Help me find a dress for my weird body shape!

[PeppermintCreamsSaga]

I need a dress to wear to a wedding.

I'm 5ft 7in, and normally wear a size 14 top and 16 bottom, with a pear shaped figure. I often end up getting a size 12 for dresses when they are flared over my hips and sleeveless/strapless. I have short ish legs (wear 30 inch/petite jeans) and have a very long back (often wear Tall range for tops) And a big bottom!

The last couple of weddings I've worn a prom dress from Matalan. Ended up having to sew the straps on to fit and it was slightly shorter than I'd like but didn't mind for the price.

So any suggestions for style of dress or actual dresses? I don't mind paying a bit extra for something that fits. Budget around £100 but could be more. I prefer knee length and something with straps.

I'm tempted by a made to measure from China.....

I will also be herding a 4 year old so nothing too delicate!

I'm similar to you. What looks best on me (IMO) is like what you describe - knee length, sleeveless, and fitted on top but flared or gathered on the bottom half. Also i suit colourful prints much better than plain colours.

I often find dresses are too short in the chest/stomach area so I add length to the straps or unpick the shoulders and insert some fabric there (taken from the pockets or from removing the sleeves). Another thing I do is buy a-line shift dresses, that don't have a waist, then sew in a drawstring or elasticated waist so I can put it where I want it. If you're not a sewer you could easily get an alterations person to do this.

I don't know if I can recommend a brand - almost everything I buy needs altering. But I'm a big fan of eBay, where you can view all the dresses sorted by your preferred colours, fabrics and styles, and then buy things fairly cheap so it's not a disaster if the alteration process goes wrong!

I also sew things from scratch - problem is finding the time now I have DC, but it solves the problem.

Thank you. I do have a sewing machine but don't use it very often. I often look at cheap dresses in places like Primark and wonder if I could cut the bottom bit off so I can wear it as a long top! Maybe I need to look at learning how to alter high street clothes?

www.lightinthebox.com/Sheath--Column-V-neck-Knee-length-Chiffon-Cocktail-Dress_p184328.html

I am contemplating buying this one. If I order it today I'll get it in plenty of time for the wedding. Measuring with their guidelines I'm a size 12 bust, size 14 waist, and 16+ for hips. No wonder I struggle to find clothes.

I am willing to take a gamble on a dress from China. I'll have my trusty matalan prom dress as back up!

Empire line look lovely! I like your idea of buying petite trousers/ jeans. I have a long torso n short legs, too. No boobs at all for me though- so I hope you're doing better than that!
Lol

I have a DD cup size. However, they are wide and flat rather than small and sticky out. Appearances are deceptive. It's surprised many a bra fitting lady. "Oh you can't possibly be a DD cup HA HA. Oh yes you are actually. "

I think that dress looks lovely and a great shape BUT I can see immediately that on me, the waist would be too high - and if that happens, it would be a difficult one to alter.

Sometimes shops that do a long fit work better - Boden has some such as this (not cheap though, but if you like anything at boden there are a lot of offers and codes around).

www.johnlewis.com/mango-pleated-midi-dress/p423210?s_afcid=af_79682

www.marksandspencer.com/M-S-Woman-Pleated-Flare/dp/B008E328OG?ref=sr_1_229&nodeId=1576812031&sr=1-229&qid=1366701552&source=affwindow&extid=af_a_Content_79682&comgp=79682&awc=1402_1366792699_e8f1e075d285b63690b4725df4d9b76c

www.marksandspencer.com/M-S-Woman-Pleated-Flare/dp/B008E32PFI?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_14&nodeId=42966030&sr=1-14&qid=1366792772

In apricot

www.marksandspencer.com/M-S-Woman-Pleated-Flare/dp/B008E336OW?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_15&nodeId=42966030&sr=1-15&qid=1366792808

shop.nordstrom.com/s/adrianna-papell-tiered-chiffon-dress/3101760?siteId=J84DHJLQkR4-9ZhKeHPUwdqianbjx.3U2g

shop.nordstrom.com/s/donna-morgan-ruched-v-neck-chiffon-dress/3522695?origin=category&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=1144

Cheap as chips

shop.nordstrom.com/s/suzi-chin-for-maggy-boutique-ruched-chiffon-dress/3428811?origin=category&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=2932

Lilac

Do Nordstrom ship to the uk?

I'm liking the Boden Dress. But only 2 colours are available in 2 weeks, and the rest in 7. The wedding is in 3.5 weeks! Some of these dresses are nice, but I'm looking at the measurements and I don't fit easily into any of them. Maybe a padded bra to even things up?

Bust 37.5 inches
Waist 32.5 inches
Hips 45.5 inches

It's worth checking the website regularly or even phoning Boden (customer service is great), as the waiting times can change suddenly and sometimes they have things in stock even when the website says not.

You are fabulously hourglass shaped, I think that dress would look amazing on you actually.