Please help me to decide on a dress for a wedding!

[itstheyearzero]

I'm going to a wedding at the end of September, and having put a bit of weight on recently, I realised none of my dresses would fit me. So, I went into town on Saturday, and came home with 3 dresses! I can only afford to buy one, so 2 will have to go back tomorrow. I'm really not sure which one to choose, so please can you help me to decide? For info I'm 42, 5'7, size 14, biggish norks, pot belly, not bad legs. Oh and shoulder length dark hair.

OK, dress 1 - this is my favourite, however, I'm not sure it is entirely suitable for a wedding (it's velvet and looks quite eveningy). Plus I would have to hold my stomach in all day (and I would forget and look pregnant)

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_103020711494_-1?breadcrumb=Home%7EWomen%7EDresses

Dress 2 - it's actually in silver, not champagne. Looks quite nice, but again I would have to hold tummy in

www.tkmaxx.com/dresses/metallic-occasion-dress/invt/30075696

Dress 3 - my least favourite, but it looks gorgeous on, very flattering, and the pattern hides my belly quite well. Actually this looks the nicest, but it's not quite 'me'.

www.tkmaxx.com/dresses/black+white-patterned-satin-dress/invt/53027572

I'm a bit torn because as I say, dress 3 is the most flattering, but would you wear a dress that you didn't particularly like but looked great?

Honest advice would be much appreciated! Thanks.

Out of all three I actually like the third one best. The second one I don't like at all!! I would buy a dress that looked better on than off...and would do almost anything not t ohave to spend all day holding in my stomach!! (But then I have the height and body shape of Makka Pakka, so I'd have to squeeze my bum in whatever I wore!!)

The third one is best. The second one is awful and the first is ok.

I like the first one best. Could you wear Spanx or similar to 'create a smooth line' as they say! It is more wintery, but I'm sitting here in opaques and cashmere and have been wondering where my gloves are

thanks. The problem is I can't afford any spanx at the moment. Unless of course anybody knows of a cheap alternative?

Marks and Spencer?

I think Primark do them too, maybe worth a look

I like the third one best as well, lovely shape, dont like the pattern on the first!
perhaps try a body control slip rather than 'just' pants. I think they give a smoother line so there's no chance of tummy overspill

Try each one on and take a photo of yourself front and side on. See which looks best. Much easier to be objective from a photo than in front of a mirror.

I also prefer the third one, but you should wear the dress you feel best in don't wear a dress you have to hold your tummy in all day, you will be in agony and have a permanent grimace on your face. I was at a wedding recently and a relative of mine had brought a change of clothes because she had a dress on with spanx style stuff and was just very uncomfortable - you could see how uncomfortable she was too, looked way better when she changed.

Thanks everyone. OK Number 3 is the winner . It does look lovely, hides my tummy well, and with some kind of pulling in undergarment it should be fine, and I won't have to pull my stomach in all day! I have looked side on in the mirror in all 3 dresses, and dresses 1 and 2 definitely make me look like a sack of spuds when breathing out. Dress 3 is just so much more forgiving. I just thought it was a bit more 'middle aged' than the other two, but then I am middle aged...I keep forgetting

Is the length making it look a bit frumpy? Could you get it taken up? maybe the shoes you have are not right for it & you need something a bit funkier?

What are you wearing with it?

I think the length is OK, it's just below the knee, and I wouldn't want it any shorter to be honest. The only shoes I have got are similar to these:

www.polyvore.com/black_slingback_satin_peep_toe/thing?id=54432629

...maybe that's the problem. I can't really afford new shoes, I did have a look in New Look on Saturday to see if there was anything cheap, but I didn't see anything - they were all far too high (I don't do heels very well). Not really got a jacket either, I'm just hoping we don't spend too long outside...I might be able to afford some cheap jewellery so any suggestions for that would be appreciated.