What would you wear if you were a Coke bottle?

April 11, 2009 4:54 PM

Women's style question: I love clothes with a fitted hourglass silhouette. I've found a few hourglass-emphasizing styles that suit me, and would like more. Seeking visual style ideas as well as suggestions for brick-and-mortar shops in Toronto or NYC.

Mid 20s woman. 5'6, 135 lbs. I'm athletic and curvy, like this, but flatter chested and a little chubbier. I have gymnastics muscles half-hidden by baby fat so my shoulders, biceps, and thighs are somewhat large for my size. I have a small waist.

In general, any outfit with a well-defined waist will probably work on me.

Here's what I usually wear now:
Shirtdresses and wrap dresses.
Classic retro secretary hourglass dresses.
Fitted, structured ladies' menswear. I love vests, pinstripes and French cuffs.
I like structured, strong fabric with some stretch, and square shoulders rather than droopy cuts. I don't really need shoulder pads though.
I don't like to show a ton of skin (ex, very short skirts, bare shoulders, or cleavage).
Bright colors and flashy, attention grabbing styles are great. I love big belts, too.

Here are things I would like to wear but don't know how to find (in Toronto or NYC):
Dresses that look like a 1950s uniform of some type.
Mod-inspired tunic dresses like this grey boatneck dress.
Op-art graphic prints and curvy stripes like this black and white dress.
Exaggerated 50s style dresses like this amazing 1950s princess dress.
And I like high-waisted skirts and pants- I have a few, but don't really know what kind of tops to pair them with.

What other small-waist silhouette clothing ideas could I try?
Where should I shop (Toronto or NYC)? I prefer to try stuff on rather than buy online.
I also enjoy browsing photo sites such as Wardrobe Remix or Sartorialist- any more website recommendations for inspiration?
Thanks!

posted by twistofrhyme to clothing, beauty, & fashion (12 comments total)

In New York, there's a boutique called Liana on Columbus around 77th. The salespeople are almost always right. They are not cheap, and carry a lot of designer labels like Nanette Lepore (who, in general, would probably work well for you), Weston Wear, Nicole Miller, and others in the middle RTW price range.

If you're a little flatter chested, Diane Von Furstenburg wrap dresses would probably look great on you, specifically.

Labels to look for would be Milly and Nanette Lepore.
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 5:38 PM on April 11

You might contact the nice folks at Stop Staring and ask which stores carry their dresses in NY and Toronto.
posted by gingerbeer at 6:06 PM on April 11

The great thing with high-waisted skirts for me is that you can pair them with just about anything. From a fitted shirt or singlet, to a loose blouse. I adore the look and because of the variety of styles that can be used you should be able to find the look anywhere.
posted by liquorice at 6:19 PM on April 11 [1 favorite has favorites]

Have you seen J. Peterman's dresses?
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:58 PM on April 11

I asked the photo site question recently and got a lot of helpful replies, here.
posted by Ashley801 at 7:32 PM on April 11

Lisa Edelstein (the actor who plays Cuddy on House) is an hourglass who dresses very well for her shape. If you're willing to overlook the occasional horrid blazer, she's a good person to watch for ideas. On the show, her character tends to wear pencil skirts, ruffled blouses, cinched jackets and the occasional boxy dress. (Also, way too much cleavage for the workplace, but hey, it's television!)

Also, check out the various knock-offs of the Galaxy dress. I have something similar from the Australian label Cue which cost me $20 second hand. It's incredibly flattering to an hourglass shape, and it actually accentuates the curves rather than trying to cover them up. Looks great with a belt, too.
posted by embrangled at 4:13 AM on April 12 [1 favorite has favorites]

If you can sew, or have the budget for someone to make stuff for you, Vintage Vogue has some wonderful patterns that seem to fit the bill.
posted by nax at 6:30 AM on April 12

Danger Dame sells clothes that are perfect for hourglass figures. I have the Lucy in Wonderland dress and I love it.

Mod Cloth, Rice and Beans Vintage, and Shabby Apple are all worth a look. Lucite Box is my favorite vintage store on the internet.
posted by Alison at 6:56 AM on April 12 [2 favorites has favorites]

I wear the kind of styles you are talking about, and have nothing but praise for these guys, who sell via ebay. They take lots of measurements, so it will fit well, and everything is well made. They sell quite a lot of 'vintage inspired' stuff you might like.

And I second Danger Dame - I have some of her stuff and it is great!
posted by Megami at 7:28 AM on April 12 [1 favorite has favorites]

In Toronto, Damzels in this Dress, at 1122 Queen St. East (between Pape and Jones) has great dresses in retro styles.
posted by peagood at 6:02 PM on April 12

Great advice, everyone- thank you.

Gingerbeer, I adore the Stop Staring dresses and had never heard of them before, but browsing the site, I just realized I actually saw a woman wearing this one at a concert last month. All that evening I could barely concentrate as I was so fascinated by how perfect it looked, and I assumed it was an incredibly lucky vintage find. I'm delighted to realize I can buy one too!
posted by twistofrhyme at 2:58 AM on April 25

I have lusted after the dresses on that site, but have yet to actually buy any. I'd love to hear if you have a good experience with them.
posted by gingerbeer at 7:51 PM on April 26