Skint and fat and need a dress

[strawberryblondebint]

Hello ladies
Dress intervention please. I am a curvy size 12 to 14. I have recently had to admit that after being fairly slim all my life I'm closer to a 14. I have big boobs but carry loads of weight on my stomach. I hate it. Good legs. Very pale colouring. Strawberry blonde hair. Can't really do heels but have 2 cute non outlandish pairs of irregular choice heels. One in navy floral and one black sequin pair. Budget means I would probably need the wear a pair of these.
The event. I am about to complete a post grad in teaching. As it was distance learning and sponsored by local authority they are arranging an evening celebration. Families invited. Drinks nibbles and council chiefs. This is in lieu of a graduation. So presentation of certificates and networking.
The other 4 graduates (all women ) are all tall and slim. Think 5 foot 7 size 8 types. I have the best hair though (thank fuck something going for me). I need a dress. I'm trawling ebay but don't know what brands to search for. I don't want midi. I love Lindy bop but think the full skirts can make me look wide as a house. Or tend to be too long. I'm 5 foot 3. Body con would make me cringe at my reflection. Colours are limited as I am ginger (honestly true straw blonde) so no pink or red.
I'm pretty much an hourglass although a fat tummied one. I do wear the correct bra size now though. 30G but boobs seem less full on top than they used to be. Love retro style stuff though
Oh and I am skint.
If anyone could find me a dress with pockets my life would be complete lol.

I await your help with nerves and excitement.

[WidowWadman]

Have a look at lindybop.co.uk. Cute dresses for more than reasonable prices, and full circle skirt stuff normally works on figure you describe

[Bluntness100]

I have the best hair though

What a strange thing to say, and what does it matter what dress size the other women are. Do you always compete with other women like this?

[WidowWadman]

Leave the petticoat if you're worried about looking too wide.

[speakfriendandenter]

Seasalt sometimes have dresses that can be dressed up. With pockets too!!! I love a good pocket on a dress/skirt.
I have found some nice dresses in Oasis & Warehouse occasionally. I too look for dresses that hide my tummy area.
Some of the LindyBop dresses are not too long and don't look too wide. I found that a little cleavage on show detracted from my tummy and made me look nipped in. The grace dress is quite simple and I found my black/red one on eBay.
Good luck!

[ScarlettDarling]

I think wrap dresses can look lovely with your body shape. They show off a good pair of boobs and skim over the tummy. Don't think you'll find one with pockets though!

[strawberryblondebint]

@Bluntness100 comment was meant to be light hearted. These women are all slim and gorgeous. My one redeeming feature is my hair. No I am not competitive just worried about standing out as the short fat one in the middle. Nothing wrong with that.
Everyone else. Brilliant I'm off to google

[doyouthinkso]

I've found quite nice dresses in this concession at Debenhams for much more sensible prices than Phase eight and coast
http://www.debenhams.com/women/dresses/roman-originals
I think. They have their own website too.

[strawberryblondebint]

Both of these are nice?? The green wrap one has a slimming underdress.

[sexymuthafunker]

Pepperberry clothes by Bravissimo bought on eBay look good on curves and will be cheaper.

[ScarlettDarling]

Ooh.... pockets!!!

[WhisperingLoudly]

Bluntness the nice hair was clearly lighthearted and in reference to the great figures of the other attendees.

Were you trying to be unpleasant or did you genuinely not comprehend that?

[WhisperingLoudly]

And no idea on a dress but as a large breasted, 5,3" with a tendency to put weight on stomach i feel your pain

[GiraffeorOcelot]

I quite like Dorothy Perkins for bargain dresses. I am an 18 so bigger than you but they have loads on their website. Example below but really good search options so easy to see if any of the hundreds of dresses would be your style.

m.dorothyperkins.com/en/dpuk/product/navy-chiffon-fit-and-flare-dress-6333527

[NeverTwerkNaked]

I have a similar figure to you at present and I know where you are coming from! Following thread with interest

[winkywinkola]

Can redheads really not wear red or pink? I think it would look stunning.

[speakfriendandenter]

Love that dress Scarlett

[strawberryblondebint]

I forgot to mention I am poor Scarlett so that dress is way over my tiny budget. I have remembered a nice dress I bought for a wedding that might recycle ok.
Also saw this

[strawberryblondebint]

This was my best ever dress at my current weight. And it had pockets. Can I wear my wedding dress lol?

[misscockerspaniel]

The above ideas are good. Given your budget, have you tried charity/vintage shops? (I would love to be a strawberry blond btw )

[DownHereInTheHorridHouse]

I would avoid skater dresses if you're short - actually, I'd like everyone to avoid them as they generally look a bit odd . . .

I'm 5ft 4, 12-14 (more of a 14), flabby belly and I find Baukjen dresses quite flattering as they have this sort of ruched effect that you can fiddle about with to cover the tummy bits you don't like. There are always codes floating around. They are great as they look as good with flats/Converse as they do with heels, and they machine wash well. Size down though.

Bizarrely, the best dress with pockets I got was M&S. It was last year but they seem to do them every season - mid-length, V-neck, plain and patterned, bit of ruching again at belly, lovely lovely lovely pockets . . .

I think the Lindy Bop full skirts wouldn't work because of your height and they are a bit clichéd, but their fitted stuff is surprisingly nice and decent quality for the price. Again, size down.

[Shopkinsdoll]

Bluntness100
It was a lighthearted comment! Get off your high horse! Seriously

[DownHereInTheHorridHouse]

Panda - aren't you funny! Imagine thinking that anyone is going to fall for that sort of goadery - how silly!

[Shopkinsdoll]

Curvisa for 40 quid