Dont ignore this thread please - if you need a style challenge I am it!

[fashionistadisastainnit]

I am 30 years old and a size 28 (is there a die of shame emoticon I've missed?)

Ive namechanged because I am so hideously embarrassed, however, I have a posh wedding to attend in 3 weeks and need something to wear.

help me please?

I dont have loads of money, am about 5ft 7 and hate my arms and tummy, not too sure on rest of me either. have crippling self esteem issues but no wonder really!! Oh and I cant wear very high heels.

Any ideas?

i had thought about these but I have no clue what to wear them with, at all.

So, can anyone help me? I am getting very nervous about it all now....

they're nice and at yr height you could get away with flats with them

my only concern is that the width of them they need to be paired with a skimming top or the overall effect is too tent like with no shape

some slimmer cut trousers with a little heel and a top like this maybe

What about a top like PRINT,size: this? Obv this colour doesn't go with the trousers you linked to, but you could look for something in the style or else get blue palazzos to go with.

I think you need to avoid voluminous anything. Straight legged trousers and skimming top might be better.

would this top go with yr trousers?

find ubiquitous shrug for your arms??

I like the colour of the trousers, but as it's a wedding I'd suggest wearing a dress, perhaps with rouching (is that how it's spelled?!) on the tummy, or some sort of wrap dress.

In order not to draw attention to the bits you're not too sure about I'd recommend either

1. wearing a dress with some sort of pattern as then there are no large plain fabric areas iyswim

or

2. wearing a dress in a plain colour (depending on your hair/eye/skin colour) with a long scarf in a light fabric (like chiffon) which you wrap around your neck once to its two ends sort of dangle down. This would hide your tummy and elongate your body. If you like this option, I'd probably go for a really pretty posh-looking scarf with sparkly bits on, or something like that.

For shoes go for pretty ballerinas in a bright colour which complements the colour of your clothes.

If you're really keen on wearing trousers, I think the trousers you linked to are a great option, maybe with a sparkly floaty top of some sort, and/or with a long scarf.

You could also wear an exciting hat/fascinator so everyone is just looking at your head!

Arms are notoriously difficult! Linda Grant (don't know if you've read her Thoughtful Dresser blog) had this problem when she was nominated for the Booker prize.

I'm not a fan of the pashmina-around-shoulders look, so if it was me, I'd go for a floaty or lacy bolero/shrug kind of thing.

I'm sorry you feel embarrassed about how you look. But just because you're a size 28 it doesn't mean you aren't allowed to look pretty, or draw attention to yourself. Go for clothes that make you feel nice, put nice makeup on and great accessories.

black and white floral dress or this lovely dress with opaque tights

blue dress and shrug

print tunic with
straight leg black trousers

What about this dress with some nice metallic shoes and clutch bag?

off to look at all the options now, will report back.

thanks so much

gillybobs nice but a bit shapeless maybe?

fauxfox

I like the first one, would it work ok with big boobs do you think?
Second one is nice but again, worried it would look shapeless on me.
The third one just isnt 'me'
Fourth option is nice but very much like what I always wear and I want to step away from that I think.

nomnomnom thanks for the advice :) I'd love a fascinator but I'm afraid my one year old would too :)

ggirl I really like that top a lot

ameliagrey the very idea of me + straight leg trousers = faint

franke again, thats kind of my usual style

ggirl (again) I'm not sure, do you think that looks too casual?

Thanks everyone for all your advice so far, any more tips very gratefully received.

I know I was unsure about that , could you do kitten heels to tart up the effect somewhat?

ok how about that top with dare i say it a skirt!

Yeah that might work....

Have seen this now here . Love this site actually......if you think this dress is ok would it be ok with black tights and a shrug of some kind?

and little heels like the model is wearing??

YES!!! that would be perfect

will look for shrug thing

oooh I'm not sure I like that skirt, looks a bit, erm, frumpy?

they're out of your size in that dress !

yeh I agree about the skirt
was looking for somehting slinky

better skirt

Apart from the height your description sounds like my mum and sister. So based on that I would advise the following:

If you wear trousers, wear a top that comes down to mid thigh length to stop you feeling self conscious about your bottom and so if you bend over or dance, you don't feel self conscious about it riding up .
If you have a decent bust, wear a wrap top or empire line top. Same for dresses. Be prepared to buy a co-ordinating vest top to go underneath if your cleavage is looks like an extra guest at the wedding
Make sure your hair and makeup and accessories are lovely; this will go a long way to making you feel confident about your outfit
I second NomNomNom's advice re: patterns and long scarves
Wear shoes you can dance in, you can get lots of gorgeous flats
Remember everyone is looking at the bride and bridesmaids.

Have a cracking time!

really really like the last skirt i linked , with nice floaty top

LOVE the purple dress you've linked to!

dress would be ok I think in the 26.