Non-wide linen dress or skirt - Petite

[abracadabra1980]

Hoping you lovely Mumsnetters can point me in the direction of a brand of a 'non-wide' linen skirt/dress. Everything is so gathered and flared at the moment and I'm only 5'0 so I look like a walking tent. Have put on a stone - bum, hips etc.. post menopause, and now my belly 'hangs'. Feeling grim 😞 Am around 30" waist. Prefer muted / linen colours and no patterns unless floral.

Yes, I’m 5 ft 1in and almost everything around seems to drown me!

https://www.hobbs.com/product/petite-kayleigh-linen-dress/0125-5722-9094L04-NAVY.html

A couple here from Poetry - come in other colours too

This Seasalt dress comes in petite, & three really nice rich plain colours. Avoid the patterns as they're a bit obvious/dated.

I have a stomach too, though as I'm tall with narrow hips I can wear full skirts - elasticated waistbands are now a must though! If you want something to skim over the stomach area, A-line dresses like this one will work well.

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/cresting-waves-sleeveless-linen-dress?glCountry=GB&glCurrency=GBP&color=39745&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23220891521&gbraid=0AAAAAD_rcokNOf-50JZxx3w2Em_f0iEYM&gclid=CjwKCAjw0dPRBhAPEiwAE5vTTvSSJX1p6OrxFNV26ehEGcOPwMxv7zm4fyM1E6rns0f3FnoR6nFV-xoCTQcQAvD_BwE

Search up linen shift dress, add with sleeves if you want that....
My mum wore them a lot, I do prefer the gathered things as I am big of hip but small of waist

This shape is also good, as it fits at your narrowest point, but skims over the bust & stomach/hips. The extra fabric is contained in pleats so it stays quite neat.

https://www.johnlewis.com/whistles-petite-panelled-midi-dress-red/p114924077

This is linen/viscose/cotton blend (I find blends crease less). It's an A-line maxi dress in petite, that you can adjust by the waist ties at the back.

https://www.johnlewis.com/ro-zo-petite-tie-back-sleeveless-maxi-dress-black/p115023090

I love that x

Another Seasalt petite linen one in a few nice colours. As long as you avoid patterned stuff in Seasalt I think these are fine. Ethical, decent quality, reasonably priced. If you wear them with chunky sandals & a decent jacket (probably a chore type), they can look good. Useful rather than exciting - but useful is good!

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/carved-wood-linen-sleeveless-dress?glCountry=GB&glCurrency=GBP&color=46613&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23220891521&gbraid=0AAAAAD_rcokNOf-50JZxx3w2Em_f0iEYM&gclid=CjwKCAjw0dPRBhAPEiwAE5vTTmVczGp6AQzKYxBg5GU4F4onJ4vlaMlPr0lr6pc0MjeRe0G4Sc6CVRoCgCEQAvD_BwE

And another Seasalt one! Rust-red or ink-blue - both nice colours, I think.

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/carved-wood-linen-sleeveless-dress?glCountry=GB&glCurrency=GBP&color=46613&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23220891521&gbraid=0AAAAAD_rcokNOf-50JZxx3w2Em_f0iEYM&gclid=CjwKCAjw0dPRBhAPEiwAE5vTTmVczGp6AQzKYxBg5GU4F4onJ4vlaMlPr0lr6pc0MjeRe0G4Sc6CVRoCgCEQAvD_BwE

I am tall, & Seasalt stuff is never cut long enough for me. But what I would suggest, OP, is wearing them so that they hit your leg an inch or two lower than on the model. So if the petite is still on the long side as you're 5 feet tall, don't rush to take it up TOO much. A midaxi length is less dowdy than a midi that is not much past the knee - which Seasalt's tend to be.

Not linen, but double-gauze cotton (cheesecloth, really), which is also cool in summer.

https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/sand-patterns-organic-cotton-summer-dress?glCountry=GB&glCurrency=GBP&color=40502&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23845014199&gbraid=0AAAAAD_rcold5ZFftGYXMYgMr39KbI2hh&gclid=CjwKCAjw0dPRBhAPEiwAE5vTTr9AJleeHZLt6vA4zxPmpfIElU8SKgI0gASbwOkb9CECfj9gYriBvxoCsisQAvD_BwE

I have quite a few fairly simple linen/cotton/viscose/silk dresses in plain colours I like & suit. They're easy to slob around in, but also can be smartened up in various ways, like so. Nothing clever, just thought you're sounding a bit stuck!

https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/coats-jackets/petite-light-khaki-boxy-cotton-shacket/p/938957333

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1662945434/vintage-orange-silk-codello-scarf-in?ref=share_ios_native_control

https://ebay.io/m/NYl5Ff

https://www.whistles.com/product/jemma-triple-buckle-sandal-36536.html

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E486097-000/00?colorDisplayCode=01&sizeDisplayCode=003&pldDisplayCode=020
I got this linen skirt yesterday and I’m very happy with it. It has an attached underskirt . I’m 5 ft 4 and it’s a perfect length on me ( I have short legs )
Ive been looking for a skirt for ages but I also didn’t want lots of volume , frills or tiers.

Skirts I think are a bit harder if you've put weight on your stomach. I like & wear full gathered Kemi Telford ones, as the wide & tight elastic waistband creates a waist without being uncomfortable. However, I'm 9 inches taller than you, so I don't think you'd like them!

Not sure if this would work for your shape? Comes in petite & the pleats keep the volume down.

https://www.boden.com/products/women-valentina-linen-skirt-rich-chestnut-r0877red

Only 4% linen in with viscose in this one! But might be worth trying as it's a bit smarter. No idea why it's listed as halterneck ...

https://www.karenmillen.com/product/karen-millen-petite-viscose-linen-woven-halter-neck-midi-dress_bkk28723?colour=chestnut&size=14&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=%7Bcampaign%7D&utm_adgroup=%7Badgroup%7D&utm_term=&utm_device=t&utm_content=&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23822218458&gbraid=0AAAAACo7BY_KNeK04Q6h2TSiJHEwyl_RJ&gclid=CjwKCAjw0dPRBhAPEiwAE5vTTkWqQYONgyUqKGeJBdTCZROr47BxFO1DEJrz3_xFqnxgr7cnW_n4BRoCLpEQAvD_BwE

This skirt is, again, not the most exciting - but, it's cut fairly narrow with an elasticated waist, & comes in petite in navy, white or beige stripe. So, a bit like the Seasalt dresses, with a well-cut cotton T-shirt & chunky sandals & good accessories, I'm sure it would be a fairly useful item?

https://www.landsend.co.uk/Womens_Pull-On_Pure_Linen_Midi_Skirt/pp/P_44873.html

Another elasticated waist linen one in petite.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/sv063682/g22195

Ro & Zo also has this petite linen one in black or blue. It says it's bias-cut, which I don't think is great for a fat stomach, personally - but it also looks quite loose in style?

https://roandzo.com/products/petite-blue-bias-skirt-with-linen

I buy tunics from seasalt and the like and are long enough and straight enough to hide my tummy.

However, I would prefer this style. It's petite cotton cheesecloth, not linen - but I have a skirt in a similar cut & the deep shirred waistband works well.

https://roandzo.com/products/petite-navy-cheesecloth-shirred-waistband-skirt

I suit a-line or bias cut skirts:

https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E486097-000/00?colorDisplayCode=58&sizeDisplayCode=003&sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=863943&awc=6771_1781894275_8d1faf99aa7135edb3b12546a98f072f&utm_source=awin&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=863943&pldDisplayCode=020

https://www.johnlewis.com/whistles-petite-panelled-midi-dress-red/p114924077?irclickid=2mGRFuzbRxyZU2NXPByWMyMfUkuTPGThnUJbXQ0&irgwc=1&afsrc=1&tmcampid=99&s_afcid=af_10078_Content

Saw friend trying this on and beware!
It had a VERY strange fit . Very blouson round the bust and armholes so large hat you might mistake them for the waist.

Oh drat. I might try the regular one on anyway, being tall, as I really like the look of it!

I forgot the OP wanted neutrals though, so I think she'll pass on this one!

Thanks so much for all the suggestions. Had such a busy time since I first posted but will look at them all.