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Original poster

Anyone else despise skater dresses?

59 replies

ToastedTeacakes · 03/01/2013 15:30

I mentioned this in another thread and felt inspired to start a new one!

I really fucking loathe the things. And what's worse, they are everywhere, it seems, and I feel hard pushed to find a different silhouette in any of the high street stores. I imagine they are cheap to knock up, usually made of the shittiest fabrics and sold for far more than they are worth. Interestingly you rarely see this style touted at higher end stores.

On a personal note, I can't tolerate the elasticated waists (which don't suit me at all), and regardless the size of your chest (I am 32A) they feel deeply unflattering in this area.

I once walked into Topshop with a male friend who laughed and pointed at a rack full of them and asked me when they had started to make kids clothes. When I told him they were aimed at teens and older he said 'How odd, they look like clothes for little girls).

I appreciate that some people may love them, so have no issue with that, it's just the garment itself which bugs me. I have always loved pear shapes and imagine these might look really nice with that particular body shape, but I still can't get on board with them at all.

And they are everywhere. I just want a little bit more choice when shopping, you know, for something that makes me look like an adult. Longer lengths might help, but I am sure these bastards prefer to save fabric, whilst bumping up the prices of shitty polyester skater dresses with dodgy zippers......if you are lucky they might offer you one that isn't sleeveless!

OP posts:
Officedepot · 03/01/2013 16:13

Oh I love them, I had a great one from Whistles which I wore until it got holes in. I love the nipped in waists and circle skirts, think they are really flattering on people with a waist, not too massive boobs and good legs.

BunnyLebowski · 03/01/2013 16:14

Fillybuster I'm another tea dress fiend. Can't resist a ditsy print Smile

Catch yerself on BadDog.

TapselteerieO · 03/01/2013 16:16

I am a complete short arse, most grown up clothes make me look like a little girl playing dressing up in her mother's clothes - clothes like this are quite a respectable length on me and because I am a 30G the stretchy material accommodates my huge norms without being drowned in fabric - so they work well for me. I have one, it is comfortable but a little boring. I really don't believe there aren't lots of different styles of dresses available.

What shape do you want op?

IwantaPetFox · 03/01/2013 16:17

I love them, they suit me and I have loads of them! But agree they are becoming ubiquitous which must be annoying if you don't like them. Also agree that many of them are made out of horrible fabric. I have this one in three different colours - vv convenient for throwing on with opaque tights and a leather jacket for casual days. But I'm a pretty lazy dresser.

sweetkitty · 03/01/2013 16:17

They are supposed to be the most flattering style of dress for me, I'm size 8, small of nork (thanks to BFing four DC) but am a size 10 around my thighs, bum and hips (I'm sure they belong to someone else).

Anyway I bought a 50s style dress, just above my knee for Christmas not something I would have worn and it was lovely, fitted top half but stuck ou to hide fat bum etc.

I was going to try a skater dress for the summer :S knee length probably.

Fillybuster · 03/01/2013 16:23

Liking those links Bunny....ooh, its tricky.

I think the problem is more that this style, when stupidly short (genuine 'skater') isn't much use for anyone over 25. I've got very good legs, but wouldn't wear anything mid-thigh length, even over leggings, for work or the school run, so it doesn't have much of a place in my wardrobe, even if it does look good

If it is above the knee, it's not really a skater dress, even if Asos say it is. At that point, it's just a naice dress :)

MurderOfGoths · 03/01/2013 16:25

Another one who adored tea dresses. I have a beautiful vintage one, unfortunately it no longer fits (tiny tiny waist), has a wonderful print on it though

Original poster
ToastedTeacakes · 03/01/2013 16:25

TapselteerieO I'm not sure what shape I'm after really. I tend to wear jeans, pants or skirts these days, but do love a nice dress for certain occasions. I like a nipped in waist, but not ruched or elasticated, and perhaps a loose flare to the skirt. Perhaps I prefer something in-between the skater and the shift dress??

For all of you who love them (and I can see how petite shapes would capitalize on this now!) you are so bloody lucky cos they are everywhere! Grin

It must be like the skinny jeans debate: if you don't like them there are so few other options in the shops.

sweetkitty They are supposed to suit my shape, too, but it never works out that way. More knee length options would be good, I agree.

OP posts:
strumpetpumpkin · 03/01/2013 16:26

Im a very hourglass figure and i love this style. Accentuate my waist, show that I've got big tits rather than fat, and skim over my hips.

GrimmaTheNome · 03/01/2013 16:30

Looks like a teenage thing to me.
Spot on. Teen disco wear, specifically.

I was delighted when DD (13) chose a skater-style dress from New Look for the school disco - sale rail so only £8, perfect for something that may not get worn much - quite thick opaque fabric which hangs well, decently cut top, and suprisingly good on her somewhat plump, semi-developed form. She's got 'skaters' legs - not skinny, but quite muscular, I don't think this style suits skinny legs at all.

For grown ups - no, unless you are actually going skating!

BadDog · 03/01/2013 16:33

agree - lovely on a lanky GIRL ( as most skaters are)

one look at bloody anthea turner doing PR for that skating talent show thing made me heave a little

FirstTimeForEverything · 03/01/2013 16:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TapselteerieO · 03/01/2013 16:43

Tea dress

Original poster
ToastedTeacakes · 03/01/2013 16:46

That tea dress is lovely, my bosom wouldn't fill it though, I doubt Sad

OP posts:
UterusUterusGhaLaLaLaLaLi · 03/01/2013 16:50

I hate them too.

I think because they should suit me, and mags often laud them as a good way to cover ones enormous hips, but the look SHOCKING on me. Just. Awful.

Trying to find a dress recently it was all I could find.

I'm sure they're fine on teenagers.

scripsi · 03/01/2013 16:56

They are very hit or miss for me and I can't tell what it is about the specific cut of the ones that do suit. One thing that is odd, is that like much of the stuff that sells out on the high street/online: I never see anyone wearing them. There seem to be secret clothes-wearing parties I am not invited to

Original poster
ToastedTeacakes · 03/01/2013 17:54

True, I haven't seen many people wearing them either. Maybe this winter they've been hidden under coats?

I have one single skater style dress which suits: knee length, black, slash neck and 3/4 sleeves. Very Audrey Hepburn in style and quite funeral friendly. Sorry Audrey!

OP posts:
MrsDeVere · 03/01/2013 18:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pinksquidge · 03/01/2013 18:05

i love them!

am short and slim but with 32d norks and a rubbish untoned tummy but thin legs (youngest dc now 3, really should do something about it Blush )

i have about 4 from topshop all in different colours, and they really flatter my shape, they emphasise my small-ish waist and completely skim over my tummy

pretty much every other dress style i have ever tried makes me look fat. :(

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 03/01/2013 18:07

I have read that they are supposed to suit suit pear shapes like me but they make me look massive in the hips/bum, I tried a black knee length one with black opaques (my legs are admittedly not my best feature) it was very unflattering indeed. It did emphasize my waist (which is one of my best features) but made my top half seem very short and wide as well as my hips looking enormous. Will be sticking to straighter styles. I am possibly not the target demographic at 45 anyway.

Original poster
ToastedTeacakes · 03/01/2013 18:19

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes Interesting you should say that because it has reminded me why the waist band on these frocks bothers me: I think the band is placed a bit high so that many of them are almost empire. This really chops the upper body at an odd point and makes the hips look higher (or where the average waist is supposed to lie instead).

OP posts:
LRDtheFeministDragon · 03/01/2013 18:22

Are you for real, baddog? Confused

I was going to say, I'm not keen as they don't work for me, but not sure why all the vile comments.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 03/01/2013 18:26

I think you're right, hadn't thought of it like that, I find any dresses with an elastic waistband tend to creep slightly higher than is flattering as I walk in them, I need styles that curve into the waist rather than having an actual waistband for this reason.

Startail · 03/01/2013 18:44

UABU totally and completely unreasonable and I don't care this is S&B

At long last their are feminine dresses with hips not tubes, that fit only anorexic bean poles and sacks that fit only rectangles. I don't know any rectangular women.

I'm a bit old and a bit plump for a cheap and cheerful skater dress, but they look great on DD1 and would have suited me pre DD2

NotForProfit · 03/01/2013 20:37

I'm about a size 12, & still have quite a bit of baby weight around my middle (from 3 years ago!). Norks are only average sized but i find long-sleeve skater dresses in plain colours actually really flattering on me. They give the illusion of a waist, & are cut high enough to cover flab.