Jean in Newcastle Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 I'm about to bite the bullet and go shopping for a dress for the first time in 10 years. As the title says, I have a full figure (between woman's 18 and 20 depending on the dress) .and am on the shorter side at 5'3". Where are good places for me to shop for a dress? It is for a summer wedding but it doesn't need to be super dressy. Something I can wear to church on a Sunday. Any suggestions for styles for someone like me? I don't like the "boobs hanging out" look that many stores for fuller figures seem to be fond of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truscifi Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 I find the easiest thing to do is go ahead and get the "boobs hanging out" dress that I like everything else about, then find a little cami to go under it. It works especially well with v necks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truscifi Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 Oh, and as for places I usually start at the thrift store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 Lands End has a petite plus collection. I like their petite clothing and have had good luck there. I haven't bought anything from their petite plus so I can't speak to that. Kohl's also has a petite section. If you look there, you might find something that fits a little better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VeganCupcake Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 I got this wrap dress from Lands End last year in a different color and I love it--I get lots of compliments, too. http://www.landsend.com/pp/womens-short-sleeve-cotton-modal-wrap-dress~234860_59.html?sku_0=::F24 I wear a cami under it just because I like to. I am 5'2" but I don't remember if I got the petite or not. I am a curvy size 8/10ish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 I have the winter version of that dress. It has long sleeves and is in a thin grey wool. It looks fantastic on me. I am 5' and am also a curvy 8/10. I do have the petite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mothersweets Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 I recently found out about eShakti. Oh. My. Goodness. talk about wonderful dresses. They go from size 0 to 36 AND you can customize length, neckline, sleeves, etc. on most styles. One of my dds recently ordered a dress and we are eagerly awaiting its delivery. We read a bunch of reviews and overall, people seem to be happy with the dresses. They currently have a $25 discount code , too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 Nordstrom Encore dept online. Free shipping and returns. Great great stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelle in MO Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 I recently bought this dress to wear to graduation. I bought an XL and am 5' 2". It was very flattering on me once I put on shapewear under it! I found it at Kohl's, but can't find it on their website. The brand is Apt. 9. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8circles Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 My SIL is similar sized & has found some really nice dresses at Land's End. Non-wrap with adequate chest coverage (she would never show ANY cleavage) in really pretty colors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trinchick Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 My mom (who is the exact same size/height) bought this dress to wear to a wedding. The photo here isn't that great, but it looked fantastic on her. She got red, which they don't seem to have here, but the style was classic and very flattering. The fabric draped very nicely without clinging anywhere (from the reviews looks like that may depend on where you carry your weight - Mom is an apple). Also very easy to dress up or down with accessories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soror Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 I think the 50s dresses linked above look gorgeous and flattering, especially if you are an hourglass. However, if you are an apple or pear it kind of changes things- I think the one trinchick linked is good especially for those who are apples, from what I've seen irl. With pear shapes it depends on how much of a pear you are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted June 13, 2013 Author Share Posted June 13, 2013 Thank you! You are starting to give me hope. I absolutely abhor clothes shopping. And the thought of trying to find something nice for myself was making me want to cry. Unfortunately, I am an apple shape despite my best efforts. I did look at sizing though and apparently in some sizes I can go down to a 16W, not that that makes too much difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 Thank you! You are starting to give me hope. I absolutely abhor clothes shopping. And the thought of trying to find something nice for myself was making me want to cry. Unfortunately, I am an apple shape despite my best efforts. I did look at sizing though and apparently in some sizes I can go down to a 16W, not that that makes too much difference. Ignore the number on the tag. it is meaningless. Pay attention to cut and fit. It doesn't matter what that number says, don't think about it and don't worry about it. I know it is difficult (I really, really do) but fit is everything. A dress with a smaller number on the tag that fits poorly is no victory. A dress that fits you well will make you look great and you will feel good about yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted June 13, 2013 Author Share Posted June 13, 2013 Thanks, Redsquirrel. I think I have "fitting room PTSD". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicAnn Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 So true. I always get my clothes in two sizes to try on and then randomly grab one to try on first. I never look at the size until after I get it. Ignore the number on the tag. it is meaningless. Pay attention to cut and fit. It doesn't matter what that number says, don't think about it and don't worry about it. I know it is difficult (I really, really do) but fit is everything. A dress with a smaller number on the tag that fits poorly is no victory. A dress that fits you well will make you look great and you will feel good about yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 I am a weirdo who takes and records her measurements. I know how many inches my waist, thighs, hips, chest are. I know what inseam I need for my favorite shoes and for flats. I know what my rise is. This is mostly because I tend to order my clothes from online stores. As a petite, it can be really, really difficult to find clothes that fit. I am a true petite. I need clothes that aren't just short in the leg but are smaller all over. I need a petite tank top or the arm holes hang below my bra band, my arms are too short for regular shirts, buttons are in the wrong place etc. I am constantly amazed at the differences between makers. I've been doing it long enough that I no longer feel much attachment to the stated size. It gives me a good idea of where to start but that is about it. I have numerical proof that my measurements haven't changed There is also cut and give. With cheaper clothing, (Target I am looking at you), I have to go way up in size due to there being no give or 'extra' in the cut. Cheaper clothing also shrinks more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa in SC Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 Thank you to MotherSweets for recommending eShakti. I'm definitely going to look into ordering from that site. There were quite a few styles that appealed to me. I am an apple who is constantly battling to change my figure. I recently found two dresses I'm pleased with at Talbots online. I happened to catch a great sale, which made the price a bit less painful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 It is good not to trust the stated sizes: Proof! I bought two super cute skorts from Lands End. I am now officially in love with the skort, but mine are a roomy in the waist. I didn't check measurements etc when I bought them and trusted that my 'regular' LE size would fit. Stupid of me because I have never ordered a skort before. For all I know, they are cut bigger in the waist. Today LE has dress I like on sale so I am going for it. I decided to measure my waist and check the stated measurements of the waist on the LE. Well, wouldn't you know it, I have gone down..maybe .5 of an inch on my waist (within margin of error) BUT I swear that LE has increased their waist guidelines by .5 of an inch. I am not 100% certain, but I now fall into their "S 6-8" measurements. I really think that from last summer (last time I bought a dress from them) to this, they have given a bit of room to their dress sizing. Ladies, I am NOT a 6-8, for real. I am a curvy 10. When I say curvy I mean that my waist is 10 inches smaller than my hips, and I am somewhat busty. I describe myself as a 'bottom heavy hourglass" lol. And one of the best pieces of advice for buying clothes I ever got was to measure an item of clothing I like and then measure in the store. Measure across the waist, the length, the inseam, the rise, across the thigh, etc when you are not wearing the item. Then measure it in the store and it will save you a lot of time trying stuff on Now, I just hope the dress fits. I have never ordered a small from LE. I bet it doesn't fit across the hips. My hip measurements were within the measurements for the size but only just. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted June 15, 2013 Author Share Posted June 15, 2013 I'm going dress shopping today. Wish me luck and low blood pressure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth in OH Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 Here's my Land's End suggestion: http://www.landsend.com/pp/womens-sleeveless-cotton-modal-pattern-fit-and-flare-dress~237136_57.html?sku_0=::52S I have this dress (not knit, though), and it is the most incredibly flattering dress ever. I wear a cami under it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GailV Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 There is also cut and give. With cheaper clothing, (Target I am looking at you), I have to go way up in size due to there being no give or 'extra' in the cut. Cheaper clothing also shrinks more. You've done an amazing job of explaining how to shop! For the record, the word used for the give or extra is "ease". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 Talbots has petite plus sizes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6packofun Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 I got this wrap dress from Lands End last year in a different color and I love it--I get lots of compliments, too. http://www.landsend....tml?sku_0=::F24 I wear a cami under it just because I like to. I am 5'2" but I don't remember if I got the petite or not. I am a curvy size 8/10ish. That's the exact style I was going to recommend. What's even better is that the belt seems to sit *above* the waist, which helps elongate the the entire lower part of the body! Not necessarily empire waist, but I like those as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted June 16, 2013 Author Share Posted June 16, 2013 Talbots has petite plus sizes. Which is what I ended up buying! I got a knit wrap dress in a teal/white. My dd really likes it. I really like that the fact that I got a dress that was marked at $199 for $66 due to a sale and discount for opening an account there. Oops. I read the tag wrong. It was marked at $119 and I got it for $66 - still a good deal but not quite as amazing! http://www.talbots.com/online/browse/category_landing_galleryview.jsp?colorOverride=&rootCategory=cat70012&id=cat80018§ion=Regular The etched-leaf wrap dress is the one I got. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoughCollie Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 That's a very pretty dress, Jean. I'm glad you got a bargain, too! You are going to look stunning! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 I love Talbots! My mom got me some super cute cardigans and tank sets that are just beautiful. That is a great dress and I hope you feel beautiful in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 Which is what I ended up buying! I got a knit wrap dress in a teal/white. My dd really likes it. I really like that the fact that I got a dress that was marked at $199 for $66 due to a sale and discount for opening an account there. Oops. I read the tag wrong. It was marked at $119 and I got it for $66 - still a good deal but not quite as amazing! http://www.talbots.c...section=Regular The etched-leaf wrap dress is the one I got. I like that dress. I got the dress I wore to my oldest's graduation from Talbots on sale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth in OH Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 http://www.talbots.c...section=Regular The etched-leaf wrap dress is the one I got. Perfect! There's a Talbots down the street from me......I may go buy one for myself! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurker Posted June 16, 2013 Share Posted June 16, 2013 I really like Talbots plus sizes but i find they're not really made for "curvy" plus size women. I am short but can never get petite and have to go up a size to accomadate my hips! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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