Clueless size ten needs outfit for wedding

[ecofreckle]

I have only recently discovered the depths of style and beauty having hidden on the post natal boards since the birth of my daughter two years ago. Dh and I are having a child free overnight trip to a friend's wedding in a Berkshire country hotel. Dress code just says not black tie. I am going to treat myself to a new outfit but am fairly short on money so although it won't be primark it might be zara! I am a size ten/twelve with diminished post baby boobs and a décolleté I dislike. Decent legs and bum. Arms ok. I've just started CH skin routine in a bid to start looking after myself properly again. Does anyone have any suggestions please about where to start with planning my outfit? I live in skinny jeans and tops and haven't browsed clothes shops since before I had my daughter; I'd love some help! I have a whole child free afternoon set aside next week to mooch around and try things on. Thanks S and B masses.

[ecofreckle]

I should add, the wedding will be quite smart I think. Lots of wealthy professionals from the Windsor area. I find that feeling confident in my clothes impacts my enjoyment of situations: feel confident, be confident. So I'm quite keen to feel nice on the day and enjoy meeting some new people I realise I sound like I have some sort of complex

[Brookville]

If you can get yourself to a personal shopper session in Debs, John Lewis wherever, that's a good starting point. I got a nice (post DD2) dress from Oasis via said method for £50 which I'd never have normally considered. There was no pressure to buy and there were lots of dresses being tirelessly wheeled in my direction by the sales assistant.

[ecofreckle]

Brookville I'd never have thought about that. I do have time to sort that out so I will. I am a tiny bit fearful that I'll end up with a Gok type and he'll have me in cheetah skin with gold accessories but hey, it'd be fun! Thank you.

Still interested to see if anyone else has seen anything out there that they think might fit the bill....

[CloserToFiftyThanTwenty]

What sort of thing do you think you'd like? Patterns? Plain? Any particular colour?

Have you already got accessories / shoes that you want to use?

[ecofreckle]

I will need to get shoes and accessories too....I doubt very much I have anything suitable. I like frocks (pre dd I did lots of lindy hop dancing) and would say swing frocks but I'd like to look a bit more current than that. I like to be a bit different. Just as long as it doesn't scream 'look at me'! I won't fare well with cream. I attract filth and am very pasty. Does that help at all? Thanks for asking!

[ecofreckle]

Feeling 'twee' isn't good for my confidence I don't think so would like to steer clear of anything that might be described as that but I know you S and B chaps are pretty hardcore and may consider something I'd think of as edgy as twee :-) (I read the S and B loathes thread)

[AddToBasket]

What kind of thing do you like?

Monochrome hipster?

Romantic heroine?

Modern blue & white?

Happy Summer Party Girl?

[CloserToFiftyThanTwenty]

Do any of these grab you?

Navy Kew dress

[CloserToFiftyThanTwenty]

Red broderie anglaise

[CloserToFiftyThanTwenty]

Green dots

[CloserToFiftyThanTwenty]

Bananas - unless deemed twee

[ecofreckle]

Right, I am out of the bath now and on my laptop. I mean business.

Add to basket I don't mind the shape of the black and white first one but don't think the pattern is very me. Really dislike the romantic heroine...too incipid and like a royal might wear it. Modern blue and white is pretty....the shape might be quite sexy but it looks like something a grown up might wear (I may need to face facts as I am 39). The happy summer party girl is my favourite. I like the shape; there's no V neck so my decollete will be covered up. I think I'd like to be sexier though. Thanks for the suggestions. I'd certainly try on the 3rd and 4th one.

Off to look at other suggestions. Hang on.

[ecofreckle]

Closertofifty thank you! I don't care for the banana one much..I think a lady of a certain age who has not worn enough sun protection in her life might wear that on a cruise. But I've never been on a cruise.

However! I love the red broderie one; that is really nice, it made me smile when I saw it no idea how to accessorise that though

I also love love love the colours of the white stuff one. If it was close enough fitting it could be nice. Problem is I can look like a bag of bones if things sort of fit but don't if that makes any sense.

I am delighted I plucked up the courage and asked you guys. Thanks.

[ecofreckle]

Here are a couple of pretty rubbish photos of me to give you an idea of my figure.....Unsure if that's helpful.

[AddToBasket]

because you have great arms

[ecofreckle]

Do I? Thanks addtobasket. That dress is a lovely shape but sadly I would sit on a jam donut within moments of putting it on and £150 is £100 too much I'm afraid. Thanks for the idea though.

[AddToBasket]

Also about the arms £49

[ecofreckle]

That black and white banana republic one is not available in sizes 8, 10 or 12 so that one is out I'm afraid. Not sure what I think about monochrome. This is a useful process....I'm actually considering what I like and finding stuff out!

[Pantsalive]

Legs and no décolleté

[Pantsalive]

A bit of a curve ball.

[Pantsalive]

Loud

[ecofreckle]

Hello Pants and thank you. I really love your first 'legs no boobs' dress and so did dh although he asked if it was ok for a wedding. I think so.

The curve ball is too Kate Middleton for me and the loud one just doesn't feel right.

So far it's the red broderie 3/4 length sleeves from TK Maxx and the legs no boobs one from House of Fraser that are in the lead.

[ecofreckle]

I have these floral shoes from my wedding. I realise you will all probably think they're massively naff but I'm an ecologist and I liked the flowers and comfort Can't think of any other shoes that I have that might be vaguely suitable so I may need to start from scratch with shoes.

[ecofreckle]

These are the other shoes from my wedding. I had a second pair for my second frock which was for dancing in. Every other pair of shoes I own is flat and/or lace up

[Twinklestein]

You've got a great figure OP and lovely hair.

As you're an ecologist, have a look the selection of floral dresses from Asos.
They have a massive range at all different prices.

www.asos.com/Floral-Dresses/Cat/pgecategory.aspx?cid=12969&xr=1&mk=VOID&r=3