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Original poster

Another panicking wedding guest here!!

27 replies

SingingSilver · 22/06/2013 21:00

Stats - I'm in my late 30s, 5'6", size 18-20, dark shoulder length hair, pale, blue-green eyes, I get on okay with my face, calves and forearms. I hate all the other bits. My still-thinks-I'm-pregnant stomach is my nemesis. Short torso and long legs. I need wide fit shoes. I look best in jewel colours. I'm fairly skint.

I'm basically the substitute mother of the bride in this scenario, I was told this the other day. And I'm going to be in the family wedding photos which is very sweet and touching but has also thrown a spanner in my outfit plan!

I was going to go with a blue tunic top, grey wide legged trousers, and some kind of light cardie like www.marksandspencer.com/Pure-Cotton-V-Neck-Cropped-Cardigan/dp/B0035RTMB8?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_7&nodeId=42966030&sr=1-7&qid=1368731608&pf_rd_r=1RCWVDPTA42NTME690JJ&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_i=0&pf_rd_p=321381407&pf_rd_s=center-3 and get my nails and hair done.

Now I need to make more of an effort. Not fancy fascinator level effort, but probably more dressy than tunic and trousers!

I bought two Lady V dresses in the sale www.ladyvlondon.com/Navy-Floral-Swing-Dress_A1AM0E.aspx?nh=240281 and www.ladyvlondon.com/Red-Rose-Floral-Collage-Dress_A1AC6G.aspx?nh=240281 in a size 20 and they both fit well, but I'm not comfortable with wearing them in public I'm afraid. The first one feels too short, the second isn't really my colour or choice of print now I've tried it on. This one is more me but it's sold out www.ladyvlondon.com/Stunning-Black-Floral-Dress_A1AC6H.aspx?nh=240281

I'm a clueless shopper in general. I stick to high waisted jeans that haul my stomach in, with three quarter length tops. I don't wear anything else! Ideally I would wear a wedding version of this uniform, but it seems a bit disrespectful?

OP posts:
Original poster
SingingSilver · 22/06/2013 21:07

Forget the 18-20, it's 20. I was dieting but fell badly off the wagon recently. So 20! And my stomach is HUGE from the side.

OP posts:
tethersend · 22/06/2013 21:54

Floral

plum

blue

another plum

red

tethersend · 22/06/2013 21:56

What's your budget?

This is gorgeous...

Original poster
SingingSilver · 22/06/2013 21:57

I will make a note to try the DP dress on in store next week. I like that the green ASOS Curve dress has long sleeves because I wouldn't have to buy a cover-up, but I'm worried it would look like a maternity dress on me!

I was looking at this, loose-ish with sleeves but I don't know if it's potentially a bit Dancing On Ice? www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/rise-tulisa-sequin-flower-tunic-dress/uc219/product/details/show.action?pdBoUid=7985#colour:Turquoise,size:

OP posts:
Original poster
SingingSilver · 22/06/2013 22:00

That babycakes dress looks amazing, but I don't have the confidence to wear a showstopper like that!

My budget is 'as little as I can get away with' but I would go up to £100 for a dress that I was in love with and would wear again. Usually my formal occasion outfits get donated to charity asap.

OP posts:
tethersend · 22/06/2013 22:00

Is it called a Tulisa dress because you'd have to be off your tits to wear it?

Sorry. It looks a bit blingy and cheap and shapeless.

tethersend · 22/06/2013 22:02

Ok, is the babycakes dress the kind of style you like or do you want something completely different?

Original poster
SingingSilver · 22/06/2013 22:02

I love the floral F&F dress, I'm guessing shoulder straps cut like that balance out a wider lower half?

OP posts:
Original poster
SingingSilver · 22/06/2013 22:05

You're right, I don't really want a dress that has inspired someone to name it Tulisa Grin

I love the length and flared skirt of the babycakes dress. I don't really like the top, high necks can make me look frumpy.

OP posts:
tethersend · 22/06/2013 22:05

Would you do red?

It's a maternity dress, but because it's a wrap dress it fits and drapes beautifully, lovely silky fabric. I have one in black which I wear more whilst not pg than I did when I was. It's like an issue Clark, I sing its praises all over the place Grin

tethersend · 22/06/2013 22:05

Ossie Clark!

Original poster
SingingSilver · 22/06/2013 22:08

Actually maybe I should start looking in maternity depts, just stop fighting it! That dress is beautiful, I love the sleeves.

OP posts:
tethersend · 22/06/2013 22:11

It's an amazing dress; it feels so expensive. Nobody can tell it's maternity.

MostlyCake · 22/06/2013 22:29

this one is lovely!

www.ladyvlondon.com/The-Purple-Hepburn-Dress_A1AZL3.aspx?nh=300292

Original poster
SingingSilver · 22/06/2013 22:32

It ticks about every box actually! Statement sleeves to distract from what's going on in the tummy area, not too low-cut, it seems to hit the lower part of the knee so not a scary length.

I've never worn red as a block colour, only as an accent. I tend to gravitate towards dark blue/green. I'll sleep on it. When I click on the colour square it looks a brighter red than it does on the model. Fit is definitely the most important factor though. And I'm getting a much clearer idea of what to look for now I've asked for help!

I like these Ossie Clark dresses www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_62076+3843Black_-1 www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_62076+3937blue_-1 especially the first one, but they only go up to 18.

OP posts:
Original poster
SingingSilver · 22/06/2013 22:35

MostlyCake I love the colour of that LadyV, the shiny fabric would make me worry about the bulge factor though!

OP posts:
Original poster
SingingSilver · 22/06/2013 22:39

The hauntedhousewife dress looked a bit intimidating at first, but I think the sleeves and flared skirt could make it wearable. Can an uber-apple carry off a narrow belt though?

OP posts:
MostlyCake · 23/06/2013 14:20

Maybe a wider belt to balance? I think skinny ones never look right if you're not skinnyish yourself (at least they dont with me!).

Or if you get a cheaper dress you could maybe splash out on shapewear? You're right, shiny fabric will show up everything though!

Ashoething · 23/06/2013 15:25

I am also 5'6 and I have the navy floral from Lady V. I agree it is probably a bit short for a formal wedding. I like the other one though!

The Dolores dresses from Collectif are lovely for an apple shape as you can add a belt to define the waist. Size down though as they have good strectch to them. I think the blue hisbuscus or the yellow floral one would be beautiful for a wedding and they also sell bolero's in matching shades.

Original poster
SingingSilver · 26/06/2013 21:22

I tried on the floral dress linked above www.clothingattesco.com/invt/jg311272 and really liked it so I'm 99% certain that's my dress sorted! (99% because there is still the small possibility I will panic and run out to find some trousers at the last minute.) Thanks tethersend Smile

I bought these nude colour shoes on a whim because I have very wide duck feet and they were so comfortable I didn't think about whether they would go well with the dress www.evans.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=1&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33054&storeId=12553&productId=9864842&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=209435&parent_categoryId=&pageSize=200&refinements=Colour{1}~[neutral]&noOfRefinements=1

I'm now on the lookout for a neutral clutch (hoping I can find a cheap one in Primark or similar?) and something to cover my arms - maybe in orange or teal to match a colour in the dress? I've been considering this www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_028020810913_-1

Your collective expertise would be very welcome - especially if you think I'm barking up the wrong tree! (I may post a picture nearer the time but not brave enough yet...)

OP posts:
Original poster
SingingSilver · 26/06/2013 21:24

A concern I have is whether neutral bag and shoes will work with this type of dress? And if I went for black shoes, what colour bag would I need?

OP posts:
tethersend · 26/06/2013 23:01

Glad you liked the dress Smile

I think shoes like this would work well.

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