What is my dress, for goodness' sake? Help!

[multivac]

Ok, so I am very clueless about clothes. I also have a deluded notion of what I look like - in my head, I'm a lean, androgynous Chrissie Hynde rock chick type, when in fact, I'm 5'3'', middle aged, with pretty shoulders and a nice neck, plus a tendency to carry weight on my hips and thighs. Especially thighs. I'm probably a size 8 on top, 10 on the bottom at the moment. If I were to put on weight, I'd do it Anne Diamond style - all petite head and shoulders on top of a increasingly enormous abdomen.

This leads me to a problem, in that I want to wear dresses (I am so bored with skinny jeans that I suspect don't suit me, and A-line mini skirts, which I think do). I want to wear frocks, dammit! But as soon as I put one on, all I see is dumpy waist and mumsy hips. I'm nearly 50... have I just missed the dress window?

I don't want to do tunics. And I am the living proof that no, actually, everyone DOESN'T look good in a wrap dress.

Oh, also, I am both skint and tight. 😁

Any ideas, wise ones?!

I'm similar and wear smock style dresses

Any links? Honestly, I'm starting from zero here....

www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0915625001.html

www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0908729003.html

www.johnlewis.com/french-connection-elishia-solid-dress-utility-blue/p3913353

This sort of style. I often wear with tights and ankle boots

That is really helpful, thank you!

I find they cover my tummy/thighs and draw attention to my neck area which I prefer

And they aren't tunics!

Exactly. They took me a while to get used to at first but now I love them

I’m early 40s and dresses are my wardrobe go to.

John Lewis, White Stuff and Joe Brown are regular ports of call for a mix of work and weeken attire, some double up as both.

Skater dresses?

Also check out everything5pounds website!

I’m a bit taller, heavier and older than you and def wouldn’t say you have missed the ‘dress window’, in fact you sound like you have a lovely figure. I like Oliver Bonas for dresses, I have the first one and it is really nice on, I’m 5,4, 50 years old and a 10/12 top and bottom. The others look nice too, I think the model is very tall so wouldn’t be quite so short on us shorties.

www.oliverbonas.com/fashion/jacquard-spot-frilled-blue-mini-dress-312647

www.oliverbonas.com/fashion/firework-floral-print-black-frilled-mini-dress-312215

www.oliverbonas.com/fashion/tiered-button-through-black-mini-shirt-dress-319843

I would look at dresses like these - fitted top and flared (not gathered) skirt. Gathering will add bulk to your waist and hips. Flaring draws the eyes down and gives extra room without bulk. I love floaty dresses

Apologies for the length of the links and the dresses being a little more formal. You can get day to day dresses with similar cuts.

www.jjshouse.com.au/A-Line-V-Neck-Knee-Length-Chiffon-Cocktail-Dress-With-Ruffle-016230173-g230173/?utm_term=230173&utm_size=06&ggsub=pl&ggntk=u&ggcid=459155391599&ggkey=&ggpos=&ggdev=m&ggdevm=&ggplm=&ggtgt=&gclid=CjwKCAiArbv_BRA8EiwAYGs23NzFGtlWWVqW-IpIlPB7dXh0ubc7hoUaKjcwIftxlL56q4P45zNS0BoCZtUQAvD_BwE#/

www.jjshouse.com.au/A-Line-V-Neck-Asymmetrical-Chiffon-Cocktail-Dress-With-Ruffle-016237010-g237010/?utm_term=237010&utm_size=06&ggsub=pl&ggntk=u&ggcid=459155391599&ggkey=&ggpos=&ggdev=m&ggdevm=&ggplm=&ggtgt=&gclid=CjwKCAiArbv_BRA8EiwAYGs23C0XNKX7_vN1ghiSZF4sZ_bfCHcdqoYPMlu-pNqHpHmO6WAj4g2XPRoCo_4QAvD_BwE#/

www.wish.com/product/5dc3ddf6cbead710f1e7eae0?from_ad=goog_shopping&_display_country_code=AU&_force_currency_code=AUD&pid=googleadwords_int&c=%7BcampaignId%7D&ad_cid=5dc3ddf6cbead710f1e7eae0&ad_cc=AU&ad_curr=AUD&ad_price=18.00&campaign_id=8688997340&exclude_install=true&gclid=CjwKCAiArbv_BRA8EiwAYGs23ADBghztMyZVNQ-xhvtFS5m8WLo31GZ_n7PxwYad04V5K6RLDk1LhBoC5ssQAvD_BwE&hide_login_modal=true&share=mobileweb

www.jjshouse.com.au/A-Line-Homecoming-Dress-022209543-g209543/?utm_term=209543&utm_size=S&ggsub=pl&ggntk=u&ggcid=459155391599&ggkey=&ggpos=&ggdev=m&ggdevm=&ggplm=&ggtgt=&gclid=CjwKCAiArbv_BRA8EiwAYGs23L0IL7VxHQi7DEx7PTKuNBae1L6KFhxnKvgg4neNRjvzIfoDsDSI_RoCi3sQAvD_BwE#/

You say a line mini skirts look good - google a line dresses / princess line dresses (that's what I googled above)

Yes I am sick of the look and especially skinny jeans
I have loads of dresses which I've been teaming up with tights and dms and baggy coats and cross body bag
I wish I had somewhere to go to wear it 😅

OP, you are slim, fit and totally in the dress zone and probably always will be.

I'm sure you know of Boden for a plethora of dresses, but as an Australian I recommend my go-to designers, Marcs and Gorman. I love these labels. Bought a bunch of Marcs in 2013 (peacoat, wool-knit pinafore, summer dresses, trans-seasonal mini skirt) and am still wearing the hell out of them. Both labels do international postage.

A short dress, tights and boots make a timeless good look. Neat and chic, suitable for the office or for slinging a leg over a bicycle. Personally, I need clothes that do both.

@Mediumred thank you! I will be buying that Bonas dress myself. It's lovely

French brands may help you - they do good neck/shoulders
www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350157307.aspx#shoppingtool=treestructureflyout

Ooooooo you lucky girl. You can shop at Reiss. I love their halter necks.

THANK YOU! You are all brilliant; so much inspiration there :)

Can I add to what @Icdododo suggested? I am same shape, exactly how you describe albeit three inches taller and a dress size bigger. One of the dresses had a tiered structure, this is my go to dress style but for me I try and choose something with with an open neck as I have slim collar bone area and that creates the illusion that everything underneath is slim too... in fact in my case it’s all a bit wobbly below the boob level.

@Procrastatron

Can I add to what *@Icdododo* suggested? I am same shape, exactly how you describe albeit three inches taller and a dress size bigger. One of the dresses had a tiered structure, this is my go to dress style but for me I try and choose something with with an open neck as I have slim collar bone area and that creates the illusion that everything underneath is slim too... in fact in my case it’s all a bit wobbly below the boob level.

Yes I totally agree! I have lots of maxi/midi dresses in the tiered structured and they're so much better as they cling in the right places and are loose in others