OK, the maxi is out, find me a dress please!

[JaneS]

From my other thread I'm leaning away from wearing a maxi dress to the wedding I'm going to tomorrow. I went round the shops quickly today and didn't find anything. I'm about a size 12/14, D cup breasts and fat upper arms I'd like to hide. I like hourglassy shapes and have a short body so anything dropped-waisted or with a low waist looks strange. Brown hair and olive skin.

Please give it a shot - I've got tomorrow to have a look as it's an evening reception.

Thanks!

Style wise what do you like? Do you have good legs? Re. hiding your arms, would you like a shrug/cardy or a dress with sleeves?
What about something like this?. Let me know how far off the mark I am!

And a budget please!
What is your shoe situation? Do you have a pair in mind that you want to wear?

Ooh, sorry! Went to cook dinner.

ellan - yes, good legs I'm quite happy to show off. I'd rather a dress with sleeves but it's just that top bit, you know? It's all fat and lumpy and I'd rather cover it up.

I'll go to Oasis and have a look at that dress but tba I'm not massively keen on the pattern, it's a bit cute and I'm not mad keen on cute, if that makes sense?

whoopsi - I'd rather it wasn't over 100 but if it's gorgeous you might win me round (I really, really, really need a decent 'going to weddings' dress and know I would use one loads).

Oh - and I have various shoes so will probably dig something out of the cupboard ... don't let that stop you if you want to rec something though.

www.johnlewis.com/209611/Style.aspx

??

www.johnlewis.com/221343/Style.aspx

French connection

Atlanta in black, bex beads in coral or Renoir in black all fab

Viva - sorry, really not keen. Too pretty-pretty. I'm not generally a huge one for flower patterns. I would love to look a bit glam and chic, not too girly, i that's possible.

I should say btw that I do have access to a Phase Eight but not to John Lewis per se (I'm in Oxford).

Really appreciating the help though - I am not feeling great about how I look atm and it is lovely to have some guidance.

love the back of this

www.johnlewis.com/204984/Style.aspx

Ooh, that last one is very sexy geordie - will def. go try it on! Thanks.

Will just have to see if it's a bit sexy for a wedding - depends on the length I think.

Would you wear black?

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_54510+201235050_-1?breadcrumb=Home%7Etxtdress%7EWomen

Love the shape of that viva - but no John Lewis and no Mango here.

If it's the night tine then you will be fine...less is more

I'd prefer not to wear black viva - partly because it's a lesbian couple as black sometimes has implications of it being what you wear when you disapprove, I don't want to give any of their family/friends that I don't know that impression, if that makes sense.

I think this would suit an hour glass figure

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_54510+201175050_-1?breadcrumb=Home%7Etxtdress%7EWomen

You could always have brighter shoes/ necklace, etc I suppose if you do wear black.....

It's a lovely shape - can't quite see if it's black or dark gray, but will go have a look. Thanks.

Yes, that's true, I could brighten up some black - I'm just feeling if there's any wedding where I want to really stick to tradition, it's this one. Some twat we know has been doing the whole 'ooh, but it's not a wedding you know, you won't be her wife' shebang, which is really mean-spiriting ... so I think everyone else who is going wants to make sure we distance ourselves from that kind of crap.

I like the look of this but never sure how flattering they are in real life

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_34519+556221_-1?breadcrumb=Home%7Etxtdress%7EWomen

Do you mean you think they look a bit funny in person, viva? I like the shape and would probably try it on and think 'ooh, yay, no bulges' ... which sometimes blinds you to the fact that the lack of bulges is the only good thing - I'll have to try and be strict with myself when I have a look.

You're slimmer than me. I'm a size 16 and have never tried a dress that style on as I think where they flare out would make my hips/bum look huge. Try it on, it probably looks lovely.

Oh, I'll certainly try it on, it looks nice. For me it'd be more the bovine-boob issue. But I really like the little sleeves and the skirt so I think it may be a winner.

Get a good bra to give your boobs some lift.

Have fun shopping and enjoy the wedding.

I will, thanks very much!