I need ONE outfit for a May wedding, May christening and august wedding in Barcelona..

[Spink]

I last went shopping about 6 months ago.. somehow never find the time to get around the shops, so have been looking at the internet but struggling to be inspired.

I'd like quite a retro look, but the christening is clearly going to be in a church so it also has to be respectable. And it needs to be something I can wear with a jacket or summat in May but I can wear by itself in the heat of Barcelona in August... I can't afford more than one special outfit this year so it'll have to be a three-in-one!

I am a size 14, 5'8", and the bits of me I need to disguise - well, I have broad shoulders and little boobs (38B bra) and am not keen on my armtops, or my soft tum.

It doesn't have to be a dress. I quite like the idea of cropped slim fit troos. with something.

Please help me!

I've just looked at the Boden website. You see, I need assistance!

Bumping this for you, I'm the same size with pretty much the same problem!

Thanks Prom, here's hoping...

Not sure what your budget is, or which colours you like, so what do you think of these?

1. http://www.julesb.co.uk//womenswear-2/dresses-19/milly-chain-dress-673222.htm??&source=webgains&siteid=40957

One size 14 left, but there are other dresses in the sale. You might not go for the halterneck but I love the pattern and it would distract attention - plus for the events in May you'd wear a jacket/shrug.

1. http://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Biba+Lace+up+embroidered+tunic+dress/159145549,default,pd.html

There are other Biba items (including some on sale) if white is not your colour.

1. http://www.lkbennett.com/clothing/dresses/DRPARKES879SILK

A different retro silhouette...

1. http://www.matchesfashion.com/product/53342

Do you like any of the outfits on this site?

1. http://www.awear.com/dresses/floral-print-dress/invt/10452329print&setlocn=restofworld&log=4?cmpid=linkshare&siteID=0RpXOIXA500-bFS9.UUb6e_a6_4nJV1s9w

Fun print, would go with lots of cover-ups.

(And with the links converted...!)

Not sure what your budget is, or which colours you like, so what do you think of these?

1. www.julesb.co.ukwomenswear-2/dresses-19/milly-chain-dress-673222.htm??&source=webgains&siteid=40957

One size 14 left, but there are other dresses in the sale. You might not go for the halterneck but I love the pattern and it would distract attention - plus for the events in May you'd wear a jacket/shrug.

1. www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Biba+Lace+up+embroidered+tunic+dress/159145549,default,pd.html

There are other Biba items (including some on sale) if white is not your colour.

1. www.lkbennett.com/clothing/dresses/DRPARKES879SILK

A different retro silhouette...

1. www.matchesfashion.com/product/53342

Do you like any of the outfits on this site?

1. www.awear.com/dresses/floral-print-dress/invt/10452329print&setlocn=restofworld&log=4?cmpid=linkshare&siteID=0RpXOIXA500-bFS9.UUb6e_a6_4nJV1s9w

Fun print, would go with lots of cover-ups.

Ooh, Scatterplot you ANGEL! I've just sat down to some Mning after a hectic weekend and found your post(s) Now going to drink wine and peruse your suggestions. I will report back.

If you're stuck with what style suits you I'd highly recommend a personal shopper session at John Lewis if you are near one? I am bad at shopping for me so booked one for my SIL wedding last December. The service is free with no obligation to buy and the assistants have that trained eye to see what will suit you. I got a fab dress I wouldn't have looked twice at if I was shopping alone. Since I've been both MIL and her Dsis have gone too and found come back with outfits for occasions.

Love the Jules B one.

Ok. A glass of wine has been emptied. Here?s how it went?

The Julesb ? I love the fact that it is silk and looks like it drapes beautifully. The chain neck and fabric are a bit too bold for me. I used to wear halternecks a lot but have decided they make my shoulders look even broader, so they are now a no, unless the haltery bits are very wide. Price is high end of my budget but not a dealbreaker.

I love everything about the Biba except the tie up neckline bit. Which I really don?t like. I guess I could try wearing it without that.. But although I would happily wear this all summer, it might not be dressy enough for the London May wedding and too short for the communion?

I really really like the shape of the LK Bennett (though if my arms could be covered that would make it ideal) The colour / pattern isn?t typical for me but I think I need to try it on and see..

Matches. So, I looked at dresses up to £200 as I do need some kind of price cut off. It was a bit of a struggle to find anything I really liked -
I loved the elegance of the sleeves and overall drape of this but the front is far too bulgey and revealing

And then when I sneaked a peek a bit higher than £200, surprisingly, for me, I liked this though it does the arm exposing thing and I?m not sure how the belt would work across my waist, I?m quite straight up and down.. Anyway, it is too expensive, but the colour and print I liked.

The Awear link wasn?t to a specific dress, is that what you meant? I had a look around the site anyway and liked a few! The only thing that I like less is that they are all polyester, and I guess I would ideally want something similar but better quality.. do I sound picky at all?

Liked this the print and the colour, not sure I could carry it off! Also don?t know how the belt would work ? same issue as above..

Also liked this polka dots

And this www.awear.com/dresses/print-freda-wrap-front-dress/invt/10401391print/ (can you see a pattern with this lot??)

And then I like this one.. www.awear.com/dresses/closet-floral-contrast-waist-dress/invt/00001065multi/

And this www.awear.com/dresses/closet-floral-pleat-front-dress/invt/00000163orangeprint/

I have to admit, I lost focus a bit after that! (nothing to do with wine, at all) I think I have to just order some and see how they look, as I have absolutely no idea which shape will suit me. Gutted that Awear only have shops in Ireland as it seems there are a few I like from there, so need to check if they do free returns!

Purpleprickles it is a thing of sadness to me that there is no local John Lewis... I'm near Brighton and don't know where the nearest one is. I'm going to leave dd with dh on Wednesday though and go shopping and might keep the personal shopper thing in mind, though honestly the idea of it makes me feel.. shy . I think there is a Debenhams in Brighton and they do it there, not really John Lewis but I guess it could get me thinking outside of the usual stuff I go for?

Anything here?

I'm shy too and not the weight I would like to be so felt self conscious about it to start but the assistant who helped me was so reassuring and kind. I got a 50's style dress in the end which was perfect as it pulled me in but then hid my child bearing hips and flabby belly I imagine Debenhams would do something similar, I think a lot of shops do. Good luck! Sorry I can't comment on your links but I'm on the phone app and it won't work.

Hello Geordieminx I think I might be a bit dress-blind at the moment so might look again tomorrow. At the moment, these jumped out:

www.psyche.co.uk/womens-c12/dresses-c30/paul-smith-black-black-cap-sleeve-floral-print-shift-dress-p11182 I like this one but it is too expensive!

really like the colours and overall shape, but the sleevelessness and waist wouldn?t suit my shape I think..

Purple, you've inspired me! I do like 50s shapes, that sounds lovely!

Gah the Paul Smith one is beautiful

I KNOW!! argh.

Prom, anything here so far for you?

If you are going to brighton on Wednesday why not visit Dolly Dagger Boutique whilst you are there? Or have a click online www.dollydagger.co.uk for a browse they have a fabulous rose print dress which I bought for my BIL's wedding with a petticoat. The wide crossover top sat beautifully on my shoulders without slipping off thus trimming shoulders and disguising bingo wings. It also worked with a post partum tummy and created a waist.

This is the dress the 'scarlett' it also comes in different colours and leaves enough in your budget for a big petticoat and a wrap. www.dollydagger.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=DDDRS1ROSE

Thanks Sneaky, their dresses look lovely. I've never actually tried flare-skirted dresses on; being tall and broad shouldered I've thought they'll just make me look ...big. But that shop seems to have a wide range so might be time to check them out!