Please recommend a dress style for my body shape!

[chefker]

DH and I will be dining in a very fancy shmancy restaurant for our anniversary. I'll preface this by saying I am NOT a big fan of wearing dresses, however I'd like to look really nice for once! :)

Thing is, I have all sorts of figure flaws to work around, and I have no clue what would look nice on me. Many of the dresses I own now that fit well, look boxy & matronly on me.

My basic shape is...top heavy. :p I'm well endowed on top, and I have found that wrap dresses simply do not work on me. I'd like to stay away from strapless, as I have an innate fear of strapless bras! Sleeveless is fine though. Low-cut is fine...scoop neck stuff tends to make my chest look even bigger.

I do have a bit of a post-pregnancy muffin top, so anything really fitted in that area would be out. I've been running frequently, so my legs are in great shape - I would not mind showing them off! I wouldn't mind a short dress at all, so long as it's not Britney-short, heh.

So...can anyone help me, given these criteria? I am seriously clueless, so please help! :)

[boilermaker]

I am also well endowed on top (32G) and think my legs are by far my greatest assest :) I have found that a deep V-neck works really well to accentuate cleavage while still providing good coverage and allowing me to wear a normal bra underneath. For the bottom half, you could do something fuller that would make your waist seem smaller than it is.

http://a1216.g.akamai.net/f/1216/955/6h/images2.nordstrom.com/ImageGallery/store/Product/MediumLarge/1/_5409021.jpg

http://a1216.g.akamai.net/f/1216/955/6h/images2.nordstrom.com/ImageGallery/store/Product/MediumLarge/1/_5278881.jpg

http://a1216.g.akamai.net/f/1216/955/6h/images2.nordstrom.com/ImageGallery/store/Product/MediumLarge/11/_5293151.jpg

[Weddings by]

Zaftique (http://www.zaftique.com/?page=shop/detail5&product_id=1533) might be helpful in finding styles that would fit. It's a plus-sized website, but it has a description of different body types, and each article of clothing has symbols that show which body style should look good in it. I would think that you could get ideas to use where you shop.

I just noticed that on the page that I have linked, you can click on the shape that you think you are, and it will show you items that they carry for that shape.

[chefker]

Ooh, I'm getting some good ideas here, thanks! Keep them coming!

boilermaker - I LOVE halter styles, but I didn't think you could wear a normal bra with them. Maybe I'm wearing the wrong bra!

Weddings by - Thanks for that link, I'll have to check that site out!

[boilermaker]

For the halter styles, you have to get a convertible bra that goes around your neck. I have a few that I really like, so you can find a good one even for large BBs.

[villanelle75]

You might try Nordstom's website. There is a feature there (in the Dress hop area of the Women's section) that allows you to shop by body type.
I can't seem to get their pics to link, but there are a ton of good choices, many of which aren't terribly expensive. I've ordered from them in the past and it was a great experience, and you can return in-store (or via mail) if you don't like it once it arrives.

[Toonces]

I love the 3rd one that boilermaker posted above!!

[MLA]

Here are some from Nordstrom that I think would work for you. You can wear a good bra with all of them.

If you click ont the pictures, it will take you to the site:
http://a1216.g.akamai.net/f/1216/955/6h/images2.nordstrom.com/ImageGallery/store/Product/MediumLarge/17/_5421537.jpg (http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2877346/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6001777~6001752?mediumth umbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6001752&P=1)


http://a1216.g.akamai.net/f/1216/955/6h/images2.nordstrom.com/ImageGallery/store/Product/MediumLarge/15/_5422615.jpg (http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2952036/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6001777~6001752?mediumth umbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6001752&P=1)

http://a1216.g.akamai.net/f/1216/955/6h/images2.nordstrom.com/ImageGallery/store/Product/MediumLarge/0/_5275760.jpg (http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2947034/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6001777~6001752?mediumth umbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6001752&P=1)

http://a1216.g.akamai.net/f/1216/955/6h/images2.nordstrom.com/ImageGallery/store/Product/MediumLarge/7/_5422567.jpg (http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2846996/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6001777~6001752?mediumth umbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6001752&P=2)

[ejs]

Boilermaker, on what site did you find the dresses you posted? Thanks!

[MLA]

Boilermaker, on what site did you find the dresses you posted? Thanks!

Based on the image properties, it looks like Nordstrom to me.

[chefker]

For the halter styles, you have to get a convertible bra that goes around your neck. I have a few that I really like, so you can find a good one even for large BBs.

Ah, so those backless-type bras. I may have to go to a specialty store (or Nordie's!) to find my size. Gotta love being busty. :rolleyes:

MLA, that red dress is soooo pretty!

[MLA]

MLA, that red dress is soooo pretty!

That's my favorite one! I think that style would look really good on you. Very flattering.

[villanelle75]

Depending on how low the back is, you might not need one of the backless long line bras with a halter dress. If it doesn't have a low back, you can go with a regular bra that has convertable straps so you can configure it to have one strap that goes behind your neck, rather than 2 over the shoulder. I'm a 34G, and they make them in my size.

[boilermaker]

I'll agree with villanelle. They sell decent convertible bras at most dept stores even in larger bust sizes (I'm a 32G and can usually find 2-3 to pick from at least).

Here's one I would recommend from Nordies and is sold at Dillards as well:
bra link (http://http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2867069/0~2376776~2374327~6010810~6010827?mediumthumbnail= Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6010827&P=1)

But that red dress is spectacular and would work with a normal bra. That being said, if you are going to splurge on the dress, you'd feel a lot sexier with new underthings as well :) And I bet your DH wouldn't complain either.

[chefker]

Ahhh! I want that red dress. :) I even have a necklace and earrings already, that I think will go nicely:

http://www.1928.com/images-thumbs/300/40551.jpg

http://www.1928.com/images-thumbs/300/20320.jpg


Hopefully my local Nordie's carries that dress - I really would like to try it on before buying. If not, I am pretty sure I can guesstimate my size from the sizing chart, and it appears that you can even return mail order stuff to your local store.

Thanks ladies, for all your help! Now I will need to find shoes... :D

[villanelle75]

You can return mail order stuff to the store. I ordered a dress online and it ended up not fitting, so I ordered the next size up, but that one was too big. they didn't bat an eye when I walked in to the store to return 2 identical dresses with mail invoice receipts.

[BlackMagicRose]

Can I also jump in here and ask a question, instead of starting a new thread??

I have the opposite problem of the original poster. I am smaller on top (34B), have a very small waist (not my lower abdomen. Unfortunately I have a pooch that I am working on!)and my hips, thighs and butt are a little bigger than I would like. What styles would look good on me and what should I stay away from? Oh yeah, I am 5'3 and have short legs. :rolleyes:

My best assests are my shoulders and collar bone area(I am working on my arms) my very small waist and my calves are looking much better. I just want to minimize my hips and thighs.

I did just buy a really cool outfit yesterday. It is one of those big belt styles with a cute black skirt and shirt. I did not think it would work on me, but it looks great!

Any ideas?

[BlackMagicRose]

Ah, I just found this and love it! Would it look good on me? It is too $$$ though....any where else I can find something similar?

Dress (http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2941694/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6001777~6010063?mediumth umbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6010063&P=3)