How does one wear a dress? Any advice please!

[justawhisper]

Hi,

Coming on here to ask for some help. I've lived and died in jeans and tracksuit bottoms all my life. However, I have a condition called gastroparesis and I get very bloated. I can start the day with a flat tummy and by lunch I look 5months pregnant.

Was all well and good with low rise jeans my gut would hang over it nicely haha.... but all this mid rise and high rise business it's just not working out! I can't find any low rise skinny jeans at all.

I've been told by some fellow sufferers that they now wear dresses as Tummy can go up and down as much as it likes... The thing is I wouldn't know wear to start.

Summer Dresses/Winter Dresses, do you wear a top underneath them like a jumper in winter, or a dress with sleeves. Also, tights! Is there such a thing as comfy tights? as in low rise under the fat belly tights?

Are there such a thing as a casual non smart dress. Any ideas where I can look?

I'm 34, size 10.

Thanks if you have any links to dresses and COMFY tights :)

*where

I've just bought two nice v-necked jersey tunic dresses in H and M. I'm covering a baby bump and can't bear anything tight like jeans under my bump because of where baby's head is. Very pleased with them. Try a belt under the bust to give a bit more shape, maybe? Was also going to suggest maternity jeans, but actually, they're all really uncomfortable and keep falling down. Have a couple of good jersey ones from Gap too.

I wear dresses or skirts every day because I prefer them.

My favourite tights are Wolford but they are £££. Try boots and house of Fraser.

Can you visit some shops and look at dresses there? Try on some, with a cardigan or jacket over the top.

www.toa.st/eu/product/womens+oas+workwear/c1hti/denim+pinafore+dress.htm?categoryref=%2fcategory.aspx%3fcategoryid%3dwomens%2520oas%2520workwear%26seoterm%3dwomens%2520oas%2520workwear%26&pcat=womens+oas+workwear&adimage=&clr=C1HTI_Indigo_sw

This is my favourite 'dress', it looks great with anything. But size down to an 8 otherwise it'll swamp you! Lots of expansion room.

thanks all, yeah i'm going to go out for a mooch around the shops tomorrow, have tried some maternity jeans but didn't work out too well hahah... thanks, love that dress in the link that would suit me i think, gonna order it and see!

Sandwich do some casual summer dresses

Once you start wearing dresses you will never stop. They are so comfortable . You only have to think of one thing..the dress..and not what top to wear . Try charity shops. I have got loads of dresses in charity shops. Something simple in a plain colour is best to start with l think. You will soon discover a shape that is your thing and then you can get a few in that colour.
In winter wear little ankle books . Summer coloured pumps or just very simple sandals.
And with tights buy a pair that is bigger than you think you need as there is nothing as annoying as tights being too small.

www.gemini-woman.co.uk/item/Sandwich-Clothing/Cutout-Lace-shoulder-Detail-Dress/DSL2#

I know how you feel, it took me ages to star wearing dresses because I didn't know what to do with my legs. I agree try plenty on and find what shape/length you like.

Other useful things: opaque tights (m&s do ones that are meant to be cool in summer), leggings or footless tights for casual, thin layering top in neutral, couple of little cardigans. Also some of the tight kind of shoes probably ballet flats or flat sandals

Full of typos. I think I need to finish my cup of tea!

The other thing if you don't like getting legs out is some leg make up or fake tan, I found this is a good use of wrong shade foundation!

Dorothy Perkins skater dresses are my staple wardrobe item. Normally with a little cardigan over the top. I wear tights and either ballet pumps, converse or low heeled ankle boots.

The skater style may suit you as they're fitted at the waist then flare out and skim over tummies.

I find footless tights with or without socks more comfortable for some reason, hate the sweaty constrained feet in tights. But more usually I wear leggings under my dresses. And someone directed me to some M and S ‘culotte’ based underwear 😧 to wear dresses with bare legs without discomfort www.marksandspencer.com/culottes-with-cool-comfort-technology/p/p22442546?prevPage=plp&pdpredirect I have to say they are a tad long, I need to shorten them, and they also ride up a bit, but they are quite good, although I had to confess to dh in case he was alarmed when he found them in the laundry.

I know you said dresses but have you tried elasticated waists on trousers? I don't mean frumpy old type trousers but hush do flattering wide legs and tapered trousers with an elasticated waist. I also suffer from bloat and can have a flat tummy and by the night time am similar to you. I find them very comfy. Not trying to promote Hush, I just shop a lot there!!! You may be able to get this type of trouser from other places but I find the shape quite stylish.

I have these:
wide leg

But they also sell other ones like these:

Frances trousers

You may also find a few ebay bargains for their other elasticated waist trousers!

Lindy bop do some gorgeous dresses. I have gallstones and they make me bloat but anything other than bodycon works

For tights, these. The waistband on them doesn't move so they don't slide and they're mega comfy. Range of sizes from 4-30 as well, just check the size guide
https://snagtights.com

If you're not too keen on dresses, how about leggings with a long top?

I have loads of cheap jersey dresses from H and M (be warned you will need to go up a size or 2!). They're really comfy, I wear them with opaque tights and a big chunky cardigan and Boots in the winter. In summer, I wear nude tights with ballet pumps and a thin cardigan.

I like M&S best for tights.

I buy M&S tights and size up and I prefer my tights up high as they help smooth my tummy,