Advice needed from those with hour glass figures

[grendel]

Despite being basically tubular in shape myself, I have somehow managed to produce a DD (15) who has the most amazing hour glass figure. As someone with no personal experience of this body shape (and little instinctive feel for style) I am somewhat at a loss on what clothing shapes she should be choosing. This has now become critical as we need to get her a prom dress.

My gut feel is that we should be looking at a very fitted dress with a nipped in waist, as otherwise her large bust makes her look big all over. I'm also thinking that she shouldn't be wearing anything too low cut as a) she's only 15 and it ain't appropriate, and b) there ends up with an awful lot of boobage on show as she's a 28 GG.

Could anyone who has an hour glass figure give us some pointers as to what shape of dress is likely to look good on her? I should mention that is she isn't particularly tall, about 5' 4" so we also need to avoid her looking dumpy.

How can we find something that fits both her bust (about a dress size 12) and her waist (size 8)? Is made to measure the only way this is ever going to work? Does anyone have any recommendations for clothing lines cut for this body shape? (We have had a look in Pepperberry (she's an "8 Super Curvy" in their sizing system) but their styles all seem to be a bit too grown up/frumpy for a 15 year old.)

All suggestions gratefully received!

What about something from lindybop? I have a 30gg bust and a 29 inch eaost and then wode hips. Very hourglass. Only 52 though snd 50's style dresses look fab!

Theyare vvery reasonably proced as wlwell. Check the size guide for each dress. They do petitie sizes as well.

Does she want a long or short dress? I guess she wouldn't be happy to go strapless? I'm thinking of the sort of "posh skater style" dresses asos do, with the fitted top and poofy skirts, but that's not a full length style and they're usually strapless.
I would definitely look at asos first anyhow:
Asos "Prom" dresses here, good place to start to see what sort of thing she likes

Would you consider buying a dress that fitted on the boobs and having it slightly altered at the waist so that it fitted her better there? You only go to prom once after all and she needs to feel amazing :)

FWIW I am an hourglass (less of one at 15, ha!) and I hired a long fitted slinky sparkly dress for my prom. It's really an occasion to go all out imo.

I am also a 28GG. The most flattering shapes for me are those that come in directly under the bust, so I can wear an empire line, it doesn't always have to be a waisted dress, but if it is loose from the fullest point of the bust then I look a stone heavier. Also her bust isn't a size 12, she is probably a standard 8, but needs the bust to be tailored, as the fullness is coming from the breasts alone and not the back, so a bog standard 12 just won't ever fit well, as it will be for someone flatter chested but wider. Think about buying something vintage, do you have any shops near you? As a vintage dress will fit her better than a modern one. Or having something made (less expensive than you might think) or altered (cheap). Get cutie do dresses in a range of cup sizes, but they are more Summer day than prom dresses. Have a look at www.saintbustier.com for inspiration, although they are more geared towards grown up women, it will give you a feel for the shapes that work.

Oh and what styles does she like? Is she yearning for something long, or short? Does she like the full skirted 50s look or would she rather something modern?

If you opt get somwthing made Honeypieboutique.co.uk are good.

There was another site linked to on a thread the other day as well, will try and find it.

Something like this www.tkmaxx.com/view-all-womenswear/black-and-nude-lace-halterneck-dress/invt/53047388 allows for a halter neck or crossover bra but doesn't make you look trussed up as arms are bare.

This short style would also work well as the weight of the beads sort of balances out the top and bottom. Hard to explain effect so trying on suggested ! www.tkmaxx.com/view-all-womenswear/black-beaded-occasion-dress/invt/53040483#

Proms are tricky because most girls seem to now wear those massive Cinderella dresses which are anything but flattering on most 16 year olds. If she has an idea of what she wants, go with that but try to ensure it fits through the waist and if it has a poofy skirt try to pick one with some movement to the the material, nothing too stiff and boxy. A good bra will make all the difference too, so if she chooses a dress which needs a strapless bra be careful, although at 15 she won't have the same issues I have! I know many who swear by the strapless wonderbra for large boobs.
Style wise, 50s and 60s shapes would look great, just avoid anything too brbridesmaidy. Try collectif, vivien of Holloway, dollydagger, Tara starlet and the pretty dress company. If you have a debenhams or John Lewis nearby go and get her to try on a load of dresses, coast, Hobbs etc all look a bit grown up but you never know what they will look like until they're on.
Good luck!!

Loads of great suggestions here. Thank you so much! We'll get busy with those links.

She is quite keen on a 50s style dress with a skirt a bit above the knee and sticky out skirt (technical terms!). Something like this, but in a shot taffeta rather than black linen. Just not sure whether it would look 'special' enough though:
digforvictoryclothing.com/products/276069--black-linen-tea-dress-with-circle-skirt.aspx

She'd look amazing in that. You could add a shot of colour with a sash, to emphasize that tiny waist. Or you could think of evening gloves, updo and diamante jewellery in a full on Holly Golighty tribute.

Lots of those 50's style dresses with sticky put skort, will need a petticoat. You normally need to order those seperatrly best prices i jave found are on amazon. Just check lenght.

She has tried some strapless bras and really didn't feel comfortable or secure in them so a strapless dress is out.

Really like the dresses on Saint Bustier, but yes, maybe just a little too grown up. Some good ideas though.

Lindy Bop also look great.

Also good idea to just buy a dress that she likes and fits on the bust and get someone to adjust the waist for her. Hadn't thought of that.

Does she have a good strapless bra? That would probably help increase her options. The Freya Deco goes up to her size, and the Wonderbra Ultimate Strapless would probably work too (it technically starts at a 30 band but runs very tight so I suspect a 30G would work)

Fifties style shapes are great on hourglass shapes if you don't want to be too overly sexy - the problem with being very hourglass and busty is that a dress which looks classy and lovely on some people winds up looking very in your face sexy vamp on the hourglass shape!

If she wants to do the fifties look but make it more special then wearing a proper petticoat in a contrasting colour really takes it up a notch. It will also give her a much fuller skirt. The shape of the dresses also lends itself really well to a belt which helps with sizing issues.

what about thos from collectif, or have you looked at anything on vivien of holloway example

Pepperberry can be a bit frumpy although they're worth keeping an eye on as they tend to have a few good pieces every season - I have a couple of nice blazers, some shirts and a few dresses which are great and I'm relatively young (28). When you get something good it fits so well! There are also a couple of other brands - biubiu, urkye and dd atelier which are worth looking at.

pepperberry have done a few dresses in the right sort of shape - here and here for example

It's worth finding a good seamstress who can tailor whatever you get to fit like a glove

xposted re strapless

The dress you linked to or something similar would look fab. Very understated and sophisticated for 15! The collectif Faye floral doll dress would look amazing on an hourglass figure, sorry can't link, but it has a sheer top so looks better with strapless bra. The good thing about a classic black dress is that she will look great, and it will get worn again, these princess monstrosities in bright colours must sit in the back of teenage girls wardrobes never to be seen again! You can also experiment more with hair and make up, coloured tights and shoes etc with a more simple dress.

Sounds like she has an almost identical figure to me! I recently got this from lindybop in a 12 and the fits surprisingly good - the waist is a little too big but can be pulled in with a belt (planning on getting it taken in properly when I've got a spare 5 minutes!). What would she think of it in black with a belt and a contrasting petticoat to bring in a bit of colour?

I like the dig for victory one - I'd definitely pay the extra to have it made to measure though! The only concern I'd have is the neckline, I know it wouldn't flatter me that high - I'd go for a sweetheart neckline instead. Not sure if she's able to go strapless or not (I've never found a bra in my size that works!), I love this but not entirely confident in getting a bra with straps under it (may be slightly too revealing too!).

Oh and if she goes short then she needs some amazing shoes - I really like these, these, these or these - but I would make sure not to match with the petticoat, either black, metallic/glitter or a bold jewel colour that doesn't match.

How about a Vivien of Holloway dress. With a beautiful petticoat for twirling and a pretty pair of heels.

Www.vivienofholloway.com

50s style and lots of inspiration on the website and Facebook page. Looks quite a popular choice for proms.

Ooooh, we're loving the Vivien of Holloway dresses!

Yes to contrasting colour petticoat, i am actually wearing a 50's style dress for my wedding in may and have a contrasting petticoat that matches my shoes.

For nice shoes thta are not too expensive look at rubyshoos and their customer service is fab, i wa ted a specific pair in a certain colour for my wedding, thye were out of stock everywhere. I emailed them and they managed to find me a pair, they cpuldnt couldn't have been more lovely.

Try Nyla Rose online - fab 50s style

TenuousGrip Thanks for all the ideas. Much appreciated.

Interesting that you are about the same shape as DD and the Lindy Bop in a size 12 fitted OK. Very useful to know.

With the Dig for Victory Dress, I agree about the neckline. I did think it might be a bit high, and the sweetheart neckline does look prettier.

Actually just measured DD out of interest and discovered that she really is a true hour glass shape: 38 26 38.

A similar sized friends daughter got her prom dress last year from Jane Norman, full length fitted strapless, fitted perfectly.

Personally, I prefer high street styles for such young girls. In DD's photos last year with her friends, they all looked gorgeous obv, but the ones in slinky full-length or frou frou numbers looked older than their years ime. DD found a sixties-style number in Warehouse and we got strappy sandals from Kurt Geiger and had her hair done in a loose updo. Another friend had a lace skater dress from Warehouse and that looked ace as well. DD is also an hourglass, btw.
I think the fifties styles are for an older age group as well, sorry.
Last year Miss Selfridge had some gorgeous flapper styles, which weirdly do work for that shape if they're slightly shaped like the TKMaxx one linked earlier.

First few at Miss Selfridge are gorgeous but pricey.

Have you looked at the Chichi range in Asos ...they look lovely also Virgos lounge good for hourglasses but appreciate some look a bit sexy