A Tale of Two Dresses

[elliebath]

Our friend Hidden recently posted her lovely new size 8 skirt. Quite rightly she deserves to be very proud of it.

However, for me, dress size isn't always the best target.

Last year I bought this Xmas party dress. It is a size 12. Then some time later I spotted the same dress in size 10 reduced in the sale, and that too fits fine with additional firm lycra underwear. So, in a moment of vanity I bought that too. Now, this year altho I am actually 2 lbs lighter than last Xmas, I realise I actually prefer the bigger one.. without the Spanx. Who cares about the label? I know which one I'd rather wear 😊

[DartmoorDumpling]

And there are those amongst us who celebrate when a size 16 does up without a strain!

[elliebath Maintainer in reply to DartmoorDumpling]

Yes , as did I three years ago. But thats the point, what matters is our individual place in the "healthy" scale and label size doesn't matter 😊

[IndigoBlue61 in reply to DartmoorDumpling]

Hear hear!! 😊❤️😊

[IndigoBlue61]

Gorgeous 😊😊😊

[Itsbab]

Wow you look so slim and trendy👍 I need lessons, on the trendy theme the weight is being worked on slowly lol.

[elliebath Maintainer in reply to Itsbab]

It took me a lot of convincing from my partner that I could afford to raise my hemlines a bit, but only with opaque tights, never old bare legs.

I am not everso tall by today's standards and a bit short bodied, but Ive discovered two tips that make me look slimmer and younger. Slightly higher hemlines with dark tights, and shortening long sleeves to well above the wrist. I find many sleeves come too long onto the hand which swamp me and look frumpy, but by taking them up 2 inches changes everything!

[Ottomummy Healthy BMI in reply to elliebath]

Like it Elliebath - I too am vertically restricted! 5ft 2 maybe 3.... I'm a terror for buying clothes that swamp me and make me look frumpy too (i'm 54). I like clothes with shorter sleeves and didn't realise the points you make - makes sense now. And hemlines.... going to adopt your fashion tips, good ideas. And as for sizes - well, I dressmake and the only sizes you can really believe are the ones in inches or centimetres. I've dropped a size, but can guarantee if I shop in one place I'd be a 12 and another a 10 and maybe.... please.... an 8. You certainly do look good in that outfit though - congratulations.

[elliebath Maintainer in reply to Ottomummy]

Lucky as a dressmaker you can make things to fit you well. Im a bit taller at 5ft 5 and certainly not a petite frame but the petite range in Wallis and Precis do some better proportioned things, and M&S a few although less choice.

[JiminyCricket 7lbs in reply to Ottomummy]

vertically restricted!!!! that made me laugh x

[Itsbab in reply to elliebath]

I am only 5'2" and a half I tell my hubby that half really matters lol

I can't stand long sleeves so 3/4 or short is my choice anyway.

I agree a higher hemline is better but I have been so used to wearing calf length, I did buy some thick tights to wear with a shorter dress but waiting for the confidence to build up a bit yet. 😊

[elliebath Maintainer in reply to Itsbab]

Go on, go for it 😁

[Ottomummy Healthy BMI in reply to Itsbab]

Yep, I second that, go for it. I luckily talked myself out of a purchase at White Stuff, of a gorgeous knitted "tunic", supposed to be worn over jeggings I think. Trouble is, it would look like a dress on me! Making me look even shorter. I need a wardrobe makeover or just a chuck out!

[elliebath Maintainer in reply to Ottomummy]

Ive looked at those in White Stuff too. Is it below the knee or above? if its still slightly above the knee then why not wear it as a dress with tights instead, maybe with heeled boots? Bet it'd look good 😊

[Ottomummy Healthy BMI in reply to elliebath]

Didn't try it on, but might go back and have a go.....

[Hidden]

My charity shop purchase amazed me for having a size 8 label, but obviously there wasn't a 10 or 12 available in the same style for me to experiment with. In fact I rejected everything on that skirt rail including some 14s because I could see the hips wouldn't be generous enough, even some that looked A-line- ish... So I think another moral is to shop for shape rather than size, as the range of fits of different styles combined with our very different body shapes means the labels often can't be relied on as a guide on their own!

[elliebath Maintainer in reply to Hidden]

Yes good advice, shop for shape not size , like it!

[Caz28]

You look great! I never worry about labels, there is stuff in my wardrobe ranging from 12- 18 !! It all depends on make and style I think, so long as I like the way something feels and looks that's fine by me. Having said all that, I would be very dissapointed if a size 14 trouser was too tight on me!!

[elliebath Maintainer in reply to Caz28]

I very much doubt that will happen Caz28 , you've done so well, more or less at target!!