Help! How to dress my awkward shape for a wedding

[Amber76]

I'm 5 foot 4 and usually about a size 14 but I had a baby by caesarean at the start of July so have a really big belly at the moment. I put on weight during pregnancy and would now be around a size 16.
I have a wedding to attend in September and would love to feel good at it but I went shopping yesterday and got really depressed about my figure.
Now, I don't mind the belly so much - I did just have a baby but I've put on weight all over. I've got horrible varicose veins on my legs which I'm going to get sorted surgically at some point but not in the near future. Anything I wear has to be to the ankle. But to fit my width the dresses are too long so I may have to consider getting it taken up.
I did try on a few maxi dresses but I looked absolutely massive. My arms are really flabby too but I suppose I can wear a light cardigan of some sort. The only part of myself that I like is my face - the rest should be hidden away! I'm a mess...help! I'm in Ireland so not as many shops here - any recommendations for where to shop, styles of dresses or brands? Thanks.

Could you wear wide leg trousers with high heels to lengthen your bottom half and a patterned/flowing tunic top with 3/4 sleeves to skim over lumps and bumps? Good undies would help smooth out your shape (maybe not spanx as they would be a pain for going to the loo, but other 'control panel' undies, just to keep tummy in place). I've gotten to the age/disposition where I like my knickers to cover my tummy!
The other option could be a tunic dress (knee length) and black opaque tights and black shoes. I bought this dress from a charity shop the other week and it's my new favourite dress (here it is on ebay for a tenner:
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ladies-Fenn-Wright-Manson-Brown-Black-Printed-Smock-Tunic-Dress-Size-14-UK-Used-/360674370766?pt=UK_Women_s_Dresses&hash=item53f9de24ce
You'd be able to get away with this in a 14 and the shape is really flattering. I wear it casualy at the moment with sandals, but intend to wear it with boots and opaque tights come autumn and then layer it up with a black long sleeve t-shirt underneath in winter.

Hi,

This dress is probably longer on someone of your height.. I think it could be lovely and flattering

www.debenhams.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10052_10001_038010180660_-1

I would say a bit of Sally Hansen or Dermablend would let you get away with this length.

Best of luck .. ps a little shrug would be great with it

Get a fifties or vintage style dress. Seriously I am a size 16 too and since being introduced to them a year ago I am converted!

You don't need dresses to the ankles either!-I have horrible varicose veins but will wear sheer tights or sally Hansen leg stuff,

Good places to look are Collectif,Lady vintage,Lindybop and Vivien of Holloway.

These dresses give you a lovely hourglass figure no matter what you look like underneath!

I wouldn't ever recommend a maxi dress - they just look like a tent IMO.

Have you tried a wrap-dress? They're good for minimising your tummy. Something like

this. Still long so the coverage you want, but with more of a structured shape to it. You could wear a shrug or a pashmina with it to cover your arms?

Will keep looking for more ideas!

Thanks for advice so far.
I like the style of the Monsoon dress but not the loud pattern - something like that in black or olive or a dark simple colour could work.
Think the Debenhams dress is pretty but I couldn't wear it with my calves - its not just the veins, I have really wide legs too. I put on weight on my legs and wouldn't be comfortable wearing even black tights. I'll definitely be wearing my spanx under whatever I end up buying!

this?

Or this?

Actually if you look on the DP website there are quite a few really nice long wrap dresses.

What's your budget?

This is gorgeous and comes in black and green too. I would get something with sleeves, avoids cardis and wraps if possible.

This is nice in navy

Someone recommended these jumpsuits to me: www.phase-eight.co.uk/fcp/categorylist/garment/jumpsuit?resetFilters=true I LOVED them but unfortunately they didn't look quite right but I'm only 5'2" - they might be perfect for you?

this

How about this one? I can highly recommend Monsoon jersey maxi dresses. Very flattering.

What about this. It has a long navy skirt, so visually slimming. The neckline is high but if you wore a chunky v neck necklace it would offset it. I think it is very simple and elegant. You could wear it with sandals and a glam clutch bag. You're short so don't wear a fascinator. Keep it simple.

Or you could do this . Sorry - it is maternity wear but it's a bit glam and if your stomach is still vv swollen it might be more flattering. You could wear it with black straight leg trousers and heels. M&S just got loads of trousers in.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far - some are lovely. Would you believe I have never bought any clothes online?! I'd be worried that it would arrive and not quite fit right.

This is lovely and a bargain if you do ebay