where are all htese shirtwaister dresses then

[cod]

think they be a really good summer look

I do think you need a flat tummy with them, that is the key. Doesn't matter how big you are overall, but a flat tum is important. Otherwise it look too like a nursers or chambermaids uniform IMHO

Once I lose a bit more weight I will try one on, but I am not hopeful, I tend to look frumpy in any dresses!!

went past \link{http://www.agnesb.fr/\Agnés B} yesterday and they had loads.

I have the polkadot one from Primark as as far as I can work out the secret is to wear them very very casually (flipflops ie anti-Miss Moneypenny) or very very smart (heels and norkage ie anti-granny)

May get another one as it's the only wearable trend this summer that lets me show off my waist - the whole gathered at the bottom top look does me no favours.

Can I just ask what happens when you try to sit down in these buttonyuppy dresses? Do the buttons gape and show your pants? Do you wear a petticoat to preserve modesty? Or do you just stand up all day?

petticoat!!!!!! :) Now that is frumpy :)

I think it is a case of making sure the dress fits IYKWIM I also think for us (eg probably over 30) a cheap shirt-dress is not a good idea

Cheapo Primark one needed to be tacked together in a few strategic places as the buttons are widely spaced and it did gape a bit.
Think wearing a slip pushes them too far into Miss Moneypenny territory...

That's the problem with all button through garb, be it dresses or skirt, you just can't avoid a bit of gaping when you sit down. Looks awful.

And there will be little views of those muffiny rolls. Can wear little vest top under but what about gaping at the crotch?

I don't like anything with buttons from waist down

Charmkin - that's exactly it crotch gapes...oooeerr

Just make sure you are wearing pants then. Or at least have a neatly trimmed ladygarden.

lol

cheapos in new look look bad

Saw a quite nice one in Tesco today.

that full circle one is lovely

and the Boden one if you can manage to avoid throwing up at the guff with it 'carefree and unaffected' barf

so glad the wrap dresses are out

being small in stature the neck was always plunging down to my waist

i have fond memories of an extremely tight red shirtdress from topshop i wore on my hen night to a v posh club.....

am well into this trend therefore

not v keen on the safari styles, and these ones in next are a bit boring

\link{http://search.next.co.uk/search?cnt=12&p=Q&ts=custom&images=on&nb=X37&np=18&nxti=0&nxtv=0&w=shirtdress\next}

i did quite like that blue boden one but as someone mentioned it does look a bit like a nurses uniform so thats put me off

\link{http://www.redoute.co.uk/redouteuk/sZoom/0,3061,39233,00.html\you can choose between prominent hips, hourglass figure or top heavy! lol}

\link{http://www.marksandspencer.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=2651&Product_Id=1987107\lorraine kelly had this on her programme this morning} although she wasnt wearing it, a tall model was. i like the material and the colour especially.

\link{http://www.cyrillus.com/web/Catalogue/FicheProduit.aspx?id_Produit=4009003067969GAA\what about this sleeveless one then?}

Got a similar one from them about 4 years ago, with short sleeves, and a large leather belt and it's so easy to wear, and not granny like, didn't wear it last summer but will do again this year. Must get good chunky necklace I think

RI had a nice brown one

oh god i cant wait til summer and bare legs and arms

I think we all need to go out and try them on, them report back how they fit, and err gape :) Must test for sit-down ability etc.

I am in London on Friday afternoon, so I will try that Dotty P one (quiet like the floral thing) And I can do Debenhams.

I need sleeves so I will not be trying sleeveless numbers (although that may stop the granny look). I have quite an hourglass figure (eg arse and norks) and I am shortish, so obviously if you are tall, willowy or pear shaped ignore all I say :)

Anyone fancy test-running the Next ones?

the charles tyrwhitt one has a lining - obv for stopping crotch gaping

i think sleeveless ones make your boobs look big

im going for the charles tyrwhitt one someone linked earlier

who is going to get a white one i wonder

ihave to say that primark one is hideous. my opinion though

i am now swithering cos thats another person who has said they are like nurses uniforms

accessories may be the key

ooooh it annoys me when they list as 'vintage' ..then put 'brand new with tags'

fair play though..some people are dumb and thats what a free market is all about exploiting