You know the advice about not wearing baggy stuff if you're overweight?

[wildstrawberryplace]

It sort of depends doesn't it?

I'm a previously slim person who is currently overweight, and I am losing weight having come to the realisation that being this size is having a negative impact on me, not just sartorially.

I am currently trying to find a dress that doesn't look just awful on me. I'm 5' 4" and I'm a 16 at the moment, and the problem is that it is mostly on my bust and tummy, so if I do find something that I feel comfortable in, it looks OK from the front but if I stand sideways it looks like a tent, far too big on the hips and waist and makes me look shapeless and dumpy.

However, when I try something more fitted I just look pregnant. Additionally, fitted things are always too small at the bust when they fit elsewhere.

So anyway, for a one off special occasion (one which is something you have to endure rather then will enjoy), is it better to wear something that is perhaps not ideally flattering but you feel comfortable in - and let's face it the point here is that just because you put on a frock it is not going to instantly transform you into looking good if you don't already look good, is it?

I'm sort of thinking I just need to admit that I'm shapeless and dumpy and nothing will "look good".

Does anyone know of any place that might sell magic dresses?

[JennyPiccolo]

Try some Spanx and an empire line.

[TracyK]

Could you not do a nice trouser suit - black and slimming with a bit of high shoe boot?

[wildstrawberryplace]

Jenny thanks it's a good suggestion but I can't do empire line - my bust is always too big. In order to get the chest bit above the empire line I would need a 22 or something so the lower bit of the dress would be mahoosive.

[wildstrawberryplace]

Trouser suit...hmmm yes possibly

[howlingheadlessmunsters]

As someone of cimilar height & size I would suggest straight or pencil skirt ( not too tight), heels and scoop or v neck top but not flashing excessive cleavage. A good bra is key to silhouette.

For a special occasion I'm not sure comfort is king as nothing worse than feeling like the dowdy one.

[howlingheadlessmunsters]

Similar!

Trouser suits not great unless you've got proportionally long legs IMO.

[wildstrawberryplace]

That's thing. I feel incredibly DOWDY.

[wildstrawberryplace]

And I have short legs in proportion to my body too.

[TracyK]

Longer trousers, higher waist or corset typee belt and slightly shorter jacket?

[Wordsonapage]

Empire line makes me look like a busty barmaid.

[Wordsonapage]

I agree with howling
Skim rather than cling

And no smock tops they are hideous

[wildstrawberryplace]

Had I been slim, I would have worn something like this

[FairyBlueBell]

Try Pepperberry to accommodate a bigger bust

[wildstrawberryplace]

I know it's not really dressy but that's me. I usually wear jeans and converse so any dress is dressy for me.

[prioneyes]

Great bra, adjustable empire line so a dress with a high tie waist, or a ruched wrap type affair maybe?

[battherat]

Your figure sounds a lot like mine. IMO baggy stuff looks dreadful when you have a big bust. I tend to go for dresses that are made out of a stretchy material. Often in a sort of shift style but with sleeves. I also do wrap dresses but am very picky about the material as they can do as much harm as good if the print isn't flattering.

Have a look at COS online. Some of this season's stuff is great. I have just bought this. It's very flattering and looks lovely with opaque tights, big jewellery and heels.

[wildstrawberryplace]

I also love this

[wildstrawberryplace]

So what do we think of this velvet tunic?

[polyhymnia]

I'm a passionate believer in the 'don't wear baggy if you're large' rule. I avoid like the plague anything that drops straight from my large bust, with no definition, making me look like a ship in full sail. I have an hourglass figure, in proportion, and am tall with long legs and do appreciate that in those respects I'm really lucky.

Thinking about how you describe your figure, I'm sure it isn't true that 'nothing will look good'. Keep looking for something comfortable but also flattering. In a Size 16, there's a vast choice.

Not sure what dress shape to suggest but perhaps a wrap (Boden have some with 30% off today). Or, as bat said, a shift - but one that doesn't just go straight down from the bust like a sack.

An alternative for a special occasion would be a nice top or tunic, preferably with a bit of elastane/ stretch in it, to ensure it skims the figure, neither just hanging nor fitting too snugly. I have several of these from Boden, who might be worth a look, and other tunics have been suggested above, including that JL one (difficult to tell if that one has enough definition without trying it). You could wear it either with slim/skinny trousers, to show off your slimmer lower half, or just fabulous opaques, if the tunic is long enough (your height is an advantage here). And great accessories, of course.

[polyhymnia]

PS - Could you not try that lovely Damsel in a Dress dress you posted - it has elastane in, so might skim your lower half and not just hang.

[wildstrawberryplace]

I think I will poly - trip to JL tomorrow, I will leave with a flattering dress if it takes me all day

[Gillybobs]

I find some Mint Velvet dresses quite flattering (am size 16 too), I think a print is key as it keeps the eye moving (!) and this one has lovely ruching around the tummy area... here

[cocobongo]

i like the damsel in a dress one- i am similar sized, and am tempted to go and try it on now having seen it!

i don't like the velvet ones you posted, both seem quite frumpy.

[pink4ever]

Sorry but all those dresses that you posted are horrible and would do absolutely nothing for your figure-and you would look dowdy as hell in them!
Cant do links but phase 8 have some nice wraps dresses-I am a similiar shape to you and I have never found a more flattering dress shape on me. Also Monsoon have some nice wrap or tea dresses on which are flattering on a bigger bust.

[LillianGish]

Something like this If you've got boobs avoid a high neck at all costs.