Do you wear empire line dresses?

Question

and tops? They're the one's that hang loose from under your boobs. I can't stand them and as soon as they go out of fashion I'll be pleased. I'm only a size 10 so it's not like I'm fat but I do have a bit of a tummy like most girls do and I have no desire to look pregnant when I'm not. Unless you're completely flat stomached I think they're a disaster and yet you see so many bigger girls letting it all hang out (which is up to them but I think it looks vile).

Just thought I'd have a bit of a rant. Any comments welcome from women and cross dressing men (who probably look better in them than most women anyway). LOL

Answer 1

I've been overweight since high school, so I'm always looking for styles that HIDE my flab, not accentuate it. I think that a lot of women think that this style hides their tummy, but I think it makes everyone look fat and/or pregnant. This style always looks really cute in the store, though, so I wish I could wear it. I think it's just another style that is really only intended for thin women.

Answer 2

DITTO!!

I cant seem to find anything else out there and it is driving me slowly insane- it doesnt help that I have IBS which gives me bloating (in my stomach) and I tell no lies when I say each day? another question along the lines of "are you pregnent," "congratulations" "when are you due"... I'M SIZE 8-10 FOR GODSAKE!!

I also work in retail, fashion and get a discount on stuff, but I cannot tell you how much I dislike anything out there at the moment!

First it was the 'dropped waist' which also did a bad job at covering the stomach area- unless you didnt have one and wanted to have one it was a useless item.

High wasted seems to do pretty much the same in the way of emphasizing the "bump" as the lines of the flies/seams are rounded just around the stomach when they wouldnt normally be. Instant "girl or boy?" comments.

I am lucky I own a sewing machine as I am at the moment constantly taking in the flairy parts of the tops to make it more fitted and even get "I love your top, where d'you get it" obviously from others who have realised the effects pregnancy scare tops!- You could always try learning how to use your mumsgrans/mates sewing machine and doing this yourself, just lie the top down inside out on a flat surface (eg clean floor or table) then lie a well fitting top ontop so the shoulders line up, then with dressmakers pins (available from all good tescos/sainsburys..etc with their sewing threads and stuff) and pin the line which shows the difference in the amount of fabric, all the way down from the bottom of the bust.then run a line of stitch with the sewing machine, no real need to hem it when you cut off the excess fabric- if its jersy /cotten stetch fabric, it wont fray honest! just try to leave a 1cm space between what you cut and the line of stitch, then try on for size- fitted top insted of faliry one!

Try to bear with this though, shelling out on a brand new top which will "make do" is not worth it, I have a feeling the preggers tops will leave everyone freshly inspired to buy the new (non flaired) stuff whenever it comes out and I recon the fashion sellers are well aware of this!

Answer 3

I'm in your corner. I went shopping the other day and thought I'd wandered into the largest maternity department ever. It turned out that this is the trend. I'm a little on the busty side,anything that floats away under my boobs makes me look pregnant. If the shirt or dress has a band or something to make a straighter line through the torso,I'm ok.
I blame all those middle aged actresses (I can and will say this,I'm 44 years old and middle aged myself) who are having babies.

Answer 4

Empire line dresses were the height of fashion in the Regency (1800-25) period - think Napoleon’s wife Josephine Bonaparte and Pride and Prejudice. So I can imagine women in those days wore these dresses despite their shape and size.

But these days with skimpy tops, I personally don't like to wear them. However, there some designs that look great like the ones in these link:
http://www.asos.com/Rachel-Bilson/Empire-Line-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=85774
http://www.promod.com/odyssee/src/fp-ficheproduit.asp?lg=UK&Saison=2&Modele=200033&Coloris=003&PrOp=1&PgRs=1&PrMo=8

I always see petite women and those with slender-on-top chests (with flat stomaches obviously) wear them as they create an illusion of length and hides a thick bottom or waist.

Answer 5

I agree; the only people they suit are very, very thin girls with tiny boobs, so its annoying that clothes manufacturers even make and market them in bigger sizes! I am not against anyone wearing whatever they want to wear and feel comfortable in, but its kind of depressing for me personally to have tried one of these tops on and realise I look like some pregnant 1970s throwback in it.

Answer 6

No, I'm too busty to wear empire waists without looking like a slattern.
I wear princess line clothing, and I don't give a rat's patoot whether I'm fashionable or not.

Answer 7

i agree with you!
they should be banned.
isn't the clothing industry something?
as soon as everyone bought t-shirts..they bring this style in.
wouldn't it be nice to start a ban on a certain piece of clothing..just to see how fast it would disappear?

Answer 8

yeah, you actually have to be really slim to wear empire-style dresses... i never wear them, that's the same case- i look like i was pregnant when i'm not.

Answer 9

im very..very thin... (though i do not have small boobs..for the last comment)

And i think theyd look stupid on me too...kind of like wearing a bin liner.

Answer 10

NO I dont and I dont feel like ranting right now.