on top than on bottom- that would explain why dresses are tough. When you reach a weight you feel comfortable with, taking pieces to a tailor might be a good investment!

skitt

I think you're both right. I am high waisted and um....long bosomed, lol. My smallest point is right at the bottom of my breasts, so I usually choose tops that elongate my torso and and draw the eye to my hips. I think the dress makes me look like my breasts hang down to my waist. Yesterday I realized I needed smaller bras, so maybe with one that really lifts well, that would make a big difference. And I am also smaller on the bottom than on the top, several sizes different. I think the weight loss will help with that, when I had kids I put all my weight on in my breasts and tummy, very little on my bottom half. Maybe a different belt would help? Pushing up the sleeves to 3/4 territory? I'll try it tomorrow.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Ah, Kathleen has a good eye! Since you're a different size on bottom, have you had dresses tailored before? I think Suz on our forum had the skirt of a dress narrowed, and it made a huge difference. In honesty, a belt and 3/4 sleeves will probably draw more attention to the bust/waist divide, adding more horizontal lines around that height.

Deborah

Veteran

I think its a beautiful dress on you. I also wonder if having it slightly tailored would be a good solution. Color is lovely, shape is very feminine but the bottom could do with some tapering. I have a similar problem with this style dress and therefore often forgo them. It would be interesting to see how a belt would look. I would like to say that you don't look 'heavy' in this dress at all:) But perhaps you are like me and when I wear this style dress I always feel like my bust looks huge and I have trouble seeing anything but that.

rachylou

Veteran

Well, to be overly personal like Trinny and Susannah, I think rectangle with a Sloane Ranger bosom. Like Princess Di. (Did anyone watch the original BBC What Not To Wear? Those ladies would walk right up and put a hand on people's butt or bosom... Rather hilarious.)

Re. the dress, I think it's the fall of the skirt from the waist. It's a little limp and also a little long. But really, you look very appealing. A little sparkle in the form of jewelry and voila, pretty as pie!

skitt

Thanks for the feedback. I think you've got it right Deborah, I don't like to emphasize my breasts, so that is probably effecting my image of the dress. I don't want to get it tailored, it would be easier to return and find something different. There's too much wrong with it, but knowing what those things are really helps me think about what I do need to find in a dress! I just thought it would be nice to get a deal for once, but I also want to look my best at this party and this is not it.

skitt

Wanted to thank you again Rachylou! I just watched the original What Not to Wear "The Rules" episode on youtube and it was fantastic! I'd heard of the show because I lived in England for a time, but never watched it. Susannah is me almost exactly! Everything that she put on that looked bad on her would look bad on me too, and vice versa. I found it so enlightening, and I have a much better idea of what I'm looking for now (and what was so wrong about that dress).

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Try the sheath dress, it is a very flattering style. Just make sure the fabric is substantial to avoid clinging effect.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Oh; and try wearing a light slip under your dress if you feel it is too clingy - it helps the fabric glide better, especially if it's not lined.

krishnidoux

Veteran

This is a beautiful dress on you but it is too big. That is what.
Waist drops at the sides and it looks there is just a hint of too much fabric around the ribcage. You have a lovely shape and it's time to accentuate it!
I would have it altered or look for another dress. Show us more!

kkards

Veteran

i also have trouble with dresses, the top and the bottom never seem to fit the same. if you have time, go to a store that has many different brands and try them on. i have found that some brands just aren't going to work, others will work right off the hanger, and some will just need a few tweaks.
also, you mentioned that you think your bra size has changed, i think this means that you are not currently wearing a bra that fits. i would recommend getting a new bra before trying on any more dresses, it will really change the way the dress fits, and how you feel in the dress.

skitt

The print dress is a size small, I find it hard to believe I'd need to go smaller. I think it's the gathers at the waist are just really bad for someone without much of a waist.

I went shopping in my closet and here is a pencil skirt and an unflattering top (the only reasonably suitable one I have right now). I think the skirt might be a bit big - it's a size 10 and I'm wearing size 6 pants now. Then a picture of a sweater dress I bought not long ago, right before I decided to lose weight. I think it may be a bit too casual and now I'm thinking maybe it's too big! It's a large.

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rachylou

Veteran

I think these look pretty good. The sweater has the right amount of cling, if you will, and the pencil shows your shape to good advantage.