fat and frumpy with no idea what suits me, wedding guest dress HELP PLEASE

[Mugglewhump]

My brother is getting married in just over a month.
I am fat (size 18 bottom, 16 top) large gut,big arse and bra size 38c so I suppose Apple shaped?
Blonde Bobbed hair. Tall 5ft 10.
I will need to buy something on line as with 3 small kids no prospect of getting to shops.
Budget up to £250.
I am literally clueless as to what would suit me. I will also need to invest in some serious tummy control pants! I would be so grateful for a few ideas!

Stop!! Before you buy anything I would seek the advice of the lovely bra ladies as I've read enough of these threads to know that a 38c is really unlikely. I used to wear a 38d and an now properly fitted in a 34g after their advice.

I too would bet you are not that bra size. I am a size 16 on top and I am most definitely a 30GG. Measure yourself around the ribs and then lean forward and measure yourself round the Norks, don't squash your nipples and post measurements here of both in inches. Your measurement round your ribs is the actual band size you should be buying - no adding anything on.

If you get that sorted first I'm sure it will make a difference to the clothes you try on / wear as a starting point. .

Blimey I had no idea Mary Lou
My boobs are saggy and shriveled after breastfeeding 3 babies and I am ashamed to admit I am still wearing my ancient non wired nursing bras.

Thank you, I will head over to the bra ladies.

Measurements 37 inches around ribs and 43.5 around boobs.

I'm a size 14 and a 38b so I don't think there's an exact formula to bra size.

So while you get your bra sorted what look are you wanting?

Knee length?
Maxi?
Floral?
Bright/dark colour?
Arms covered?
High heels/flats?
Hat/fascinator?

A good bra will make all the difference.

Knee length probably, certainly not shorter.
I worry a maxi dress will make me look larger.
Any colour but not cream or black. Florals fine, not neon brights.
Will prob have small heel on shoes as makes my ankles look less cankly.
No hat and I doubt a fascinator, perhaps something very simple in hair like a nice hair slide.

On phone , where do the mythical bra ladies reside? Are they in style and beauty?

So I'd put you more at a 36F/FF possibly 38E/F you'd need to try a few in those kind of sizes. I'd put money on being more of a 36F/FF.

Floral

Maxi

Print,size: Maxi 2

Aqua Knee length

Spots

Any of these styles/colours?

Spotty one is lovely.
2nd maxi also v pretty.

're neck line if I get a decent, correctly fitting bra my cleavage area probably my best feature so would a neck line that shows my decolletage be a good idea as distracts from fat arse and tummy?

Thank you for ideas so far.

I'd avoid anything with a full skirt, I find that shape will fall down from your widest part (tummy in my case) and make you look much bigger. Go for a more fitted style or like Dotty's aqua dress, which is a good shape and will emphasis your fab norks - they will look fab because you'll have got a good fitting bra.

There are a few mid heal sandals around at the moment so if you want something comfortable but not flat www.bhs.co.uk/en/bhuk/product/women-1020590/sandals-2717985/camel-block-heel-sandal-with-snake-print-heel-cover-2442479?bi=201&ps=40 this sort of thing.

Also a bit of fake tan always make you feel more confident and that's the key to looking fab.

Yes I wouldn't go too low cut but if you have a nice cleavage show it.

With a decent fitting bra you will probably find you have a waist and if you have good legs a tea dress (like the spotty one) would look nice.

Oops meant Aqua not spotty

maxi dress?
skirt too full?
Found the two dresses above (if link works)Do you think either of those would work?

I like both but prefer the short one. The skirt isn't too full and should drop nicely from the waist. I love the colour too.

Yes to bra intervention. I wore 34C for years. I'm now in 32E and it takes pounds off me. Honestly!

You're tall, so could do a maxi dress. Long Tall Sally have a lovely one. Link isnt working but its black with a kind of red/pink oriental-ish rose print.

Or Boden. Dont cringe . They do a taller length and have lots of summery knee length dresses in at the moment that could be wedding-ed up with nice heels and accessories.

Thanks dotty doo.
The second maxi you linked is lovely and the aqua one from Jaques Vert.

I always thought Jaques Vert stuff would be very frumpy so would not have even considered it and had never heard of Simply Be. I may be getting somewhere.

The distinct advantage of John Lewis is that I can collect free from local waitrose and easy to return too.

I think the second maxi and the aqua are my favourites out of the ones I listed and the second one on your list is lovely.
Let us know how you get on OP.

I agree with you that a maxi dress will make you look larger.

Have a look a sixteen48 (I think that's what it's called). It's dawn frenchs clothing line.

You could go for a tunic and a pair of tapered trousers in one colour with a fantastic statement necklace and same coloured shoes maybe?

I am your height and find maxi dresses the most flattering because it makes me look long rather than wide and they skim my bum. However, I am a 32a/b so empire line elastic top ones make me look that small all over.with your boobs I would I would go for that beautiful floral phase 8 maxi to make the most of cleavage.

I like the spotty dress as it looks like it would skim over the wearer's body. It would be nice with bright red or pink shoes.

I think you are tight that a lower neck will work better for you. I like the East one and the spotty one. Found these too:
maxi
phase eight
blue

sorry meant right not tight!