Can someone tell me what a body con dress is please?

[beansprout]

The Guardian said that Kate Winslet keeps wearing them, but I don't know what they are!!

I THINK it is a very tight and short dress (body concious) but am no expert

Yes 'body conscious'.

Or 'self-conscious' in other words. For most of us.

As in, "this dress is specifically designed/chosen to show off my body" or "yegods, my ar$e looks enormous in this"?

I'm guessing the former....

I think they are like the Herve Leger 'bandage' dresses of old.

Tight, probably a bit like wearing Spanx actually!