I'm a funny shape, help dress me please

[MaryIngalls]

I'm 41 (like to think I look younger), 5' 3 1/2", used to be fairly hour glassed but now more pear shaped 8-10 on top, 10-12 on bottom. Narrow shoulders, small bust 34B. Mum tum and biiig hips. Short stubby legs. Problem feet - get corns easily so wear Sketchers trainer-lookalikes mostly for school run. Am beautiful aren't I! Dress in jeans and v-neck jumpers mostly. Would love to wear dresses but can't find any that don't make my bum look even bigger. I have never been stylish, but of late I am positively frumpy. On a cheap as chips budget too. Is there any hope for me?

Something A line would be good for skimming hips? [http://shop.uniqlo.com/uk/goods/076380 This, accessorised, maybe?]]

Link fail! here

How about something like this which would draw attention to your dainty top half and disguise your slightly larger (but by no means enormous) bottom half.

Stop wearing jeans, they look good on surprisingly few people (we don't notice because they are so ubiquitous). Try and wear bolder colours on your top half - this top could look amazing.

Sorry for vanishing guys, DD got an ear infection, and we've been a bit disorganised. Thanks for the linkies. Think I didn't explain the issue properly, a size 8 gets stuck on my tum/bum, a size 10 gapes at the neck and bust - the narrow shoulders are a big problem. The uniqlo dress/ cos top would flap all over my neck and shoulders. Like the ruched dress, but personally I would wear that - with a cami - for evenings out (not school run or grocery shopping). Like the bold colours idea, and working towards itin newer acquisitions. Recently acquired an Asda great bum jeans in straight fit, which I think looks better on me.

Have you read any of the many threads about better fitting bras? If you are a size 8 on top its very unlikely that you need a 34 inch band on your bra. I'm quite pear shaped too but going down from a 32 to 28 inch back and up a couple of cup sizes has helped me to look better.

Will have a look but think I could be more than 34, not less...the band already digs in a bit. Planning to go for a bra fitting one of these days.

You are right though, on the top 8 is a bit tight, 10 gapes at neck/ shoulders.

I meant 10 gapes at neck/ bust.

just because the band digs in doesn't mean it is too small - could be you are wearing the wrong cup size

Ah, looks like bra fitting needs to be done sooner not later. Maybe slightly padded, to balance me out? Thanks for all the replies ladies.