I do not, nor does any woman in my family, have a natural hourglass shape. We’re all barrels. Finding dresses that are flattering without making me look pregnant is a real trick, and I’m always on the lookout for cute empire waisted dresses. THIS IS THE DRESS! It looks so good on, feels wonderful, has pockets (bonus!), and comes in a good range of sizes. Plus I love all of the different color, pattern, and cut options. I wore the burgundy one with a floral pattern, and I was told by the woman who made my wedding dress (years ago) that I need to buy this dress in every color, because it looks AWESOME. I have to agree; it’s perfect on this hard-to-shop-for body. I also bought the black with floral pattern, plus the green, purple, and black versions. They all go great from work to an evening out, or even just hanging around in the backyard. It’s my new go-to.