Winter wedding outfit for stressed out mother!

[craptastic]

I'm posting this on behalf of my mum who needs a wedding outfit in two weeks. She's stressing because she's overweight and thinks shes going to look awful whatever she wears. I have spent a while trawling the internet for her but not coming up with all her requirements.

Shes mid-50's, dresses fairly modernly. 18 on bottom, 16 on top. I would say a slight pear shape. She has a navy and grey smarter coat to wear so I'm thinking a navy dress of some kind. It has to be below knee. She will need a cardigan and shoes (low heel). The only dresses I can find are either too short or may end up making her look big round the middle by pulling in too tight at the waist. Oh, and she doesn't have a lot of money either.

It doesn't have to be a dress, I just thought it would be nicer and she would get wear out of it again. Less likely to wear a trouser suit again.

If anyone could find anything I would be most grateful!

[LettuceLaughton]

this is rather nice and should fall below the knee unless she's very talll.

What's her budget for the whole outfit?

[craptastic]

I like that, thanks Lettuce. Shes 5'6 so assuming the model is quite a bit taller it should be below knee.
I'm just wondering if big prints are the way to go with bigger ladies- not sure. But the sleeves are a bonus.

She doesn't have a budget as such, but would like to spend as little as possible, as she doesn't really want to go anyway!

[LettuceLaughton]

The model will be at least 5'8" if not 5'10" or 5'11". A big print is handy for distracting from any lumps or bumps, as a general rule.

I've seen a few nice wrap dresses but I'm guessing she'd like to avoid those? They can look very nice!

[NoMilkNoSugar]

I have one similar to this www.matalan.co.uk/womens/shop-by-category/dresses/s2611958/printed-shift-dress and I'm an 18-20 and felt lovely in it.

[Maverick66]

Hi OP I am a size 22 and have just been to a wedding. I would recommend a dress I tried on in Debenhams. Sorry can't link it was in their Collection range. They have it in plum or black and has a 3/4 length sleeve. It was all over lace and fell just below the knee. It was very flattering. Also look at the Kaliko range some nice things there. JD Willams do an absolutely stunning jump suit in their Joanna Hope range. It is black with beading on the top and it's £95.00 it is very very flattering on. Coast have launched a new range with Simply Be size 18/26 and a couple of good websites are Box 2 and Nordstrom. Hope this helps

[Maverick66]

Also Dorothy Perkins have just launched a range called Curve and there is a navy and silver dress in it very similar to the one recommended up thread from Phase Eight.

[craptastic]

Many thanks for the ideas, will pass them on. The debenhams one is really nice

[Maverick66]

It is beautiful on. Very elegant.