At 5ft6 and a Size 20 can I wear a Maxi Dress?

[BibiBelle]

I need something for two weddings this year. I hate having to 'dress' but it must be done. There isn't one bit of my body I am happy with at the minute but efforts need to be made and I'm prepared to splash out a touch to wear to both occassions. There won't be any of the same guests at the events and I'll make sure, as always, I'm behind the camera!!

I've been lured in by a pretty fecking expensive maxi dress and wondered if it's worth while even trying it.

These are child free weddings so I won't even have my gorgeous and impecibly dressed DC's to hide behind [meep]

I dont see why not, as long as its not too long and trailing on the ground. pet hate! Does it having to be an expensive one? there are loads on www.boohoo.com/clothing/maxi-dresses/icat/maxidresses/ although I realise its a pain not trying them on.

At 5'8" and size 20, I understand. But TBH I think you need to accept that this is what you are right now - whether or not you will change in the future - and stuff whatever anyone else thinks. There's no outfit on earth that is going to make us look like a size 14, so we may as well dress well and look elegantly large.

If a garment is solid black and untailored, it will not flatter IMO. Black is not slimming for us, it merely turns us into a shapeless, undefined blob. If the dress you like has some curves to it, a bit of shape or flow, if you feel good in it, then take it and enjoy wearing it.

(Just don't look at me in my jeans and baggy cardie - I dress up better than this, I promise!)

I'd say no, you have to be tall to carry one off.

Try it though, it might look OK.

Honestly, I don't think so. I am a size 8-10 and searched high and low last year for one which didn't make me look like a tent. You want one with very little excess material, more column like than voluminous. But even then, I'm not sure it would be the most flattering.

It's from a rather well know site specifically for curvy women. I haven't intentionally gone looking for an expensive one, it's the only one that has spoken to me.

I've looked at the range in New Look, Dot P, Evans, Markies, Monsoon etc and nothing.

PrettyCandles - I accept fully what size I am at the minute. Not proud but I'm away and most of my clothes are what I would term camoflague instead of something I would choose. It's not black and it's got rouching (sp?) and hopefully because it's made with the larger /curvier lady in mind it might be better cut?

Netto - am prepared to wear wedges underneath f it helps at all?!

no

Dont do it

Separates are the way forward for you

lynniep thanks for the suggestion but their biggest is an 18 and I'm never going to get the boobs into that

Linda please explain the separates - are they more flattering? I have also been considering a Maxi dress for a wedding in June but now I am worried!
Any links to possible outfits?

yes please do Linda as I am terribly front/top heavy and to get anything over my boobs and round my waist it then hangs like a bin bag off my legs/bottom

thats pants. sorry - I didnt check the sizes first. I just made the (wrong) assumption they'd cater up to a 20.
I do think you should try it though. I wore one at a size 18 and thought it looked ok - could be wrong lol - and I'm 5-5. But yes I agree - not loads and loads of fabric. The bosom area does need to be well cut.

no problem lynniep it's an easy mistake to make

i'm a size 14 and 5ft 5 and have this boden maxi in a 14 long, i could have gone down a size tbh. It is so flattering and hangs beautifully.

oh and should say i have boobs too, 34G!!

this ones in a 20 pink version

It's lovely Katz but only an 18 and I'm not that optimistic. I normally leave these things to the last minute but this year I'm determined not to and want ideas for the size I am rather than the size I hope to be - iyswim?

ooh thank you, shall watch it :-)

Bibi m'dear have you seen this?

I'm 5 ft 8 and size 16/18 and Imma get one dammit. Ticks all the right boxes for me - it's 'maxi' in the sense of being 'long' but has an A line type skirt, not acres of gathered tiers. And it has SLEEVES. There is a shot of her with the sleeves pushed up to be 3/4 length which looks better (less fabric). IMHO, you could ROCK this.

it is a beautiful dress - i bought it because of a recommendation on here, if you have time you could keep an eye out for a 20 in the blue. I love my dress and it does day to night easily. It skims my bust just right, hint of cleavage but not all hanging out! plus can wear a decent bra!

Its a lovely thick jersey and just hangs right.

I'm still looking for a nice navy cardi to wear with it and being slightly shorter an dhaving bought the long version i can wear low heels under and its perfect.

ship in full sail

I think something like this could look fab.

I really hate all this 'oh you can't wear this or that because you're too fat/thin/short/tall' - wear what you like with confidence and you'll look fab!

PS check out this blog if you're ever in any doubt that you can look AMAZEBALLS: www.youngfatandfabulous.com/

That's not very nice now is it, withagoat?

i just htink mazi dresses are shit

ooh I never knew ASOS did larger sizes - thank you

katz - the first wedding isn't till May but I'm determined not to do my usual panic buying at the last minute

MrsCampbellBlack - that's what is sadly lacking, hence the hunt starting now!

thanks withagoat, will keep that in mind

But thats because you favour the liz macdonald style of dressing goat

I really don't get the hatred for maxis.

Although quite fancy a midi after seeing lisa in times mag today