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.

I wear prints but not very often and usually skirts and they're mainly bold. Liberty print shirts occasionally. My pyjamas are plain or printed - mainly prints and from Seasalt and And/Or.

Bias-cut isn't very forgiving but does add a womanly shape - it helps if you have a 'Pippa Middleton' bum not a sedentary woman's bum. (Can't see mine so I don't care).

I really don't like wrap dresses but if you like them and they work for you then great. The red print one is ok.

Autograph is great and one to look for in charity shops.

I love bias cut dresses, but at 5ft 1 they don't love me. This year though I bought two vintage bias cut skirts which are a lot more flattering than the dresses, with a wrap over jumper or cardigan.

I'm in my 70's and 5'2". I lost a huge amount of weight over the last year and threw away ALL my old clothes and went overboard buying new stuff. I weigh 125 pounds now.
I'm in the U.S. and found these dresses on Amazon that look really nice on older short women, BUT you have to wear a thin cardigan on the top to hide saggy arms. You can mix and match cardigans and dresses. I wear matching ankle socks and zero drop shoes with the outfits, so I'm really comfortable and steady on my feet. I hope the links work.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GFVW1284?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DL9K5F1P?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07F28VQPT?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_2&th=1&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F6L96K1W?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_6&th=1&psc=1

To add another thin summer cardigan;

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GFWF2PMK?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1&psc=1

I would try the vintage style wrap dresses. They are great for apple shapes. They show off the cleavage and because of the wrap style, they give the illusion of a cinched waist and then they flow over the hips and bum. They are perfect for a special occasion and are just lots of fun.

https://onehundredstars.co.uk/products/primula-gold-rachel-dress?variant=57138334269818&country=GB&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=18312892204&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17508928212&gclid=CjwKCAjwwrPVBhA1EiwAv_YO-U1VSS16XhmtnCSzfEWLSV94CPkGQZ-egCokLAXhVw7z3elOHuJKFxoCmC8QAvD_BwE
This is the one you need. Comes in lots of different prints. Just get the hem taken up if necessary 🤩

As a fellow short apple shape I love a knitted dress, usually knee length on me and worn with opaque tight and boots in the autumn/winter. Roman usually have them quite cheap. Good luck!

Ok, I know you said you weren’t big on florals, but these from H&M are so pretty and would be lovely for a meal out with your DH

And respect for your weight loss. So impressive

I'm similar shape and size, and older (72). My go-to dress is from 100 stars - https://onehundredstars.co.uk/collections/dresses?gl=1iwaqffupMQ..gsMQ..gaNTQ4Mjk4Mzg4LjE3ODk3NjU4MjI.ga92PFZNGWXDczE3ODk3NjU4MjEkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODk3NjU4MjEkajYwJGwwJGgxMTg2MDIyNTkx&gclid=CjwKCAjwwrPVBhA1EiwAvYO-V0rsz2Zj04w1eS-bPwYmISiYqT-Xe0ibPDFYOvfdzzkxsjzwBiAxoC5ewQAvDBwE&gbraid=0AAAAACR8jXWbOQ2k-3Rui6ppL-j2Zw-y

They aren't cheap, but have a fabulous range, come in stunning patterns and colours, wash well and hang beautifully. I wear a pair of little flat fabric slippers with mine. Look out for their sales or on ebay.

This is the style I have, but in handkerchief green paisley. Fantastic for an apple (like me). I wear a medium/large, I'm a size 16/18. I'm 5'5", and it sits slightly below mid calf.

They often have half price sales, and there are lots on ebay.

I had a wedding outfit from Roman-I an 60ish and 5ft 2 and fit the first time ordered from Roman online-got 5/6 dresses delivered and chose a gorgeous long one in the end-floaty and flattering fit.They had an unbelievable amount in petite sizes.Uve always stuck to Next but now will just order from Roman.I wasted so much time looking and trying on and ended up with a dress that I didn

I keep on saying it, but thank you, thank you, thank you ALL. Thanks to your kindness, encouragement, advice and suggestions, I can honestly say, I am now a dress convert.

I have tried on the four styles of dress that I ordered, and I have rejected two of them.

The blue slightly sparkly one is lovely, but both the 16 and the 18 felt a bit tight over the hips, so I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing it. Also, I felt it was a bit too "dressy" for an evening meal. So they're going back.

Another one had a high neckline, which I felt didn't look right on me. So back they go.

The other two - blue pattern, and maroon/purple - I cant choose between, so I'm keeping both 😀

And the best thing of all is that the size 16s fit really nicely.

I am also going to order/try several of the other dresses that have been suggested on the thread.

Sorry to be so gushy, but I absolutely love you all. Without the advice etc on this thread, I don't think I would have gone ahead with a dress, and ended up going out to dinner in jeans and a new top.

My husband is also very grateful to you 😀

I'm so pleased for you OP, hope you have a lovely time.

Glad you found something you love @HurdyGurdy19 !
Many more happy dresses to come, I hope. 🙂

Thanks for the update, @HurdyGurdy19 . Hope you and your DH have a wonderful time. 👏

Glad you found something to love. Have a wonderful time. Dresses are often much easier than separates, so now you’ve got the bug, you may never look back!

Agree about dresses. Throw on a dress, job done. And I nearly always feel I look good in a dress too. Providing it's the right dress! 😊

If you have a local Next, maybe have a look @ their site & search for knitted dresses. There are so many on there, I got bored scrolling through them all! You can order them in to your local Next and try them on there. Result👍

We're back from our mini-break, which was lovely.

We found a lovely country pub/restaurant for dinner, and when I was ready and came downstairs in my dress, my husband literally said "wow". 😄

He kept saying all evening "you look really lovely". "I like you in that dress"

So all in all, I am thrilled that I took the plunge, and followed the advice and suggestions. xxx

Fabulous! Glad you had a lovely time and enjoyed your dress. Which one did you end up wearing?

That’s great news OP. I’m glad that you found something from the list. Enjoy your new shape and enjoy your new dresses.

What a delightful update! So happy for you and wishing you a future full of lovely dresses that make you feel good. 😍

So pleased you had a great time and that Dh was appreciative. What a lovely thread!

What a lovely, lovely update, Op!

https://www.asos.com/asos-curve/asos-design-curve-satin-batwing-maxi-dress-in-forest-green/prd/209633830?affid=31140&_CjwKCAjwlY3WBhANEiwApsNrLezx12ppuSpMtX1u6TnYHwDZcFLwCaEl3DOUgj1dryo6BS4e6k8qEBoC2uwQAvD_BwE&channelref=product+search&ppcadref=21095812988%7C%7C&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21095812988&utm_content=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21088969383&gbraid=0AAAAADqFjOBedhqeN7xUnUcaJnzBSNZMi&gclid=CjwKCAjwlY3WBhANEiwApsNrLezx12ppuSpMtX1u6TnYHwDZcFLwCaEl3DOUgj1dryo6BS4e6k8qEBoC2uwQAvD_BwE