6 dresses delivered. 6 dresses returned ☹ Why does everything look so crap on me?! Help!

[Rumcocktailextrarum]

Hi,

Honestly, I'm feeling really quite low about this now. I seem to have a really awkward shape for dressing and nothing seems to flatter me!

I'm 5ft 8", size 10, high waist, curvy hips, but little bum and thighs and quite broad shoulders- better know as, the inverted triangle and quite frankly, for clothes, it sucks.

I have good legs and a decent figure, but there are only a handful of items that look good on me.

I ordered a load of dresses from Dorothy Perkins, which were actually quite firmly in my comfort zone - I.e, fit and flare/skater, no shoulder pads or puff ball sleeves etc, but they ALL looked shit on me Already packed up, ready to return.

My wardrobe is so dull. Please help! I need everything really. Trousers, casual and going out, skirts, dresses, jackets etc.

Would massively appreciate some of your suggestions! I'm 37 btw, but a youngish one...I think. I would say I look more early 30's, but then maybe dressing for your age is a think of the past anyway 🤷‍♀️

TIA

That is my most flattering skirt too, @IvorCutler and @lindyloo57 ! I’m an inverted triangle and petite but have long legs for my height. I also like the Rouje midi skirts which are a similar shape. I’m looking for a warmer skirt for winter, any good recent purchases?

I agree that slightly a line without pleats is the way to go. I often wear cropped tops (which finish at the waist for me since I’m short waisted) rather than tucking things.

I'm 61, so can't do short dresses, I can in winter with thick tights, I have a long body with short legs, and find it very hard to find things I like. I do like wide trousers ( not to wide) in the summer, winter is my hardest months for clothing, I seem to end up in jeans, leggings with a shirt to cover the bum, or short dresses.

@TheWelshposter, I really like the third dress, but high necks just don't tend to suit me, unless the bottom flares out quite a bit.

You're right, high necks just make everything look wider don't they.

We need an Inverted Triangle support group

I look fat in everything now at a size 14 but when I was a ten with a similar shape to you I found that shift dresses, like 1960s style but with a decent A line to me always worked really well. The simplicity around the shoulders coupled with the slight triangle of the skirt really evened me out.

I also have this french connection tea dress in a billion different colours and it works for my shape also www.asos.com/french-connection/french-connection-meadow-jersey-printed-mini-dress-in-black/prd/200243057?affid=25897&_CjwKCAiAvriMBhAuEiwA8Cs5lfAkG_PWS2vemfAKHtbk3NOhH9MKtV-SjLatwgSIV41K1c7cy3a92BoCQtoQAvD_BwE&channelref=product+search&ppcadref=12029787983%7c117574734673%7cpla-361282089597&gclid=CjwKCAiAvriMBhAuEiwA8Cs5lfAkG_PWS2vemfAKHtbk3NOhH9MKtV-SjLatwgSIV41K1c7cy3a92BoCQtoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Shift dress example: www.oasisfashion.com/geo-textured-print-shift-dress/AAA05725-585-18.html?istCompanyId=89a42311-7c14-4438-979c-99dc2ff54bb6&istFeedId=2723e24d-20bd-4ec2-88a6-01c9b3dc43b0&istItemId=pitwtxwlx&istBid=t&gclid=CjwKCAiAvriMBhAuEiwA8Cs5lekMoePcHzIKl52lQ1vHCBiPv11ARfcaG2FXKFr-NiP5Va4A5s_mLRoCnrkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

If I were you @Rumcocktailextrarum I’d pay for ASOS Premier delivery which gives you free delivery and returns, and order loads of different t things you like the look of. You can try them on at home, and at the least it will give you an idea of what you’d like nowadays!

Would something like this work? Someone recommended it on another thread

Oops! ASOS khaki wrap dress

@TheWelshposter yes to a inverted triangle support group.
I have a sixty style dress from primark it's green animal print with a small polo neck it's sleeveless, to just above the knee, I wear it with a thin polo underneath .
@thedaythemusicdied, I might order the oasis dress.

Hi, I recently had my style done with a house of colour consultant. They measure your proportions and take your personality into account aswell. I left with a recommendation of what style would suit me. What neckline, where to have pockets. For example my thighs are out of proportion to the rest of me so I can't have pockets there. They tell you what jewellery would suit. I love big earrings but they've never looked quite right on me and she recommended smaller earrings.
It was quite expensive but it was so worth it because I was buying stuff then not wearing it and I didn't really know what suited me.
I had my colours done first but I'm sure that you can have style without that.

Try Next. They have hundreds of dresses online that they don't sell in their stores. They have ranges from Girl in Mind, Lipsy, AX Paris and loads more.

I was looking for a dress for a wedding guest recently and I was amazed at the range.

That dress is exactly the shape I would choose. Us Inverted Triangles know what suits us, great minds and all that...

@thedaythemusicdied, thanks. Really like those dresses.

@WouldBeGood, hmm not sure about that one. I do like it, but worried it might look a bit dressing gown on me.

@mrsjackrussell, whereabouts was this? Also how expensive are we talking?

@MadeForThis, I've never really got on with Next, but there does seem to be a lot of dresses online, you're right. Shall have a look.

Fellow inverted triangle ladies, I think I may have found the WORST dress for us....

www4.next.co.uk/style/st961859/T30130#T30130

OP my body measurements are almost identical to yours.

For occasions, I find fitted midi dresses the most flattering. Pencil skirts and 3/4 trousers with fitted tops are also flattering.

The floaty type dresses with big sleeves are fine in summer months with flat sandals and pumps.

I agree with the poster who stated tops worn over skirts/trousers look frumpy. I feel more polished when my tops are tucked in.

I am a good few years older than you and find the cheaper end of high street stores are no more appropriate for me. Whilst I could get away with H&M, Dorothy Perkins, New Look in my 20's, the lack of detail to the cut and fit are far more apparent and unforgiving.

In my dream world, my wardrobe would be from Jigsaw, Joseph, All Saints etc but unfortunately my disposable income does not allow for this.

@Rumcocktailextrarum

https://www.houseofcolour.co.uk/
There's a search on there to find your nearest consultant.

It costs £320 on your own and lasts for around 3 hours. With a friend or a group £220.

It seems a lot but was so worth it to me as I know what's suits me and I'm not wasting money buying clothes just to sit in the wardrobe.

I had my colours done before this aswell. Everyone keeps complimenting me which is nice and a confidence boost.

I agree spending a bit more, not high end, will give a better fit, I used to buy from the cheaper end shops but now I need better quality clothing, I sometimes do venture in these shops when shopping with my DD, was in newlook and bought a fitted stretch shirt, didn't try it on, I brought the 14 as its better to size up in cheaper clothing, well it didn't fit i would of needed the 16 or 18, I wear a 10 in marks jeans , and a 10 or 12 for tops, the primark dress I mentioned earlier which I have had 3 years, i sized up but took the hips in slightly.

@mrsjackrussell I've had style sessions with ColourMe Beautiful and HousesofColour and they both agreed that dressing was difficult for this type of body and the best options were:

Suplice dresses
kimono dresses
wrap dresses
coat dresses
A line dresses
Dropped waist dresses
One shoulder dresses
Strapless dresses
Halter neck dresses

All in thin, fluid fabric (so as not to add bulk)

The problem is, nobody makes them at the moment and you cant buy what isnt in the shops.

I'll be so glad when fashion changes and we lose all the high necked, puff sleeved, frilly nightie, prairie dresses.

Also, at 38, OP needs to move away from ASOS/New Look/Primark etc. into better made, more flattering, timeless stuff. A neat fit across the shoulders is key for this shape.

The only thing with kimono tops/ dresses, is i always feel they make me look top heavy, I do like a halter neck, strapless, and one shoulder, these for me are summer styles, as I said its winter dresses I struggle with.

I'm not quite the same shape but do have the broad shoulders and strapless and halterneck are complete no nos. They may me look like a weightlifter!

@oviraptor21 they can do if you dont have bony shoulders. Its one of the reasons I try to keep my weight down and avoid shoulder exercises.

@lindyloo57 the trick with kimono tops/dresses is to make sure that the shoulder is set in and there's no bat wing going on, as that can make you look bigger. So a wrap top with a ling flared sleeve essentially.

'long' not ling.

@TheBullfinch it's definitely good to learn to sew and make your own stuff if you're not a standard shape.