Is it possible to find true "princess line" dresses any more?

[Vaguelyclassical]

By which I mean dresses with no waist seam or belt but cut in a line that has fairly fitted bodice and a gentle waist indentation before skimming the hips and flaring a little in one continuous sweep. (It's a flattering line to an older woman who still has a hint of balanced curves but rather more stomach than she'd like.) I'm 5'7" and size 14 and I like my dresses mid calf length or long calf length--not maxi and not just below the knee. This may be a hopeless quest because the manufacturers like styles where you can save costs and work with smaller pieces of fabric nowadays (hence waist seams). But if any brilliant Mumsnetters can make suggestions, I'd be truly grateful! Summer, between seasons, winter dress ideas all welcome!

Oh dear, @calpolandcuddles --it is feeling like "You who have tears prepare to shed them now, sartorially!" I suppose I could add a lamentation about the widespread disappearance of darts as well. Anybody else remember darts?

Zara had this last summer. MIL
bought one. Will see if I can find.

this is the Zara one I was thinking of. Is this princess line? Darts all the way from bust to hip, no waist seam.

Here is an H&M denim version - doesn’t fit the model very well

here

@Vaguelyclassical It's also the time from design to manufacture.

Pre mid 00s, there were two seasons S/S and the main one A/W, then socials came along with ASOS , PLT, Boohoo etc, they get drops weekly (daily really now), so there's no time to measure and construct a dart, for every waist and bra size.

If you find 80-90s Marks/St Michaels on vinted or anywhere it's so different to now

The relaxed fit trend is partly due to what works for hyper fast fashion- loose fit= no fittings, no models, just stitch, ship, upload

This one does have a tie sash at the front, which maybe defeats the point - but it is a lovely shape!

https://www.boden.com/products/women-mathilde-tie-waist-ponte-dress-navy-d1493nav

Or if you're willing to spend rather a lot, this one makes a feature of the darts quite stylishly ...!

https://thefoldlondon.com/product/andria-crepe-dress-deep-plum/?glCountry=UK&setCurrencyId=0&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19783005286&gbraid=0AAAAADvgiGr_6UlmUeQIXxhh4mSg2nV4c

https://www.meandem.com/dresses/fit-and-flare-dresses

Lots here

Promising, but note how hippy the set of these seams makes a slender model look (not necessarily in a bad way) and then extrapolate to a more matronly figure.

Would this fit the bill @Vaguelyclassical it's drop waist

I see it as more sculpted, but I take your point (being more matronly myself these days!).

If you like the Jigsaw one above, they usually do a few versions of a midi-length fit & flare dress each year. Sometimes they'll have ruching/gathers/other details you may not like, but it's worth checking them out. Here's another one you may like from them.

https://www.jigsaw-online.com/products/heavy-jersey-button-dress-navy

Lots on the Me + Em link posted above, but lots with waistbands/seams. Another one that accentuates the seams though?

https://www.meandem.com/contrast-stitch-midi-dress-navy

Uniqlo do one that’s cut with princess seams, it’s a jersey type fabric. Hard to find as you say, I think it’s a bit “dated” at the moment. Lovely way to cut a dress - makes them so easy to alter to fit your curves as well.

Another poster mentioned Ghost above. They cut on the bias - it's what they're known for (or it was!). This isn't the cut you're after - but gives a similar effect? I think it's a very flattering shape.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/crepe-button-through-midi-skater-dress/p/clp23045496?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

Or this? Again, not quite the cut you're after, but similar ...?

https://www.marksandspencer.com/crepe-v-neck-button-front-midi-waisted-dress/p/clp23045485?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

This has a belt but no waist seam below it.

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/tilliana-midi-dress-100126110614.html

Another term that crops up is "godet" seams - which makes it a bit more flared than princess but might suit?

https://www.albaray.co.uk/products/chocolate-godet-midi-dress-aw25

Again, not princess line (as I can barely find anything that's exactly right!) but it gives a similar silhouette? Some still in stock on John Lewis website.

https://www.jigsaw-online.com/products/relaxed-drape-shirt-dress-brown

https://www.hobbs.com/product/eliana-seam-detail-dress/0126-5299-9045L00-PALE-YELLOW.html

Like this?

https://www.hobbs.com/product/camille-textured-satin-dress/0126-5937-9045L00-BRIGHT-PINK.html

https://www.debenhams.com/product/principles-dark-berry-long-sleeve-binded-midi-dress_pdd12491

Toast had a pintucked waist shirt dress which is lovely. Very flattering but size down. I'll see if I can find it. It is last summer but was in the winter sale so I'm sure there will be some stock left. Toast are very good at sourcing a particular dress for you if it isn't available in the shop or online.

https://maplestore.com.au/products/pleated-organic-cotton-linen-dress-mid-blue?srsltid=AfmBOopHA_87y1cpFe-qZ0omUlrvqbqAsl9PRlkzSQqilGJEc_5rXBiM

These dresses are princess-cut, yes. But gosh they look so formal & stuffy & royal family at church!!!

Maybe that's what you're after, OP - if so I apologise (I realise some people love the royal family at church look!!). But these don't even look especially comfortable or with much ease of movement in the arms?

I think if you look at brands like Jigsaw/Reiss/Me+Em etc, OP, you'll find dresses that offer the spirit of the dresses you used to wear, in that they have a similar silhouette - but offer a more modern interpretation of it? The Jigsaw one that you liked is really nice.

Seasalt “Primary” dress is this style. They do it every summer. I have 4!

I also love princess seams, bust darts and godets. And sleeves.

I wish this one had sleeves: https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/butter-yellow-square-neck-reign-midi-dress-d250622ylw?variant=53946198688129&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Nobodys_Child-UK-PMax-All-DT%2BTA-SE-ePmax-Tier+2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19541476977&gbraid=0AAAAADQCJIWTYCpdNaG43ScfCGxX8EeOY&gclid=Cj0KCQiAkPzLBhD4ARIsAGfah8ixrHpaULTIrvXnN1fab8-wcgkZc2db69HCyTHgW_IJPseSDqLctg4aAkUkEALw_wcB