Please help! I need a shift dress with short sleeves (not cap) that flows nicely over a biggish tummy. Size 18. La Redout purchase disappointingly old fashioned but feels so good!

[regularbutpanickingabit]

That's it really. Working hard at losing weight but a very definite 18 and 5'10. Reasonable legs, sticking out belly, untoned arms. Don't suit swing skirts and skater dresses, a straight or very slightly a line is best. Anything else just unbalances me. Plain fabrics probably best as well. Oh, and ideally a v neck, not a round neck. Fat neck is not my friend.

Bought a couple of La Redoute shift dresses that are probably just polyester. They fit really nicely and just sort of hand over the bumps to smooth me out whilst not being restrictive. Problem is, they look so old fashioned and not in a cool, retro way.

Have a big day out next week and just see myself wearing a dress but dh hates these ones and I don't have anything else that fits the bill. Nothing on Asos looks right either.

Can you help at all with a v neck straight-ish shift dress with short (but not capped) sleeves? Hangs nicely and disguises the lumps and bumps? Wearable for an all day do?? Thank you!

Any particular colours you love/hate?

Lots of patterns around but you're right, plain are thin on the ground
Length?

www.kaleidoscope.co.uk/products/v-neck-textured-dress/_/A-29G066_18?utm_source=GoogleProductList&utm_medium=PLA&utm_campaign=Dresses&utm_content=29G066_18&ns_campaign=Dresses&ns_mchannel=PLA&ns_source=GoogleProductList&ns_linkname=29G066_18&ns_fee=0&ordermedia=K3086&orderoffercode=RG5P&entry=3

Actually that's not what I would have liked for (thought i need something less figure hugging to hide the stomach issue!) but I like it. Thank you!

I don't mind patterns but am quite a big person in general (big hair, big shoulders, big features was a lot bigger than an 18) and I think plainer fabrics are more flattering. I guess no stripes, nothing too manically patterned.

I like most blues, most browns, reds and greys and black.

Thank you

Sorry about typos

Patterned but pleated part good over tummy
www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_54488+041032303_-1

Roundish neck but a bit lower and plain colour
www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_54488+040890318_-1

Overlay
www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_120010663047_-1

Nice green!
www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_60514+FFN0036619_-1

Try COS. You do really need to try them on, and don't be too disturbed about size - their sizes are so misleading, but they do a shapeless shift really well! 50% of their clothes really suit me, the other half are vulgar. It's a label where you really do need to try on the clothes....

Black one - not sure what the event is
www.kaleidoscope.co.uk/products/ring-detail-shift-dress/_/A-99T865_18

Thank you!
I should have said in the original post that this isnt a super smart occasion and I think the look I'm going for is more effortless chic/pretty than styled, iyswim.

Jack - love the overlay dress but the sleeves on that and the green one are too high cut for my arms. The coral shape is much better but that colour would make me look enormous. Thanks for the ideas though.

Imp - I have never looked at cos. Will google to find my nearest stockists and take a look st their website. Yes, shapeless shift is what I am going for!

Ooh. Some lovely ones on COS but some dreadful ones too! I think I need to actually go to a store because the delivery time is really tight. Thanks again!

Jack / that black one is probably too smart but I really like it. Only concern is the fact that it figure hugs the stomach. Dh says I should just go for it but I hate looking pg when I'm not! Thank you