Help needed with dresses..

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I am nearly 40 & still don't seem to understand what does and doesn't suit me. I am ok with jeans etc, but when it comes to going out, I am finding that I am making excuses not to go, rather than having to get dressed up

So,I need some advice. I am tall ish 5ft 8, with long arms & legs. I have hips and boobs, but not much of a waist & a flat stomach, pear ish with big boobs ( if that makes sense) I wear a 12 or a 14 depending on the shop.

I like this although not for going out.

I have a dress from coast like this but with a v neck, that does suit me.

I just feel ridiculous getting dressed up, and don't know how to get out of this.

There are loads of nice maxi dresses in phase eight and monsoon atm it depends what you are looking for really.

That's the problem...I don't know what I am looking for. Maxi dresses look like tents on me.

I need something for a 40th b/day party. There is a club night out at school that I'm not going to as 'I don't have anything to wear' & a ruby wedding anniversary that shouldn't be jeans ( but anything else is ok...)

Why don't you register with dressipi or look on one of those body shape calculators to get an idea of the shapes that maybe right so at least you will have a starting point?

Also...club night out is easy. Get some skinny jeans, great footwear and a pretty top. A couple of mojitos and you know you look gorgeous..

just wrote you a massive reply, bloody mumsnet wiped it.

anyway, advice for your shape is to make the focus the bust, empire line drop away, with a line skirts.

this

this

this

Liked your first dress, but the second would be a bit straight up and down if you have no waist, but i am sure you do.

Ooh, the mimi dress at the end is gorgeous...

Numbertaker 1st dress: I have the striped version - am taking it back as 'something' isn't right when on....

Like the 2nd one....not too frumpy??

3rd nooo!!

Think I frustrate both DH & friends. Aware there is a lack of confidence occurring, not sure where it is coming from.

Musttidyup...will try dressipi, but only have Tuesday to shop!

Does it help that I think I look like a man in drag when I wear a dress?

well then don't wear a dress. But I sense you want to wear a dress, i sense you would like to feel more femine, I feel like a man in trousers.

i worked in a wedding dress shop, and other clothes shops, the number one mistake is not to have an open mind.

I would get girls come in and say I want a plain straight wedding dress, when they put on one they were like 'oh', I would say 'just try a full skirted one', nine times out of ten the vision they had in thier head was wrong, and they bought the bigger dress.

Its an attitude, if you think no then you will feel no.

True...my wedding dress was beautiful..wanted straight & ended up with strapless, full skirted duchess satin!!

Thank you

Have you not got a trusted friend you could take shopping with you? I'm expert at getting my friends to try on things they wouldn't normally. Which they then end up loving. #shouldhavebeenapersonalshopper

Are you happy with your hairstyle/make-up/accessorising?

That can sometimes make an outfit come together.

We have the same figure apart from the flat stomach I'm the same size top and bottom and find dresses are so much easier than separates - especially in the summer, hate the extra bulk round my middle with skirts or trousers and tops.

I like this shape the cap sleeves balance my hips, the v neck shows off my boobs and my legs are fine from the knee down the empire line waist emphasises my narrowest point and skims over my tummy. I only have one maxi dress - an asymmetric navy/White striped one, currently in the sale at Laura Ashley in store, can't see it online. It's a great shape though - empire line, scoop neck, cap sleeves, not billowy.

I think this would be lovely for an occasion also like this, would show off your flat tummy love this one
I like red...
and pink

Brandnew.. You are a genius! I like all of those, especially the pink! The cap sleeves are quite important I think....

I shall go trying on & report back (but not until Monday)

That pink dress is fabulous.

Right, am going shopping on Tuesday with good friend who has promised to be brutal.

I will try on many things & not moan about my body.

I would check out the Joules dresses - I ordered one for the first time recently and was pleasantly surprised at how flattering it was - cap sleeves, not too short, pretty colours.

The other day I had to go to a churchy- Queeny thing that was quite formal. I have exactly the same figure as you and I ended up buying this monsoon
It is cheap, shapely, easy , glam and fab. The Best Dress Ever.

I can't tell you how gorgeous it is. It's kind if thick jersey, almost sweatshirty material, midi-length, so if you're getting on a bit (I'm 40) it's almost dead trendy length wise. It has a seam under the bust, a flat front, a slash\cowl neck, cap sleeves and it's navy. God it's fab and only £50. I wore it with £95 nude high heels and a dirt cheap bright red clutch. Felt well sexy all day.

Tidy's new mantra
I will try on many things & not moan about my body.I will try on many things & not moan about my body.I will try on many things & not moan about my body.I will try on many things & not moan about my body.

So glad you like!

I love a good vicarious dress hunt want some more?

Ohhh yes please! Then I can compile a list to take with me!

love this really unusual
good shape and pattern poss too short
expensive but gorgeous!
love this really unusual
good shape and pattern poss too short
expensive but gorgeous!
oh, soooo beautiful...

Oops sorry for duplication. returning to the high st now, got a bit excited about dvf

good all purpose dress, could be dressed up or down
navy &white

I don't have a house of Fraser close to where I live but linea looks like it would be worth a look. I have had some great dresses from Laura Ashley and White stuff for everyday, nothing jumped out online though. For a proper special occasion I love maxmara - check out the matches website they have a sale on