40th Birthday- pub - flat chested

[Lionnose]

I’ve seen lots of great suggestions on here so thought I’d give it a go. It’s my 40th soon. I’m having a party in a pub. I’m very flat chested but have a large tummy from being very overweight as a child, it’s loose hanging skin. I suit dresses that are skater style as I’m very slim around my torso and they skim nicely over my awful tummy but all the dresses I find that flatter my shape are too formal. I want to look hot/chic/sexy but also not feel like a tool wearing something ott in a pub! My friends would wear leather look jeans/leggings and tight shirt type stuff which on their bodies look amazing but would do nothing for me!

happy for any suggestions

basically about an 8 on top and 10/12 tummy. Day to day I wear jeans and t-shirts.

I have a small-ish chest and I don't think a deep v-neck works either. It gapes and you can end up with your bra on display.

Feel like this could go either way for me. Might look fabulous. I might order it and give it a try. Thanks

I like this. Thanks

Darling you are probably gorgeous as you are. You comment about being 'flat chested' resonated with me. I'm a 32AA - doesn't get much flatter than that. But be reassured - I'm now aged 61 & my boobs are where they were when I was 18. My DH loves them-he says that I have the tits of a 17 year old. WOO-HOO!

Thank you for that. My DH mentions that they still look the same as the day we met. It’s just a shame about my tummy from being overweight as a child. I lost it all at 17 and have kept it off but will never forget being asked by a healthcare professional how many children I’d had before I had any so I’m quite sensitive about it!

Those Seasalt dresses are a bit wide of the mark. She's going to be forty and wants to look hot.

Well the Cos dress was so short. I’d feel very uncomfortable in that. I also thought it was boring. Navy is for when you are in your 60s.

I don’t need to show my knickers.

Seasalt is dignified I would say, but each to their own and all that.

Try a loose fitting dress. Tight leather stuff is awful. Be feminine.

I agree. I'm very flat chested which I have always hated, I've found I've never been able to wear vnecks as they gape as I've no bust to fill the top/dress and bra will show, which makes me feel very self conscious. I'm also getting thicker around the middle as I am ageing so feel my belly sticks out more than my bust! I wish they sold dresses with inbuilt padding for us less well endowed women. I wear padded bras but still don't feel it's enough to give me some shape.

Oh no! I was just getting all dreamy-eyed over that blue and black velvet one!!!!!!

I agree with the above - or you could always try a satin or silk tie front shirt, i have a few that i wear with leather look jeans, and the tie part drapes nicely over the lower stomach area to disguise ant lumps or bumps. I agree with other posters too about control underwear, it just gives you a smoother line. Happy shopping and hope you have a fab 40th xx

Def invest in some proper Spanx, total game changer! I like the cycling shorts ones, they go on first then sort of tuck them under your bra to hold them

That dress is way too big for the model. I hope it's not like that on the average person.

I’ve worn Seasalt dresses in my 30s and 40s. Some of them are cut beautifully. You can dress them up or down, so versatile. They’ve gone a bit chintzy floral at times but their geometric prints rare though they are can be really striking. And I have quite a lot of florals too!! Just the lower key ones.

They also wash amazingly well and are ever so comfortable. Classic and timeless and classy.

Thanks for the reassurance I am not a complete dinosaur! Although I am wincing a bit at "They’ve gone a bit chintzy floral at times" because guess which one I automatically zoomed in on 🤩🤪

😆😆
The funny thing is, I feel if it said “Gucci” on the inside, on the label we’d be like yeah, beautiful, high fashion, so nice! £400 can’t afford it!!

So these days I trust my instinct 👍

if you like something just go for it!

And florals can be nice if they are understated. and I’d say they’re not too OTT in that dress! I find all the Seasalt stuff pretty classy/classic. With a pair of suede knee high boots, some sparky jewellery and bag, and an interesting jacket it could be very funky 🤩

I think it is indeed the "chintzy floral" aspect that influenced my comment; I like the colour of the teal version.

I agree it can be too much. You have to sift through the patterns.

I’ve moaned at them a couple of times for more geometric prints and less fussy stuff on social media but they don’t seem to listen! 😆

In fact in recent years they’ve gone more floral chintz than ever. It’s been so disappointing!!!

most of my dresses are from some years ago.

I actually love a floral print but I overindulged during the 2020s trend for it and I'm actively going for other styles at the moment.

Just wanted to update and say thanks for the ideas

I bought the & other stories black dress and it's great. I'm going to start a new thread for accessories

I tried the little lies one and LOVED it. But it was really low cut and my nipples would be hanging out

I tried 2 of the nobody's child dresses - awful fabric - is this usual for them? I haven't bought anything from them before and the balloon sleeves didn't work on me

You sound like a classic pear (like me). Unfortunately, v-necks don’t always work on us.

www.next.co.uk/style/ls264105/e76004#e76004

Me too.