Want to wear more dresses. Have no idea what would suit me.

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Here I am 56- 5’ 4”- pretty flat chested and boxy in shape.
love dresses on other people- especially the floaty type that can be dressed down.
I am scared I will look like I am wearing a nightie. Would love change from trousers though very now and again.
if you are kind of my shape and height what style do you choose? What shops are good?
🙂

I’m 5ft 6 and a 10-12 but narrow shouldered and no boobs to write home about. I find shirt dresses with a belt suit me quite well and nothing too flouncy or the dress takes over me! I’ve got a few from fat face and crew clothing that have been good for smart casual work wear.

https://www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/dresses/product.gathered-sleeve-mini-shirt-dress-purple.1202027002.html

For example, this style in my view works best on the small of boob, as there is nothing to compete with the straight lines of the dress. It's not really about trying to look thinner/taller, but finding something which seems in harmony with your body and vibe.

I would fear the cabbage and rose one would swamp me.

Totally.

I am petite and live in dresses, so think I know a thing or two before even trying on. The sheer amount of fabric on that dress would make someone my size a walking parachute.

I tend to wear vicose or jersey (slimming and relaxed), A-line, avoid pleats. Love midi dresses, which can come down to maxi for me. The fashionista looks don't work on my short frame, nor do trousers. I avoid polyester, cotton and linen. Polyester because it can look cheap and flammable. Cotton and Linen is to be avoided if they require ironing.

It is perfectly fine to buy from high street brands like New Look (they have a good selection currently), M&S, Boden, Zara, Uniqlo, Coast, Phase Eight and Asos.

OP, get a sense of your style (we are all different) before investing. You can online shop and return those that don't suit.

I'm looking for work dresses, rounded neck, nice patterns, not too expensive.

What do you wear on your feet in winter?

Mostly Merrell walking shoes. Or walking boots. Or a pair of black ankle boots but they wouldn't work with a dress... I'm short with sturdy calves and the boots with skirt thing just doesn't work for me. I've got awkward feet nowadays so it's hard to find any footwear other than walking styles and sandals which fit properly.

I will try not be self deprecating- just honest here.
i have long arms and legs and a short torso- ribs are prominent and ‘short’. Having something with a normal waist line rarely works because my waist line is high. When I have tried to define my waistline with belts I don’t think it looks great- as it accentuates the proportions
and strangely makes me look even more boxy- also can’t abide having belts round my waist, probably because it annoys my rib cage?!
I think I would feel more comfy in a higher or dropped waist or even something A line to balance me out.

I like that style!

I don’t want to spend more than £50- certainly not initially, until I find out what works and whether I feel good and comfortable wearing it.
I am more than happy to browse charity shops 🙂

I only clicked on the first one but THE PRICE!!! And it kind of looks like it’s been ironed wrong (I have no sense of style though perhaps).

@BreatheAndFocus we have a sea salt in my town. I will check it out. I prefer plain to patterned tbh. I do wonder whether I have just put myself into a box and decided that my shape makes me too un feminine to be doing with soft patterns? I know I need to explore
more though.

I have to say there is no way I would pay that kind of money- I also haven’t got that kind of money to spend anyway.
l will defo looks at that great list and explore the kind of styles .
i think going in store and trying on is the first think I will need to do. This will give me an idea of works works and what doesn’t style wise- then I can explore online.

I got a few dresses in that style, without the billowy sleeves. Smocks also work well.

Very comfy because there is no waist. Hides the mum tum.

Check out New Look: https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/c/uk-womens-clothing-dresses

Choice of plain dresses, under £50, in different colours. Shirt dresses, drop waist, high necks (for small of boob).

I used to wear a lot of pattern but now prefer plain dresses which you can spruce up with accessories.

@blueshoes they look good!

New Look’s winter offerings for dresses have been surprisingly good this year - I’ve bought 3 or 4 recently for work and have had them in pretty heavy rotation since. They are cheap, so easy to try different styles without feeling like it’s too much of an investment.

I’d recommend going in store and actually looking at the material etc as there are some which are a bit shiny/flammable, but there are also some viscose/jersey ones which are very nice.

In terms of style, shirt or smock-type dresses are pretty safe to start with and suit almost everyone in one form or another.

I think you need to determine your body shape and go from there. I suspect an atheletic shape. Also knowing your colour palette helps also.

i got a body analysis done a few years ago. One of the best things ever. Really helped me to find clothes that suits me.

https://www.stitchfix.com/women/blog/fashion-tips/find-fit-for-your-body-type/

Some affordable dresses from Next, who I think like M&S have greatly improved .

A few more

Or cottage core! Ugh.

There are some plain dresses in Seasalt but I tend to go for the patterned ones. Not sure why. It’s certainly not confidence. I suppose I think they enhance things rather than a more stark single colour where the emphasis is on my face. Some of the patterns I have are quite subtle and small, like a little tracing of leaves. They also make my tiny bust less obvious.

Anyway, as someone who struggles to find dresses to fit me, I’m very pleased I’ve found them. As you’re a bit taller than me, you might be ok with the regular length. You’d get a little more choice then. Now I know what styles suit me, I tend to look for those just in different patterns/sleeve lengths.

Nobody 's child have a number of different style cord dresses.... you may like this one:

https://www.nobodyschild.com/green-cord-peggy-mini-dress.html

Or this:

https://www.nobodyschild.com/green-piper-cord-pinny-mini-dress.html

Boden have a 70% off sale right now - their dresses start from £15 and they have lots under £40. You could order a few (free postage over £50) to try on and return (free) if you don't like them. Here are a few, all under £50.

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/sleeveless-jersey-shift-dress-ivory-tulip-blush/sty-d0616-ivo?cat=C2_S2

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/racer-neck-jersey-mini-dress-black-exotic-tile/sty-d0614-bla?cat=C2_S2

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/tie-neck-mini-dress-black-tropic-charm/sty-d0440-blk?cat=C2_S2

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/sleeveless-mini-shift-dress-black/sty-d0464-blk?cat=C2_S2

I recently got 6 Spring/Summer dresses in the sales. Each should have been around £70/£90 and I got them half price or less. I felt so out of my comfort zone (normal wear is skinny jeans and jumper/t-shirt) but was delighted with my dresses and felt really feminine for once!
Same age/shape/height to you so avoid📧
Heavy pleats around the waist (soft folds are great though)
Anything boxy/baggy/oversized
Cross-over styles
Thick material (just adds bulk to your smaller frame)

I recently wore this dress out with cowgirl boots, black belt and jacket and looked great, felt confident - https://www.next.co.uk/style/SU047740/158870?dp=a&dndl=1&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAk9itBhASEiwA1my_6zxesczCNORW3uKiyWLR6QS-xEtvpNWRm9QUtvBs3wGHB8_0m5812RoCoEsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#158870

Thank you! I have a fear of pleats- probably stemming from the school skirts I had to wear. Spent hours trying to iron them back in and never succeeding and so the skirts looked awful.
why would pleats not suit our frame?
I love that next dress- the colours are spot on for me!
how is it size wise? I used to be a solid size 8 but weights training has certainly added at least a size on me. I think I will try a size 10

If you have a large department store nearby that offers a personal shopping service then I would try that. Particularly if it has lots of concessions you will save yourself the bother of tripping round lots of stores and will be able to do comparisons easily. The shopper should work to your budget and shape.