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Wedding outfit for size 18

15 replies

SpanielFace · 13/07/2014 08:43

Please help me!

I'm going to an old uni friend's wedding in late August. It will be the first time I've seen a lot of the guests since before having DS, now almost two. In that time I've had two pregnancies, DS and another baby boy who we lost 21 weeks into my pregnancy - this was only 6 weeks ago so still very raw. I've also gone from a size 12-14 to a size 18, through a combination of SPD, lack of exercise and comfort eating.

I'm dreading the wedding, I hate looking at myself in the mirror at the moment and am living in leggings and dresses that probably don't do much for me, but at least they are flattering. The thought of getting glammed up for a wedding is terrifying!

My weight is mostly on my tummy, it's very saggy and this has been made worse by having had a CS I think. Is there any magic holding-in underwear that anyone can suggest?

Also: a dress. I live in a rural area so not many shops locally, so may have to shop online. I'm 34, 5 foot 7 and a size 18. My legs are pretty good, up to the knee anyway, and my arms are not too awful. Big boobs as you'd expect at a size 18, but not massive. Massive tummy. Sad Dark brown hair, pale skin with a bit of rosacea, blue eyes.

Pre-DS, I used to like 1950s style dresses, blues and greens and citrus colours. Patterns and florals. DH says navy looks good on me, apparently. Black makes me look washed out. Does anyone have any ideas? Please?

OP posts:
SpanielFace · 13/07/2014 08:46

I meant to say that leggings and dresses are comfy - clearly not flattering!

OP posts:
OvertiredandConfused · 14/07/2014 00:41

How about this

Would look great with navy accessories, great to draw attention to a bit of cleavage and it skims the tummy area nicely.

I'm a bit biased as I've just bought it! However, having been where you are in terms of weight-gain and body confidence, I really think it might work.

Itscurtainsforyou · 14/07/2014 07:10

So sorry about you baby - 6 weeks is nothing at all, I'm not surprised you still feel fragile.

I can't post links easily, but there's a dress on la redoute with kimono type sleeves (if you search for kimono sleeves it will come up) that I'm considering. I think it's fitted around boobs then flares out a bit.

Rumandcokeplease · 14/07/2014 07:21

Hi, I have this coast dress m.coast-stores.com/pws/ProductDetails.ice?ProductID=15989 (but with teal flowers) - i have it in a size 18 and wore it to a wedding when my dd was only a couple of months old. Due to the detailing across the tummy it is very flattering! PM me of you'd like to borrow it!! I too have big boobs and it fits very nicely!

tethersend · 14/07/2014 07:41

You don't say what your budget is, but at a size 18, there's no reason you can't dress in the 50s style you love.

This would be fab.

MuttonCadet · 14/07/2014 07:44

Wow Rum that's a gorgeous dress and what a lovely offer! Smile

SpanielFace · 14/07/2014 08:49

Thanks everyone.

Overtired, that is a beautiful dress, but the only colour they have left in my size is the orange, which is lovely but I'm not sure if it's a bit too bright for the way I'm feeling at the moment! The other colours are all sold out in an 18, unfortunately.

Curtains, thanks. It's really still very early, we haven't even been able to have a service for him and say goodbye just yet, as they are doing a post mortem. I'm slightly dreading seeing two friends, who are pregnant and due around when I should have been. Just rubbish. Sad Is it this dress? www.laredoute.co.uk/la-redoute-en-plus-short-dress-with-short-kimono-sleeves/prod-324443310-280114.aspx If so, it's lovely, and a great shape for me, but not sure it's glam enough for what is going to be quite a posh wedding.

Rum, that is really incredibly generous of you! It's a beautiful dress, I just would be worried that it is too fitted for me, and also that toddler DS would ruin it by smearing chocolate or something on it! Can I think about it?

Tethersend, that is really nice but a bit over budget. I should have said, probably up to £100, or ideally a bit less.

Thanks again for the replies (and to Rum for being so generous!)

OP posts:
SpanielFace · 14/07/2014 08:50

While on the Boden website, I spotted this: www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Dresses/Occasion-Dresses/WH633/Womens-Selina-Dress.html I quite like it in the plain navy. It at the top end of my budget, but looks like it would hang really nicely. Or would it just make me look busty? What do you think?

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OvertiredandConfused · 14/07/2014 09:32

I think it's a great dress. A couple of the reviews say it doesn't look too busty so should be worth a go.

Do dress it up with bright accessories though - a bright orange / pink / green necklace would look fab

OvertiredandConfused · 14/07/2014 09:35

Or how about this? another that I know has a flattering fit and dresses up and down well.

Koothrapanties · 14/07/2014 09:39

I went to a wedding on Saturday and I'm the same size as you. I actually found a lovely dress at tk maxx. They also have a fantastic range of suck you in underwear. The prices were fab and I didn't feel hideous!

So sorry about your boy, sending you lots of hugs and good luck for the future. Flowers

Rumandcokeplease · 14/07/2014 10:18

Of course you can think about it! It does have a bit of stretch. You are more than welcome to try it if you want!! Can you get to a debenhams? They offer a free personal shopper and I would highly recommend them, I've used them a few times and they've picked things I wouldn't normally choose but whenever I've worn something a personal shopper has picked I always get compliments!

SpanielFace · 14/07/2014 10:33

That's a lovely dress Overtired, and a much better price, but sold out in my size! I usually need 18R, I'm not quite tall enough for long fits.

Koothra, thanks for the tip about TK Maxx - I never think to look there! I'll pop in tonight. Stomach-squashing underwear is definitely going to be essential.

Rum, would you honestly mind if I tried it on? I can only picture it on the size 8 model, can't imagine how it would look on me - I never wear that style. If I did borrow it, I promise I'd look after it. I don't smoke, probably won't be drinking much at the wedding so red wine stains etc unlikely. We do have a dog (spaniel, obv!) and a cat, I know some people are funny about buying stuff from pet-owning homes, but they don't go in the bedrooms so should be well away from clothes. It would be amazing to be able to borrow as I find myself resenting spending £100 on a dress that hopefully will be too big by next summer!

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Rumandcokeplease · 14/07/2014 11:12

Yes, you can borrow it! I'll happily post it to you, then you can try it - if it's no good just send it back, if you think it's ok send it back after the wedding! Let me know your address and I'll pop it in the post tomorrow!

SpanielFace · 14/07/2014 13:21

Thank you so much, Rum. I'll PM you now.

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