Struggling to find something flattering for my shape.

[CitizenZ]

I need a dress for an Engagement party. Nothing too flash I don't think. I'm 50, and menopause has recently made my waistline disappear, so things I would have normally gone for no longer flatter me. I'm also only 5ft 2, so I feel a bit dumpy. Anyone have any ideas for me? I'm lost.

Love that dress! I'm a bit suspicious about the length, though. Sister Jane say their midi dresses are 115cm - 134cm long.

5'2" is 157.5cm. Head & neck is about 28cm for a woman. That makes 130cm from collarbone to the floor! Even with a shorter midi, you're only looking at about 8cm (3½ inches) between the hem and the sole of your foot. The longer midis would be trailing on the floor.

With a voluminous style like this one, it doesn't really matter where the waistline falls - which will be somewhere near the hip bone for a shorter woman. It matters a lot with more fitted styles or dresses with a defined skirt.

Petite ranges are supposed to be created for women under 5'3". On the upside, they can often get away with children's or teen ranges (no VAT)! And get all the best shoe discounts if they have tiny feet 🙂

I find wrap styles very flattering:

https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-twist-detail-wrap-front-pleated-midi-dress-in-forest-green/prd/206786269?affid=29144&freelisting=yes

https://www.quizclothing.co.uk/en-GB/black-black-bardot-ruched-wrap-midi-dress-p-273341

My sister is 5'3 size 12 with long arms & legs (inside leg 31 inches) & a short waist. Petite clothes are no use, especially dress trousers. It often depends on proportions rather than height 🤔

Yes, it does. I’m 5’7. Were I in proportion, I’d be rather tall. As is my legs are a long and my body is a petite.

Very unsuitable suggestions here for the OP's height!!

Have you tried Reiss Petite? There's some dresses in the petite section on sale that might be suitable. This one for example? https://www.reiss.com/style/su429248/ad0125#ad0125
This other one is not petite but it might work:
https://www.reiss.com/style/su373801/e52504#e52504

@IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle i didn’t say she was 6’3”. I said she was 5’8”. I stand by my opinion that the cos outfit is a completely ridiculous choice for a 5’2” person. It looks very difficult to take up - in fact you’d have to take it up from the waistband I think. And even That would be difficult with what looks like a bias cut centre panel. It also, to me, looks like the kind of outfit, skirt and shirt put together, that would make you look like what my mom would call a bag of rags tied together. Cos don’t even show the two items together! I quite like the blouse, as it happens but as an overall outfit?

How are you getting on op? Did you decide if you want separates or a dress / jumpsuit? I think a jumpsuit might work well actually though you might get more value out of separates.

@IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle i didn’t say she was 6’3”.
I was using hyperbole.

I'm 5' 2" I've never had any problem buying and wearing dresses and skirts from Cos.

One of my biggest annoyances in life is that I’m 5ft 1 but size FIVE feet! So I miss out on all the designer show bargains 🤣

Me neither at 5ft 1.

That Cos skirt linked upthread would be trailing on the floor if you were 5 foot 1 ( that’s my height) and the top would be much longer than it appears on the model. I find Cos stuff a hit and a miss (as well as overrated) - very occasionally there’s stuff that fits but it’s cut for someone taller and straighter than me and the proportions are out.

Nurse at my doctors surgery got my height wrong by 2 inches , so you may be taller than 5’2” .
I was surprised, then measured myself with help and a metal tape measure and I am 2 inches taller .

I am also 5’2” and depending on brand wear anything from an 8 to a 12 .
I find some brands the petite are actually a smaller size than the regular size !!
That shouldn’t be the case though, the garment should be the same bust , waist , hip measurements but with shorter shoulder to waist , waist to hip etc .shorter sleeves .
I buy a mix of regular and petite fits .
Depending on your style I’d look everywhere from White Stuff to Fatface to Whistles and Reiss as they all do regular and petite .

I wouldn't opt for the Joanie dresses because of the puff sleeves, personally.

I love cape dresses to hide my tummy and this one is for sale at £65 - although I am guessing if you find a code it will go down further
ginabacconi.com/products/shyla-foil-cape-chiffon-cocktail-dress-wbb9535-na?_pos=17&_sid=a281064ac&_ss=r

Sorry the price on that one changed but this colour is £100 and you would get 15% off for being a new customer
ginabacconi.com/products/shyla-foil-cape-chiffon-cocktail-dress-wbb9506-rp

That first black and white Joanie dress is fabulous and unusual.

Only just noticed that Joanie does exactly the type of platform sandals I suggested to go with the dress (only because the OP said she was feeling ‘dumpy’).

Struggling with the love for joannie, seems like folks promoting them? Are they struggling or something,

Heh. No. I never used to like them, but lately people have linked things I like.
That said, I don't personally do well with puff sleeves.

£80 isn't a lot to cover a body elegantly 🤣🤣

Have a look at Roman Originals they have loads of petite dresses. I would go for a long sleeved, empire line dress in a small pattern or plain fabric in a colour that suits you.

FFS! Which bloody brand am I allowed to mention? The usual demented pile on over Cos, and now I’m accused of working for Joanie?

I’m a former lawyer now in a creative profession that has nothing to do with clothes.

I have never bought or worn anything from Joanie. Indeed I only came across them on MN two or three years ago. Not my style but I’m aware they’re popular with people of a variety of sizes who don’t want to spend much money. If the OP had given a budget of £200 I would have suggested other brands.

Demented pile on over Cos?! Can you point to where they are because I think I’ve missed them - but they sound like fun.

I agree. The thread was derailed with a couple of people objecting to suggestions from Cos. I’m 5ft 2, the sane issues/criteria as the OP and 80% of my wardrobe is from there. Apart from jeans, I don’t need to get hems altered. Thankfully I have the cognisance to know what garments will fit my 5ft 2 height as I’m sure the OP does too.

It’s a pity the thread was derailed as I was following with interest as I’m looking for something to wear to a wedding. Not everything is to my taste eg Joanie or empire lines suggested above but thankfully I have the ability to read posts and decide formal without feeling the urge to argue needlessly about it.

Preciousssd I’d love some of your other suggestions please?

No connection at all. They do interesting clothes at good prices. There's elements from more expensive brands. The black and white dress could be Batsheva or Sister Jane. The Damask dress could be Cabbages & Roses or Klements.