Dresses don't suit everyone

[ThisIsAPun]

My friend says that there's a dress for everyone, but I disagree.

There is no dress on earth that suits me.

I'm 5'1, size 10-12, shockingly shit figure due to big weight loss years ago (loose skin). I've tried every single fabric, style and colour dress-wise but NOTHING looks remotely nice or flattering on me.

I'd love to wear casual dresses in the day, and thought once I lost weight I would be able to, but I think I actually have less confidence now.

Some people just don't suit dresses, right?

[Solihooley]

I’ve yet to find a dress I think I look really nice in and I’ve got quite a nice size 10/12 figure (if I say so myself). I just don’t like them, they add pounds to my figure and I feel really uncomfortable whenever I wear one. You’re not alone op.

[MrsJakeLovell]

Try Popsy - bet you’ll find day dresses there to suit you...and a hugely supportive FB group for dressing for your shape.

Congratulations on the weight loss too!

[emilybrontescorsett]

Would a plain, short pinafore suit you op? One where you wear a top underneath.
I think it's more about your own style.
I think with your size you will suit dresses, but if you don't like yourself in them then that's fine.

[ThisIsAPun]

Thank you for the tip - I'm just browsing Popsy - so many lovely dresses!

[RandomMess]

You need to work out your shape - aka Susannah and Trinny with their 10 shapes.

I am apple shaped and its very specific shape, style, fabric and cut that work and can still be a bit hit and miss. Basically nothing that's been in fashion for a while but the dresses that look good look amazing and hide about a stone in weight

[Jesse70]

What about shape wear ? Would that help

[RandomMess]

Nowt on Popsy would work for me, nothing is a flatter shape for me

[RezCowgirl]

Another one who doesn't suit dresses. I need a waistband that gives me shape and I've never found a dress that I like and sits right. I don't bother trying anymore.

[Stickybeaksid]

I feel the same as you. I’m 5,1 with huge boobs and all dresses make me either look like Ms Trunchbull or a stripper. There does not appear to be a compromise.

[ShinyMe]

Try the Fatface Simone. They make it in tons of patterns and it's lovely and soft and swishy, and it has pockets. I'm 5'2 and much fatter than you, and busty, and while I wouldn't say they look GOOD on me, they look better than anything else I've found and they fit and they're comfy.

[RueCambon]

They're probably too long in the torso for you. Can you get dresses shortened in the torso?

[YesQueen]

I live in dresses and I don't have the ideal figure! I'm an hourglass but size 16 with huge boobs, and 5ft 10 so often waistlines are too high or dresses too short
I wear popsy but only the elastic waist cut, Dorothy Perkins, a lot of lady v London and collectif

[ThisIsAPun]

According to Popsy sizing I'm an 8 on my hips, a 10 waist and a 12 bust so maybe that's why nothing looks good, my shape is all...odd.

My narrow hips, big bust, short legs and saggy tummy doth not maketh a good dress shape...sob. :(

[ThisIsAPun]

@Stickybeaksid EXACTLY.

[AntiStuff]

I’m 5’ and a size 18. I look like a trucker in dresses.

[Deadringer]

I can't wear dresses either. I am short and apple shaped, with a big tummy and small boobs, I look like a sack of shit in any dress.

[Span1elsRock]

I find Boden very good for dresses, their shape is very flattering but I do have to go at least one size up if not two.

[Zeldasmagicwand]

I agree OP.
Even as a skinny size 8, dresses and skirts look crap on me. I have large feet, naturally thick ankles and chunky calves but no bum. At school I was told I had footballers legs, obviously not said as a compliment.
I have lived in trousers and jeans for 40 years and wanted to wear trousers when I got married but was persuaded to buy a summer dress from Monsoon. It looked ok-ish but I haven't saved any photographs.

[HavelockVetinari]

I think in general it's difficult to find flattering dresses if you're an overweight apple shape - empire line will look bigger than you are, anything remotely clinging will emphasise the out of proportion middle. It's tough!

[thatoldpinkumbrella]

You can find an online stylist that will describe your shape accurately and even help you find flattering garments - or not online, but it's a lot more expensive.

What about the pinafore suggested above? Your big bust will take the fabric away from your tummy, with leggings or thick tights?

If you feel more comfortable in trousers, what about skirts to start?

I would honestly recommend help from a proper stylist, I am sure you look a lot better than you think.

[HavelockVetinari]

On the other hand, trousers and a correctly fitted top will always look fab even when you're 85

[Musicforsnorks]

I think there’s an item of clothing that suits everyone, but that’s it.
We’re all built so differently, even posture and hairstyle can alter how we suit things, and especially climate and lifestyle.

A dress for everyone, if a loose unbelted kimono style maybe.......it would have to be a robe so that all of our ‘perceived’ Flaws were incognito! God, bring that day on!

[RandomMess]

Same shape as me.

You need a good bra for uplift and slight padding. Straight tunic dresses in non cling fabric that are above the knee.

Trick is that it hangs from boobs skins over tummy and then shows that you have little hips.

[MrsTumbletap]

I'm the opposite I want to live in dresses, and do as much as I can.

I just don't understand how to wear trousers and a top without showing my fat tum. If you tuck it in it shows your fat bits, if you don't tuck it in it looks scruffy. How do you wear trousers and a top without a completely flat tummy?

[anyoneseenmykeys]

wear a tunic, or a longer or semi-tucked top. That's usually enough to hide tummy.