Dresses…I need help please

[buddhasbelly]

A v long story short, a few years ago I was the victim of an assault which then brought back memories / trauma from an assault in childhood.

What on earth has this got to do with style and beauty I hear you ask!

Well when this all happened, I switched to wearing huge fleeces and leggings/ jeans. Basically covered up a lot. It felt safe.

Im now doing a lot better and want to start wearing dresses again. But I don’t know where to start.

I’m 5’2” between and 8-12 depending on where I shop. I’m quite big chested.

The thing im struggling with is where a lot of dresses cinch in at the waist because my torso is V short, this bit ends up being at my hips making me look a lot wider than I am. This is the case with petit styles too.

Can anyone recommend any styles that would work for my shape? I used to be quite good at all this but my confidence with it has just gone.

i don’t live in an area where I can try on lots of different styles (v few shops) and the ones that are here are full of polyester, crazy patterned numbers that on a willowy frame would look great. On me they look like I’m an extra on the sound of music.

any help much appreciated! Budget = things at different prices points would be great.

Thank you!

Oh and I’m mid 30s!

New Look has a petite range that could be worth a look.

Thanks @Britpopbaby have had a look just now but not much in their petit range at the moment but will keep checking as new season’s clothes come in

Next has a petite range too https://www2.next.co.uk/shop/gender-women-category-dresses/sizetype-petite?p=1#0

Wrap dresses or fit and flare dresses/skater dresses?

https://theconceptwardrobe.com/build-a-wardrobe/hourglass-body-shape

I’m assuming your hourglass? This is quite a good guide to what hourglass shapes should wear (dresses are towards the end of the article).

I am your shape and I find french connection tea dresses work best on me. ASOS stocks them and I usually keep them in my basket until they come down in price.

Also, Next online has a clearance section (see tab on right hand side of page) where you get good dresses reasonably priced.

@Riverlee that guide is fantastic thank you and yes a lot of what it says makes sense for my figure.

i tried a couple of wrap dresses but find the bit where the fabric would naturally wrap sits too low so will try some in a petit range to see if this makes a difference!

@DelilahJane thank you looking at French connection now.

quite daunting the thought of actually showing off my figure again but really don’t want to hide in fleeces any more!

thanks for the links so far, really helpful.

Also (sorry if this is a stupid question) I’m seeing more brands are doing short / petit versions for some of their ranges.

Are the short/petit versions just shortening the bottom of the dress or are they actually cutting the dress differently to fit a shorter person?

reading that back I realise it’ll be brand dependent so if anyone knows brands that cut their petit ranges for shorter people and don’t just shorten the bottom of the dress that would be great thank you!

My 5ft tall, big chested friend was wearing a black wrap dress with a black vest underneath last night, so maybe that would help you wear wrap dresses?

I presume petite ranges are cut overall to fit rather than just being shorter. I find the tall ranges I wear are.