I desperately need help, 5 weeks to find a dress, serious challenge for anyone wishing to test their stylish abilities to the limits!

[poachedeggs]

I'm 5'3", size 20 (dreadful apple belly + c-section overhang :(), and 31. I need to wear a demure, conservative dress to a daytime party in August. I will also require a hat, clutch bag and wedges. I would like to avoid the sack-of-spuds look, the borrowed-it-from-my-gran look and the bought-it-in-the-Millets-sale look, if possible.

Oh, and one other significant point. I am utterly totally skint. The whole outfit should ideally be less than £100. This has me looking at v cheap places like BonPrix and La Redoute :(

Please help me out, I am desperate.

As a fashion student who has worked as a designer and wanna be stylist. I would be happy to take on your challenge! Last year my mother was a size 20 & I styled her for a summer wedding.

Couple of questions: does it have to be a hat? Can it be a fascinator or some kind?

Did you put your age on the post? I can't look back am on my phone!

Yes, you did sorry! I will get on it after corrie!

Please, no fascinator! They are so awful and mumsy.

I'll try n help poached. Any links you could post to give us an idea of your style?

Thank you!

I am 31. I am of an age and shape which begs for frumpy. I think fascinators would be fine but I am clueless about fashion. I wear jeans and the same handful of vests/t-shirts/cardis/tunic. I haven't bought myself new clothes since DD was born (she'll be 2 in September) because funds do not allow but I can't not go to this and it is mega formal.

I am so very grateful. I will link to a couple of dresses I have been thinking about.

bit too booby?

this looks hideous but would cover many lumps and bumps

I like this but think the waistband would sit too low and I will need to get it taken up

again, hideous, but may disguise the belly by distraction effect of fat-bird print

31 is NOT an age for frumpy! Are you KIDDING? I'm 29 and I haven't even nearly begun on shiny leggings.

really love this but not sure if I'd get away with it

Please do not wear something you think is hideous just because it will conceal your shape. You will NOT feel good in it, you'll feel sad.

We're gonna find you something.

Not a fascinator though.

I really don't want to be frumpy but I feel like my only option is to wear something like <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=jo+brand+dress&hl=en&rlz=1C1CHFX_en-gbGB490GB490&biw=1920&bih=965&tbm=isch&tbnid=jLyLysUKnWNeHM:&imgrefurl=www.virginmedia.com/celebrity/pictures/worst-dressed-celebrities-2011.php%3Fpage%3D19&docid=1J2yfaeslcFVjM&imgurl=www.virginmedia.com/images/celebrity-Jo-Brand-purple-dress-250x400.jpg&w=250&h=400&ei=hQvuT4SQBImt8QP3-4izDQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=297&sig=108808158325225531145&page=1&tbnh=144&tbnw=91&start=0&ndsp=50&ved=1t:429,r:14,s:0,i:113&tx=86&ty=73" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this which isn't really my bag

I am so pathetically grateful you wouldn't believe. Thank you :)

I like the laredoute one in the first link and the last one as well, the wrap sort of one..but the colour is a bit meh.

I know what you mean about the colour but black or navy aren't really daytimey sorts of colours - unless I could liven them up somehow?

Personally i think Hats are worse than fascinators - not that i have much like for them either. Do you actually require to wear a hat?

I actually love this It may be a Maxi on you, but thats fine. A pair of block heels and a pashmina over your shoulders?

Skater dresses will conceal your tummy area

This Would look gorgeous on a really sunny day]]

Alternatively you could go Pencil Skirt and a Peplum style top, very on trend. Will again Conceal the tummy. Choosing a bright colour will make it look apropriate for the event rather than for work.

This would be perfect I cant believe its out of stock!

I like this one you linked to, would work with these.

This would look gorgeous with these shoes, also in white and black.

No matter what size you are, you need the Confidence to accept yourself, how you look and feel good about it. Easier said than done, i know.

I love this

Oooooh loads of links to check out - thanks!

On a whim I saw another thread about the Boden sale and checked it out for a laugh - and it is definitely more than i had planned to spend BUT I think it might be a candidate and could easily be matched with shoes and a straw hat - whaddya think?

Off to check out links :)

I like it in the navy and the green.

I like the boden one but it looks like a lot of cash for what it is.

how about something like this or this with these, this and this (or maybe this with the monochrome dress)

Hat is a must I'm afraid, as are wedges (grass underfoot!).

I'm not sure about the skater dresses as they may be a bit short for this occasion. Maxis I hadn't considered cos I'm such a munchkin, but I shall review that if you think I'll get away with it?!

Love those wedges Procrastination :)

You could get a proper petticoat for one of the dresses I linked to (they do hang nicely without too) and still be cheaper than the boden one...

That website is AMAZING!

This Phase 8 dress is nice.
Laptop battery about to die - but Monsoon have nice cream shrugs in sale, plus headgear. Sorry not to be more helpful.

Boden one is hideous - you could look like a sofa!!

DP

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