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!

You're welcome. I bet the pattern is in my dad's loft 😆

And darts, yes, the memories.

I have a 'Twiggy' style dress from WS with beautiful darts. It must be nearly 20 years old. I might wear it this week.

Argh. Feeling my age now. I love princess cut, cut on the bias, and darts. Cut on the bias was always my favourite for skirts when I was in my teens and 20s.

Ghost do most things without a waist seam. Ghost is very flattering I find.

SeaSalt do a lot of dresses in that cut.

I would have said Ghost uses mostly bias cut rather than princess line. Bias cut does avoid a waist seam but it clings a lot more than princess line.

Well, there's an option, if you can't sew yourself, ask around locally for a dressmaker, once youve found a style that works, you can have it re-made in different fabrics, different necklines, sleeve lengths etc

https://www.joebrowns.co.uk/sophia-vintage-style-dress-wf411#colour=739&utm_campaign=&utm_adgroup=&utm_kwd=&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=717960556968&utm_cid=Cj0KCQiAkPzLBhD4ARIsAGfah8j_qZFqMn4vlKQiDWEpS-Y6yyyusDXgJaW0BrIRhjBtsyt6A7J0pMkaApJiEALw_wcB

https://www.joebrowns.co.uk/laura-floral-lace-trim-dress-wf347#colour=457&utm_campaign=&utm_adgroup=&utm_kwd=&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=&utm_cid=Cj0KCQiAkPzLBhD4ARIsAGfah8iTz_DmUk6wM8CW6Hth1AlbQqZnhmfE9RqPDjd7bqfl4IkMpdnL5eQaAh21EALw_wcB
Jo

I’m not sure if they’re exactly the princess line cut you are looking for, but Rixo and Ghost have lots of dresses with no defined (seam/belt etc) at the waist which I fine flattering

I promise you I don't want to look like the royal family at church! My ideal is a somewhat longer length and more "flowy" (and not usually a print) and without the high round neckline. In a fabric that hangs and moves beautifully but as a previous poster noted, these are not much used now. . . .

Many many thanks for all the suggestions! I had not expected so many replies and I gather there is more than one person out there who is still nostalgic for this style.

If you’re open to sleeveless and (wide) straps then do look at the Zara linen one I linked to - not available right now but they’ve done it in at least two fabrics so I suspect it will be back this summer.

This is a lovely dress. Beautifully lined and lovely cut...more gor an occasion but at a great price in the sale.

https://www.debenhams.com/product/adrianna-papell-fit-and-flare-boucle-dress_p-53cd5fa9-6356-40d0-bbb5-648b3266d1eb?colour=Green&size=8&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22915808283&gclid=Cj0KCQiA7fbLBhDJARIsAOAqhse95Pcov4-w_ujFa5yYGG0mwNb70QnQHw2817nbEOwXNmpMVLrcvzoaAqSjEALw_wcB

Did you see yesterday’s thread about Cotton Traders? 😄

It might be worth keeping an eye in ASOS.

I had this in all three colour ways - all too big for me now - and they were so comfortable, flattering and I had lots of compliments wearing them.

https://www.asos.com/asos-curve/asos-design-curve-cap-sleeve-shirt-midi-dress-with-pin-tucks-in-blue/prd/206377933#ctaref-more%20colours%20swatches&featureref1-more%20colours%20swatches

Have a look at WhiteStuff and search for the dresses with the pattern name Lucy. Very flattering, I have several. They do the same pattern name in different fabrics, sleeve lengths, etc each season.

Have a look at Finery London. I am a similar size and shape to you and I have the Carla. Although it has a waist line, it acts like a princess due to the deep pleat. There are others without the waist seam though.

I'm also 5'7" and have just bought a princess line dress (polka dot) from Finery. They seem to have a few that style. That style seems to suit me best too.

Joe Browns is a good brand to keep an eye on. They often do styles that fit similarly to princess seams. I have Carrie’s Favourite Dress. From 2023, I think, so not current, but if you google it you will see how it flatters curves, skims over tums, and moves with a gentle swish.

I have a black Uniqlo Airism dress in exactly the same cut as the Camille dress that @Birch101posted - it’s one of my favourites for summer travelling! Uniqlo often has simple princess seamed summer dresses - let me see if I can find any on sale now.

I actually find there are far more dresses with princess seaming than there are with classic bust darts and waist seam, especially in commercial sewing patterns.

Have a look at Next. This is one of their Kew Gardens collection dresses that's currently in the sale.

Until the picture loads it's this one: Next Kew dress

Definitely Bon Marche

Keep an eye on M&S. They do them most years.