HI I need a little advice. I am 37, 5'2, and weigh 160 lbs. Short and curvy. I also have a hard time spending money on myself and pickign things that look good on me and are fashionable. The wedding we will be attending is in a southern state in June so it will probably be hot.
I'd like to know where you would go shopping, how much you would comfortably spend, and if you happened to be able to suggest a certain style that might work with a chunky hourglass shape. I would love to hear it.
i actaully am interested in prices, since it's been so long since i've gotten anything, I really don't know what a not insane price is. Would most of you pay $200 if you could wear it again and again. I'll probably have it for five years or so.
the petite, or 'short' section is probably a good place to start. I have good luck with Lord and Taylor since they are always having sales, and then coupons to discount on top of the sale price. they also have some good sales consultants to help pick out diffent options to try on.
Ann taylor has great prices in their sale area. I just went to Macys and found great dresses for under $70 a few weeks ago. There are probably great sales today so take advantage of them.
I like Cato clothes. I find their prices to be about half of stores like Penney's and other stores similar. They have cute clothes and they are made pretty well. I buy nearly all my new clothes there.
A style that is popular right now is the Empire waist with gentle gathers underneath. This is a style that will look good on you any time. I have the typical pear shape and that style has been one of my favorites since high school.
I am putting some sewing pattern links that show the styles of dresses I think would be nice, not so you can try to make a dress but see actual pictures of dresses in the styles that would look nice on your body type.
This one has minimal gathers under the bust but still has shape that is flattering to your body type. It has an open neck that will draw the eye's upward and to your neck and face.
http://www.simplicity.com/p-6063-misses-miss-petite-dress...
The deep V of this neckline will also draw the eyes up and look flattering. The waist is defined by the wider band and it minimizes the hips. It could be dressed up with a few very nice pieces of jewelry or simplified by leaving them off.
http://www.simplicity.com/p-5910-misses-amazing-fit-dress...
This style has a side tie that gives the top structure and again draws the eye towards the upper half of the body. It has very soft lines and is very feminine. It could be something very soft and drape very softly. I would say make sure if you go with this style that you make sure it is the right size so it doesn't fit to tightly across the hiney.
http://www.simplicity.com/p-5090-misses-dress-separates.aspx
If you are not to bottom heavy you can wear a straight skirt. If you are then wear a slightly full skirt, fitted around the waist and top of the hips but flares out at the bottom a bit. Like a trumpet bell. It will minimize the fuller hips when wearing a suit. The aqua jacket is lovely in this suit, the details of the button and soft draping really make it special.
http://www.simplicity.com/p-4471-misses-sportswear.aspx
The ruffled neck of this jacket is very feminine but can look a bit older. So the fabric can make it or break it. The other jacket is a bit immature due to the schoolgirl collar. The skirt style is what I was mentioning above. The trumpet/bell look. It flares a bit but not too full and gathered.
http://www.simplicity.com/p-1597-misses-dresses.aspx
If the wedding is a bit formal then this style might be something you can wear. A bit more formal but still tasteful and it shouldn't take away from the bride any. The aqua/teal colored one would be right for your body style. Also the purple one. Flared out at the bottom a bit and details at the waist or neck that draw the eyes up.
http://www.simplicity.com/p-1508-misses-special-occasion-...
If you like drama then something like this might be a good look for you too. It has the higher, empire, waist and a definite style that no one else will have one. The peach dress the model has on doesn't fit her well. It is a bit baggie or something. The line of the dresses on the pattern are more flattering. If you have pretty shoulders and upper arms this style would look awesome on you. You could find something that is shorter if you wanted and it would still look awesome.
http://www.simplicity.com/p-1642-misses-special-occasion-...
Good luck and good fun in your shopping adventures.
Speaking as a 5'2" 180 pounder ( right now) I would love to be your weight right about now....and can totally sympathize with trying to find a dress or outfit that fits well and looks good on our size! I would suggest an A-line or looser bottom/skirt, and an empire waist, or a ruched waist band/area, or a wrap style bodice. Shorter - right at the knee, just above or just below, is pretty good for our height, Maxi dresses don't do us much good.
http://www.thebudgetfashionista.com/archive/petite-plus-s... (good tips and actual plus sized models)
http://www.dressyourbodytype.com/curvypetite.php ( the models they show are anything BUT cirvy, BUT the tips are still good)
Here are some that would look great, I think, I own the portrait collar one from Chadwicks, and have others similar to many of these:
http://www.avenue.com/womens/1/815464287-cocktail-dress-p...
http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?GrpTyp=SIZ&ItemID...
http://www.avenue.com/clothing/Tie-Back-Dress.aspx?PfId=2...
http://www.avenue.com/clothing/Katherine-Georgette-Dress....
http://www.chadwicks.com/chadwicks/browse/productDetail.j...
http://www.chadwicks.com/chadwicks/browse/productDetail.j...
http://www.chadwicks.com/chadwicks/browse/productDetail.j...
http://www.chadwicks.com/chadwicks/browse/productDetail.j...
http://www.chadwicks.com/chadwicks/browse/productDetail.j...
Hope this helps!
Jessie
Have you considered Talbots? They have Petite, and Petite Woman's sizes-- thought you are probably too little for those. I think they have a lot of classic styles you will be able to wear again and again. But I agree that Macy's is another great place.
I would have no problem paying $200 for a dress that I really loved and could wear again and again. Just remember that if you are going to a wedding in the South, they are generally dressier and more conservative than here. I couldn't believe when I moved to Pittsburgh from Georgia and people wore black dresses to weddings-- during the day (!!!)
Try looking at a debs shop.. good prices on most things in there and their dresses are made for just about any shape.
I think Ann Taylor Loft and Banana Republic Factory Stores have GREAT dresses.
I'm 5 ft and 150 lbs. Also short and curvy :) I can't wear dresses. I have too many lumps and bumps. I refuse to wear shape wear because I like to breath. ;) I think dresses only look right on the tall stick thin women. I'm so glad that separates are fashionable now! Plus, with my short stubby legs, I tend to look a wee bit like an Oompa Loompa in skirts and dresses ;)
I prefer either pants or skirts and blouses. I just went to Kohl's and they have a lot of really nice things that would be great for a wedding. I saw a lot of really nice capris that would work. The chiffon blouses would be great for a summer wedding. They're light and breathable, but don't cling to the wrong places like some blouses do. I was able to find a really nice one from Apt. 9 for $20!
New York and Co is another great store for dressy stuff. They're always having sales. They carry a "short" length that usually fits me pretty good. Their sales consultants are usually pretty helpful too. In a store like that, you're pretty fashionable no matter what you pick.
As far as price, I guess I'd look at what is comfortable in the budget and how many times I'd wear the items. That's another reason I like separates so much, I can usually get a lot more use out of them than a dress. I'm ok with spending more on things that I know I'll wear a lot.
Good luck and happy shopping!
Lane Bryant is nice. They have nice plus size clothes. I am 5'3 and I weigh about 186 so I am chunky and have a hourglass figure myself. Another thing to consider is fashion bug. They also have a plus size section. I would spend about sixty to eight bucks so you can get a nice dress. I would also tell you to buy the dress as soon as possible in case you need any kind of alterations. Do something with a empire waist and something that is cut straight so that it will flatter the curves. I do not know what color your hair are skin are so I can not suggest a color. I would say to stay with something not very dark since it is going to be hot out. If you wear a dress below the knee you can probably get away with getting away without pantyhose. Wear some nice strappy heels. Have a good time.
Do a Google Search on "Dresses that are good for a short, curvy, stocky woman."
Ideas will come up and tips.
good luck.
maybe an A line style. Try a nicer store like Nordstrom, Macy's, there prices aren't over the top but at least you can find someone to help you & guide you to something that would make you feel comfortable in your curves & if you thought the prices were too much for you, you could look elsewhere.
As for how much to spend, well that one's on you, we don't know your finances. Who is the wedding for? I would spend more if I was *close* to the couple, but would spend less if I wasn't as close to them.
Some kind of wrap dress(faux is best to avoid wardrobe malfunctions) is always flattering. Try Macy's or Lane Bryant. I wouldn't spend more than $200 and I think you can find something for less than that. Good luck.
And I have had great luck at Neiman's too,but the prices are higher. I've never failed to find a dress there but you may spend a bit more .
I'm very curvy too so I know exactly what you're talking about. Whenever I have weddings or events I usually go to Dress Barn. Their dresses are reasonably priced (usually $30-40) and are really fashionable. Target also has nice dresses. I used to love their Isaac Mizrahi line but I believe it got discontinued. Good luck and happy shopping!
My mom is the same height and she sometimes finds petite sizes fit her better especially for a dress or jacket. I'm not sure if you are plus size but you can sometimes find petite plus sizes.
Try Romans online and also Dress Barn stores. I really like Dress barn, you can find some dresses that don’t look cheap at all, but they are totally affordable. I would never pay $200 for a dress unless I was IN the wedding. Even if it seemed like a “timeless” dress, as a mom, I know that no piece of clothing is guaranteed to last forever when you deal with kids. My little guy could get his greasy hands on me on my way out the door and that would be it for the dress! I second what someone else said about wrap dresses, I really like the way they shape (not hide) my curves.
LOVE this one at romans! http://www.roamans.com/clothing/Cape-Sleeve-Empire-Waist-...
I love INC brand from Macys. They usually run about $100 but on sale you can get them for 1/2 to 1/3 the original price. I like the empire waists and something that covers my upper arms. LOTS of cute sleeveless dresses out there too if you are willing to bare your arms.
Try Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug, or Dress Barn. If there's not one near you, they all have websites. Each has a plus sized department and lots of pretty fashionable summer dresses.
Have fun at the wedding!
There is no way I would pay $200. I would probably not pay more than $75 unless it was a style I could also wear to work. I would suggest a wrap style which I think make curves look really good!
