Waist line on dresses seems to always be high nowadays?

[Clotheswoe]

Have others noticed that the waist lines on most dresses at the moment are really high? They seem to be just below the bra, rather than at the actual waist.

I think this has been becoming more and more common over the last few years?

It does suit lots of women.... But not me!

Is it unfashionable for the waist line to be at the actual waist or something? I can't find this anywhere.

Empire line is fashionable at the moment.

I hate it! Empire line is supposed to be flattering but, as I have a big tummy and it’s often bloated, they make me look like I’m about to give birth.

Yes and I HATE it! I have a very defined waist and like to show it off but I’m tall and these clothes just sit around my ribcage and totally obscure my waist area. It’s such a pain

I’m the same, especially with midi length it makes me look like a painted cow.

Looks crap on me too and I'm only a size 6/8 but I have to be so aware of my posture or not be at all bloated or else it just looks like I'm wearing a maternity dress and about 7 months pregnant. I just avoid that style now as it's too much effort to wear them!

Its the same with trousers, I'm short-waisted so they come up to my bust. Makes me look like Asterix.

I have this issue. Not dresses that are designed as empire line, dresses where the waist is suisse to be in the waist but just isn't, it's like a lie of brands are cutting for a shorter torso/ person currently. Enpire line line looks quite nice on me, however, 'waists' that are almost under my bra with hips that are around my waist just look very odd indeed. Have naysayers debuted the population have ? ( have they?)

I'm really happy as for once, the dresses waist line is where my actual waist line is! Hoorah! All those years of having waistbands right where my fattest part is... ugh!

I find the same as @CupOfCoffeeandaPineappleChunk, with all sorts of clothes. I bought a gorgeous Welligogs waisted coat (second hand so couldn’t return, but still expensive), and the waist part is on my ribs, which makes it far too small despite my actual waist being the size stayed on the website 😞 I’m gutted as it’s gorgeous, and there’s no point even buying it in a bigger size, as the rest will just be baggy. I’m not even tall, I just don’t have a short torso!

It makes me wonder whether I'm above average height, or below

Do the dresses from more upscale brands (and limited size ranges) have the same issue?

For many non slim women the smallest circumference in the torso is not the waist, but above the waist.

It's really annoying. Especially for those of us taller than 5'5"

I think they do it either because it saves the cost of another 2" of fabric or maybe they think women don't have waists any more, and so cut dresses to avoid the tummy area.

I make all my own summer dresses now. I have two Armani sun dresses, from my pre-dc days that fit properly, and one evening dress. But I've given up with the high street .

I hadn’t considered that. I was very fat for years, but always had my waist stay in the same place, I didn’t consider that isn’t always the case of course. Partly because I relied on good underpinnings to ensure my waist stayed in the same place mind you 😂 I know it’s annoying when no allowance is made for the change in female shape when sizing up or down. Most places seem to use size 0 fit models, but then make no allowance for the fact that shape, and therefor fit, changes as one gets less thin.

The brand I bought the coat from with the high waist is expensive and made in the UK, with a v good reputation, and it was a small size, plus I know I have a long torso, so I don’t think it’s them, I think I’m just an odd shape :(

I find this, I had come to the conclusion that I have a long, low waist. It’s a very uncomfortable sensation when your waistband hovers an inch or so above where it belongs. But I also heard it’s because all our clothes are now made in Chinese factories, who use the patterns they always used, that were designed for smaller Asian bodies.

Same. I have a high waist/short body so this is good news for me!

High waist are ok on trousers for me but dresses are ridiculous

My waist is lower

I hate it so much. Given up buying dresses online. They all look like maternity dresses. I do better with skirts and a fitted top.

I've had this problem for years, I've assumed that was because I had enormous boobs and they take up the fabric that should go down goes out. I loved it when drop waste was a thing as they Landed on my waist

Hate it. Makes me look frumpy and awkward.

I wonder if it’s designed for an Asian market? Having lived in south east Asia, I often had this problem. Waists tended to sit too high. It obviously wasn’t meant for my long torso!

Western brands never used to be a problem.

I'm 5ft 4 with a short torso. I knew it reminded me of something on the mirror although maybe more obelix.

This! I'm 5 ft 8 with a long waist. I can look good in dresses but most dresses these days make me look frumpy.

Hoping someone will share brands or links for those of us who like the waist on the waist IYSWIM!

This isn’t true.

There are different size charts for different countries. I used to be a designer and spent a lot of time in the Far East. Their sizing is much smaller than a U.K. size.

Also lots of shops set their own sizes. E.g M and S 14 is not going to be the same size as a Primark size 14

Jigsaw dresses seem to fit my longer waist. I find I wear belts to lower the waistline. Sometimes works.

That's true @LoobyDop . It does feel very uncomfortable to have the waist hovering higher than it should be.

I was disappointed to see that these kind of dresses are back for 2024!