I’m fat and need a nice dress for a summer wedding with my ex

[CrazyLadyTheThird]

Pretty much as the title says. I’ve gained a tonne of weight during lockdown and I’ve gone from a curvy 16 to a frumpy 22. I’m not saying all size 22 are fat, but I am, I just don’t have the confidence to feel good at this size. It’s a friends wedding in summer. My ex is a mutual so he will be there. I just want to look nice! I’ll try and lose weight, but if I can’t, what the hell do I wear? Where should I even be looking for nice wedding guest dresses? Any advice for shops or dresses will be accepted. At this point I don’t even have to like the dress, I just don’t want to feel like I look huge? Thanks!

I am a 20-22 and have had some nice dresses for weddings from Yumi, they have a curve/plus size collection. Also had a lot from Yours. I like to have my upper arms covered and have managed to find suitable things from both of them, even for summer weddings.

Try Kemi Telford. Many of the dresses are free size so they fit any size body. So you can invest in a nice dress that you can still wear if you lose weight.

There is a wonderful inclusive dress company in America called Ivy City Co that do occasion dresses. They do UK size from 4-26. Their dresses are beautiful.

I’m a larger lady and in my experience bigger sizes sell out quickly. Look now for summer dresses, monsoon, next, even marks. But do it now!

Seasalt (avoiding the scruffy jersey)
Navabi (take time to trawl)
M n S (ditto)
Mango
ASOS - a few great things / and good if on a budget.

It matters that you feel good - and like your dress, so start looking now - and I would book to get your hair and make up done, you want to feel good.

you can always get it taken in if you loose a bit, or buy something else if you loose a lot.

The most important thing is to feel good. Hair done, clothes that fit not too tight (aspirational sizes make us look worse). All that.

@Sartre

You’ve got plenty of time to lose weight. I started at the beginning of the year and I’m already 5lbs down. I only have 3 stone to lose overall so I should have it all off by summer if I stick at it. Not doing anything crazy, just eating less and moving more. The bigger you are the quicker it comes off as well.

OMG REVELATION!!!!!

The OP knows she has time to loose weight, 🙄 she is asking for advice on dresses.

@amusedbush my friend started off at a size 22 / 24 on slimming world and lost 7 stone in 9 months. It fell off quickly initially as "bigger" people have big losses initially when they have more to lose and then it slows down. 4 stone in 6 months for someone who is quite overweight is quite common in my slimming world group - this then slows to 1-2 lb a week the closer they get to target. I worked 12 hour shifts with this person and they ate loads, just following the slimming world rules. 1-2 lb a week is more sensible and common for people who don't have much to lose.

I'm a simlary size and I got this dress recently from Next. I've had loads of compliments and it's very comfortable.

www.next.ie/en/style/ls219869/P54881#P54881

I was browsing Coast today and noticed a range of Curve dresses on there.Theres a sale on too.

Floaty wide leg trousers, long floaty top, long floaty cardi.

Statement chunky jewellery.

Great hair and make up.

Size 22 here
Don't wear a floaty maxi dress unless you want to look pregnant

Studio 8 or monsoon.

But there's nothing like a wish to show an ex to get you started is there lol

The next one is nice but it’s a maternity dress, not sure that will help op feel confident

@RedCandyApple

The next one is nice but it’s a maternity dress, not sure that will help op feel confident

That's not at all clear from the listing. They need to sort that.

Boobs, OP, boobs. Plunging neckline and a push up bra.

I used to be a size 20 and I bought a dress very like this, and it does flatter and hid quite how big I was www.ever-pretty.co.uk/collections/plus-size-dresses/products/plus-size-sleeveless-v-neck-semi-formal-maxi-dress-epp9016?variant=31335459586142

Another vote for Scarlett and Jo here.

OP - do you know which colours suit you? From your description it sounds like you may be apple shaped, so it would be worth looking up the best styles which suit apple shapes.

Another Scarlett & Jo fan here.

I'm not a big fan of the nylon/polyester/staic electric fabrics used by a lot of the plus sized catalougies. I have ordered loads from Simly Be, ASOS, New Look etc and apart from the odd thing it gets sent back.

i'm size 22 and I have lovely dresses that are good for a wedding from Boden (they go up to 22 and have really good sales), from Monsoon and the Phase 8 plus size range (called Studio 8 I think). A lot depends on your shape - I like those brands because they can handle my big tum and bum - and I am also pretty tall.

White Stuff, Seasalt and Fat Face have some nice dresses but they mat not be dressy enough for the occasion.

Where is Debenhams when you need them!

to look great - accessorise well, bag shoes and new hair

www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/tiered-maxi-dress-cherry-red-paintbox-ditsy/sty-d0019-red?cat=C2_S2

Apparently high carnivore (&fat) low carb diets are good for weight loss

This is the most flattering dress I have ever worn and I felt amazing all day at a wedding in it. It comes in different colours and is on sale in some colours on simply be at the moment with an extra 20% off on top of sale price for the next couple of days. You can get it on a number is different sites though. It's called maya sequin maxi. Some versions have long sleeves, no sleeves and then this short sleeved one.

Have a lovely time.

www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/maya-curve-v-neck-embellished-maxi-dress/et838/product/details/show.action?pdBoUid=6014&optionColour=Blush&pdpClick=true

Thanks everyone. Loving the dress from simply be and scarlet and jo is lovely!

i think this has already been said many times, but i will add my tuppence worth.
Underwear. its all about structured underwear. I would get a fabulous, and likely expensive, fitting thing, i dont know what they are called. but it slims down all the extra folds. OR, I would get a proper corset. at 22 i dont think a bra and pants will be enough.