dresses

I love Lagenlook tunics & dresses with or without leggings. They are not frumpy & are comfortable.

Hobbs, L K Bennett, Boden.

If I stuck to my diet I would have a wide choice of dresses currently residing in a large bag labelled 'too small'. It really is silly - but I say this every summer. One or two I really miss not being able to wear. However, Doctor has called time, so you never know, this may be the year of the dress!

I'm another seamstress here, I've been going to a couture dressmaking class for 4 years now and I love it! I can now make patterns and alter commercial ones to fit. Fabric Godmother., Sewbox, Abakhan and many other online fabric stores are good for dress fabrics or maybe you've got a local market.

I'm relieved to read other people have problems finding dresses having spent a fruitless afternoon yesterday trying to find a dress for an evening reception after a wedding. M&S had nothing that appealed, either too young, too old, too short or the dreaded sleeveless. John Lewis weren't much better so about to go on line and look at some of the GN suggestions.

Nor me winifred nor me ....unfortunately. There were some lovely dresses. I miss just being able to throw somthing on and looking good. Now no matter what I wear it never looks right. I'm just about to get dressed to go to Mother's Day tea with my daughter in law and her very very glamorous mum. I've learnt not to try to compete, just to be me. It helps that I like them both. But I wish I looked a bit better.

Hi Tizliz - I wear a size 10 skirt and I would so wear a red one! Any more details?

Flattering dresses is title of this thread, then picture of dress, no sleeves and stripes going round!! How many grans could get away with that- not me!

Thank you, Cerasus, I will certainlyl try the firms you mention. I'm not on Pinterest, but my daughter is, so I'll ask her to help me with this.

thanks for all your suggestions, will be looking at some of them. Loved the wiggle dress but unfortunately not only have chubby knees, tummy but also upper arms!! I have recently bought a sewing machine so perhaps that is the answer. I have several nice tunics which come a few inches above the knee from Seasalt and White Company, but tend to wear a long cardie over them with leggings, but would like a nice dress which covers the 'iffy' bits!

Fabric shopping online is a pleasure and a pain. You really need to get samples as the size of prints and colours can be deceptive seen on a monitor. Also the feel! But I love the range of choices. So far Stone fabrics, Dragonfly fabrics, the Fabric Godmother, Sewhot, the village haberdashery have been great and many others. Are you on Pinterest? If you put in sewing dresses women and older (on any other search terms you like!) you will find loads of ideas. Good luck! I'm thinking this idea needs its own thread.....

Try Studio Eight and Maine New England at Debenhams if you are on the larger.

Hobbs. They are expensive but worth saving for. The cut is sculpted and the materials top quality and I never saw anyone look bad in one.

This is my first proper look at Gransnet. Loved two online dresses sites. I need dresses with highish neck and I am only 5 ft so need to be careful with lengths. Shortening is not a problem. Will definitely check in oftener. Thanks to everyone ?????

Thank you girls for all of your suggestions. Some new names to me there that Ill have a look at. Plus a personal.shopper would be a good idea too.
Happy Mothering Sunday to the Moms on here in UK xx

I've discovered White Stuff and absolutely love their dresses! They are mostly knee length on me and I'm 5ft 6ins. Take a look online, free delivery over £30 and free returns so I usually order a couple of styles and sizes so I have a choice, although I often end up keeping more than one. Register with them for frequent discount codes.

I cannot find long day dresses which are not sleeveless , long skirts all seem to be tiered , I mean dresses and skirts to the ankle and cannot afford £79

I like some of the dresses on www.adinionline.co.uk - a bit trial & error ordering online I know (some independent shops stock some Adini but not the full range); I've got to know which styles are most likely to suit me now.

Treecycler, thank you for your post about making your own dresses. I've been considering digging out the old sewing machine again myself, and this is encouraging. Which internet stores have you found helpful for fabrics, please?

I have dresses by Patra a silk clothing catalogue and from Laura Ashley in a sale as well as from 40 years ago.

The Pretty Dress Company has some nice dresses for the younger mature woman . www.theprettydresscompany.com/fashion/View-All-Dresses. I had one of their dresses for my son's wedding a couple of years ago and had a lot of compliments and only cost me £79. Bargain. Definitely worth a look. Good luck

What's a Bombshell dress? Sounds v intriguing..

I discovered John Lewis Personal Style Adviser online. You put in all the relevant data (height, weight, age etc) plus all the things you want to avoid - tops of arms in my case! I bought a dress for work by Damsel in a Dress, a label I would never have tried before, and it's just perfect. I can recommend the adviser, or alternatively (as already suggested) use a department store personal shopper. Good luck, and enjoy the experience!

I have a red velvet M&S skirt, size 10 unworn - any takers? Can't remember when I last wore a skirt. Can't even remember why I bought it.

M&Co do nice shaped dresses and mainly just below the knee. On the other hand, just show your knees! Live dangerously.