Is this an OK outfit?

[ClaireDeLoon]

OK I am a size 18 and 5' 4" which I know will never be a stylish body shape and lately have been mostly wearing jeans and trousers as have lost confidence about about clothing choices. I'm very curvy in the boob area.

So today I bought a knitted dress from monsoon which I can't find on their website but is like this except black with tiny white flecks rather than navy with tiny white flecks.

And I got some 200 denier black tights.

And then I tried some boots on in next but they wouldn't go over my calves so instead I ordered these.

I thought no necklace as with the neckline it might look too fussy but I have a lovely volcanic black bead and cystal bracelet and pair of earrings.

Will I look OK or like a fat fool trying too hard? It's for various family things over Christmas (the two different sides so no overlap of people).

I think you will look lovely - the only thing I would be worried about is being too hot as it looks quite a warm dress and house parties/get togethers usually get rather hot with the oven on full blast and too many people in a small space etc so I prefer to do layers for those occasions like maybe this with a longline black boyfried cardi and the boots? A low/v neck is best for a big bust so look out for that...and have a wonderful christmas...

(and never, never, ever refer to yourself as a "fat fool" ever, ever again! You have as much right to dress up and feel special as anyone! )

oh thank you, I hadn't even thought of getting too hot

One of the occasions is at mine so I can keep the thermostat down so that the house doesn't get too hot.

I really like the dress you linked to, I will go and try it on at the bigger Monsoon near work (I was just in a little one today) and maybe get that too as I quite like the jumper dress I got, and it's the boots that are the expensive bit so will be good to have a few outfits that work with them.

I concur with the hotness, for me long boots make me feel like I'm burning up and have had to avoid a jumper dress for same reason, despite really liking them. Try the dress with cardi, you might not like it alone but the cardi will calm down the pattern a bit! And you seem to be good at putting things together so don't doubt yourself!

I will be able to take boots off at two out of the three things (one is at home so won't even be putting them on). The thing where I will have to keep boots on will be at a restuarant so might not be too hot, but will bear it in mind when deciding whether or not to wear socks over the tights (which I guess I could pop to the loo and take off anyway).

I have been looking at cardigans, there are only one or two I like in Monsoon, but hopefully they'll have something I can try with the dress. If they have the dress that is.

Love the outfit, you'll look fab! Please don't talk yourself down, have to love yourself first in life x

I agree the outfit is really lovely and sounds like you'll look great in it. Don't go round thinking of yourself as a fat fool. You're not doing Christmas with muffin top and G-string hanging out. I see loads of bigger women around town looking really glam and gorgeous.

My boots arrived this morning and I love them. Not been able to try on the dress JustBeachy linked to yet but if the snow allows I will hopefully be able to go shopping in Covent Garden on Monday to look for another dress. Thanks everyone for help and nice comments.

Ooh. I love, love, love that dress. Being small of boobage, I really suit cowl necks.

I think that dress will look lovely with a curvy figure and boots.

The important thing is to feel comfortable with what you are wearing, then your confidence will shine through.

I think it looks lovely. I am same shape and size as you and last night for a house party I wore some dark straight leg jeans (from Sainsburys! which actually came up a bit big...) and this top with some high heeled ankle boots and thought it looked pretty cool actually (it wore better than the top looks in the picture, it is a silky fabric which hangs really well and the neckline was flattering around the boobage).

I think it looks nice. Agree that the dress may be a bit warm for partying though.

I'm going out tonight with friend who is same height and size/shape as you. I'm sitting here thinking she is bound to turn up, as usually happens, looking gorgeous and show me up with her extreme glam-ness.

Aside from choosing her clothes well, she always has nice hair/skin/make up and accessories very important as well.