Which would be the best dress style for my body?

[Keepyourheartopenandyoureyeswideshut]

I have no defined waist and have never liked wearing dresses as a result but as the summers are going to get hotter I really want to find the best style to flatter my body but every dress I've ever purchased ends up in the charity bag because they made me feel so frumpy.

I'm a size 10 but as my measurements are very similar, I'm a very rectangle shaped (B 36B, W 30 H 36) which makes me feel very unfeminine. I have stick arms and legs and often feel like Mrs Potato head!

The pic shows me in my latest disastrous purchase (luckily a cheapy from Vinted). It's comfy but makes me look and feel larger than I am and very grumpy. Admittedly I am wearing a crap vest type bra which has flattened my boobs but it still looks shite.

Any suggestions what would be the best style for my shape? I'd love to look fab in dresses like my friend who has an ample bust, small waist and large hips, every dress she owns looks great on her.

Oops, photo didn't upload. Try again.

I think that dress is lovely on you! You have great legs and arms, maybe tighten your bra straps to lift up your boobs a little? But I think you look great

Btw, I am also a rectangle and I had a style analysis done online by style me happy. I’ll paste the dress advice they gave me below:

Go for styles such as skater dresses or wrap dresses that have a
nipped in waist and if required, you can always add a slim belt for
that extra bit of definition. These styles have an A line skirt which
is a great cut for you as it will sit on your waist then flare out over
the hips and bottom and create that movement and curves we’re
looking for.
A printed dress with a higer neckline are a
great addition to every wardrobe as they’re so versatile! In Summer
you can wear them with sandals/trainers and in Winter, you can
wear with some gorgeous thick tights and boots to keep warm.
Pleated skirts are great for you as they help to add interest, volume
and movement! (can you feel that this is a theme yet? haha).
They’re one of my favourite items for a rectangle shape as they
look great with a t-shirt and trainers for a daytime look. They also
look fantastic with a cami top and heels for an evening outfit!
Maxi dresses are great as they’re going to help to elongate the
body. Edge it up a bit with a biker jacket and boots for winter or
with sandals, trainers and a denim jacket in the summe

I'm not sure why you are so down on yourself, those measurements are pretty close to what is considered optimum. Are you quite short? I agree buying a decent enhancing bra would help. I also think a dress style that fits at the waist and flairs out might suit, A line style.

Have you tried a 50s style? Otherwise look for something designed to flatter an hourglass shape or has some interest at the neck line like a small cowl neck.

It’s the dress, not your body!

The waist is too high and doesn’t sit right.
The length would be better longer or shorter. Knee length is hard to pull off.

You have a nice figure. You might suit a casual, column style dress or midi tshirt dress OR try something to ‘add’ more of a waist - a belted or wrap dress with an A-line or full skirt, in a decent non flimsy material.

Dresses are very poor quality at the moment, sadly. I’m a different shape to you - tall hourglass - and have struggled to find dresses that flatter me for the last few years, so you’re not alone!

I’d also say you’re not a 36B - that would mean your underbust measurement was the same as your hips which I doubt! A better fitting bra would also give your waist more definition. https://www.booborbust.com

Thank you. That's really helpful.

Thanks you. I do like my arms and legs but have never liked my middle area. I suffer from endometriosis and IBS so have always felt large and out of proportion so that probably doesn't help tbh.

I'm 5'5 so fairly average height wise. I definitely need to buy some better bras.

I'll look into 50's styles, I do love the rockabilly look but not sure if I have the confidence but who knows maybe I'll step out of my comfort zone.

Thank you. I'll start looking at other styles. I was hoping the shake of that dress would skim past by endometriosis bloat but I agree it's just enhanced that area more.

Thanks. I have tried the online measurements a d they all come back with 36B. I need a trip to M&S and get measured properly for the first time in my life!

What are your actual measurements? Under bust and around the fullest part? Lots of online calculators still use the old way of measuring which adds inches and is wrong!

If you’re a size 10 you’re probably looking at a 30 or 32 band bra with a bigger cup size than a B

Don’t get measured in M&S.

boob or bust transformed my shape.

I went from a 36 b (like you) to 32e

there are lots of threads on S&B about it.

I carry weight around my middle. I have a belt from accessorize a bit like this which I often wear over dresses and definitely makes the waist look better https://www.accessorize.com/uk/thick-raffia-buckle-belt-natural-32012300015.html

Don’t go to M&S, they’re crap for bra measurements.
boob & bust at home, or an independent lingerie place or Rigby & Peller if you can find one near you.

I went into R&B a 34D and came out a 32E. I’m 5’11 and size 12. No way you’re a 36 inch back.

Try a Nobody’s Child Starlight dress, short or long depending on your preference. They are so flattering and right now in the sale!

If I had your legs I’d wear something like this….

Speaking as someone who is a 36 or sometimes 38 B (when I’m not breastfeeding), you look bigger than a B cup to me, so a correctly fitting bra would likely help. I’m also a rectangle shape (but taller) and I find shirt dresses really flattering, especially ones with no defined waist, just a tie belt.

I'm size 14 and 34F - it's vastly unlikely you as a size 10 are 36B. Just looking at you I can see you're not a B!!

If there's a Bravissimo near you, get measured there. They'll know just looking at you.

Once you have a bra in the correct size, your figure is going to be transformed 😆

That dress is not very flattering and I can't imagine who it would look good on. It's not you, it's the dress! The skirt looks miserly, it looks like they've really skimped on the material.
Something much swishier and fuller would look better and make your waist look smaller in comparison. Maybe a wrap dress or something with ruching or gathering or draping , or with a belt might work better. Alternatively something that is looser and more flowy all over and maybe low necked or strappy to draw attention away from the your least favourite part. I can't see your shoulders in the photo but if you are athletic in build maybe put focus in that area.

It’s definitely not your figure, it’s the dress @Keepyourheartopenandyoureyeswideshut

Don't go with M&S- I went in as a 34G when I was 18 and they measured me as 32B lol the bra didn't even cover my nipples! Try boob or bust. I've been wearing a 36H and recently done it and I came out as a 34J. The bra fits perfectly.

M&S measured me as a 36A for twenty years. An independent shop measured me as a 32F!

For you to be a 36B cup you would need to measure 36 around your ribs underneath your bust and then 38 around the fullest part of your bust. I would suspect you are more likely to be around a 32 band with a much bigger cup , this would certainly help how any dress looks on you

Thank you all for the advice.

I have just put my measurements into the Boob or Bust calculator....30G...wow, can't believe it. I've been wearing a 36 or 38 B for 30+ years!

I'm going to order some bras now.

Wow, still can not get my head around that.