Help! What dress?

[Vallan]

I've never worn a dress. Well, primary school was the last time.

I'm 5'1, normal torso but short legs, large boobs, broad shoulders, very narrow hips.

I have a wedding to go to in December and I'd love to wear a dress but I have no idea where to start!

Any advice?

Go to a dept store and try loads on would be my suggestion. Get an idea of what shapes and colours suit you.

I do agree with pp, if you've a less than standard shaped body and aren't used to dresses you need to try a load on.

Possibly something below the knee with tights and boots of the same colour to elongate the leg? The pleated metallic skirt is still everywhere this year, that could be good with a plainer top? Appreciate that's not a dress! Fluted sleeves maybe?

Thank you both! I've tried quite a few but anything I tried looked awful. My big bust with narrow hips are the issue.

Maybe I just don't suit dresses!

I've never tried a skirt, I'll order a metallic pleated one to try, thank you

This sort of shape might be good - minimising your upper half and ‘increasing’ your lower half. (Even if the hem might need shortening.)

& Other Stories

This shape also - again might need shortening but could otherwise be perfect, particularly with the zip lowered:

Me and Em

Have a look at the rest of the Me and Em dresses - many are a similar shape.

It would be helpful if you could give your actual clothing size - and budget.

At just 5'1", you need to shop from petite ranges like this.
https://www.next.co.uk/shop/gender-women-category-dresses/sizetype-petite-use-occasionwear-use-partywear

With big boobs, high necklines are unlikely to work - they can make a generous chest look like a wall.

I'm bigger on the top half, though a different shape to you. I find scoop necks, sweetheart, square and V-necks work for me. Dresses that bare the shoulders don't work well - they can do, but mostly make me look like a boxer.

The only dress shape you can't wear is a fitted style: if it fits your top half it will be baggy around the hips. You can wear straight, A-line, fit-and-flare and smock shapes.

What colours do you like?

Me again! I filtered the Next dresses a bit more for you. If any of these appeal, your choices might help posters find just what you're looking for.

I quite like the Jolie Moi ones with the foil polka dots, and there's a few others I think could work for you. What do you think?

https://www.next.co.uk/shop/gender-women-category-dresses/neckline-squareneck-neckline-vneck-sizetype-petite-sleeve-34sleeve-sleeve-longsleeve-sleeve-shortsleeve-style-aline-style-pleated-style-shift-style-tieredsmock-use-occasionwear-use-partywear

Thank you so much! Sorry, my sizes:

Bust: 34E
Waist 26.5"
Hips 34.5"

I vary between anything from size 6 to 12 (!)

Budget, up to £200

Thank you so much! I'm going to order a few, I'll post updates

Great! Please do update 🙂