Help! Have a wedding to attend and shopping for it is turning into an exercise in frustration.

[Naoko]

So. My childhood best friend is getting married in three weeks and I need something to wear. From what I've heard of her plans (we don't live in the same country so I've not been involved in any of the preparations), it's going to be posh but understatedly so, if you see what I mean - nothing over the top but no corners cut on quality and style.

I've been unsuccessfully dress hunting for weeks. I almost bought this, but the 12 was too tight, the 14 too loose, and the cut just didn't quite suit - the top half of it looked a bit weird.

Then I was going to order this, but that's out of stock and it's a limited edition so I don't think they'll be getting more. Apparently they'll be getting more stock of the green version in but I don't like that anywhere near as much, and it might not get in on time anyway.

The hunt hasn't been totally in vain because I've ended up with a summer dress for my holiday and a smart dress for presentations etc where I need to show that I do in fact clean up alright (normally a jeans/tshirt kind of girl) but that obviously doesn't help my wedding quandary - help!

I'm 26 and a size 12-14, probably more towards the 14, and about 6ft tall. Fairly blessed in the chest department, not confident about my stomach. Curvy figure - boobs, hips, decent waist despite wobbly stomach issues. I like bright colours and want something cheerful but not fussy, probably more or less knee length. Bright red and bright yellow make me look ill, but I'm fine with pinks/burgundies and ochres/oranges. Blue, green, purple etc also good. Budget is about £50, give or take a bit (but not too much...broke student here)

Any takers?

No one at all? Clearly everyone thinks this is as hopeless as I do! :o

How about this one from oasis. There is 20% off at the moment, so comes in under budget.

Red herring at debenhams is good for dresses too, also has 20% off at the moment.

Ooh, I like that! I'll have to see if I can find somewhere local that has it in stock, I'm getting desparate enough to buy online if I have to but would really like to try something on. I'm a little concerned about the narrow belt (wider ones tend to suit me better) but I do like how it looks. Thanks! :)

Victory! Went to the nearest town with more than three decent shops and tried on pretty much every dress that looked vaguely suitable. Although it has a Debenhams that stocked oasis, they didn't have the dress that WantTo linked to, which was a shame because I really wanted to try it. I eventually ended up with this in the sale at Monsoon. I love it very much and it's really comfortable. :)

Sadly nothing I own shoes/bag/shrug wise matches it so I'll probably have to go on another expedition for that...

Oooh, what a fab dress! What sort of budget do you have for accessories - I've seen some great bits about.

Well my lovely dad, who knows I am very broke and who loves to see me in nice things, has offered to pay for the accessories. (He though the dress was fantastic and that I ought to buy the shoes the model is wearing in that picture to go with it. I told him I loved them but that if he wants me to wear shoes with an 11cm heel they'd better come with a matching Zimmer frame - I can't walk in those....) He hasn't set a budget beyond 'don't be silly', and I don't intend to take the piss - maybe another £50 total for the accessories? But less would be better.

Oh how kind of him! That's so lovely.

So, you want shoes, bag, cover up and jewelery for 50 quid? Heck lass! But, restraint is good, we'll need to know your shoes size to stand a chance (sales), perversely high heels seem to generally cheaper than mid-heels. Or would you prefer flats?

Could you maybe manage without a cover up or is it a church / outdoor wedding?

Shall have a rummage in the meantime

I'd like shoes and some kind of cover. Bag would be a bonus, DP has pockets if all else fails :o Shoe size is 5.5 or 6 usually. I'd like a small to medium heel - I think that kind of dress really needs a heel and I'd love to wear a really high heel with it but I just can't do it. I'd end up in A&E with a broken ankle before I even made it to the venue. Think I'd prefer something strappy.

The wedding will be at the town hall (not in UK, think fancy registry office equivalent) at 4pm in the afternoon followed by a sit down dinner and party. It'll be mid June so I'm expecting it'll be fairly warm but might cool down at night, which is why I think I really need the cover.

And thanks for helping, of course! I really hate this shopping lark and I'm bad at it so it's very appreciated, especially considering tight budget considerations - I know I'm asking a lot...

You need a bag - odd not to have one even though I agree you don't need one for practical reasons. Just earrings would be fine.

Well, I've done my best, but I can't get it in budget. Have gone with the cheapest acceptable options. Strappy shoes would be perfect, but I've not seen any nice ones under about 35 pounds.

How about this bag, these shoes and a pashmina? COuld you maybe borrow some jewelry?

Borrowing jewelery is very posh you know

Oh jewellery is no problem at all, that's something I'm not at all short of :o

Orange shoes...very bold, but I like it! Not something I'd have considered. Would it not be a bit much with the pink bag though? Love bright colours, but there's such a thing as too many in one go... The pashmina is pretty but I'd worry about it draping in my soup or something. Should probably just get over that. :o

Many thanks! :)

Yeah, wrong bag! Was looking at it when I couldn't find any bright shoes. Meant this I think, or maybe one from new look

these are very nice
pink - not as lovely but price is better

(take the pashmina off before eating soup)

Oh. Just bumped into these lookin gfor something else - beautiful and a bargain too high?
like the DP ones but a much better shade

Hi Naoko - sorry don't have anything helpful to say, just that I really like that Lady Vintage site you linked to with the out-of-stock green fan print swing dress, and I wondered whether you would say the sizing runs big, small or average?
Good luck with the wedding shopping!
thanks!

Their sizing is about average AFIAK - I spoke to LadyV on monday and they said they'll be fully stocked again in about 2 weeks (so less now), some things would be earlier they said.

Thanks!
There doesn't seem to be much left right now... must remember to come back in a couple of weeks. They are such pretty dresses.

Oh those pink KG ones are lovely...sadly I think you're right, too high for me. The orange ones are nice, just about ok on heel height. Shall keep those in mind, thanks! :)