Empire Line Dresses - suitable for larger sizes?

[doglover]

I'm a size 22 and looking for a dress to wear to a friend's 50th party. It's in a local hall / disco / buffet etc, so I need something 'nice'!! I'm going shopping tomorrow but just wanted some advice before I hit the shops! I'm 5'9" and a pear shape. I'll attempt a couple of links ...........................

www.marksandspencer.com/Una-Smocked-Front-Tunic-Dress/dp/B0062FISKQ?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_58&nodeId=527058031&sr=1-58&qid=1328557180e

www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Clearance/Womens-Dresses/Knee-Length-Dresses/BR008/Womens-Silk-Chiffon-Dress.html?m=3

Sorry, I'll try again.

www.marksandspencer.com/Una-Smocked-Front-Tunic-Dress/dp/B0062FISKQ?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_58&nodeId=527058031&sr=1-58&qid=1328557180e

www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Clearance/Womens-Dresses/Knee-Length-Dresses/BR008/Womens-Silk-Chiffon-Dress.html?m=3

I'm no style guru but IMO the M&S one is horrible. The Boden dress lovely.

i prefer something like this lace overlay dress

Boden one is lovely, but did you see the review that said it was really short ? The reviewer was 5'8". Nice though. I am 5'8" and 14/16. If I wear anything Empire Line, I always get remarks along the line of "When's it due?"

I'm clueless!! Wouldn't that make my huge, wobbly stomach look even worse?!!

I wondered about this, BRS.

I'm a size 18 and always feel that I look pregnant in empire line dresses.

Dressipi told me to wear A line dresses with a v-neck, would that suit your shape too?

I'm not sure, DIS. Sorry, to be stupid.

I'm a similar size to you and I'd avoid the M&S one as I think I'd look pregnant in it...

Thank you, TAH. I'll cross it off my list.

I usually go for something more like this it's not very exciting though

It does depend on where you carry you weight. If generally wide, then OK. But if it's all in a big tummy on a narrow frame, yes you'll look pregnant (just like I would).

Urgh, that M&S one is horrid! Much better with the Boden option, although, as others have suggested, whether your height/shoes can pull it off is another thing.

Avoid the M&S one though, I'm a fan of bright colours rather than sticking to pales and blacks, but even its colour boldness can't save it from the fact that it'll look shapeless and cheap.

Yes, TAH, I have a couple of dresses very similar to that one (Boden jersey ones) which I wear for school and I love. I suppose I'd like something a bit more 'fun' and dressy for this occasion ............................ but I really appreciate your link

M&S is definitely a NO!! I'm very happy to be guided by you lot! I'd much rather have honest opinions than half-hearted niceness!

it's ok, I did say it was boring, lol

With your size, I'd go for something which is going to give you a bit of a better shape.

Look at www.matalan.co.uk/fcp/product/fashion-to-buy-online/-Dresses/Sleeveless-V-neck-Tribal-Print-Dress/50803&resultsPerPage=100&attrList=Dept,brand - see how it draws in the waist, with the ribbon? You need something like that. Personally, I actually don't much like the dress I've linked due to the print/colour BUT I think it illustrates the point about getting the cut right and worrying about the rest (sleeve length, fabric, colour, pattern, whether you have accessories to match) later.

I'll have a look around to see if I can find better examples, though. Which shops can you easily get to?

p.s. would avoid the stretch fabric (viscose / elastane mix in Tab's example) due to your size - I speak from experience. other than that it was a good option. (I'd go for something a little more daring than the black colour/dotted waist though).

Going to Southampton tomorrow - it has all the usual shops plus a large John Lewis, Debenhams etc. Thank you so much.

My SIL is a size 22 and orders lots of stuff from Curvety is there anything on there?

Yet more examples of style = right for this, but print/colours not doing it for me:

example 1 - see the runching at the front? draws eyes away from problem areas and can look dressy or casual depending how you accessorise it.

example 2 - as above.

Gah!

Never heard of it, DTD, but I'll have a look now!

Yes, I see your thinking, PW. Certainly worth trying on a couple of dresses in this style tomorrow to see ................

Actually I've never heard of Curvety either, but you'll see a lot of their styles has the elements I've been pointing out - see all their lovely bows and wraps around the waist, and front detail. Some of those are gorgeous. A bit pricey compared to a lot of the high st shops, alas.

Yes, the clothes are gorgeous, PW. I can see your elements in their dresses and the models look fab. I'll try and find something to try on tomorrow following your advice: the Curvety prices are really more than I can afford at the moment.