The ins and outs of knitted dresses

[PfftTheMagicDragon]

This is my first ever post in S&B, and I am somewhat terrified by clothes/make up/all that jazz so go easy on me please!

I need something to wear on a night out. I think we can get away with jeans and A Nice Top, but I was thinking about a knitted dress with some patterned tights.

Thing is - I'm very much a scruffy bugger casual person, I wear jeans day to day with t-shirts or the occasional casual shirt. I don't know where to start. I can't even find a Nice Top.

What I want to know is: knitted dresses - what are the rules? Being a fatty size 18 with large breasts, is it stupid to even try one? Should certain shapes stay away from them?
I have to buy online so no scope for trying on in shops.

Help me, wise women!

Ha! I'm going off them now

I like the top Noddy linked to, but I struggle with jersey cowls. You need to get your foundation layer right or they can end up grabbing hold of a boob in a most unflattering fashion. I also agree with Cyb about the problem with leaning over.

I do take your point about the dress not being all that glam, if you wanted to really dress up for a party though.

What about this one for a party instead then? Could look lovely with the right jewellery, bag and shoes? Or am I just kidding myself and should go and buy myself a pair of crimpolene trousers and some hotter shoes asap?

cyb I doubt it I am old y'know!

I cant see any bravissimo links. My computer tells me its 'sex attire'

Thanks, I am a fashion guru
Purple and grey are a fabulous match! I have a fantastic grey boyfriend cardi from M&S, from last year tho so not sure if they will still sell it.

"I love leopardprint but that top is nasty. She's not going to sit on a bus drinking Aftershock out of a paper bag, randomly shouting "Faaaa coff"

Hahaha that cracked me up

at sex attire!

I am (ridiculously, considering the title of my thread) cutting off dresses! I have seen a lot of dresses her that I like (and thank you all so much for the work) but that I don't think I could wear. I'm just not confident enough, and other people have been talking about wearing jeans and tops so I will feel very out of place in a dress.

Am concerned about leaning over in the Zara top, my norks flying out and knocking the person next to me out stone cold

The top will be fine they don't flap about!Wear a reasonable looking black bra and it will be ok.Put hair up and get big sparkly earrings

wear one of those strappy support vest things underneath?

Yes that is good idea need to hold humungo tummy in anyway

Who is the owner of the massive earring idea?

me

and nod
we are as one

Can I recommend this to go under top.

It will take inches off you.

OK you have to wriggle into it - step into it not over the head. And ok breathing may get a little difficult if you actually eat - but hey you'll look good

I like those tracy v useful and good in this weather.

I have the black which I wear under a leopard print jersey dress and it seriously takes about half a stone off me.

Breathing? Who needs that shit!!?

Will order one of those, thank you tracey. Good job you recommended it - the picture on the website does it no favours, it looks not very tight

Oh its tight pfft - its very tight! Just make sure you step into it. I can not emphasise that enough as nearly dislocated my shoulder putting it on over my head.

Half a stone? I am going to look tomorrow inless it snows.like the flesh and the black

I'm also a size 18 top, but 14 bottom so I have to find things that play down the size of my norks. Haven't actually got this yet, but I think it could be very flattering,and could be dressed up with smart jeans and good jewellery for night, or casual for daytime. What do you think?

I think that this could be very flattering and, although its a slash neck style, as it's quite sheer, you can create the illusion of a v-neck with a black vest top underneath and a long pendant style necklace like this.

traceybath - does it flatten your boobs? Only I find tight vests tend to do that.

I am happy for a little boob flattening.

Hmm, problem is sometimes it can make you look like you have a shelf - or have a monoboob.

I have a couple of those vests - they are amazing!(but very tight!)

I wear a lungey type bra to counteract any flattening.

Lungey - I meant plungey