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Original poster

Gutted - help me

30 replies

shhhgobacktosleep · 10/04/2011 18:03

I could kick myself Sad I'm going to be godmother at the beginning of next month and then going to a wedding in August, I saw online the dress that would have done both jobs admirably www.marksandspencer.com/Marks-and-Spencer-Sailing-Stripes/dp/B004QDUA3Y?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_2&nodeId=666984031&sr=1-2&qid=1302453737&pf_rd_r=05X1SDQV9DZ1MNF2PK63&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=666984031&pf_rd_p=215570647&pf_rd_s=related-items-3 I dithered all last week wanting to wait to see it in the flesh (so to speak) and have been today to our nearest M&S only to have confirmed that I (and dh) love it but it's no longer available anywhere it would seem in my size Sad. I intensely dislike clothes shopping anyway so this is a double blow.

Am now completely gutted and have a feeling that I won't be able to find anything that matches up and I will be miserably clothes shopping for the next few months coming home empty handed and petulant.

Help me find something along the same lines that I will love and feel great in. I'm 5ft 7" a size 12-14, with big boobs (32FF) so v necks/wrap overs look best on me (I think). Ideally would like to be able to wear with wedges or flats as not confident I could walk in 'real' heels and certainly don't want to be dropping the baby on my first day as godparent Blush

OP posts:
redvelvetmooncupcake · 10/04/2011 18:16

If you can't walk in heels DON'T make the mistake of thinking you'll be able to walk in wedges! I can run in stilettos but find wedges really difficult, the continuous sole kind of throws you off balance and it's very easy to turn your ankle. Office have some nice mid-heels which might be a good compromise for you, or go for flats and be comfy!

Get your dress first. See if you can find a Ghost stockist, I have a couple of dresses that have lasted me years from there and always look lovely - the machine washable thing is cool too. Hobbs have some nice dresses in this year. Otherwise Oasis have some lovely separates and I find Warehouse often good for dresses. River Island did have some 50s style dresses which were a lovely shape but I thought the fabric was poor. A House of Fraser/John Lewis is always a good place to start looking for a wedding outfit. My other suggestion would be something like Vivien of Holloway or Hellbunny, that kind of thing is good for the norky and it's hard not to feel special in a net petticoat! You do need heels for those though.

I'm a 32F and find wrapovers are generally not that flattering, but you are a few inches taller so your boobs might be in a different position! They make me look really frumpy (and their bra "fitters" are useless IME) but some of my taller big boobed friends rave about Bravissimo dresses.

redvelvetmooncupcake · 10/04/2011 18:24

Something like this has a similar shape to the M&S dress but is a bit less likely to be worn by every wedding guest between 25 and 70 (they do have more conservative prints but I like the blue of this one)

Warehouse have some lovely maxis but seem to be having a "backless" moment which is no good for those of us who need bras!

Also try ASOS.com - they have some fabulous stuff.

ColonelBrandonsBiggestGroupie · 10/04/2011 18:28

I saw it irl last week and thought it looked v frumpy and also the fabric looked itchy tbh. There are nicer dresses around.

tethersegg · 10/04/2011 20:15

Here

Here

Here

Here

WhatsWrongWithYou · 10/04/2011 20:20

This one looks more flattering for the boobs.

WhatsWrongWithYou · 10/04/2011 20:22

Or this.

WhatsWrongWithYou · 10/04/2011 20:24

And...

nancy75 · 10/04/2011 20:24

have you phoned M&S customer services? They are usually very good at tracking stuff down and posting it.

Emo76 · 10/04/2011 20:38

How about trying Monsoon for similar/wrap dresses?

Original poster
shhhgobacktosleep · 10/04/2011 23:29

Thank you for the suggestions. I particularly like the look of the Winnie phase eight dress, plus the waterside & Black and White print Laura ashley dresses although not sure the neck lines on those 2 will suit my over generous boobs Hmm. I liked the B&W striped too but think the horizontal stripes will make boobs look even bigger.

DH is nurturing his gok genes and trying to come up with suggestions too Grin

Redvelvet I'm inclined to agree with you re bravissmo clothes (although get my bras from them even though the closest is 2 hours drive away), have never found anything that suits and flatters me in their clothes range. I've managed in wedges quite well in the past - perhaps it's spending the 70s teetering round in my mums Grin

Nancy, will try giving them a call in the morning thank you and see if there's any to be found, although am taking on board the thought that if they've sold out that quickly chances are someone else will be wearing it to at least one of the events.

Keep them coming, all suggestions gratefully received Smile

OP posts:
WhatsWrongWithYou · 10/04/2011 23:39

Save yourself the 2 hour drive and try John lewis for your bras - their fitting service is just as good and they seem to have plenty of the odd sizes in stock.

I think a draped neckline is flattering for big boobs - like this for eg.

WhatsWrongWithYou · 10/04/2011 23:41

Ooh look.

SickOnMyShoulder · 11/04/2011 06:40

this has good reviews

ellangirl · 11/04/2011 08:56

I tried the bravissimo one one- think it's brighter blue than that IRL. It would suit someone with big boobs but smaller hips. I tried this on and I have to say the shape was beautiful.

Original poster
shhhgobacktosleep · 11/04/2011 15:55

Ooh WWWY am loving that phase eight dress. Do they sell phase eight through John Lewis? ( can't remember if I've seen it there before) We live in an area that is horrendous for shopping and John Lewis is an hour away but worth the trip if I can try on several possibles in one store.

The Karen Millen one looks as though it is very short and I'm not proud enough of my legs to flash that much of them Blush. Am thinking knee length is probably more flattering ?

OP posts:
tethersegg · 11/04/2011 16:54

That phase 8 dress is beautiful- i linked to it a few weeks ago and it was out of stock. Be warned!

Learn a lesson from the M&S dress Wink If they like it and it's in your size, check their returns policy and order it. Send it back for a refund if you don't like it, but move fast on that dress as it is a big seller.

WhatsWrongWithYou · 11/04/2011 18:34

I think House of Fraser does Phase8 rather than JL. But if you're in the sticks that's what internet shopping is for!

Plus I have to point out that I'm also 5'7'', usually a true size 12 and with 30G boobs, and I would wear that KM dress like a shot as it would skim over the boobs without drawing attention to them, cling to my narrow back making me look thinner, and swish around my hips and backside so no one would know they're a bit flabbier than I'd like.

I'm also 47 and don't mind looking -like mutton--.

HappyAsIAm · 12/04/2011 10:53

I ahve the Phase Eight Norma dress (well, I have the same style of dress, but in navy and ivory stripes) and it is a fab dress. It suits everyone. I did have to go up from my usual size though, as I found it rather tight on my ribcage - fine when I went up a size though, and it didn't then feel big anywhere else.

Pootles2010 · 12/04/2011 13:19

I have just bought this which i've very pleased with. Its good quality fabric, and comes with a nice net underskirt so it poofs out nicely, so doesn't cling to legs! It is very fitted around waist so nips you in without showing the rolls of fat tummy too much.

Its not cleavagey at all, i'm quite booby also and it fits really nicely.

Shhhh · 12/04/2011 13:31

not read all replies but what about a maxi dress..?

Im only 4ft 11 (so opposite to you!) and a size 12/14 and for a wedding last yr I wore my 1st maxi dress ! It was from coast and was gorgeous.. they have it in again this year BUT its in black stripes instead of navy and is slightly diff with the pattern...

shown here

Mine was worn with heels and perfect length so I guess if you wore your with flats it would be a good fit..?

BTW, im a C cup but the dress was so flattering. Can be worn with the halterneck or without as strap is removable... I can say hand on heart I have never worn a dress and received soooo many compliments.Smile

ohh...just found it exactly as mine BUT out of stock... here

Pootles2010 · 12/04/2011 13:35

IMHO strapless/halterneck is huge no-no for those of us with erm, ample cleavage - you either end up hoiking it up all day if strapless, or if go halterneck, your neck will be in agony by end of the day from the weight of your boobs.

Shhhh · 12/04/2011 13:48

I class myself as having big boobs, only a c cup I know but given the fact im short they are huge in comparison.. I find a halter neck very flattering.

Pootles2010 · 12/04/2011 13:51

I know they are flattering, its just the sheer weight of them!

Shhhh · 12/04/2011 14:04

lol !

Original poster
shhhgobacktosleep · 13/04/2011 09:19

I'm glad you said that pootles as have always loved halter necks when I was at C cup (my favourite days lol) but these days I get a migraine pretty much within an hour from the pulling on my neck Sad thought it was just me though so at least I know I'm not alone.

I think the pepperberry dress looks too short for me though I like the fabric. Have always thought maxi dresses would make me look pregnant as they float from an empire line ?

Neither of the suggested phase eight dresses I like are available online in my size so think I will try ringing round the 'local' stores and see if they have them.

Shhh am amused that you seem to be a smaller version of me in height, boobs and nickname Grin

OP posts: