Please help an old, short, apple find a dress

[HurdyGurdy19]

I have no fashion/style sense at all. The last time I wore a dress was on my wedding day, over 40 years ago. I am 66 years old.

I have been eating more healthily and exercising daily for the last year. This time last year, I was pushing 17stone (108kg). This morning, I was 12stone 2lbs (77kg). This time last year, I was wearing size 24 clothes. Now, I can wear size 16 jeans, size 16 t shirts, but anything on top with buttons, I'm "safer" in a size 18, as otherwise the button line gapes.

I would dearly love to wear a dress when we go out for dinner for my husband's birthday at the end of this month. Currently, I only wear jeans and tshirt type tops. I still can't convince myself that I can/should wear anything that would reveal my shape.

I am only 5ft 2ins (1.57m), so everything I've even looked at in shops absolutely drowns me length-wise. My days of wearing high heeled shoes are well past me (and I have the deformed feet to show for it!), so wearing heels to lift the hem isn't an option. I can wear low heels - maybe 2inches?

Can anyone suggest a style of dress that I might cautiously try? I am an absolute apple shape - all boobs, belly and bum (hardly any of that weight has come off my boobs or belly🙁). I don't want to look like a sack that's been tied around the middle, nor do I want to look like Demis Roussos in a huge floating kaftan

I don't like animal print anything, and I'm not really taken with overly floral patterns

As I am still losing weight (want to lose at least another 2 stone), I don't want to buy anything too expensive in the shops, as I hopefully won't be wearing the item much longer. I am happy to buy from Vinted though

Am I a lost cause at the moment?

Edited to add - I only shop in Bon Marche at the moment, as that is the only women's clothes shop in our town, plus they do various leg lengths, so I can find jeans that are the correct length for my short legs (inside leg 27 in their jeans). Happy to venture further afield if there is anywhere that might be able to accommodate my shape.

Can't edit my post any more, but I've just realised that we do have a Next in one of the out of town retail parks, so that's somewhere else I could go in to try on stuff.

You are absolutely not a lost cause. Plenty of women your size, shape, and many others besides wear lovely clothes. I'm sure if you look around at friends, family and people in the street you will see this. Don't worry about size numbers, they are not a goal. Clothes should fit you, not the other way around. Be kind to yourself and look for colours and fabrics that make you smile.
Hopefully someone will be along soon with practical advice on what you could wear!

I'd be looking for something with a v neck, and possibly something with some kind of a pleat, or slight puff at the shoulder to draw the eye up, midi length.

Before you hit Vinted go and try a load of dresses on with no intention to buy any, so you've got a good idea of brand sizing and what's an immediate no, unless you're happy re selling on Vinted. I'm rubbish at that bit!

Have a browse online. You may need Petite ranges. Look at Roman, Live Unlimited, Wallis. John Lewis and Next sell lots of brands.
You could try eBay and Vinted too.

Well done on the weight loss and you aren’t old. Enjoy your new look.

If you’re not used to dresses, I’d stay well away from Vinted as it’s unlikely you’ll luck out with a good fit.

I’d recommend going to a big M&S and trying lots on.

What sort of venue will the dinner be in?

So I’m older than you – 71. A bit smaller – 10st7. A tad taller – 5.3. Also don’t like animal print and not fond of most florals. Also apple-y. So I’m just going to post some dresses that I like, and that, if I were buying dresses at the moment (I’m not!) I’d try. No guarantees! Just could be ball park interesting for you. I try to steer clear of polyester.
Also I’m no fashionista! But I do like dresses.

Feel free to hate anything I've suggested! It's just ideas.

Dress one. Worth a try because it's a shirt dress, but a relaxed one, and with the way it ties could be adjusted to your shape.

Buy Green Stripe Long Sleeve Tie Waist Midi Shirt Dress from the Next UK online shop

Dress two. I know, it's floral, but I truly love this dress, I think it's so fresh. This is very much the dress I'd buy this year if I had a reason to.

Buy Love & Roses Multi Floral Placement Petite Tie Waist Shirt Midi Dress from the Next UK online shop

Dress three. Roman but from Next. Check Roman's own website. This isn't Petite (the other two are) but I think the length and shape could work and I like these kind of one-colour prints.

Buy Roman Red Abstract Print V-Neck Midi Dress from the Next UK online shop

Thank you ❤️

I know you're right, and I should just grab the nettle. I think I've just spent so long trying to hide my size/shape, that the thought of "exposing" myself is scary, especially when I have no idea how to pull an outfit together, or see what could suit me.

Thank you for the advice about neckline. I'd not have thought of that.

I have a huge pile of clothes that are too big for me now, sitting in the corner of my bedroom, which I have been intended to list on Vinted. They've been there at least six months, so I think my enthusiasm for selling on that platform is equal to yours!

Thank you xx

I've always thought of "petite" ranges as being for people with a small frame (not me), or very slim (also not me 😄) (yet 😉)

I have looked at Roman online, and did like quite a few of their pieces, so will revisit.

Thank you for the other suggestions too.

Thank you. I've found Vinted to be very hit and miss, sizewise. It's how I found out that I need an 18 on top when buttons are involved, whereas t-shirt style tops are generally fine in a 16.

I was in a big M&S on Tuesday, but got a bit punch-drunk looking at all the different sections.

I've always hated shopping, so try to avoid as much as possible. I think this is likely to change as my body changes shape, and I hopefully stop looking like a Weeble with short legs 😅

Oh my goodness, thank you SO much for taking the time to post this.

I really like the first and third dresses. Not quite so much, the second one.

I am going to pop into our local Next (not a huge branch, but I'll give it a go) and have a look tomorrow. If there's nothing doing there, I will go to the bigger one in the next big town.

Again, thank you. I really appreciate you doing that ❤️

Petite sizes are for short people not necessarily thin people , petite fitting come in all sizes.
I am the same height as you and always buy petite if I can because not only are the clothes shorter the proportions are right eg the waist and neck lines are in the right places for us shirt people!
Roman is great for petite sizes I also like seasalt

I just bought this at M and S for a bargain price. I am not short, but also appley. Appears to be sold out online, but may come back in stock or be in store.

I'm 5'5" and this finishes at knee length on me so should be an okay length for you. I am also a true apple. I find Monsoon "mini" dresses work length-wise for me. And their fit and flare dresses also give me the illusion of a waist.

It's in the sale too!

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/lydia-embroidered-linen-blend-mini-dress-pink-1001095635.htmlp

Shift dresses are surprisingly flattering on my golden delicious shape.

I am also an apple And find that jaeger dresses are surprisingly flattering. As others have said, look for a v neck and perhaps something with a collar. I get them on vinted - often for very cheap.

I’ve just bought this. Our last night in Tuscany is a meal out with all of the group so I’m hoping it will work. Will have to be worn with white trainers though

Congratulations on your weight loss. I weigh about the same as you, tho taller, and I am also an apple.i love wearing dresses and feel sad you have not had this joy. Even after your weight loss, you sound like you don’t like yourself very much, that’s a shame. I bet you are gorgeous.There are definitely dresses that will work for you. Petite ranges are good. But I would ask you to think beyond that 1 night and choose something that you can wear again and again. It will feel strange at first, so perhaps start with an A-line mini dress, possibly knitted?, it may feel more like a jumper, which you are familiar with. A shirt dress with buttons may be a step too far, I think you will worry about gape and therefore buy something too big and be drowned. Whistles have a good petite range, and some great reductions. Put in your size and see what appeals. You probably are a 16 rather than a 18 though.

I am also a short apple. I find v-necks and three quarter length sleeves and something that doesn't hug the tummy like a shift or skater dress are the most flattering. Lots of people recommend wrap dresses for apples.

You're not old, @HurdyGurdy19 - & you're to be congratulated on your (continuing) weight loss!!!

What kind of celebration will it be - is it quite an upmarket restaurant, or more casual? Will you be driving or walking & - if the latter - will you need a new jacket/lightweight coat too? As the end of September is a bit of a transitional time (yesterday in Fife it was 20+ degrees, warm & sunny, but today it was very wet & much cooler!).

What is your colouring (eyes/skin/hair), & what colours do you suit/love wearing? As it would be good to wear a dress that you feel & look great in, after leaving it so long!!!

Do you prefer plain to patterned - what about abstracts/stripes/geometric patterns? Preferred dress length? Preferred sleeve length? Do you have good smoothing underwear?

I agree with @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie that Vinted/eBay may not be the best option on this particular occasion. I am a complete devotee of buying secondhand & vintage, & have been since I was a teen - but this is all new to you (your new size, dresses, finding out what you like & suit). So buying on Vinted etc may be too risky - & a false economy if you end up buying a dress (or more than one) that doesn't fit/suit.

You said that you don't really expect to wear the dress much again, since you aim to keep on losing weight. However, certain types of dresses - stretchy jersey ones, slightly loose-fitting/oversized ones, A-line/shift/unfitted ones etc - would be versatile enough to be wearable for longer, as you continue to lose weight. And with unfitted/waistless dresses, as a PP mentioned you probably won't need a petite fit.

So I would aim for something versatile that I could wear to the dinner (with dressy accessories), but also more casually afterwards. Plain black/navy are the obvious choices, if you like them - but you might prefer a pattern/more colour?

Are you intending to only shop for the dress in store? As if you haven't been to a Next in several years, it's very different nowadays. It's essentially an online department store stocking loads of different brands, so if you're hoping to try on lots of dresses that you've seen online, there's no guarantee they'll be in store. I think ordering different dresses online & trying them all on at home would be easiest (maybe with a friend who has a good eye, to give advice/an opinion?).

Btw, sorry for the detailed questionnaire above - just trying to get a better picture of what might work best for you! Oh, & what do you consider relatively inexpensive if buying new - under £50? £70? £100? As opinions on MN vary ... a lot!

If you are near a Next and/or a M&S I would go online and check out their petite ranges (they do lots of brands) and order any that you think you like. Then pick them up and try them on at home and return any you don't like. Shops have hardly anything in their stores now for you to look at or try on so it seems to be the only way if you are short/petite. I find it easier to order, for example, Roman, clothes from Next as you don't pay a delivery charge or for returns. Apart from some of the brands mentioned above, I've also purchased Pixie Girl through the Next website which is for shorter ladies.