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 random aside, have you tried Dressipi? Quite useful for getting an idea of what suits your shape/size and suggesting things in the shops that match.

pink

hats are pricey and can't find black wedges in budget -ballerinas work well with that 50's look

over budget and not wedges but fine on grass - here[[http://www.marksandspencer.com/Footglove-Fashion-Freshfeet-Insolia%C2%AE-Technology/dp/B001ATL63A?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_51&nodeId=210710031&sr=1-51&qid=1341004014 these would be perfect and super comfy too - doube the budget (based on a lady v dress) but you'd get a good bit of wear out of them I think.

and those links were

DP

m&s

H&M has cheap black wedges, I've had a pair from there for about 3 years, still going strong.

They have these which I saw my v stylish French student wearing and these but if you go to a shop, you'll prob find more.

oooh, those first ones are fab!

Green dress

Hat

Shoes

clutch

gloves

tethers, she has max budget of £100

I am slightly taller but a similar size and shape to you - with the same problem areas!

I have realised that I have a tummy, nothing is going to make me look a size 10 but I don't have to cover it up in shapeless stuff.

www.wallis.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33058&storeId=12557&productId=5945670&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=209167&parent_categoryId=&pageSize=20&refinements=Size{1}~[20]&noOfRefinements=1this would suit me, believe it or not.

aaargh this

OP - please, please don't get a skater dress. It would (imvho) look awful, especially as they often come in v cheap looking fabric too.

Decent price and might be cute with red or hot pink wedges?

Bright colour and v cheap

This one even has sleeves!

another Wallis

I know yellow, I am disregarding it

Debenhams

I bought a dress similar to this last year, it's flattering because it gives you a waist and the draping covers your tummy.

You lot are bloody wonderful but I've been on the phone to my mum hearing all about the failings of the NHS and all its employees and it's now reallllly late so I'll get back to you tomorrow.

Thank you SO much, I am going to go mad on a credit card and order lots then send back what doesn't work. I feel much more confident already THANK YOU! :)

This would be great but it's over budget Coast. I fit into their size 18.

If you have big boobs try Pepperberry which are cut to fit. I got a lovely dress for a wedding for about £55.

Hopefully one of these might suit:

Outfit 1: dress with hat with shoe and this bag

Outfit 2: dress with shoe with bag and hat option 1 or hat option 2

Preview doesn't seem to be working for me ATM so hope the links work!

Really like both those dresses Moonlight.

dress
hat 1
hat 2 but too matchy matchy

I like this dress very much. can pair it with wide brim black straw hat like this
or this for a bit more drama

That La Redoute one you linked to might well look lovely on, i dont think its hideous at all. White or orange, definitely not the mud colour . Worth ordering and trying on? Is it a garden party type affair?

Right I've had 3.5 hours' sleep and I'm bleary so forgive me :)

I've opened all of the links and had a quick look, so many ideas and options, lots of which I'd never have considered.

On my own with the DC most of today but I'll try and sit down tonight and plan my attack. Excited :)

Right . This sounds like a posh garden party to me, so you will have a great time, and you will look fabulous.

Hat rather than fascinator. I think you should be looking to spend roughly the same amount on hat and dress, and then pick up the cheapest shoes and bag you can find.

Outfit 1: dress, DP soft mocha, should be knee-length I reckon, hat, clutch, wedges

Outfit 2: grey floral jersey dress, hat, pink bag, pink shoes

Outfit 3: blue dress, ivory hat, fabulous orange wedges, apricot or orange snakeprint clutch.

Dress alternatives: pink floral, blue floral, nude and black, white and black

If you must go for a fascinator I would get a fairly substantial "hatinator" one like this or this.

Lovely dresses (I especially like the Lady V ones) so I won't add to the dress list, but I would say hire a hat! You can hire from £20 and then you'll have a really fab hat for one day instead of a cheap one squashed in your wardrobe forever. Take/wear the dress to the hat hire place and they'll help you find the perfect one. I did this once for a posh wedding and it was great!