Help a pear shape dress for summer!

[mmmgoats]

I’ve been reading the “look expensive in summer” thread and love it - but a lot of the rules wouldn’t work for me being a bottom heavy pear. All of this expensive looking drapery would make my short arse look dumpy and shapeless, and I’m just at a loss this year.
I hate shorts, can never get them to fit my thighs and waist (always too big on the waist if they fit those damn thighs). Flared skirt dresses seem to make my hips look even bigger. Linen trousers just seem to accentuate my bottom wideness.

What on earth do other pear shapes wear?!

I’m an apple shape, and it seems to me that everything looks good on a pear shape.... but I like the waist to hip ratio.
Pear shaped friends look great in wrap dresses, anything that accentuates the waist for a 50s look. So swirly skirts with little tops look great.
I’d love to have a waist, I only suit maternity clothes!

I'm a pear shape, I've gone mad for culottes this year- normally plain on the bottom with a patterned top. Denim high waist shorts to hide the muffin top too.

I've also grabbed two different patterns of the Zara dress below, which I've found flattering- I've sized up enough so it's loose enough to skim the bottom (size L, 10-12 top, 12-14 bottom).

m.zara.com/uk/en/long-polka-dot-dress-p03198040.html?v1=5400530&v2=719020

I've also got a few jumpsuits that I find really flattering, mainly cullotte style with a wrap neck.

@knobjockey thanks for the zara link - love that dress so much!

I am a pear shape and tend to go for styles that accentuate my waist.

www.zoevine.com/collections/dresses/products/natalie-dove-grey-puff-sleeve-dress

I love a floaty maxi dress with a defined waist, or a maxi skirt with a vest top. I have a Hush maxi that's very like the one in knob's zara link, and it's SO flattering.

I also wear knee length dresses but they have to be generous - gathered or flared at the waist and wider over the hips and legs. Anything that's narrow around the thighs and knees, or draped or ruched, just makes me look like a hippo. And print is much better than plain, even if it's just a subtle print.

I also recently got some of these which are strangely also flattering! Wear with t-shirt and chunky sandals.

h&m linen joggers

No problem- me too!

How are your legs? Mine aren't generally good enough to get out in short shorts any more, but I've been shopping today and am really wavering on this.

www.stradivarius.com/gb/woman/clothing/shop-by-product/jumpsuits-%26-playsuits/belted-kimono-playsuit-c1020047072p300685514.html?colorId=001

They had it in plain black too, and the cut was really flattering, but my thighs unfortunately are too wobbly at the minute. That said, if we book a beach trip, this will definitely be a goer. It was easy to pull on and off, comfy and flattering, a bargain for £20.

I also bought these to go with high waist jeans/ shorts (my style of print, more is more may be becoming apparent here!)

www.stradivarius.com/gb/woman/clothing/shop-by-product/shirts/printed-shirt-c1020047029p300652501.html?colorId=101 in a medium

www.bershka.com/gb/women/clothing/shirts/blouse-with-knot-detail-c1010193221p101375050.html?colorId=723 in a large.

@MsJinglyJones how does the sizing come up on those? H&M is so hard to order online.

I will just point out that most of my purchases here would NOT fit in on the how to dress expensive thread 😁 for the purchases I have got when I am trying to be effortlessly classic, I've gone to TK Maxx and bought a pale blue and white striped linen dress with a very elasticated waist, length is just past my knees, and a lovely one colour DKNY dress (red ticket bargain) with no detail on but brilliantly cut. Ooh, also, a TK Maxx find but could also be found at outlet stores, Ralph Lauren dresses are surprisingly well cut for our figures- the material is good quality so nips and holds you. Great for events, and can come in at £30-40 for a dress that should be over £100.

But, what my wardrobe lacks in expensive, it is a marvel to me because it all fits, it is all comfy, and I would be happy to wear any piece in there right now. Never in my adult life have I had that!

I would say my legs are ....90% cellulite, 10% leg
I'm very very self conscious about them even though I know they aren't huge, they are in proportion to the rest of me!

I only wear shorts when I've got a bit of a tan and am on holiday, I'm eternally envious of those lithe of thigh who can casually swan about in denim shorts...

Knobjockey that's a good point, they come up small IMO. I'm a size 14 in all my jeans, but my H&M linen joggers are a 16. I ordered online and got a 16 because they would look better a bit loose, and I could take them in if necessary. In fact they only just fitted when I put them on, but they relax over a few hours and then look perfect.

Oh gosh, @mmmgoats me too! I was in the fitting room earlier and a young woman came out saying she thought the shorts were a little long- they were literally halfway down her cheek 😁

I have gone for these denim shorts from Tu, a good price but the dark pair fits perfectly, the lighter pair is about a size tighter! But high enough to cover the muffin, long enough to cover some thigh, and the turn ups roll down as needed. Look better than they do on the website.

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/p/Mid-Denim-Boy-Shorts/132955749-MidDenim

Good to know about those trousers, I may go see if my local h &m has them in- they do look comfy. Thanks!