Waist but love handles - I want a pretty dress, but end up in sacks!

[Gentleness]

I'm an hourglass shape, but in lockdown I've ballooned to a size 20/22 below the waist. I have proper square love handles, and a big tummy. I can't wear jeans unless they are soft enough to allow me to cinch the waist in a lot with a belt, so leggings are my best friends right now.

I'd like to wear longer tops but do I choose baggy tunics or try to show my waist a bit more, just show my right-angle love handles off at the same time?

I'm fairly busty, 36HH and short if that helps. I saw someone post this and I would love to be able to wear it but won't it look awful?

www.weirdfish.co.uk/p/women/i/tallahassee-organic-cotton-printed-jersey-dress-ensign-blue-18425?utm_source=Affliate_Window&utm_medium=cpa&utm_term=AffliateID&utm_campaign=Campaign&sv_campaign_id=78888&sv_tax1=affiliate&sv_tax3=Skimlinks&sv_tax4=mumsnet.com/content&sv_affiliate_id=78888&awc=6069_1622812644_3ac4a9626ac3fa4e7d5eb81062802c8a

Although I'm a size 8/10 I can sympathise with your problem. After I had my first kid I was a size 18/20 and although I have lost the weight, unfortunately I haven't lost the loose skin which means I have massive square love handles and a belly pooch. I have exactly the same issue with jeans. I'm an hour glass as well, and wouldn't wear that dress because it's just too tight and unforgiving around the middle. I also think it would be a bit tight in the busy area. Private my better suited to a pear or rectangle shape.

Have you tried belted dresses? I feel like a belted maxi shirt dress would look good on you. You want to draw attention to the slimmest area which is your natural waist. Choose flowy fabrics that skim over the hips and bang nicely. Because if your hang up is your love handles and tummy area then a figure hugging dress isn't the right thing for your figure.

Try a fat face Simone dress in an 18. They come up one if not two sizes big. They are not a sack and they have shape, but it’s subtle shape that skims. Plus they have pockets. They look very sacklike on the models but ignore that as they’re so slender and probably wearing 8/10 which is more like 12/14. I’m a very booby size 16 and a 12/14 is a good skimming fit on me and very flattering.

@Mykittensmittens

Try a fat face Simone dress in an 18. They come up one if not two sizes big. They are not a sack and they have shape, but it’s subtle shape that skims. Plus they have pockets. They look very sacklike on the models but ignore that as they’re so slender and probably wearing 8/10 which is more like 12/14. I’m a very booby size 16 and a 12/14 is a good skimming fit on me and very flattering.

I've just taken a look and that looks like a better option because the skirt is a flowy more flared cut, but still a t-shirt type of dress. Much more forgiving

@Mykittensmittens I like the Simone dress, but that neck looks pretty high to me. High necks make me look more matriarchal than I'd like - that expanse of fabric looks huge...

@WineGetsMeThroughIt you are speaking sense, it is not going to work for me. Belted dresses are tricky as if I do the belt up properly it looks bunched, and if I leave it looser it just looks a bit wrong. Maybe I am picking the wrong ones.

(and thanks both!)

[quote Gentleness]@Mykittensmittens I like the Simone dress, but that neck looks pretty high to me. High necks make me look more matriarchal than I'd like - that expanse of fabric looks huge...

@WineGetsMeThroughIt you are speaking sense, it is not going to work for me. Belted dresses are tricky as if I do the belt up properly it looks bunched, and if I leave it looser it just looks a bit wrong. Maybe I am picking the wrong ones.[/quote]

I can have that same problem too if the dresses are cut too straight down. They need to come in at the waist slightly, or be a thinner almost sherry flowy fabrics with a lining underneath so the fabric doesn't get too bulky.

What about something like this style (not saying this exact dress). www.asos.com/prd/22149313

Or this one? www.asos.com/prd/22925228

I love that second one! How are you finding them - what kind of search terms?