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Gaah....two weddings, and for one I HAVE to look absolutely bloody amazing..

26 replies

missmakesstuff · 10/06/2012 00:49

I have two irish weddings (full catholic church do's) to go to in July. One is brother in law, one is DH's friends from way back. Won't be the same people so can get away with same dress both times. there will be people there who last saw me when I was about 2 stone lighter and 5 years younger! PLUS an old crush from my 20's - who was never interested and who I embarrassed myself over..I absolutely have to look fantastic.

I am looking at 50's swing dresses, it's kind of my style and I think suit my figure..but not sure if I will look like a sofa..am 35, size12/14, 5' 2'', mahoosive bust and hips but small--ish- waist..pale ish colouring, green/gray eyes, very dark brown reddish hair, suit fairly bright colours I think.

I struggle with dresses as I am much bigger on top, 42 inch bust and 32 inch waist, but I am handy with a sewing machine and was thinking of making myself something. Am liking this at the moment www.ladyvlondon.com/Parrot-Print-Swing-Dress-Bird-Print_A13HID.aspx?nh=240037 could make something similar fairly easily, but stuggling to find fabric I like.

anyone got any advice for dresses etc but also other things I can do to look lovely - I never feel particularly polished or nice looking, hate photos of myself generally as just look fat and old..hate my big jowly double chin and my arms are a bit saggy, tummy a nightmare (DD is two, I have no excuse though!) and thighs horrible. I can spend a little bit over the next month or so on myself, I have been doing chemical peels at home recently so have nice skin for now, have also lost a few pounds so more confident there, intend to actually start doing couch to 5k too.

Anyway, rambling now, not sure what I want - confidence boosters, ideas for what people do to make them feel good for a special occasion, anything really!

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missmakesstuff · 10/06/2012 00:51

Sorry, www.ladyvlondon.com/Parrot-Print-Swing-Dress-Bird-Print_A13HID.aspx?nh=240037

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willybreeder · 10/06/2012 00:58

That dress is amazing! And sounds ike it will suit your colouring. Wear red lips or a red gloss, watch makeup tutorials or have a makeup lesson. Exfoliate x2 a week. Let us know how it goes!

ZombiesAreClammyDodgers · 10/06/2012 01:13

Try the 30 day shred programme - jillian michaels- if you're unhappy with your body and want to look fantastic for wedding? Just £5 for the DVD on amazon.
Sorry no helpful thoughts on the dress as can't open the link on the phone.

ZombiesAreClammyDodgers · 10/06/2012 01:14

Just managed to open it. looks fantastic!

missmakesstuff · 10/06/2012 01:21

Out of my size, so annoyed...would need a size 16 by their measurements, boo! I have done the shred before, will just have to bite the bullet and do it! I have just over 30 days sono excuse teLly, getting more sleep and drinking less wine would probably be a good idea too...

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Cydonia · 10/06/2012 02:42

I think that style of dress would suit your body shape, think there's quite a few places online where you can get lovely vintage style stuff. From years of watching Gok Wan I would also suggest some kind of 'shape wear' to make you feel more confident. And maybe a spray tan? I had a St Tropez one for a wedding last year, was a bit concerned about looking orange as I am quite pale but it was lovely and natural looking. Ooh and fabulous new shoes, as high as you are comfortable in, to finish your outfit off.

Mustgettogym · 10/06/2012 03:09

Get a nice blow dry too :)

heliumballoon · 10/06/2012 06:14

Yy to the blow dry.
I wore a red swing dress from Vivien of Holloway to a wedding and felt very conspicuous. I was more dressy than the bridesmaids! I think you could get away with the parrot print (gorgeous!) but would advise going easy on the big net petticoat, scarlet lips etc unless you know everyone else will be dressed up to the nines OR if you are a really confident person happy to stand out in the sea of pastel Coast/ Monsoon which seems to dominate so many weddings.

missmakesstuff · 10/06/2012 08:49

Thanks guys, really gutted about that dress but will keep looking, was considering spray tan but worried about the tango, might be worth looking into. The wedding is in deepest Kerry, I don't think there will be a hairdresser in 15 miles, although could find out. What are people putting on their nails these days that lasts? Weddings two weeks apart and have horrible bails I can't grow, plus spending the time inbetween camping!

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missmakesstuff · 10/06/2012 08:50

Bails?! Nails!

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UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 10/06/2012 08:59

Google Pepperberry for dresses especially for ladies with big boobs, they have some lovely things.

Splash out on getting your hair and nails done for extra confidence boost!

Good luck :)

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 10/06/2012 09:00

Sorry cross post, but even Kerry has nail bars these days Wink

FormerlyTitledUntidy · 10/06/2012 09:06

Where in Kerry is it? There is bound to be something or maybe you could get a mobile girl out to you?
Dress is lovely, I'm having similar problems about a wedding Dp sprung on me the other day and it's in 2 weeks!! No time to lose any weight to make much of a difference

GotMyLittleLamb · 10/06/2012 09:08

have you seen Vivien of Holloway dresses, they are nice and as i remember have lots of fits which might work with your figure

ceres · 10/06/2012 09:12

i'm sure you'll find a hairdresser wherever in ireland you are - it seems practically every woman in ireland has a spray tan, shellacs and their hair done for weddings. lots get their make up done professionally too.

i didn't make that much effort for my own wedding.

shrinkingnora · 10/06/2012 09:15

Try Get Cutie. They make them to order so you order by dress size and bust size. I have two from them and they're great. They have sooooo many different fabrics to choose from too.

Something like this style?

SherlockGnomes · 10/06/2012 09:16

I was going to suggest Vivien of Holloway they are ace, I have pretty much exactly the same figure as you (and hair colour..and height..and eye colour..creepy!) and they look great. Also as boring as it is Hobbs dresses and Karen Millen dresses are a good fit on big bust little waist, I go down a size for Hobbs but up a size for Karen Millen. Are you Dressipi? If you put in your measurements on their you can search for a label or brand and it will tell you what size you are which is SO useful

Ishoes · 10/06/2012 10:23

Get thee to BHS!!-yes I know its seen as an old lady shop but I recently got 2 fifties style dresses from there and I have never had so many compliments in my life!

Sorry cant do links but one is a black and white prom style one with a sweetheart neckline and the other is pink/purple flowers with a deep v neck. I wear mine with a big underskirt. They had a few other styles/colours too which I am tempted to get if they go in the sale!

Also recently got 2 hell bunny dresses but I need to feel really confident to wear those as you def do stand out in the crowd in them!

whackamole · 10/06/2012 10:54

I have just bought a dress from Lady Vintage - it's very similar to that one. If you do manage to get it you will need a petticoat to go underneath, it is a lovely dress but is much more of a day dress in the flesh.

missmakesstuff · 10/06/2012 12:13

All fantastic suggestions thanks - I have bought the parrot dress in a size 14 - I did some comparison to the things I have tried in monsoon - there I am a size 12 in a similar cut of dress, but their measurements for a 12 are way smaller than mine - which is odd.

SO I am just hoping that I can try it and make it fit, or I will just return it, but there were only 10 left in that pattern so it is worth a try.

I do agree ceres, women in ireland do seem to take much more care over their appearance, I am sure there will be someone - I will have to ask MIL - it isn't where they live, it is actually the arse end of nowhere, near darynane (can't spell it!) and the village has just the one pub, shocking!

Get cutie sounds fantastic, might have to give it a go, and BHS, we have a new one and it has some lovely stuff. I just want to swish around in 50's swing dresses all the time really, I just feel so glam in them, wore one to get married.

At least if I buy the dress I cann have fun making some accessories, which is what I really love doing - I do have these shoes and bag to go with the dress - what do we think? too mental?

www.fussie.co.uk/irregular-choice-flicker-flack-shoes-mint-green.html

www.fussie.co.uk/irregular-choice-flicker-flack-shoes-mint-green.html

then an underskirt, could add a cardigan and raincoat, it is ireland in the summer

or am I getting too carried away as it won't fit my fat arse anyway! Well, actually, with that style the only thing it will fit is my fat arse!

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SherlockGnomes · 10/06/2012 18:10

pleeease wear your hair like or similar. You will look fab!

KittyBump · 10/06/2012 18:26

hiya, red herring are currently doing a dress in that parrot fabric! here your one is much nicer but I thought you might want to know as someone else may wear it! Fairly unlikely

missmakesstuff · 11/06/2012 22:51

Thanks Kitty for the heads up - that is annoying - I really hope no-one thinner does wear it, however the Lady Vintage one is much nicer, you're right. Become obsessed by the site, they have some lovely things, really reasonable too, their feedback is very good, I could spend lots.... the fabric is great, I would just love to know where they get it, I could make a dress, as the pattern is very simple but just have not found a fabric I like...I love the hair Sherlock, mine is a bit shorter, about skimming shoulder length, but I have a fringe and it is curly anyway, quite thick though, it does take a style, it could look great!
Thanks for the advice - I have ordered the dress too small have decided to try it and see, if it doesn't fit I can either try to slim down by the 27th of July to fit it, or buy a size 20 and hope I can alter it...
Or I did see this one..... www.ladyvlondon.com/Vintage-Blue-Floral-Summer-Swing-Dress_A13HI8.aspx which is lovely, would have to buy new shoes to go with it though, of course...

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