Dresses for hourglass figures

[bigkahunaburger]

Hi, so this honestly isn't a stealth boast before people come at me (been accused of that before on here and Im way too ancient for that malarky). I want to embrace my figure. Im 50, Im a healthy weight (BMI 22), but I have an extreme hourglass figure. Huge boobs (34gg), flat stomach and small waist (27 inch), not a huge arse but still I go in and out - but I have really chunky arms and chunky legs, so I like to cover both ideally or at least the tops of them. Im tall too - 5' 10.

I feel I do look a loads slimmer when I have something really fitted around my middle that emphasises my waist but also flat tummy. If i don't because of my other proportions I just look fat and frumpy, and Im not.

So can anyone advise of nice dresses I could buy? 50s ones that go out at the waist dont really suit me. I bought the infamous strawberry dress from Cider thats all over tiktok currently and it fit me PERFECTLY - and I have had so many compliments and people asking me if ive lost loads of weight ( I haven't) so this has prompted me because clearly Im not dressing well for my shape. This dress covers the top of my arms, fits on my boobs but is tight right down to the hips. Where can I find other dresses like this??

Anyone with the same issue? Im very Christina Hendricks (sadly without the gorgeous face, hair or the money or the desire to wear high heels - which I simply cant do as I walk like im pissed in them).

Help me style gurus! :) This dress has made me feel like a goddess and now Im addicted and want to make more of an effort.

That looks like the opposite of what I'd go for as a tall hourglass - the high waist, vertical trim over the bodice, Boden generally not cutting for boobs (though I'm 36H rather than 34GG so there's more to fit in there) to the point that sizing up still doesn't work. Have you tried it as one yourself?

I wish Pepperberry still existed! Bravissimo did their clothing range for a while but then stopped (although I did find a lot were still too short)

i just did a search on Shein for wiggle dresses and midi fishtails. Spoilt for choice there. And I thought with a pair of red Mary Janes, it will look good. Im looking at low cut but with capped sleeve type. There are some really pretty ones.

OP apologies have stated elsewhere in the thread, but if you like this shape you should look at Nobody’s Child dresses.

This is a very specific, vintage look. Is that what you’re after OP?

Is it? No not particularly- I want dresses that flatter my figure and flat shoes cos I can’t cope with heels. I need day dresses as I walk about a lot. I usually wear gazelles in summer and do a in winter . I don’t know what footwear I should wear with those dresses. That strawberry one I wore white converse but it felt wrong but I don’t have anything else

@bigkahunaburgerwhat size did you buy in the Cider strawberry dress in please?
I'm the same chest size as you & would normally have steered clear as can’t fit my chest in anything that style! Thank you x

You could maybe ask a dressmaker to copy the strawberry dress?
Also, I always notice what Victoria Coren Mitchell wears on Only Connect, she is a similarly hour glass shape. It seems that the ideal is a scoop or v neck, but not too low, fitted waist, a line or panelled skirt to about midi length.

Katya Wildman (used to be Bombshell) dresses are for hourglass figures, I have 3 of hers, did buy in sale though as they are £££. Beautifully made though.https://katyawildman.com/products/3-4-sleeve-confident-tahitian-red-rose-stretch-cotton-copy

I got a 10 and I was blown away that it fits - comfortably - on boobs. Which is shocking. And Im 32/34gg.

That was to PP who asked what size I got in the strawberry dress.

I know others said to size up though if you have a tummy because it is very clingy on the waist and hips.

I’m similarish to you- although got a bit of a belly at the moment.

i disagree with the old big bloods shouldn’t wear high neck advice- I always feel obscene in a v neck or scoop neck top, wrap dressed are the ultimate frump for me. I prefer a boat neck or off the shoulder

I have a dress similar to this boden one which is the most flattering for me. www.google.com/search?q=boden+fitted+ruched+dreas&sca_esv=268db066230913fc&rlz=1CDGOYI_enGB734GB737&hl=en-GB&ei=diGSaJf-GKeahbIPxsSJ0A4&oq=boden+fitted+ruched+dreas&gs_lp=EhNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwIhlib2RlbiBmaXR0ZWQgcnVjaGVkIGRyZWFzMgcQIRigARgKMgcQIRigARgKMgUQIRifBTIIEAAYgAQYogQyBRAAGO8FMgUQABjvBTIIEAAYogQYiQUyCBAAGKIEGIkFSJgqUK4HWOAncAN4AZABAJgBd6ABowmqAQQxNC4xuAEDyAEA-AEBmAISoAKFCsICChAAGLADGNYEGEfCAgIQKcICBRAhGKABwgIEECEYFcICBRAAGIAEwgIGEAAYFhgewgIIEAAYFhgKGB6YAwCIBgGQBgiSBwQxNi4yoAeeW7IHBDEzLjK4B_gJwgcGMC4zLjE1yAdE&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp&pvf=EgsIktH5ARDwi9zhAw#piu=ps:6&oshopproduct=gid:11438392715584244422,mid:576462863214780064,oid:8707840841556146908,rds:UENfMTE0MzgzOTI3MTU1ODQyNDQ0MjJ8UFJPRF9QQ18xMTQzODM5MjcxNTU4NDI0NDQyMg%3D%3D,pvt:a,pvo:3,pvf:RWdzSWt0SDVBUkR3aTl6aEF3&oshop=apv&pvs=0

Oh my god I love this thread!!! Also I want bigger boobs! Some of the dresses here are fab but you can tell from the models that they need more cleavage (from a jealous size a!!!) Hope you find more lovely dresses op!!

Seconding Nobodys Child, lots of dresses with waists and sleeves. Anthropologie and Aspiga also worth a look especially in the sales.

Reformation, although not many with sleeves.

Pretty Dress Company for more dressed up
dresses, incl wiggle dresses if you want.

Boden dresses often have waists. Or Phase Eight.

Thankfully after years of tent dresses, waists are back!!

Oh yes Bravissimo clothes were great! They had a good cut as well - not too high on the chest, which so often looks awful on boobs of my size. There are lots of Bravissimo clothes on vinted though which could be worth a look.

Thanks guys.

Currently eyeing this one up as I have a big party to go to next month. Do you think this can be worn with red mary janes?? I just cannot do heels.

Its lush isnt it Paxos White Polka Dot Ruched Short-Sleeve Midi Dress – Club L London - UK and will cover the bingo wings.

Woah! That is smokin!

greyskysummer is it too much for a 50 year old? Im a size 10. But I do have very very chunky calves. Will that matter? Chunky bingo wings but they will be hidden with this. Is it too young/sexy for my age?

Katya Wildman clothing might suit you. Have a look at her website.

I think Ghost dresses would suit you well https://www.marksandspencer.com/satin-v-neck-button-through-midaxi-tea-dress/p/clp23019721?color=GREEN&extid=ps_ps-pla-pmax_ggl_3pb_ch__-UK-_-_womenswear&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22697911888&gbraid=0AAAAAD7g6bTFgEb-Ted5xHfR_UroHdJAU&gclid=Cj0KCQjw18bEBhCBARIsAKuAFEa9VfrmEKpLOOYqkP_qTk0Jvzc21jVG9BlGmaR5g2eXF50fY0D6pKwaAscHEALw_wcB love the green one!

No, but there’s plenty on vinted/ebay. I have a look every now and again and I’ve had a fair few things even in the last few months that are still new with tags. Plenty that’s as good as new. I don’t like every pattern or colour etc, but I know the fit will be spot on for me.

I am 5ft 10 bmi 21 and wear wiggle dresses from collectif. Flat as a pancake but have hips

That Ghost dress @Namechangerage is beautiful!

I am your age with a similar figure (although smaller boobs as I had a reduction) and I find that anything with a fifties sillhouette works.

If you like flats then the more gathered skirts would be better (think the every day dresses in the first couple of series of Call the Midwife rather than the big pouffy underskirted jobs!). I can wear heels so can wear wiggle dresses and I dont care if they are age inappropriate, I wear them anyway!

For trousers, side zip cigarette ankle grazers with fitted tops look great with flats.

I reckon you’ll look amazing and absolutely no one would be looking at your calves 😉