Help me to understand shape please

[Brachytherapyquestions]

I bought the Nobody's Child Alexis dress on a whim and the shape really suits me (apart from the sleeves but the shoulders are good).
Photos:
https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/yellow-floral-alexis-midi-dress?variant=43938375139499&utm_source=NMPi&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PaidSearch&gad_source=1&gclsrc=ds

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-floral-v-neck-midi-tea-dress/p/clp22593598?prevPage=srp#intid=pid_pg2pip45g2r13c1|prodflag_Online%20Only (Might be too big on the model? It's much more fitted on me.)

When I look at dresses in future what features am I looking for? I can see it is a v-neck, extra buttons at the bust which helps as usually everything gapes, it is midi length. What about the shape of the body and the skirt? It's lined too so it feels quick thick and heavy but in a good way. That also seems to mean that when the last 2 buttons are undone the skirt sticks out even more which makes the shape even more nicely (although fully buttoned is flattering too).

So how would you describe this shape (or cut?) so I can better understand what to look for. Anything I should observe regarding the materials? If relevant: I'm average height with a disproportionately large bust (but not extremely) and wide hips. I do definitely have a waist when viewed from the front but side on I have a wee bit of a tummy. This dress skims that somewhat.

I’m shaped abit like you I think as I have a large bust (30F) small waist. I have average hips. I take a size 12 or medium on top and 10 on bottom

If you have the problem that a 10 for example is gaping on boobs but fits everything else and the next size up is like a sack, a dress like this suits you because the shirred or elasticity of the waist. Plus the v is flattering to a bigger chest, the a line skirt skims hips

Shirred waist - aha! Thank you!

that shape might be known as the ' princess' shape, or 'fit and flare'. And yes it is very becoming. V-neck is flattering on a big bust, and the fact is that it is lined will make the skirt 'fall' beautifully and move around you as you walk. Personally I don't like the big bows as I find it too girlish. But it is a lovely dress and shape.

You could also look for 'bodice'

I like this shape too. Its gorgeous in pale blue and cream.

I also like that it has proper set-in sleeves rather than droopy dropped shoulders, grown-on sleeves or raglan style. So if it fits you across the shoulders it'll look nice and neat and the rest will hang nicely.

I have the same dress in a different colour and find it very flattering. For me I think it's the nipped in waist, the covered buttons, the deep V neck, and the sleeve length.
If I was searching for this type of dress I'd search for tea dresses. Jigsaw often have nice ones.

You could have a look at:

Doen

Hill House Home

Justine Tabak

Plumo

which each have dresses with some of the elements you’ve listed. They’re all more expensive (new) than Nobody’s Child - to an extent you get what you pay for, though it’s not proportionate. See what you think.

The style of the dress in the picture is "Empire line", It has a raised waistline.

Thanks to all for your help!

@ThewaytoAmarula set-in sleeves is helpful to know. I had never noticed before today what a difference the shoulders make. The bows on the sleeves don't look great on me as they are quite fussy. But the actual shoulders sit very nicely.

Respectfully, this dress is not 'Empire line'. Empire line has the bodice ending just under the bust, with the skirt falling straight down from the bust, hiding the waist. The dress the OP is wearing shows the waist, though it does have the bust part ending under the bust. In fact, the dress is constructed in three parts; the bust (with pleats), the bodice and the skirt

This is an Empire line dress. You see the skirt starts straight under the bust and flows down 'ignoring' the waist The second dress is a modern version of it

I don't think your images worked? I'd love to see them.

Agree. It's not empire line. On me it's a fitted bodice/waist.
@Brachytherapyquestions if you like the dress but not the sleeve detail, they have versions with a plain sleeve. Mine doesn't have the tie detail.

I would call this a midi tea dress - the shape suits me too!

Yes this would flatter my shape and I’m an hourglass ( with a bit of a pooch now sadly). Probably the main element you like is the fit on the waist which we haven’t seen a lot of over the last few years. The length of those sleeves would cover up an area that a lot of women would feel self conscious about and the V neck ( as someone has already said) is helpful for bigger busts. It’s possibly a bit short for my taste although it’s pretty classic tea dress length. It’s not an Empire line though.

As a pp said, there are 3 parts to the construction. There is a curved seam just under the bust, then a flat panel below it (which is shirred at the back) then another seam at the waist, which encourages the skirt to flare out.

That’s why it’s not empire line - empire line doesn’t have a waist seam at the waistline.

I find that the issue with this shape is generally whether the bust fits - if it’s too small, there’s nowhere from which the dress can ‘give’ , so it pulls or gapes. The shirring helps here.

I think I suit these too. If I take measurements I'm still technically hourglass (although only just, thanks post 40 waist spread 😑). But to look at my shoulders and bust are more obvious than my hips and waist. When I was younger I suited bodycon. Now something like this gives the illusion of slightly bigger hips / smaller waist, to balance out the boobs and shoulders.

My problem is neither bodycon nor tea dresses particularly feel like "me".

I'm an hourglass leaning pear and this is my preferred dress shape. Wrap dresses would also suit you if this good.

op, if you've found a dress that fits you so perfectly, you should try and buy it in a few more colours. maybe the darker one for the winter, which would look great with tights and boots.

I have a 'difficult' shape, and find it hard to get clothes that fit me in that way where you just put it on and it works. When I find clothes like this I buy them in multiples. I finally found the perfect jumper. I bought 5 of them and they work with everything. I hope to never be without one.

I'll try again..... This is the original Empire dress, the bodic stops under the bust and the skirts flows down

It’s a just a tea dress, fitted bodice, higher waist line, flared bottom. Flattering shape on most.

François Gérard (1770-1837), Portrait of Josephine de Beauharnais, 1801, oil on canvas, 178 x 174 cm/70 x 68.5 in. Hermitage Museum, Russia I can't seem to add a photo. But here is the original empire line dress, when it first arrived as a fashion, worn by the Empress of the Empire that it refers to. You see how the bodice ends under the bust, and the skirt flows from there. In the UK, this would be known as 'Regency' style, and you see it a lot in Jane Austen films.

This?

Yes. Tx How did you do it?

On my phone I tap ‘Add image’ beneath the box I’m posting in. That takes me to my photos - where I select the image I have already stored there. (Do crop the photo first so it only shows what you want it to show.)