Please help me design a dress

[GoingBacktoSchool123]

I need a fabulous dress for an important occasion. It is a summer event and will be party outside. I am the hostess so get to stand out. Cocktail dress rather than ball gown and I want to be cool and comfortable so I’m thinking loose rather than fitted, silk or some other lightweight fabric.

Budget unlimited and will probably have something designed and made for me.

I am currently a size 18(ish) at 15 stone / 5ft 7in but hope to lose a couple of stone and get down to a size 16. My biggest area is legs/bottom/hips and I need a small sleeve to cover flabby arms. I am hoping my waist line will return with a bit more weight loss so could emphasis that and I’m quite comfortable showing off a bit of chest. I usually go for a-line to cover my hips and bottom.

I’d be interested in ideas for shape and style. What sort of look should I go for?

I know nothing about designing dresses but this sounds like a fabulous idea!

Have you been round the shops and tried various things on to see if there are any particular details you like?

I do like silk but I find the consequent lack of stretch sometimes makes things less forgiving - especially for things which involve a mixture of standing and sitting, where silk can also end up creased quickly. Would that apply to you?

Check out Vogue 9253 sewing pattern. If you google it you will see many different variations. It'll be the fabric that makes it stand out. If you splash out on some amazing fabric in colours that suit you it can be standout. It's a glamorous and summery design. The neckline is designed to be very low but a dressmaker can adjust it to be slightly higher if you need to wear a bra (if so a Wonderbra plunge type one with a small central band would be best, rather than a balconette type with a thick chest band).

The hemline can be raised or lowered to your most flattering length. Shoes are important as they have an effect on the hemline, not just the heel height but for a flattering calf length overall (and extra glam). Some heel heights/shoes and hemlines can be frumpy but the right combination is really flattering. Don't be put off by ankle strap heels (whether block or stiletto), I find the right ankle strap heel is more flattering than lower/across the foot straps and also an ankle strap is very glam. If you are planning on a heel you'd want to get those sorted before deciding the final hemline. A midi hemline is always good for that type of dress, but ideal midi length varies depending on the individual and the shoes.

Fabric wise I'd look at a fluid fabric like a liquid satin, or a silk devore with a pattern (go a bit bold but still classy). The dress is a simple shape and so it can take a pattern, perhaps better than a solid colour.