Please help me to not fuck up again!

[FishfingersAreOK]

Going to family wedding. Dh is the oldest of 8 so there are lotsss of younger people there. For each family wedding over the years I think I have felt good once. Every other time the dress was wrong, the shoes/accessories weren't right for me/the outfit. I just felt meh. Uncomfortable. Fuddy Duddy. Huge period of PND obviously not helped these feelings but now I am well, happy and sparkly me again. And I would really love to go to a wedding and enjoy it because I am not fretting about how I look.

So, about me
5'3"
Just over 10 stone
Size 10-12
Broad shoulders
Biggish Norks (32EE)
Barely there waist
Bum/legs OK.
Very pale - English rose/freckly
Dark brown, neck lenght curly hair (messy a la Meg Ryan in the 90s)
Blue eyes
Age 41.

Colours that suit me tend to be warmer ones - navy is good (but dull?) teal, purple, brown. I feel best (I think) in corally pinky kind of colours. But oh god these sound dull. I have not idea of current fashion, I live in jeans. I am fairly safe in my style (boring) and maybe this is why I end up feeling like the fusty one in the photos.

So please, please help me find something. I want to feel on trend again. Young. Sparkly (but not mutton). Just don't know where to start.

Thank you

Oh, and wedding early September
Budget - happy to spend up to about £120. Though would prefer less. Not a particularly smart wedding so would be comfortable in a great trouser/top combo too,

Oh and will try and post grim flabby torso photos if I can get phone to play properly

DVF Bec dress: very flattering, the draping is modern, it's your colour and in the sale!

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I've just bought this for a wedding - haven't tried it on yet but may be worth a look.

I'd also really recommend booking in to have a blowdry at a hairdresser - always helps to make me feel so much more glam and a lot less stressed!

m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/Elise-Ryan/Elise-Ryan-Lace-Midi-Skater-Dress-with-Pleated-Skirt/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3211932&cid=13934&Rf-200=3,33,7,9&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=50&sort=-1&clr=Navynude

m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/Lipsy/Lipsy-Embellished-Bandeau-Maxi-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2980125&cid=13934&Rf-200=3,33,7,9&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=50&sort=-1&clr=Navyblue

m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/Virgos-Lounge/Virgos-Lounge-Midnight-Midi-Dress-with-Low-Neck/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2945856&cid=13934&Rf-200=3,33,7,9&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=50&sort=-1&clr=Navy

I found these by googling wedding guest dress and got a link to asos. Then refined search to the colours. This is hust a few of the first ones that caught my eye. I think navy is beautiful for a smart occasion and looks lovely with coral accessories. Not boring at all.

I wore this to my cousin's wedding in April damsel with FWM jacket. Or Monsoon sale's just started

Ohhh thank you so far everyone - will start to browse (sorry been doing after school stuff/tea/bed etc).

If you are brave enough have shoved some Gok-like pics on my profile.

Wow - loving some of these.

Love the Paris Lace one - but so far my experiences with shift dresses is that although I love the simple classic lines the style just makes me look really boxy. All boobs and shoulders. I would love this dress but I think experience says no.

Virgos one(embellished shoulders) is fab - and nearly thought about ordering to try on. May still do so but not sure if I have the guts Also am v conscious of my shoulders, so though I love the neck and the hem line am worried would maybe make people think American Footballer rather than "wow, Fish looks good".

Now drastically wishing for a very different body shape to my so-called "Vase".

Strapless...with a 5yo DS who is very keen on dragging on my clothes when tired? Too scared.

The Elise Ryan one - seriously think about that - it is beautiful - classy and unstated and sexy - who could object. And the coral DVF is beautiful too as the mango one....ooo may have to get clicking soon.

Wow - this is brilliant for someone like me who hasn't time, inclination, any liking or any flair for shopping. Am actually getting excited about this now....keep the advice coming please

If you can stretch the budget a bit, this would look fantastic on you...

That's lovely Tethers. OP why not order the Virgo one and see what you think? It's beautiful. Asos do free delivery and returns and process refunds fairly quickly in my experience.

That's gorgeous, tethersend

(Note the various colour options) ...

m.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Dresses/Knee-Length-Dresses/WH449/Womens-Selina-Dress.html

not sure how far your budget will stretch but this sort of neck line here with your regained confidence would look fab!!
I wouldn't do half measures if I were you!
You look fab, make the most of your curves! am similar my only concern would my double boobs at the armpit :-(

this sort of shape would work well too if the above was too much

ooooh Agree the bolder the color, the better to distract from the shape!
Its always a show stopper to go for very simple bold color and color block with accessories.

actually I thin k teethers nailed it!

go with a very super sleek hairdo and minimal color block accessories such as a fab pair of sandals and clutch. Impeccable mani-pedi in bold purple or neon orange and big eyes, subdued lipgloss.

this Max Mara?
orthis DVF? both gorgeous
oh and look at these sandals(id really like those1)

Right, this is going to be my shopping list

The Vivienne Westwood one...on the mobile site it didn't look great but looking again at it on the full site it I am thinking mmmm gorgeous.. It just depends on the pink. If it has a touch too much blue in it it will make me look dead.
The DVF Bec dress (Ticks the boxes of stuff I like, definitely a great colour on me - crap model to put it on though so may look pants on me too)
The Mango Dress (Fun!)
The lace topped Elise Ryan (it is a slightly safer option but totally beautiful)
The Alexander McQueen (Looks fun, funky and flattering)
And I think as I am asos ing anyway I may put the Virgo one in the basket in too.

I shall not be keeping them all by any stretch of the imagination. But I shall try on and hopefully one will be the absolute clear winner. If not would you all be OK if I did a torso shot and got advice? And the shoe accessory assistance too please?

Oh and anyone got any hints as to how best to work out which one looks best - I know I am like many people and just look at which one hides the lumps and bumps the most rather than the whole picture!

Thank you - and any more suggestions welcome.

Oh yes you must come back and update us with the one you kept, then we can look for accessories!

The Virgo one had sold out between putting it in my basket and checking out so shall not be trying that one. Nevermind - I am not sure I would have been brave enough for it so probably best it has been ordered by someone else

Have not ordered the Vivienne Westwood one (yet). Firstly it is more than I want to spend -especially as I need some new underwear (waiting till have decided outfit before I shop as I may need something for that as well as day to day stuff). So the cost of the VW one was a bit much. Also that fushia pink kept sitting badly with me. Remembered why - DH bought me a beautiful Thomas Pink Cashmere jumper once in thatcolour. And it is beautiful. I look awful in it though - just too cool for me.

Will update you all.

Am currently talking soothing nothings to my credit card to calm it down

OK - you ready for a laugh [grin[

2 outfits turned up today.

One was very nearly a yes www.matchesfashion.com/product/147001 Have decided no for a couple of dull reasons (perfect fit up top now but not a mm of space for 6 weeks of girth increase likely over the school holidays. I carry all spare weight up top so not comfortable with the risk) Also was a bit baggy round the hips (looks like I am wearing someone else's skirt). Overall I did feel pretty good in it and so nearly perfect - but pragmatic head said no. Have put a photo on my profile -but more as a contrast with this:

www.theoutnet.com/product/364435 Again have put photo of me in this lovey dress on my profile. It is hilarious. Even DH who thinks I look wonderful in a potato sack or so he says thinks it looks truly awful. As he says it has hidden all my curves, makes me look I have the body of a man and is nothing like the photo!

So both going back. ASOS stuff arriving soon. Watch this space....

And much laughter allowed - photos going to be deleted soon

I liked the first one. And the fact that you put pics up. Satisfies my nosiness.

Good luck with hunt!

I think the first one looks lovely on you

Thank you - first one is pretty good - but the second one is truly awful isn't it!

ooo....the first one is lovely! Really flattering.

p.s. like the aga too