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!

Having had a root around Roman clothing seems to have the most choice.

Tip. Always wear a full length slip under the dress.

I have this and it's fabulous - very flattering, and hangs very nicely. Good quality heavyweight fabric. The product specification mentions a lining, but it's unlined (still hangs well, though). Product specification also mentions a "contrast" - I think this means that the princess seams are outlined in a navy (?) decorative stitching. But this is pretty much unnoticeable when worn, imo.

The Jigsaw website seems to have more sizes still in stock than the John Lewis website.

It also comes in khaki, but I don't have that one.

https://www.joebrowns.co.uk/fresh-as-a-daisy-printed-dress-wf438#colour=907

This one is patterned, but seems to match your requirements otherwise.

https://www.johnlewis.com/ghost-cora-round-neck-flared-midi-dress/p114384322

I think this one may tick all of your boxes?

I think David Nepier may have that style but it depends if you like their look (which goes for every shop I suppose) www.davidnieper.co.uk/luxury-ladies-womenswear/dresses

You're absolutely right, OP, I've been trawling and they all have waist seams. I'm now wistfully remembering a dress I had in the 90s which was made of long panels from shoulder to hem, that flared from the waist over the hip and ended mid calf. So flattering!

Thanks for pointing out more sizes on the Jigsaw website! Hoping it will fit ... it's a lovely dress. It looks simple yet contemporary - lots of the dresses that have been posted look very dated, & I don't mean in a quirky retro way ...!!!

Is the fabric so heavyweight that it's a winter-only dress? It looks heavy in the picture, but is viscose?

Yes, I remember princess line dresses. They used to be fairly common place. As someone who makes her own clothes, they easily made a perfect fit. I do have a dress pattern that has a princess line but is sleeveless with a fairly complicated neckline,

I would say it's a good heavyweight crêpe - good for spring and autumn as well as winter (especially because the sleeves are short). It's not a thick knitted kind of fabric iyswim.

The fabric type (and the nice seamed fit) kind of reminds me of the good quality dresses you used to get in the 80s/90s, before the tidal wave of polyester tat. But yes, I agree, the style doesn't look dated. It's understated but very nice (imo!).

Try boohoo they have all different styles , swing etc

I wear this style. Skater style dresses, including some goth styling (blue banana).
Seasalt, hobbs stock them - some more flattering than others.
Ghost is too tall / long for me.

I got this as a budget black tie option

www.debenhams.com/product/jolie-moi-puff-sleeve-mesh-midi-dress_p-34defc55-7080-4ace-ac73-60dbaf0ba3b5

White stuff often do princess line dresses. I’m pear shaped with a meno belly and they really suit me.

I miss darts. I’m petite with narrow shoulders and boobs. Without darts, everything looks like a frilly sack. With ruffles.

Unsurprisingly, I do not do fashion. I learned to sew instead. I’m not amazing at it, but everything still looks better on me than frilly sacks. I’m working on a well fitting princess line bodice and just adding different skirt styles/sleeves/necklines.

Next did a tencel range with two dresses and a jumpsuit with princess seams. I’m hesitant to suggest Vinted on mumsnet, but it was such a pretty chambray floral, and it so flattering for a high street buy, I will say it is worth it. (Ironically. It looks like a sack on the hanger!) The dresses are less ‘dated’ as they have more frilliness (which looks horribly dated to me, but seems to be in again. I remain unconvinced and care little for looking dated. I am dated. It beats the alternative! 😂)

I had a princess line dress made for me as my MOB dress. I love it.

Yes, @Peoplecoveredinfish --a world of frilly sacks. Beautifully put! (And sometimes with the unfortunate combination of both puff sleeves AND ruffles to ruin the line.) I wonder if I am to old to learn to sew! (Currently my expertise extends only to hems and buttons.)· And yeah, "dated" be damned.

Classic. I am going for classic. Audrey Hepburn.

Do not get me started on balloon sleeves. How is everyone not dunking them in their dinner all the time?

you are definitely never too old to learn to sew. It’s not that difficult.

I was thinking of this thread when reading the Nancy Mitford book 'Don't Tell Alfred' (published 1960) today and came across this passage.

Wonderful writing - I must look out for that one! Have read the obvious ones by her.

Sadly, my "female form" is now entirely waistless & I am very fond of (vintage) Chinese robes & kaftans!!

I think the unusual detail to the sleeves, the V-neck & the longer length are what keep it from looking dated*?

I've been trying to analyse why some of the suggestions posted look dated, rather than contemporary yet classic (like this). And I think it's usually:

• slightly too full, slightly too short skirts;
• high round necklines;
• plain narrow sleeves; &/or
• odd prints/colours.

*I realise some people aren't keen on the use of the word "dated" - sorry, I couldn't think of an alternative!!

I absolutely love fashion (& its history), & have pieces from the 30s through to the 70s (probably my favourite era). Menopausal podge has put paid to me wearing quite a lot of things - but those that fit I love mixing with modern clothing. It is, though, a fine line between doing that successfully & looking like a throwback to another decade ... not sure if I always succeed, so maybe I look dated too sometimes!!

I concur. And while still have a waist (not sure how, as I’ve every other menopause symptom going!) female form shall be stuck to! Not least because if I don’t, dresses try to crawl up my back, bunch under my arms and leave indecent gaps over my cleavage.

I think (just a personal opinion) that really GOOD clothes never look too dated. Very good quality, well made, well-fitting, designed by someone with a good eye, in a colour and style that suit you.

They don't even need to be a "classic" style. They can be very much "of their time," as long as they're a REALLY good example of it.

But so few clothes fit that description! There's so much that can be wrong with them - faults which newness and fashion can cover up for a time, but which show themselves in the end.

I have fond memories of a bias cut maxi skirt my Mum made for me when I was a teenager, it had diagonal panels in two different coloured ginghams, I loved it, looked great with platform clogs

Ok, might seem a bit random but I'm the same height, size and shape as you and I always get compliments when wearing these cheap fit-and-flare summer dresses from Mountain Warehouse

Orchid Patterned Womens UV Dress | Mountain Warehouse https://share.google/DJVzAJYYyfgbHN2tD

I know they're mostly patterned and have a waist seam, but they're so comfy and have pockets! I ususally get a couple in the spring for £15/£20 and find them so flattering. There are other styles on the website you might like, too.

Ooh, this style suits me too. I’m in my fifties, tall with a rather large belly but good shoulders and chest.

I buy from Toast, Plumo and Kate Barton. Lovely fabrics, simple to no pattern in the fabric and beautifully made.

www.katebarton.co.uk/products/the-easy-denim-dress