Skirts/dresses for somewhat chunky peri-menopausal middle.

[ILikeyourHairyHands]

Aargh. I've had had very dispiriting couple of weeks clothes buying-wise. I know I've become more stout of middle over the last year, but after about a 3k of buying and returns online I ventured to the shops today in search of skirts and dresses for summer and have been left thoroughly depressed.

Everything made me look massive. It just wasn't working. I accept now I need to do something about the middle-aged spread, but does anyone have any ideas for the interim? I'm in need of a nice casual dress and a skirt or two. Decent budget, happy to spend up to 1k for the lot.

5' 8", size 10 everywhwere apart from my middle. Which is a 12-14.

Thanks!

I'd think a dress would work better. If I was as tall as you (dreaming) I'd try maxi dresses - maybe fitted under boobs rather than waist?

I would actually steer clear of maxi dresses without a waist they just make me and my ample belly look pregnant!

Better off with patterned wrap dress or dark colour or create the illusion that your hips and boobs are bigger than your waist. V neck top and tulip style/pleated under the waist.

A line skater style dresses without the line on the waist band (so the seams which go downwards) are nice and yummy skimming. Me and my girls fave style! (We're both prone to pot bellies)

Probably not a waist band or you'll have to size up. And avoid jumpsuits and belted dresses like the plague!

I was previously a pear shape with flat stomach but following DC and now the menopause my stomach is huge.

I've pretty much given up on skirts due to waistband and won't buy dresses that pull in/gather on the waist or have a belt.

I look for styles which are slightly A line or shift style. I am fairly short so can wear ankle length maxi or on knee (can wear above knee if with thick tights) .

Also I can't wear high necks or too strappy.

I think the trick is working out what suits you and then go with that.

Until recently I hadn't worn a dress for over 20 years, but following weight loss (still more to go!) i found a style of dress that I love, and which hides the rather flabby stomach I still have... Try the Simone dress from Fat Face. It comes in lots of different fabrics. I've been wearing them over the winter with tights. Here's one: www.fatface.com/women/clothing/dresses-skirts/simone-windswept-posy-dress/939785.html?dwvar_939785_color=black#q=simone&lang=en_GB&start=2

Thanks. Yes, maxis don't seem to work. I'm very broad-shouldered and narrow-hipped so have always been an inverted triangle, so a-line and structured always worked best for me anyway, anything slightly floaty makes me look like a bloke on day-release.

But my previously go-to shapes now just look massive from the side and look block-like from the front.

I don't want to be doomed to trousers and jeans forever!

I've got a skater fit and flare from Maje that looks great, but it's a heavier ponte fabric that hangs well but is rubbish for summer. I'm after something a bit a bit lighter.

Thanks for all tue help thus-far.

Do you have ankles (I don't, legs go straight from calves to feet)? If so, what about shirt dresses (long sleeves, roll up for coolness) with lovely boho sandals?

I'm thinking Seasalt...

Dress is nice but a bit dark. At least it contains cotton and has button fastenings.

It is depressing gaining weight around the waist.

I've no idea about what you need, so sorry not much help, only I know the feeling! I was always quite slim, then got bigger stomach and hips. Didn't realise how bad until get in the fitting room, very depressing! I am slowly managing to lose the stomach etc, but if I go too far look gaunt. Tricky balance. Realised to lose weight have to cut down on food quite a lot as one ages.

I'm this shape . I find the only skirts that work are minis. Given up with dresses

@woodhill the dress does come in other, more summery colours - the black one was the one I found first! I do find it very easy to wear and flattering, for me at least!

Here's another one: www.fatface.com/women/clothing/dresses-skirts/simone-linear-garden-longer-length-dress/945256.html?dwvar_945256_color=deep%20teal#q=simone&lang=en_GB&start=12

And a linen version: www.fatface.com/women/clothing/dresses-skirts/simone-linen-blend-dress/944592.html?dwvar_944592_color=khaki#q=simone&lang=en_GB&start=10

A wrap dress with a deep v neck.

I DO have ankles Too, very nice ones and great legs.

But seasalt amd their ilk just aren't me. To casual, too shapeless.

Thanks. Teal is nice

I always find my waist is in the wrong place in a lot of dresses

I would suggest you start with a visit to the lingerie department, good foundation garments make clothes fit better in our circumstances. (I'm a 14 but on a strict diet however that stomach persists)

I've got a few skirts from Kemi Telford. They are elasticated waist so very comfortable and good if you do lose weight. I feel like they.suit all shapes and the cut and shape of them gives me a waist. They are quite bold though but I always get compliments when I wear them.

Have you looked at anthropologie I have quite a few items from there that are flattering

V neck good. But I've realised today that shirt-waists look shitty.

I tried on from £45 And Other Stories to £350 Joseph to £600 DVF and Theory and Maxmara. All Looked Shit.

Hi OP, I'm a middle aged inverted triangle about your height (bit shorter) and size. It's really tricky and I struggled before I lost weight. I found Warehouse good for straight/sharp, un-flouncy dresses and skirts. I think the key is to show off your arms and legs and skim over everything else. So look for sleeveless, straight, v-neck, split skirt styles with no waist emphasis. Don't be tempted to go for sack dressing as it'll only make you look bigger. Don't be afraid to go up a size either as it helps with the skimming.

Try a trip to John Lewis and grab a style advisor - they're really good.

Have you tried Toast? I know you say you want dresses but they have some great jumpsuits for summer which I think are a bit more au courant. I got one last year and lived in it.

Thanks Stuck, I've got excellent knickers and bras, I don't want to go too far in the 'foundation garment' as it's Summer!

Will have a look at Kemi Telford, thanks @Modan.

I think you've got it @Unburnished, I've not shopped at Warehouse for about 20 years, but when I'm browsing on JL there are a lot of things by Wharehouse thatlook very appealing. How's the quality and fabric these days?

It's not bad. Not as good as Monsoon or Karen Millen but better than New Look, Next, ASOS et al. The finish is good but there are still a lot of man made fibres. Some good viscose/cotton mixes too though. I shop there a lot and always get compliments. Their cuts suit my figure if you know what I mean. They don't cut for curves, they cut for straight limbs like Zara and Karen Millen. I also like French Connection and J Crew.

Winter London and Michael Korel are also good for Work (Winser) and play (MK).

Ffs ... Winser not Winter