This reminded me of a more fashionable version of this dress, but it’s very expensive

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/mac-duggal-short-sleeve-mesh-midi-dress?category=new-clothing-accessories&color=030&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

So many of the alternatives suggested here have puffed sleeves and tiered skirts. Can someone post a pic of a middle aged woman size 8+ who looks good in this style?

Doen has a lot of dresses like this but romantic and modern.

One example

https://www.shopdoen.com/products/haleigh-dress-sea-salt-paisley

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I don't wear dresses often and the only ones that look decent are V neck wrap or a sheath shape with zero horizontal stitching and no belt (some runching at the waist is ok) in a forgiving fabric. This Coldwater Creek dress, while awful, at least mostly meets those requirements. I thought maybe someone could help me step it up big time. But I guess I'll stick with the tried and true.

I have a similar body type. Try “tunic” and “sheath” and look on Tuckernuck. I also look for dresses with some built in waist detail, but not a belt of any kind. Like a horizontal band that’s just part of the dress is great. But anything that ties on is a no.

Shirt dresses can also work, but sometimes don’t at all. I feel your pain.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Few woman can pull that cut off. It even looks terrible on the model.

Tell you what, OP's dress and all the other floral dresses would swamp me but I could actually wear this one! Five feet tall and muscular. I wish I could pull off those big floral dresses - I really love them.

This dress is nothing like OP's dress, that said.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Few woman can pull that cut off. It even looks terrible on the model.

to be fair(er) to the dress, the models lack curves

Anonymous wrote:

Few woman can pull that cut off. It even looks terrible on the model.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I don't wear dresses often and the only ones that look decent are V neck wrap or a sheath shape with zero horizontal stitching and no belt (some runching at the waist is ok) in a forgiving fabric. This Coldwater Creek dress, while awful, at least mostly meets those requirements. I thought maybe someone could help me step it up big time. But I guess I'll stick with the tried and true.

V-neck dress with ruching:
https://www.bodenusa.com/en-us/kassidy-jersey-midi-dress-poppy-red-gardenia-swirl/sty-d0995-red?cat=C1_S2_G4

https://www.dillards.com/p/alex-marie-monroe-floral-short-puff-sleeve-sweetheart-halter-tie-neck-a-line-midi-dress/517976789

https://www.dillards.com/p/trina-turk--global-2-silk-mod-splash-print-keyhole-neck-short-sleeve-caftan-dress/517202799

https://www.dillards.com/p/sam-edelman-dasie-lace-detailed-floral-print-v-neck-short-sleeve-midi-dress/518014231

I don’t think the dress is that bad. The color and print are really pretty and it has a little shape. Looks to me like a Sunday print dress, maybe Easter brunch or casual garden party type thing.
I like the third dillard’s dress in blue which is very similar concept. Dillards is great for those kinds of dresses that you’d wear to church in the Midwest or a garden party or casual Arizona wedding etc etc.

https://www.macys.com/shop/product/dkny-womens-polka-dot-v-neck-button-trim-midi-dress?ID=17027111

These are more modern looking, with someof the same characteristics
https://m.shopbop.com/kendall-dress-birds-paradis/vp/v=1/1585228602.htm?os=false&breadcrumb=Shop+Women%27s%3EClothing%3EDresses&folderID=13351&colorSin=2049226869&fm=other-shopbysize&ref_=SB_PLP_PDP_W_CLOTH_DRESS_13351_NB_15

https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/reformation-baxley-dress3?category=dresses-midi&color=060&type=STANDARD&quantity=1

Or this, different color scheme: https://www.hobbs.com/us/product/petite-aurora-fit-and-flare-dress/0124-5213-9045L04-NAVY-MULTI.html#navAjax=true&imageType=model&is=true&sz=60&start=120&cgid=clothing-dresses&isSecondPage=false&pid=0124-5213-9045L04-NAVY-MULTI&pos=129