Where to find a flattering dress like this for a fuller bust and slim hips

[marriednotdead]

I'm trying to figure out where to get a specific dress shape that will fit a very top heavy bust, it might need/would help to have some stretch in the top. Dsis is almost phobic about dress shopping because she has never enjoyed it and it's so tricky finding what fits and suits her, she has a 34H bust but is only size 12 on the bottom. She's got nice legs so we agree she should show them off- the pic of her was from our holiday last year. Red is the first choice.

If we go clothes shopping she will give up within the first 20 minutes and gets stressed and despondent. She has a couple of events to go to soon and nothing to wear- her favourite 'going out' dress has been worn many times and is not dressy enough going forward. She's time poor so know she's grateful for any assistance, and I'd appreciate any pointers. I'm based in London and intend to have a look in Fonthill Road next week.

Have trawled through images online to find what we think will look good and have shortlisted some looks. The cowl neck draped one is a fair representation of what she'd look like in it, aiming for some flounce to balance it all out. At a push she could go braless but more likely it will be a racer back style which would hopefully hide any straps. We haven't got time to have one made (definitely going to push for this going forward!) but could potentially find a seamstress for alterations.

Monsoon silver sequins - dolman sleeves so looser under the arms/around the chest.

https://www.coastfashion.com/product/monsoon-dina-dolman-sequin-mini-dress-silver_p-77118427-205e-463e-a6f7-c0bfff616fb7

The Coast one also comes in a longer version ... but I'm assuming that's too long for you/your sister!

OP - do you know Kemi Telford's designs? They're certainly bright, & some are embellished. A few of the dresses are shirred at the bodice, which means they'll stretch to fit? Nothing short though, but they're dramatic.

https://kemitelford.com/collections/best-dressed-guest

Another site I don't normally look at! But it may yield some possibilities for you, OP ...

https://macduggal.com/products/8007-mango-multi

https://macduggal.com/products/21231-sunshine-multi

https://macduggal.com/products/8488-multi

https://macduggal.com/products/56106

I like this one a lot. Great fabric & colours.

A mini Jessica Rabbit ...

https://macduggal.com/products/49210

Hi-lo hem but too long I assume - even for events? Could be taken up when it's being taken in?

https://www.coastfashion.com/product/coast-bardot-fit-and-flare-hi-low-hem-maxi-dress_bcc11652

Good colour - but yet another one that would need bought in 16/18 & altered though.

https://www.coastfashion.com/product/coast-lisa-tan-bow-shoulder-satin-midi-dress_bcc13285

What about purple? Too quality street?!

https://www.coastfashion.com/product/coast-lisa-tan-3d-corsage-one-shoulder-twill-midi-dress_bcc13266

In case a jumpsuit is an option ...

https://www.coastfashion.com/product/coast-lisa-tan-lace-belted-jumpsuit_bcc10601

This, also Coast, might just be the closest to the Amazon & Shein dresses you posted, OP - but probably noticeably better quality? Not sure what height your sister is, but the petite is more raspberry red/pink.

https://www.coastfashion.com/product/coast-frill-sleeve-v-neck-midi-dress_bcc12712

Rule of thumb. Anything that draws attention to boobs needs to be balanced. So no v neck and short length. It doesn't work.

I'm big boobed but a size 8 bottom. Top heavy hour glass.

What suits me is 50s style shape dresses that emphasis the hour glass with a lower neck line and longer length. or 60 style dresses with a higher round neck (this allows me to go a bit shorter on length of I want.)

This 60s style example is particularly good because it has detail that draws the eye away from the top heavy element and actually slightly widens.

I avoid button down fronts and wrap around dresses like the plague because they draw the eye to the bust and in the case of buttons, have the time go pop.

Skater dresses also usually work for me. It's all about the waist.

If I follow these rules for shape there's lots of variations.

I think her legs are fabulous. How about something short.

https://www.karenmillen.com/product/karen-millen-stretch-velvet-jersey-cape-shoulder-mini-dress_bkk26984

https://www.karenmillen.com/product/karen-millen-premium-crystal-embellished-jersey-cowl-neck-mini-dress_bkk28709

There’s no way these would be underdressed.

Bravissimo have a limited selection of clothes (not read full thread so may have been mentioned before)

I have the exact same body type as your sister (although not such cracking legs it has to be said!) and it's a fucking chore finding a dress. I wore a nice Zara dress for a wedding last year but it was long so probably not what she's after.

I found this pink one, which I think follows the glam requirement but the one shoulder thing might be difficult. Not to mention, unsure how the fringing might fall over the bust: https://www.karenmillen.com/product/karen-millen-figure-form-bandage-one-shoulder-fringe-mini-knit-dress_bkk27930?colour=magenta

This one also nice, but white so possibly not her jam: https://www.zara.com/uk/en/fringed-knit-mini-dress-p03921095.html?v1=557511930&v2=2420896

This one is fun, but maybe not suitable for a summer event: https://www.phase-eight.com/product/becca-batwing-sequin-dress-10014490050.html#navAjax=true&cgid=dresses&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&prefn1=styleType&prefv1=Jersey|Swing|Knitted&prefn2=knee&prefv2=Above%20Knee&pid=10014490050&pos=23

Maybe a bit casual? Description doesn't say it but the reviews say it's t-shirt style material so I think it might fit her pretty well. Nice colours and shape: https://www.neverfullydressed.com/products/pink-fruit-stamps-mini-dress
Similar with this one, also they haven't shown the back of the dress so I've no idea if a bra would be possible: https://www.neverfullydressed.com/products/green-abstract-leila-mini-dress

I'll keep looking, but IMO she needs a stretchy or knit item so it moulds to her bust nicely without gaping, and also without swamping her bottom half.

Thank you, agree with all of that.

Definitely! The halter style was chosen for that reason, she's got toned arms as well as legs.

The broadly African styling of big shoulders etc recognises and balances the usual bigger hips and bottoms that many of these ladies have. Sadly we both inherited our mum's non existent hips and flatter bottom so the intention is to minimise the details and width on top whilst creating the illusion of a waist and bulk out the bottom using flounce!

The logic of the high front/ low back hem is that short all over won't be formal enough if it's short, and will create overall bulk if it's long and full when combined with the heavier bust.
Wide leg jumpsuits have featured a lot in recent years for both of us but she would really love to find a dress to elevate the look.

The reason midi and midaxi don't look right is that we have very slim legs, which is fine when seen as a whole length but like a box on toothpicks if the dress isn't bias cut and full length. I'm a less exaggerated version of Dsis with equally slim but not as pretty looking legs and these days tend to wear straighter full length evening dresses if I'm not in a jumpsuit.

You've all given me both inspiration and food for thought, thank you so much.
Am now thinking about the possibility of finding a really dramatic skirt and pairing it with a simpler halter type top that she can wear her racer back bras with.

Thank you, you get it and the pink one shoulder dress is fab! I'm not going through the drama of getting her in a strapless though and I know she hasn't got a bra that colour (I'd have bought it otherwise!) The fruity one is also lovely and fun 😃

I actually think that's a really good idea. My sister & I are actually not dissimilar in that we're tall with slim limbs - but like you both have narrow hips & big boobs! She's bustier, I'm taller ...

It's the mismatch between top & bottom half when you want something fitted that becomes problematic. Whereas an absolutely amazing skirt with a fitted top would be easier to achieve, I think, without having extensive alterations made.

We had everything there that suited us but sadly they discontinued almost all of their clothing around 2020.

Thank you. I'm not sure if she'd feel silly in the black one with the cape.
love the sparkle of the other one but the drama is at the top, would look better on a person with bigger hips IMO.