Dresses for body shapes

[RollerCola]

Can anyone help me to find a flattering dress shape? I really want to start wearing more everyday dresses but I'm not sure what shape suits me.

I'm quite short (5'3") and weigh about 9 & half stone. My top half is slimmer than my bottom half, I have smallish boobs and fairly good arms. My legs aren't too bad but a bit stocky up top. My stomach is my worst area, so I need something that won't draw attention to it.

I like jumper dresses but find they stick to my stomach too much. I thought Skater-style ones would hide it but somehow they look worse & seem too 'young' for me (I'm 38)

Does anyone have any recommendations for a basic shape I can look for? I think maybe a 'tulip' shape might be better?

You sound like a pear shape -- so dresses that emphasis your top half are best.

I have some from White Company that are nice & plain -- can play with accessories.

I get too hot in jumper dresses and haven't tried skater style. Tulip wouldn't suit me as I have a big bum.

My bum isn't too bad so that's not really a problem, it's just my belly! I'll have a look at White company & see what they have.

The knee length skater dress is for you!

Definitely a longer skater dress / casual prom dress! These are the most flattering on me, and your figure sounds exactly like mine. Oh, and avoid empire lines as I found they made me look pregnant

I would echo what Rockchick said.

I think I need a belt or some other structure to a dress now I'm (eek) mid thirties, a standard skater style looks a bit unfinished iyswim.

I do have a lovely tulip dress from Oasis that I get complimented on, though, so don't necessarily rule them out. Try some on and see. That one isn't overly tulipy, just enough to go over my hips and fit my top half whereas a pencil/shift type wouldn't.

Thanks I'll have another look at skater styles. I tried some on before Xmas but I just thought they made me look about 14 . But perhaps that's because they were too short. Can anyone link to any examples? Not quite sure what I'm looking for.

Can't link as I'm on my phone and it's a mobile website but on Dorothy Perkins website theres a dress for £25, teal and black contrast dress, item no 80000458 which I have and it's gorgeous! Something like that is more grown up than the short skater dresses but very flattering fit to slim your tummy :)

Thanks rockchick, but I've searched Dorothy Perkins & I can't find it. Maybe it's gone out of stock. There are some other nice teal dresses on there though. I think I just need to try a few on.

You must try this website - put in your measurements and it will tell you what shapes suit you and suggest things that you can actually buy from shops.

I've discovered a couple of shops that I didn't know existed that I now really like.

You do have to spend some time clicking "like" and "dislike" before the recommendations are to your taste though :)

What about something like this?
Less structured that some of the skater dresses. I have one and it really does just skim over the bad bits. It's my favourite dress.

I am a similar size and shape to you. I find dresses like this good. Seam under the bust rather than round the waist means the dress skims over the worst bits!

Thank you for the links, I particularly like the one from the White Stuff. I've also decided that shift dresses look ok on me as long as they have a bit of 'ruche-ing' at the front so they don't stick to my stomach.