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.

I’m mid-50s. I would say that one of the upsides of menopause/post-menopause/our 50s is caring a lot more what we think and a lot less about others’ approval and “shoulds”, especially the attitude that middle-aged women should fade demurely into the background. Fuck that. We’re really coming into our power at this age. There are some fabulous 50+/60+ role models for dressing strongly and with confidence. Sounds like you have a figure that would allow you to power-wear that Paxis dress. So if you want it - go for it.

Your so lucky! We will swap bodies then you won't have to worry about a dress 😂

I'm similarly boobie (30H) and used to be a full hourglass - now I've got 50 the waist has thickened up a bit. But for more casual wear I really like these dresses from Fairlie Curved, available in lots of different colours https://fairliecurved.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/E31FDA01-1193-4543-ABF9-2C091F5F9B23-e1700926450242.jpg

Here you go OP , pricey but amazing quality.
good for a special occasion

https://katyawildman.com

Sorry - I now see someone has already recommended Katya Wildman

Are you sure you actually have chunky limbs? At 5ft 10 with hefty boobs and a BMI of 22 some parts of you have to be very small surely?

I'm hourglass too but 5"3", 34dd, 28, 39 and wore one of her size 10 bombshell dresses and felt very frumpy - too big at the wast and the neckline was too wide for me but size 8 too tight across shoulders.
Fantastic fabric and print though.

Sadly yes. Family trait - the chubby legs. Even at a size 6 I had chubby legs and arms and you could see my ribs and my belly was sunken in. Just my shape. All weight goes on face, arms and legs. I do feel I have a weird shape - its like I have two peoples bodies merged into one! lol I do have a very small waist and ribcage. But if I wore an A-line shift for example I would look huge because all you could see was my big arms and legs. Im not being critical of myself its just a fact. I would NEVER wear shorts no matter my weight. Which is why I think its so important that I dress correctly for my shape.

Oh ive had a win for anyone with similar shape to me. I have been desperate for a jumpsuit and tried on eleventy million of them - both in tall and regular. All are either riding up my snatch or too long and loose at the waist. I have FINALLY found one that fits perfectly that my dear Mum gave me yesterday (shes lost loads of weight so too big on her). Tall, 10, from Jo Browns from last season, with like a seared body so clings right down to hips. They don't have anymore right now but hopefully again??. What a find! I bloody love jumpsuits and whenever I see someone in one I just stare enviously. Now I have one. :) Stoked.

Yes please. I really dont feel clothing stores cater for tall hourglass at all. Clearly from this thread my fellow hourglasses will validate this. Its extremely annoying. Its no surprise Ive lived in dungarees for years.

I really do love that cider dress - it fits like a glove. I want to buy one in every colour but alas no stock and they currently only come in prints. Id like plain. Someone earlier suggested getting a dressmaker to make some. Has anyone done this? How expensive is it likely to be??
Its a weird material, that makes it cling that I like. 95% Polyester 5% spandex. This is it. Im thinking if price is decent, then I could get it made in lots of plain colours. and even with long sleeves and longer for winter? Knit Fabric Square Neck Strawberry Graphic Contrasting Lace Trim Midi Dress For Date Vacation Or is it that a mad idea?

I just add a belt! I get shirt dresses and jumper dresses and add a nice belt and voilà ! Much easier that trying to find fitted dresses that are exactly right.

I'm half way through the thread, so haven't finished reading it yet. Just wanted to pop on to say, if you like dungarees, why don't you try wearing them with a belt to pull them in the the waist, as they did in the 1940s/50s? I love that look. Kind of land girl style. Also, you can get 50s (hope I've got the decade right!) inspired dungarees too, which are fitted at the waist. I've got some. They are very dark blue denim, wide leg, fitted waist. They're gorgeous. I'm out at the moment and can't remember the brand, but you'd probably find some like that easily.

I'm sorry if somebody has suggested this already but you might like some dresses here www.prettykittyfashion.co.uk . I'm 62 and happily wear some of their styles.

I have a very similar figure to you (except I'm short). Does the strawberry dress fit well over the bust even though it has a dedicated boob area with a seam? I usually avoid dresses like that because my boobs never fit.

I bought a couple of dresses from Mango that I love recently, they have this sort of elastic at the sides that nips in the waist.
https://shop.mango.com/ie/en/p/women/dresses-and-jumpsuits/dresses/animal-print-dress-with-frayed-edges_87055752 This one is amazing because it's not low cut, so I can wear it to work, but it's sold out.

I got this one https://shop.mango.com/ie/en/p/women/dresses-and-jumpsuits/dresses/midi-dress-with-gathered-sides_17052916 which fits similarly, but it's quite booby.

I got size 8 in both of those and my boobs fit even though I'm a 30H bra size.

I agree Mango can be good. Lots of belted designs and often quite roomy at the top.

LiarAtAWitchTrial

I am the same - never ever buy dresses or tops with a dedicated boob area with a seam cos they will never fit. However a Tiktokker with huge norks was modelling it and swore it would work. And it does. I was so shocked - and instantly bought it in other prints. If you had small tits it would defo not work. As I say, Im a 32 GG and the boob part actually covers my boobs completely and I wear enormous bras (as you will know they aren't pretty for us hey)

You will look amazing in everything! I don’t know what you look like but hourglasses can pull anything off, even with chunky arms!

Fellow tall hourglasses - Im at work right without dungarees on (Oh I know - the horror) but with herringbone high waisted (and very fitted) cigarette pants and a tight white top tucked in, and mary janes. Apparently this look is 'amazing'!!!!! 'stunning' 'pin up goddess'. Who knew? Im basking in the glow. Its my birthday eve so maybe they are just being nice, but Im floating on air here. hehe

Im actually quite excited to have a full wardrobe overhaul. Im in a new relationship too, so Im enjoying looking more feminine and making more of an effort.

So I was thinking about maybe getting some more cigarette pants, tighter low cut tops that tuck in, different coloured mary janes (I have to wear flats and these seem the most feminine option), some more dresses in the shape of the one attached. Any other ideas? Someone said wear high waisted wide leg with a shirt tucked in. I feel that look makes me look enormous and friends agree.

Thoughts on what else I should be buying for my figure? Pics attached (sorry Im old and super rubbish at selfies)

I absolutely love your cigarette pants! I bought some high waisted hourglass jeans and wear them with shorter/tucked in tops. I do find a little bit of a lettuce hem or something so it’s not entirely fitted can give a nice relaxed look without looking sloppy or enormous - which is always the danger for my shape! But always fitted to the waist and hips like you’ve already said. To be honest, I think if you have those elements in mind you can wear pretty much anything you want! Just experiment with textures maybe while keeping your ideal silhouette, like really soft fitted jumpers as the weather turns etc.

I have some Anna field suede flats with a little ankle strap, so not Mary Jane’s, but feminine and stylish. You look great in your pictures!

Thank you *LaDeeDaDeeDumb. *I have actually had these cigarette pants for a decade! And I have the same pair but in navy blue. I dont know why I don't wear them - but Im gonna start.

Ive just been looking for others online and I cant find any - not with those nice sailor buttons at the front which I think makes the outfit really. Clearly they are completely out of fashion! lol. Not that I have ever cared much about fashion.
Where did you get your hourglass jeans? And what is a lettuce hem - do you mean fishtail? Cos I love that style too.

I got my hourglass jeans from ASOS. A lettuce hem is where it’s just gently wavy. I’ll try to attach a picture. I have found it can bridge the gap between everything being tailored or close fitted, without having to go loose or all out slouchy either (which can look great on loads of people but does not work on me and if you’re into kibbe, it isn’t something that suits “soft types”, who need waist emphasis or at least some fittedness).

Also the jeans were choose your own waist and leg length measurements which a lot of taller people would appreciate!

I have a similar figure although shorter and slightly wider (I'm a 32HH and 30in waist).

If you like vintagey stuff then you can look at Collectif, House of Foxy, Joanie.

Otherwise I find Whistles have some good styles for an hourglass. I don't really like the dresses from Fairlie Curved, they aren't my style but otherwise they look like they would be a good fit. Pour Moi clothes are cut for an hourglass. At the (much) more expensive end, Samantha Sung. I miss Pepperberry.

I wear fitted or draped dresses a lot, also shirt dresses for work. Plus trousers that are cut to go in at the waist with tops tucked in. I also wear pencil skirts even though they aren't really in fashion, I don't much care.

I also have this or a similar one and it looks amazing on me.