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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want a dress with elastic round the middle.

50 replies

ineedsomeinspiration · 17/05/2014 20:08

I'm going for afternoon tea tomorrow and as the weather is meant to be nice I thought I'd have a quick browse round town and maybe treat myself to a new dress.
My budget is limited but literally all the light cotton summer dresses in pretty fabrics have elastic acted waists. I look bloody awful in them. I know the shops follow fashion but this style seems to have been in for ages. Is it because they can't be bothered to put the effort I to make anything that takes any effort.
Needless to say I didn't find anything but I shall enjoy my tea. Anyone else feel like a sack of spuds in these dresses?

OP posts:
itsmeitscathy · 17/05/2014 20:19

Me too! They're terrible Hmm

amothersplaceisinthewrong · 17/05/2014 20:21

They should be outlawed. Next have a couple of jersey ones without elastic waists - £26

Original poster
ineedsomeinspiration · 17/05/2014 20:25

Glad it's not just me, I was thinking they must be really popular as there are so many.
No Next in my town so that's a no go. I did find one nice one but it was a bit too big and they didn't have the size smaller.
I've got a couple of bits I can wear but wanted something new.
I would like a nice fitted tea dress or floaty summery one but they all have the bloody elastic.

OP posts:
localeditoroxford · 17/05/2014 20:27

Sainsburys have some lovely summer dresses at the moment

GrassIsSinging · 17/05/2014 20:28

Dont bother woth Next. Its pitiful.

Agree on elasticated waists, though. Grim!

WitchWay · 17/05/2014 20:29

Odd how women don't want to look like a sack of potatoes Hmm

Agree an awful style

Liquoricelips · 17/05/2014 20:35

Oh now I feel awful! Spent the whole day wearing a simple cotton dress with ever such a tiny bit of elastic pulling in the waist to give me a little bit of shape and thinking I looked ok. Was everyone sniggering behind my back?

reallywittyname · 17/05/2014 20:38

No, they are horrid. Let's wear them over skinny jeans, then the horror will be complete Grin

theincrediblealfonso · 17/05/2014 20:39

I'm the opposite- I seek out the elastic waist but can never find them!

libertytrainers · 17/05/2014 20:40

those elastic waists always end up near my armpits i have such a low waist Grin

PourquoiTuGachesTaVie · 17/05/2014 20:47

They are just as bad as empire line summer dresses. Can anyone with anything in the boob department actually wear those without their boobs falling under the line or over the top of the dress?

MeganChips · 17/05/2014 20:50

those elastic waists always end up near my armpits i have such a low waist

I'm the opposite, I have a really short body and can't wear a belt so look equally ridiculous in these.

Is there anyone they do suit?

Hoppinggreen · 17/05/2014 20:50

Boobs and empire line dresses don't mix

themummyonthebus · 17/05/2014 20:57

I was thinking exactly the same thing today. I want a couple of smart casual dresses for work but gave up as everything I looked at today seemed to have the dreaded elastic waist. And then I parked next to a woman at the petrol station wearing one and I spent ages while filling up wondering who on earth suits this style. I can't imagine a single body shape being suited to having an elastic band around the torso.

Koothrapanties · 17/05/2014 21:00

Liquorice I'm sure you looked lovely, you are propbably one of the lucky few who suit them. I know I bloody don't! They manage to make me look even fatter than I am and that's saying something.

RandomMess · 17/05/2014 21:05

Yep it's all about dressing to suit your shape and it's a complete pain when what doesn't suit is in for seasons and seasons and seasons. I'm short and have unusual colouring and apple shaped - it's a NIGHTMARE!!!

MillyStar · 17/05/2014 21:09

I hate these aswell - you need to have a size smaller and wear then right so you don't look six months gone, but where's the comfort in that!

Original poster
ineedsomeinspiration · 17/05/2014 21:18

I have boobs, bum, hips and a tummy (size14) but do have a waist these do not emphasise it at all. I think I have a waist in a strange place as nothing sits right there.
I think slim athletic shapes probably suit them. Eg not huge numbers of the population.

OP posts:
Ledkr · 17/05/2014 21:20

Dorothy Perkins have lots with no elastic just shape. I'm a sixteen andook nice in them

GrownupGoth · 17/05/2014 21:22

I have huge hips and boobs in comparison to my waist... I look for them.

Deverethemuzzler · 17/05/2014 21:23

What IS it with the bloody stupid elastic? I am a size ten boyish shape and they look stupid on me too.

Also, while I am about it, what about all tops having elastic round the bottom now?

Who does that flatter?

Liquoricelips · 17/05/2014 21:30

Thanks Kooth, I think a little bit of gentle shaping looks better on me and although I'm not slim I'm pretty happy in my dresses.

DesperatelySeekingSedatives · 17/05/2014 21:36

I hate them! I am finally becoming comfortable with how my body looks (nothing special but its taken years to get to this point) I don't want to look like I've recently escaped from a workhouse circa 1900 or something Hmm

I want something flattering dammit!

tiggytape · 17/05/2014 22:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

tiggytape · 17/05/2014 22:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.