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]

pulls up thigh high boots

The boden one look like it doesn't have an excess of fabric to balloon out and create the tent effect. It would cover everything up without all the billowing.
I would twin it with one of those cropped bolero cardigans from Monsoon to cover your arms (if you are anything like me). I prefer the ones that just cover the arms and don't close at the front or they just hang from the ample bosom.

carrots - it doesn't, its a great fit - i wish they'd make it again this year in a different colour. i'd love 2. It was really useful for a conference i went to in barcelona last summer. plus as its jersey it rolls up in the case and hung over night the creases drop out.

It was this one I saw but was [thud] at the price. Remembering I normally replace clothes as and when needed during an ASDA shop

I think maxi dresses suit all shapes & sizes tbh.

It does take a little shopping around to find a good one, you can't just buy any dress, but then that's the same with everything from jeans to shoes, and it's not limited to what size you are!

Maxi dresses are just so comfortable, you don't end up pulling at them all the time. I'd go for it if I were you, particularly liked the blue patterned one which someone linked to earlier. If you're not happy with your arms you could get a wrap or sheer-ish cardigan, but I think you'll look great.

Arms are fine as are legs. I am a very strange shape indeed it's all about the bust and stomach and I felt that one gave me a flattering V neck and some rouching (still with the sp??)

if you have good boobs and the maxi dress has wide straps and is a little low cut then I think they can flatter someone of your description. They are really nice to wear too. You can add a shrug for daytime if you feel a tad self conscious.

boobs are good if on the large side

I'm wondering whether that print would look right.....perhaps still printed but smaller print? If you know what I mean? Also the empire line dark blue band of the earlier linked one would give you a nice shape under your bust I reckon.

Yes the price is definitely [thud] considering you might only wear it a few times!!

berri - anna scholz has a good resale on ebay if I don't get too drunk and wreck it. I've sold on a couple of things and got good prices.

I like the boden one but unfortunately it has the band under the bust which cuts in and then goes out again over my stomach making me look no less than 7 months pregnant

seriously a maxi dress will look awful.
too much material and you will end up looking like a sofa

maxi dresses can make the slimmest girl look like a heffer
do not be fooled by advertisement

i got this one last year

static.letsbuyit.com/filer/images/uk/products/original/245/71/multi-colour-spirograph-maxi-24571155.jpeg

I'm a size 18 and 5'4" wore a red maxi dress drom asos for a wedding last year and husband said I looked like a glam movie star (bless 'I'm) and loads of friends complemented me on it too.....(tho as per my post on another maxidress/wedding thread I did get mistaken for a bridesmaid ).

I do think the ones with little ditsy prints all over are a no no for anyone whose not stick thin and even anything with frills or teirs are too but column ones are great - so long as you've got good smoothing pants on that'll go from under the bra to your knees!!!!....
I got a couple from asos curve last year actually so worth trying there maybe? asos curve

or even a heifer??

MrsMc82, I never knew ASOS Curve existed but I do now thanks to you and MrsC further up

MresMc82 Where did you get the smoothing underwear from?

carrots - figleaves is good

Bibi - Dorothy Perkins had some lovely maxi dresses last year - so worth keeping a look out there too.

have a look at this website
it is for larger ladies but crucially uses models who are the size the clothes fit
therefore you can really see what things will look like on you
here

it is clear that the things with cleaner lines and actually straighter and more fitter are FAR more flattering that the loads of material stuff

i know that it seems like an easy option but maxis are very difficult to look good in
they are universally grim on anyone larger or shorter

m&s shapewear v gd

Our Dot P is tiny but I've an order in for some Dot P online stuff at the minute. I wasn't too keen on their dresses though. These are going to be rather posh weddings and not sure they would suit .

some gorgeous dresses here

Thanks Rannaldini - they're all a tad too 'old' for me in style etc. Lovely looking girls though

that one is better - and look, right there on the first page is the one I liked lol

I think the Anna one would look fab.

You are the size you are and in my opinion would look far better in a gorgeous dress that makes the most of your figure rather than trying to hide away in something dull.

Have you tried it on in the flesh?