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’m an hourglass and I would definitely avoid this dress. The loose fit and gathering at the waist is unflattering for most figures, in my opinion, but would look dreadful on an hourglass. You’d be hiding one of your best assets!

Sometimes these dresses seem as though they would be suitable however I feel I have similar measurements to you OP, and I find the issue usually is the waist may sit at the incorrect height depending on the length of your torso. As others say, it is a shapeless dress.

No don’t buy it unless you want to look like Sponge Bob

Im a size 10/12 and I’m a 34F as measured by Bravissimo so this is not out of the realms of possibility.

The dress ? It’s a bit meh I’m afraid… lovely colour. It does look comfortable but it doesn’t really remind me of Toast.

Bravissimo don’t measure either. There’s so much variation in our shapes and sizes that any given measurement can be way off in how a bra actually fits. Getting the band size right is a first step but you do that with a backwards band test and the the cups are fitted from there. There is so much variability in band stretchiness I’ve had 32” bands that are too tight on backward and some that are way too big. A specific measurement isn’t a reliable way to fit a bra.

I think they're trying to emulate the likes of Rigby and Peller who've always judged by looking at a woman's shape. Trouble is they don't have the expert fitters that R&P have.

The Hush dress is lovely but will be far too long on 5'2". The hem will be dragging on the ground!

Maybe I have got lucky with M&S, but my local one seems to measure the same way as Bravissimo these days.

It’s interesting how the dress has been styled, like they are fully aware of its shortcomings. I love the colour and can see it being worn with a long-sleeved t-shirt and boots in the autumn.

I like the Hush one. Hourglass tend to look better in fitted styles - on the seasalt one, my boobs would make the waistline shorter, just looks odd. If you want a loose dress, I find shirt dresses look defined but are flowy.

I don't like the Hush one at all, but I like the Seasalt one.

Think these drop waisted dresses are not complimentary on anyone. How about a fit and flare style dress?

I always thought drop waists were for women with no boobs, in a 1920's look.

Yeah. I'm tall and slim and think I look fine in a shapeless dress - it just flows and looks effortless which works in this heat.

There's a lot of material in the skirt. I'm an hourglass size 10 and full and flowing skirts do nothing to highlight my waist and everything to highlight my hips!

It's far too Handmaid vibey...

I also think it is reminiscent of some of their styles op. I agree, it looks nice and wafty in the heat.

I'm not fond of the Hush one either.

I'm 32F, a size 10 hourglass and these styles don't suit me at all - too much fabric round the smallest part of me. Nice to see a v neck though!

There's no bust darts, no princess seams, completely flat bodice. Your boobs stick out, they need a three-dimensional bodice.

I have no idea why my second link, to Katya Wildman, isn't working.

I really like it in red.
I think you would need the right bra for it, that minimised them or gave a natural shape and wasn't too projected.

If the model can't make it look good ( which she doesn't) there no hope for the rest of us.

I agree with others, but I love the dress. Unfortunately, it doesn't come in my size or I'd be ordering.

Just to say, OP, I’m a 10-12 (admittedly my boobs are bigger than the defined boob sections on 10 or 12 clothes) and I’m a 34D. Probably more accurate to say I’m a 10-12 everywhere but the bust, which isn’t an issue with stretchy material but might be with that dress. (No real solution to this except to get more structured clothes tailored).

@Piccolomaforte I don’t think the dress would suit an hourglass figure although you are small, which might help. Generally, I think these kind of shapeless dresses tend to suit very petite women or very slim, small framed women.

Anyone with a fuller figure will look like they are wearing a maternity smock in that dress.