Which size dress to opt for?

[hotfudge]

So. Have spent the past year working pretty hard to get back in shape after 3 DCs in quick succession. Am finally where I should be weight wise, and in reasonable shape for a bird that's knocking on a bit! After years in flowing, forgiving tunics etc. i pdecided that this Xmas I wanted a frock to show off the fruits of my labours, so to speak! Found one I love, but am between two sizes.... The 10 is a bit loose at my shoulders and under the bust, but comfy. The 8 fits me like a glove but there is no give in the material so it is not as comfy. Basically, the 8 looks better but the 10 feels better - which one to go for?

Could you get the 10 and get a dress maker to adjust it?

Congrats on the weight loss! If the dresses aren't going to give, personally I'd be going for the bigger one. I've been dieting and lost almost a stone so far. I'm still larger than I'd like to be, but I'm more in proportion now, and have just treated myself to a couple of close-fitting dresses. However, although I'm now a definite 14 I've gone for 16 in both of them, as they are far more flattering as body-skimmers than body-huggers! And I know I'm much bigger than you, but I would say that in my opinion, this goes for any size/shape. Too tight is just less flattering. There's also the comfort factor to take into consideration - there's no point looking fabulous if you don't want to move about/sit down!

If you want an example of slightly-larger-fitting being immeasurably more flattering, just watch any episode of Only Connect. Victoria Coren has a fabulous hour-glass figure, but insists on pouring it into a slightly too-tight shiny dress every bloody time - I'm sure she's quite happy with the way she looks, and wouldn't give a toss about my opinion, but I just wish she'd size up - no-one knows what the number on the label says!!

It depends whether it's meant to be a bit loose or fitted really. Can you link to it? Generally I would say go for the bigger one as too-tight clothes look.awful, but in your case I wonder if you're so.used to being bigger and wearing loose things that the smaller is the right size but feels weird as its not swinging on you?

Badly phrased but you see what I mean hopefully.

Good idea Chablislover! Completely agree about bigger sizes usually being more flattering casabevron but in this case the cut of the dress covers all my bulgy bits and so the smaller size actually looks better - I don't look like I'm bursting out of it (never a good look!), its just that it fits and no more, and there is no give in the material. Will try and post a link, Winkly ... But if I don't manage, the style of the dress is fitted.

I am the same as you between an 8 and 10. I dither and dither in fitting rooms and have been known to buy both and decide at home . I usually opt for the 8 as fitted clothes are more flattering in my opinion ( not tight but fitted ) . Not sure that helps very much.

Whoops sorry wasn't implying you'd gone for the stuffed sausage look! What I was clumsily trying to say was that just because it fits doesn't always make it flattering, or comfortable for that matter (I'm looking at you VC ) Are you buying online or actually going to the shop? May be worth trying on several in the 8 if you can - it's crazy how much variation there can be across the same style.