Navy bridesmaid dress help

[Filiboom]

I'm on a mission for a navy bridesmaid dress and wondering if anyone can help me.... I feel like I've looked in all the obvious shops and haven't seen anything that's quite right. The bride is wonderful and has said that so long as it's navy, she just wants us to be happy - we don't have to wear the same thing. She's also very kindly going to give us some money towards the dress.

I have two young boys and don't get dressed up very often anymore, but always loved it before. I'm the only bridesmaid with children and, although it sounds a bit silly, I really don't want to look or feel at all "mummyish" on the day. That means finding a dress that is kind to my 2x c-section tummy....

Otherwise, I'm 5ft4, size 12 (if a 12 doesn't fit, I'm more likely to be a 14 than a 10...) and a 32dd - although I no longer have quite the bust I did pre-children! My bottom also sticks out (and is fairly toned at the moment), which means that figure hugging/fitted skirts and dresses look ok, although can be a bit va-va voom if too tight, but floaty skirts/dresses are really unflattering.

I do already have a dress, bought in the Me and Em sale (www.meandem.com/wrap-top-ruches-dress-navy). I do like it, but need a serious shaping/smoothing garment underneath to make me feel comfortable (recommendations welcome!) and I would prefer a jacket/other cover up to go with it (again, recommendations welcome!). It also doesn't feel that special, although I think will be fine if I see nothing else (and if I don't wear it for the wedding I know it will get other use).

I also really like this dress by DVF, which is just about in budget so long as I don't need to buy a jacket or similar to go with it. m.shop.nordstrom.com/s/diane-von-furstenberg-zarita-lace-sheath-dress/3434577?origin=related-3434577-60139443-2-FTR-Rich_Relevance_Recs_API-1000079&recs_type=related&recs_productId=3434577&recs_categoryId=60139443&recs_productOrder=2&recs_placementId=FTR&recs_source=Rich_Relevance_Recs_API&recs_strategy=1000079&recs_referringPageType=category_page

I'm not sure about lace generally though and, whilst I can get away with a slash neck, a round neck can make me look a bit matronly....

Sorry for the essay - I may have been overthinking this a bit, but the wedding is not far off now and I really want to feel good about the way I look for it after too long feeling a bit scruffy and frumpy! Thanks very much.

[BumbleNova]

have you had a look at the ASOS bridesmaid dresses? they are not expensive and some of them look gorgeous:

www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-WEDDING-Deep-Plunge-Super-Full-Pleated-Maxi-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=5099935&cid=15156&Rf-200=33&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=36&sort=-1&clr=Navy&totalstyles=21&gridsize=3

www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-WEDDING-Cowl-Neck-Maxi-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=4984154&cid=15156&Rf-200=33,3&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=36&sort=-1&clr=Navy&totalstyles=35&gridsize=3

[BumbleNova]

they also do a short version of the second one. i love the cowl neck line:

www.asos.com/asos/asos-wedding-cowl-neck-midi-dress/prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=5392660&clr=Navy&SearchQuery=asos+wedding&pgesize=36&pge=0&totalstyles=1156&gridsize=3&gridrow=5&gridcolumn=3

[Filiboom]

Hi there. Thanks for replying. I should have added that I'm looking for knee length, but that shorter ASOS dress is really pretty. I'm slightly concerned that the volume of fabric will make my bum look enormous, but will add it to the list. I didn't realise ASOS did bridesmaids' dresses so somewhere else to look too - thank you!

[hellsbellsmelons]

curve ball
Always loved THIS
Or Maxi version
strapless
Available in blue if you have the figure

[Filiboom]

I love that first dress, thank you, but I'd need to try it on. I generally find straighter styles suit me better - I don't need to add volume! I think the others would look a bit fussy on me. Annoyingly, Coast do have some lovely dresses, but not in navy....

I'm not really looking for a typical bridesmaid dress, but a beautiful dress that I'd wear again. Ironically, I have so much navy in my wardrobe anyway that I try to steer away from it a bit. If I hadn't, I'd probably have a couple dresses I already own to choose from now!

[Filiboom]

I quite like this one www.theprettydresscompany.com/fashion/Hourglass-Navy-Pencil-Dress.html

But I've never bought from them before so not sure what the quality is like....

[SesameSparkle]

Hi have you tried bhs? Quite a big selection of plain coloured bridesmaid dresses there and I can see a couple of short navy ones there that might work? they also tend to have a selection of shrugs if you'd like something to cover up.

[TheCraicDealer]

What about this fifties style? You'd need to buy the petticoat as well but it would look lovely.... I might get the damson for my Xmas do.

[gonegrey56]

Both Jaeger and LK Bennett have a lovely navy lace dress in the current sales . Sorry can't do link and also try Jaeger Outlet for the dress . I have the Jaeger one and it is elegant and fab I think .

[Filiboom]

Thank you all. The Jaeger dress is lovely, but sadly I've not been able to track it down in my size. I think the LK Bennett one will be too round necked for me (already bought and returned a similar Jigsaw one...).
J Crew have a lot of bridesmaid dresses that look like they could be worth trying, but a bit above budget unless I'd wear it again (and I'd like to wear it again...).

I feel like I've looked at every navy dress going now so think it may be time to stick with the one I have and start a new thread on cover ups and shape wear!

[TheOriginalWinkly]

There's a lace navy knee length one for £50 in the Phase Eight sale, I'll find the link.

[TheOriginalWinkly]

here

[SweetAndFullOfGrace]

I quite like this although I'm not sure it's bridesmaid?

[Filiboom]

Oh I like the Paul Smith one - although not sure they have my size. They are sold out of 12 but have a 40 and 42 left - not sure what that means....

I don't really want a "bridesmaid" dress as such - I'm too old for a typical one and they're not really my style so I'd never wear it again. I prefer cleaner lines of that makes sense. I'm not even convinced by lace, but I think that it does make them a bit more festive and less worky.

[SweetAndFullOfGrace]

I like this too.

[Filiboom]

That is lovely. Probably my favourite yet, but sadly out of budget (although I'm now trying to work out if I can justifiably increase the budget...!).

Would love ideas for non-lace dresses if anyone has seen anything?

[bugsarella]

www.tkmaxx.com/view-all-womenswear/navy-lace-shift-dress/invt/53046359

How about this bargain?

[bugsarella]

Try again:
www.tkmaxx.com/view-all-womenswear/navy-lace-shift-dress/invt/53046359

[bugsarella]

Whoops, missed it that you'd had enough of lace.

[ArtyFartyQueen]

Have you tried inoneclothing? I got my bridesmaid dresses from there in teal and navy and they are beautifully made and so versatile!