Buying a dress

Brenda · Post by **Brenda** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 4:04 pm

I tend to buy clothes that I can wear out, that is simple tops (like T shirts) without prints or embroidery that might be called uni-sex. But once in a while I find I'd like to wear a dress, and I only have three. Part of the problem is that I buy online and it's sometimes difficult to imagine how a dress will look on plus size old me.

Many dress descriptions include a word describing the cut, and I'd be helped if I knew which cuts would flatter me the most. I like the look of the nightgowns I wear every night, a long gown with a shirred top, where the cloth flows between my breasts and down over the tips of the cups as if the front of the nightie was hanging from the breasts.

Being plus sized, my bust does not stick out as far as my belly and I can't wear something that requires a belt as part of the fashion. That would just look silly. I look pretty busty in my sundress with elastic under the bra, but I'd like something a little more sophisticated than that.

I don't know if this is enough information, but what I'm looking for is what descriptive words I should look for in descriptions.

Carolynn · Post by **Carolynn** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 8:04 pm

Go for layers, cardigans or light jackets over tops, and in dresses go for the princess cuts, when the dress is gathered under the breasts and masks a rather full tummy, while emphasizing the breasts a bit by being tighter over them. Floaty tops with lots of fabric below the breast is masking for the tummy too.

Dolores(GG) · Post by **Dolores(GG)** » Thu Oct 21, 2010 10:50 am

Buying online is hard. I couldnt imagine it eitheir and I know what kinds of dresses I like. This might not be helpful at all, but I would recommend at least once, going to a thrift store and wandering over to the dress section and just looking over what styles they have. Maybe handling it might give you a better concept of what to look for? Sure, you need the names of the cuts, but I think you might see some that you like/look like they might flatter you and when you see them online you'll recognize them.

And Carolynn, I believe what your referring to is actually the empire style (popular in the 19th century, btw) which is a good suggestion. Princess cut I believe is when the bottom of the top narrows into a point (popular on wedding dresses and prom dresses) and I'm not sure if that style is the best option but could work with a nice cincher underneath.

Post by **DonnaT** » Thu Oct 21, 2010 2:08 pm

Brenda wrote: Being plus sized, my bust does not stick out as far as my belly and I can't wear something that requires a belt as part of the fashion. That would just look silly. I look pretty busty in my sundress with elastic under the bra, but I'd like something a little more sophisticated than that.

Dolores(GG) wrote:And Carolynn, I believe what your referring to is actually the empire style (popular in the 19th century, btw) which is a good suggestion.

Being plus sized myself, an empire waist would make me look pregnant.

I do have a couple of dresses, but also have something to go over the top of the dress for a layered look.

And I make sure the breasts stick out further than the belly.

Dolores(GG) · Post by **Dolores(GG)** » Thu Oct 21, 2010 2:47 pm

A few of my friends who are a bit bigger have worn that style quite well, thats why I thought it might be good. It does boil down to one's body type.

Bernice · Post by **Bernice** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 12:38 am

A princess seam dress has curved seams over the breasts, common in uniform dresses and blouses, as in this line drawing:

The style with the waist lowered in front (to a sharp point) may not have a special name (in common usage), but is common on bridal and ballroom gowns.

The "Empire" waist is simply a high waist directly beneath the breasts (as opposed to over the navel).

Hope this helps.

Hugs,

Bernice

Lisa D (SO) · Post by **Lisa D (SO)** » Sun Nov 28, 2010 5:35 pm

My other half, has the same figure as you. She purchases long skirts with elastic waist bands, She pulls them up over the belly under her bra. this makes the skirt about knee length, Any blouse will fall over the top of the skirt and make your waist line look higher than regular males.

Kimberly Kael · Post by **Kimberly Kael** » Sun Nov 28, 2010 6:42 pm

Buying online is an iffy proposition when it comes to something that fits right and flatters your form. I can't emphasize enough how helpful it is to be able to try on a dozen different looks without having to buy them in order to get some idea of what plays up your best attributes.

What I see most plus size women do is draw attention elsewhere, which frequently turns out to be their cleavage. Sadly, that's not an option many of us have so you'll have to look into other approaches. Dark colors tend to minimize, and I'd suggest avoiding geometric patterns which make any draping or stretching much more obvious.

Good luck with your quest!

Ralitsa · Post by **Ralitsa** » Fri Jan 21, 2011 12:07 am

totally uninvited, I will interject my opinion into this discussion.

I can't imagine buying a dress through the mail. First, a good deal of the enjoyment comes from shopping for just the right dress, or better yet, not shopping for a dress but finding the perfect dress on sale totally unexpected. Then trying it on, looking at yourself and trying to decide if it looks the way you want it to look, if you look right in it, and plotting your first appearance in public wearing it.

But to order one through the mail, and then wait some interminable period of time before you know if it even fits..... I would never do that.

I just bought a new dress a few days ago, now my problem is where I will wear it for the first time. Wearing a dress for the first time is a special event, it has to be right for you and right for the dress. I'm trying to decide if the right time is when I go to get my hair done, or when I fly back to WI from CA. Oh, the troubles I have to suffer.......

Davita · Post by **Davita** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 11:16 am

Hi Brenda,

I'm tempted to send you to my Flickr site so you can see the variety of dresses and outfits that I wear. You sound like my shape as well. Sadly, online and even in the stores, no one has decided they need models in our shape. That's why I'm offering me to be that model in all my glory and frumpiness depending on what I wore that day. Send me a message if you're curious. If you do, I hope it helps.

Now, you may look for choices online, but seriously you need to go to the stores. Not only are you dealing with the shape of the dress, but the materials make a difference. They hang differently, they show bumps and bulges differently and they move differently depending on material. Ages ago I was told to take a tape measure to the store. This way if you are not trying things on, you can still get a pretty good idea where a sleeve will be on you, where the dress will end around the knees (or wherever you're looking to have the hem). And, of course, if the dress will fit where it needs to. Best thing for store shopping is knowing the return policies. If you're "shy" Valentine's day is coming and everyone has birthdays or anniversaries. If you wind up having to make a return,

that's already spent money and you get to show, again, for free!

Good luck on your hunt.

Stormy(SO) · Post by **Stormy(SO)** » Sun Mar 20, 2011 5:52 pm

I can see I've been away for awhile. Order away girls. Try it on and if it doesn't work return it I order different sizes from different catalogs. Look at their size charts and measure - don't guess. Make sure the girls are in place and your hips/butt are on straight <G>. If you're wearing heels or flats measure with them on - it's amazing what a pair of heels can do for your figure!! Have fun.

P.S. Good to see that Donna and Absaroka are still here - two of my favorites!!

Absaroka · Post by **Absaroka** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 12:06 pm

gee thanks Stormy