Do these types of dresses work on hourglass shapes?

[Piccolomaforte]

I keep looking at this style of dress, which I think looks really comfortable, but not sure if they would work on my body shape. I only ever see them (including toast dresses) modelled by smaller-chested women.
I’m 5’2 and hourglass 10-12, about 34D and concerned about looking ‘matronly’. What do you think? www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-rich-notch-neck-midi-waisted-dress/p/clp23086665?color=RED

I don’t like that dress at all. Sorry! Love the colour tho!

Gosh I’m not sure that dress would look good on anyone I’m afraid.

Even the model hasn’t managed it.

It’s not for an hourglass, but you can wear it you’ll just look shapeless
Tbh most people will look shapeless in it I think that’s the point of the dress

Ha! Thats interesting….it’s not a dress shape I would normally go for, but I’ve seen a few people wafting around in Toast-style dresses and think they look really cool!

No that won’t look good with a larger bust, it’ll hang wrong & look frumpy. It needs a more defined waistline to flatter an hourglass.

Try it on. I like it.
I don't think it would suit me but it could be styled or tweaked.

I think Toast dresses usually have less fabric in the skirt? It doesn't really remind me of their clothing.

I was going to say that the issue might be more with the length, but I see it also comes in petite. You could try both, as I think that exactly where the waist hits on you will be key as to whether it works on you or not?

It's a bit of an average-looking dress IMO. Seasalt skirts & dresses (even their normal length) do suit shorter woman IMO. They don't cut things long enough for me - but Toast does! I'm a fan of their dresses & have quite a few - I'm also large-busted so I don't think that's an issue, but I'm also tall. You would probably have to have them taken up?

Not sure if the dress would work but as an aside where have you been measured for bras before? If you are a size 10/12 it’s very unlikely that you will need a 34 band, it’s far more likely you would need a 30/ 32 band with a bigger cup size. If you haven’t been fitted on somewhere like Bravissimo or an independent shop that will make a difference to how dresses hang on you.

I'm an hour glass with a soft tummy and it would make me look pregnant.

UNLESS it is made of perfectly thick fabric and the waist joint hits just right. But that is so unlikely I would not bother trying.

Something like this would work better.

https://www.hush-uk.com/fiya-smocked-waist-cotton-jersey-dress-maroon-red/014909-3278.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=sale&utm_content=existingusers&tw_source=google&tw_adid=724825162248&tw_campaign=22000153830&tw_kwdid=pla-2430267458078&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22000153830&gbraid=0AAAAADmDz95b2uOqO3aKnJBdbecMnf0iy&gclid=CjwKCAjwyuDTBhB-EiwANCQhLBsXLy_OFqs7FjhriB6BPFD3uCAiBt8XZ019Sx-b9UfOHFVWzAOziBoCcnMQAvD_BwE

I really like the way the Seasalt dress looks on the model and it’s a simple style that I like…. But so often with that style, the bodice is too short and larger boobs lift up the material which then hangs straight down instead of fitting back underneath and my maternity dresses were that shape. I don’t even think a belt would draw the middle in satisfactory of that one. I have the same shape and find the Seasalt April, Charlotte, Tilly or Veronica dresses fit me better.

It doesn’t even look good on the model tbh. It would be fine for around the garden or comfy days but I think it makes everyone look boxy and shapeless

That’s interesting - I haven’t been measured, I just buy my bras from M&S usually and I seem to fit 34C or D. That’s a good idea and I’ll ask to be measured next time I’m in. I’ve never had to buy a size 12 top, I think I’m larger on hips.

Thanks for your feedback everyone! I’ve ordered the red and will report back…..

I ordered this to try on and that’s exactly how it makes me look - it bunches at the front too to add to the maternity dress feel!

Are you sure you're an hourglass? Bigger on hips would usually indicate pear shaped. Also size 10 top 34D to me sounds like small breasts, though I know that many people dont have the correct bra size. In answer to your question though, that dress would look horrible on an hourglass. I like the Hush version as an alternative.

I'm an hourglass size 8/10 and I have to avoid anything that doesn't have a fitted waist because otherwise it just hangs from the boobs and makes me look enormous all the way down! I also have short legs, so I have to draw attention to my (small) waist otherwise I look completely square.

I'm an hour glass and have huge boobs. I have been buying linen v neck John Lewis dresses off eBay. I would say they're peg shaped. I've paid about £20. Two were new. They don't stick and I don't look like Hattie Jacques.
Wrap overs suit me too but I wanted something loose.

As a flat-chested and fairly straight-figured woman of a similar height, I would definitely wear this style, but I think the high neckline and high waist would be tricky with an actual chest to factor in.

If you google Boob or Bust that’s a good place to start as they have a calculator. For a rough guide though measure around your rib cage just under the crease and pull as tight as you can for the band size. Measure your bust at the fullest point but don’t pull that tight. Every inch difference between the underbust and the over bust is a cup size.
The size you are currently wearing means your under-bust pulled tight would be 34” and your over bust is 38”. I bet pulled tight your under-bust will be 30” at the most, probably 28”. I’m a 16/18 and my band size is 32”. Have a measure and use the calculator, it’s just a starting point though as all brands fit differently. There is fitting info there and guidance for style based on your shape too.

Edited to say DON’T get M&S to measure and fit as they routinely add 4” to band size, they are notoriously bad with the exception of a few random rouge fitters. Bravissimo or and independent are much better options.

M and s dont measure any more they just look and guess.

I’m an hourglass shape and would need to try that on to see if it works. I suspect it won’t but you can’t always tell with dresses like that, that look a bit shapeless on the model. Report back op and let us know what you think.

Definitely don't ask M&S to measure you for a brand. They're trained in a really old fashioned way. Boob or bust all the way! M&S measured me as a 42DD. When I used Boob or bust it gave me a 36J. I didn't believe it but ordered one bra (fully expecting to return it tbh) and the difference was incredible.

I've lost weight so I am now a size 16 and now wear a 34HH so, like other posters, I doubt you are a 34 or even a 32 band size.

Melissa Murrell is worth following on socials as she talks a lot about creating an hourglass shape from various body types. Her tips are really good and it's really helped me balance my tummy area with other features.

I've got quite a few Seasalt dresses in that shape, and I'm big all over. The trick is to go down a size so they're more fitted around the bust rather than entirely loose and shapeless.

How ridiculous! I could do that myself at home.

What's the reasoning behind it?