Dresses with too-high waists

[AnotherEffingOrangeRevel]

I have a dress problem. The dresses which fit me in other respects always have waists that sit too high up, on my rib cage. I'm not especially tall (5'6'-5'7''), although have larger-than-average boobs so I suppose they sort of take up material. Can anyone tell me which shops might have dresses with lower waists? Oasis, Warehouse, Topshop (not that I should be shopping there at my age), etc., all seem to have the same problem for me.
Many thanks, my online stylists.

I have this problem and I'm short-waisted and small chested! I think the current prevailing dress style is to blame. Am sure on the right body it may look cutesy and colt-legged, but on me it looks l am slowly sinking into my stomach. Not buying any new dresses until the template changes.

I've heard that it's partly because manufacturers in Asia cut corners when adapting patterns originally designed for smaller Asian sizes- they just add length onto the hem rather than all over

That isn't actually true, graded sets of correct patterns are shipped out to overseas manufacturers from the UK, often with UK staff to oversea the process & the factories have nothing to gain by shortening the waist. The problem can arise if the stores house fit model is short waisted & sometimes the waist is set slightly higher by the designer/buyer as it can be more flattering a cut as it gives the illusion of longer legs, so generally sells better, but in this instance the waist wouldn't be raised by a lot & is barely noticeable.

I agree that it sounds like a fuller bust is your issue, rather than a long waist, Pepperberry & the likes are likely to be your answer

nothingwitty I agree, I think it's a prevailing style. A bit vintage inspired maybe. I've only had this problem in dresses I've bought in the last two or three years and my waist position hasn't changed!

RockinHippy - I don't think it is the big boobs that are the problem. I have big boobs (32F) and I have bought dresses from Pepperberry in the past (not the last couple of years), but they are the same style that I mentioned earlier - elasticated (or dropped) waist that I can adjust so that it falls in the right place. Anything with a tailored waist line or a belt with loops so you can't adjust just looks ridiculous. You can tell immediately when you put a dress on if the boobs are changing the shape of the dress or if the dress just isn't falling right. I would love to know if there are shops out there that make dresses for longer torsos. I also find it so depressing when I need a dress for an occasion. Nothing ever looks right

Yes dresses are a complete pita for me, the waists are literally under my boobs making me look pregnant! i do find french connection / karen millen dresses quite good though. A more fitted style though like \link{https://www.frenchconnection.com/product/woman-collections-sale-dresses/71eyl/lucky-lace-layered-dress.htm\this} tends to suit best

I have the same issue, I'm plus size but have a defined waist and everything I buy sits too high so the skirt is too short and the waist sits too high :(

I'm just getting into dress making to solve the issue, I've just given up trying to find a shop that caters for me!

God yes, they creep up and gather under your boobs. I'm tiny and have a short torso so I don't understand how I have this problem?!

Shall we collectively take a business plan to Dragon's Den? A special dress company for those afflicted with low waists? We can all walk in with squeezed ribs and DM sad faces.

I've got a fairly short torso (I often have to have material take out of the length to make the shoulders sit in the right place) and waists are always too high for me too! It must be a design thing. So frustrating.