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Dress for a wedding - please help!

13 replies

strawberrybubblegum · 10/06/2014 21:50

I'm going to a friend's wedding, and I'm starting to panic about finding a dress to wear! I've never been very stylish, and my usual way of dealing with weddings is to trawl every shop I can find and try on a million things until I find something acceptable - but with an 16 month old, shop-trawling is out. So please, please help me with some suggestions, so that I can be a dress-buying-ninja, and nail it without DD even noticing that we're shopping!

I'm 5'7, size 14, narrow hips, flabby tummy, fairly big boobs just now (breastfeeding), long body, and wide shoulders. Oh dear, that sounds really depressing!

I find that a reasonably low-cut neckline looks best (though I'm quite modest), and straight or slightly flared knee-length skirt/dress is what I've had most luck with (e.g. this kind of shape works for me). A-line makes me look frumpy, and maxi dresses make me look bigger than I am.

Colour-wise, I prefer something fairly classic - e.g. purple, gentle pink etc either block colour or traditional kind of print. Very pale colours make me look washed-out, and dark colours are out for a summer wedding.

Budget is around £100-£120, could go up a bit if necessary.

Thank you, thank you if you can help me!

OP posts:
strawberrybubblegum · 10/06/2014 21:54

Just to give an idea of my style, I liked this dress, but unfortunately the waistband is too high for me - just not cut right for my shape.

OP posts:
shggg245 · 10/06/2014 21:55

Have a look on Hobbs - l saw some decent hourglass type dresses. Its rubbish isn't it - my tits seem massive and I've got a right lower belly issue going on.

I'm trying to focus on
small waist and a decent bra ala mad men style.

strawberrybubblegum · 11/06/2014 05:47

Thank, shgggg I love hobbs, but this season seems to be all about high necked shift dresses, which I know know won 't do anything for me. It IS rubbish :-(

OP posts:
jimmybim · 11/06/2014 17:45

Do you mean something like these?

claret

oyster

pink

0pheliaBalls · 11/06/2014 18:00

There are some absolutely stunning 50s style dresses on Amazon, really flattering and very reasonably priced. I have a few. If you go on and search '50s dresses' you'll find loads. They're perfect for a wedding - I wore a red one by Lindy Bop to one recently with black flats (I don't do heels), felt really special. The shape on them is so forgiving too, especially if you're a bit wobbly in the tummy area like me.

OldCatLady · 11/06/2014 18:19

Love jimmybim's 'oyster' dress!

Watercolourfootballs · 11/06/2014 23:21

I tried this on the other day. It was absolutely gorgeous but I don't currently have an excuse to buy it! The Bolero comes with it. It was soooo flattering.

m.houseoffraser.co.uk/Dickins+Jones+Heather+stripe+print+dress/193562301,default,pd.html

strawberrybubblegum · 12/06/2014 08:39

Oooh, thank you for all the suggestions!!

I've ordered jimmybim's oyster dress - really hope it suits me!

The LadyvLondon dresses are really sweet (really like the isabella one)... and watercolour's stripy one also looks really pretty and very wearable. I'd definitely wear that again, so I'm tempted to order one of those to try too. The post office are just going to love me with lots of returns!

OP posts:
Watercolourfootballs · 12/06/2014 13:16

Have lots of fun with all the trying on!!!

LoveVintage · 12/06/2014 14:17

I love the one Watercolour has linked to. I got a similar one last year for a garden party - was blue and white stripe, I wore it with red sandals and a red blue and white corsage. Felt great!

jimmybim · 12/06/2014 22:13

Let us know how you get on!

Lambstales · 20/06/2014 22:46

Oh what a lovely dress.
Watercolour Thank you.
I needed a decent dress for several smart occasions and as I don't suit pastels this was great, especially as it came with the bolero.

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