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!

If you search the style & Beauty Board, there's a thread or two dedicated to this. I think it's called 'shopping for an apple shaped body' or something similar.

Yeah, I'm already all-over Winser. Have quite a lot. And J Crew.

Thanks.

The Truro dress from Boden is surprisingly good at disguising my spreading middle. Floaty in the right places, I get loads of positive comments when I wear it. I'm a bit shorter and a bit wider than you too.

I think I may have ordered that Potato. I am on a repeat order at the moment...

Menopausal size 16 apple here! You may hate Cos, and indeed it does itself no favours with its website, but I bought this www.cosstores.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/dresses/product.folded-collar-draped-dress-grey.0586125011.html not long ago and it is surprisingly flattering! I think its because its not too shapeless.

@Unburnished and @ILikeyourHairyHands . Are you me?!

I too have found Warehouse good for my shape. But I have given up clothes shopping.

It’s so frustrating because people will see the height and size 10 legs/bum and skinny arm but nothing fits or looks right around the middle.

I had a mildly successful trip to TKMaxx the other week and purchased a wrap dress by QED London (can’t find it online so no link). It’s a brand you can get on ASOS. Nothing special on the hanger, and opposite to my normal fitted block colour look (it’s floral!) but actually it fits lovely and the floral disguises the tummy

I’ve had a peak online and they seem to have some nice things (quite floral though), eg:

Tulip Dress
Floral A line

I absolutely cannot do floral/floaty/flouncy - I just look like a man in drag despite the long blonde hair. I’m a Natural/Classic style type so need straight, non-fuss styles.

I’m an apple. Even at my largest, the pencil dress from get cutie looked amazing. I wear a belle dress as my go to summer style, which always gets lots of compliments.
I realise their range fabrics might be too much for your tastes but they are really nice and will often find a fabric not advertised on the website if you give them a ring (Brighton based).

getcutieboyparker.co.uk/collections/dresses

Wow Deftandglory, what a great website. Not my style but I love the fact that it exists.

Thanks @DeftandGlory, those shapes look prefect. I Shall given them a ring!

And thanks Raymond, I'll have a look.

Hi OP - I have the same problem as you. I am your height and maybe a 14/16 but with no hips, great legs and ankles. My Middle is my problem and I am desperate to find a dress for a wedding. Nothing fits me properly! I have bought a few of the button through skirts which are everywhere this season - a lot of them are elasticated at the back only so I can buy a smaller size to suit my hips, but then move the button which fastens the waistband out a bit to give a bit more room! Have also found some surprisingly flattering white cotton trousers in M&S Per Una (who would have though it!). Didn't look great on the hanger but fit perfectly and are quite slimming.

What about this www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-linen-handkerchief-hem-dress/p4007229?sku=237821965&s_kwcid=2dx92700037521274083&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5oaTwsnP4QIVq7ztCh0qpA41EAQYASABEgLeRfD_BwE.
Recommend that you size down.

I absolutely cannot do floral/floaty/flouncy - I just look like a man in drag despite the long blonde hair.

oh no, I’m now worried I look like this as too never ever used to wear floral and have two floral ones now (and also have blond hair!) The dress shape of those dresses are good for me though.

I feel your pain Raymond

Everyone else assures me that I look fine but I feel ... unauthentic if you know what I mean. If Im going to wear a dress (not at work) then i compensate for the feminine vibe by making sure it’s plain or has stripes or a geometric pattern and no flouncy elements. I also quite like hardware (exposed zips or eyelets for example) and stiff fabric.

Thanks for all the advice, I've ordered a load from John Lewis and a skirt from Kemi Telford that I have high hopes for! Will update you as to how I get on with it all.

I've also come to the realisation that I've got to get to grips with the midriff situation, I've been rather complacent after being skinny all my life without much effort so this horrible development has come as a bit of a shock!

I bought a t-shirt dress in Primark the other day, it's black with white stripes and has an elasticated waist It's really comfortable and flattering too.

I’m in the same boat. This is on my list for the summer.

www.toa.st/uk/product/womens+dresses+and+tunics/c1lcq/block+print+linen+cotton+kaftan+dress.htm?clr=C1LCQ_Blue_sw

I am in the same boat, but short. Not a great combo.

I have bought the Amelie dress from Boden in pretty much every colour. It is great for a tummy, a heavier weight than other jersey dresses and comes in Petite (I think you might need a Long). True to size.

I also really like Phase Eight becca dresses and tops. Blouson style, you can layer up if you like with a long sleeve top underneath.

ILikeyourHairyHands Any update? On either all the clothes you bought to try on or the midriff situation? I was watching with interest....

Hi @Sidney, yes! I did get a few things in the end, skirts-wise I got this from Maxmara, this from Margaret Howell and this from Kemi Telford. Really pleased with them all. The Margaret Howell and the Kemi Telford ones both have elasticated waists but don't look as though I'm trying to hide something. The Maxmara one has a tie-belt and the fabric comes up over the waist but falls really nicely, again, doesn't look as though I'm trying to conceal my stomach, they all drop quite nice and flat from the waist.

Dresses were a bit more problematical! I really struggled trying to get a decent fit, in the end I got this from Cos. I bought it in the navy and red last year and wore it loads so got the cream. It's a really nice dress and looks a lot more expensive than it is.

So some successes, I've invested in some really good quality T's too which I think drape better over 'difficult' middles (I got them from from Maxmara, Toast, J Crew and Finery) so that might be worth bearing in mind too.

Just need some decent weather now, I've been living in jeans and trousers for weeks anyway!

Might have to wait a bit longer for the nice weather 😂

Here's me, triangle!

Sorry, to say, that was me 10 years ago, to illustrate my triangular nature. My shoulders are still so wide but my waist is a little bit larger!

Thank you, Ilikeyourhairyhands - I think your taste is more daring than mine- maybe that is where I am going wrong! And not being able to rid myself of general lumpiness of shape.....