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Need help with dresses!

4 replies

AppleDumplings · 28/08/2024 22:01

Pretty much as the title says! I am 5'9". Size 14 and an hourglass shape. If I wear a maxi dress it always seems like there is too much 'dress'. The only way I've managed to get around this is with white plimsoles and a denim jacket. If I use a belt, all I can focus on are my boobs and hips. If I wear anything midi length I don't know what footwear or top to pair with it and I wouldn't even know where to start with a knee length dress! I am great styling and wearing wide leg trousers and longer length shorts but really want to start to wear dresses without looking too overdone. I'm retired so would err on a more relaxed look. Any help much appreciated!

OP posts:
IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle · 30/08/2024 02:59

Your post is a bit vague so I'm not sure where to start.

What type of dresses do you like? I have several dresses from Palava and would wear them with flat pumps in summer or flat lace up boots and cardigans or tweed jackets.

Perhaps have a look around sites mentioned here? Or just look around at what other dress wearers wear?

IWantedThereThereButItsGone · 30/08/2024 08:03

Goodness me, @AppleDumplings - how have you managed to make 5’9 and hourglass a problem?

Firstly - burn the white plimsolls and denim jacket - they’re holding back your thinking.

Take a look at this dress:

MaxMara wool

The model is apparently 5’10. Clearly her other measurements are smaller than yours but there’s absolutely no reason why anyone (up to a size 14 here but a million other examples are available in larger sizes everywhere) should not be able to wear this type of dress.

You’re presumably shopping for autumn? There isn’t a single type of boot I can think of that wouldn’t work with this. Knee high, mid-calf, ankle, pull on, laced, zipped. Purple suede, silver foil … (I’d stick to black or brown leather that can be satisfyingly polished for years.)

It doesn’t need a belt. (Though some people might wear it with one.) You could load it with jewellery or wear it unadorned. With a thin t shirt or shirt beneath, or a huge chunky cardigan above. It will look fabulous with a winter scarf. You could try it with your trousers.

There may be reasons why you won’t want to try this dress. Cost, woolliness, colour, exact sizing, general trepidation. Find a different version if you like. But I can’t think of an easier dress to wear.

(I am of retirement age, though not, and ruthless about my wardrobe.)

IWantedThereThereButItsGone · 03/09/2024 05:17

Oh - it’s a shame you didn’t come back to your thread, @AppleDumplings.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 03/09/2024 07:57

I'm 5'8" and size 16/14. I find midi fairly unflattering. Knee length is much better, and better still with a semi fitted top half.

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