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Original poster

effortless and chic...

33 replies

petitdonkey · 15/08/2014 20:58

Help me oh wise ones….

I have a party to go to next week and everything I own just seems…. wrong. I am a curvy girl which instantly makes everything seem too dressed up and I really am at a loss as to what to wear.

The party is all day - afternoon tea followed by dinner and dancing so I guess like a wedding but perhaps not as formal (I have two weddings coming up so multi purpose would be great)

I am thinking Olivia Palermo when she's at her effortless best… That kind of thrown on yet beautiful look that you see on trendy types at 'society' weddings.

this is the closest thing I have found but I may well have bra issues with the back and wish it was navy….

these lovelies in nude on on their way so, after splurging on them, the dress I linked to is absolute top of budget.

Any suggestions will be gratefully received!!!

OP posts:
Original poster
petitdonkey · 15/08/2014 21:01

Like this!!! (But for a size 14 with boobs!!!)

effortless and chic...
OP posts:
MrsLettuce · 15/08/2014 21:10

Dress link isn't working, I'm afraid so I've no idea on budget! Lovely shoes but dancing in new, high shoes does seem, erm, daring

MissScatterbrain · 15/08/2014 21:22

Dress for your figure and be proud of your curves..that white outfiit that OP is wearing won't do much for you.

The shoes are gorgeous and the dress might work for you - have you tried a dept store's ersonal shopper service?

HappyGirlNow · 15/08/2014 22:02

Link to shoes won't work...

Original poster
petitdonkey · 15/08/2014 22:14

Thank you ladies - links are working on my end so I can't fix it, sorry!

MissScatter - I know that outfit wouldn't work as such, it's the vibe (for want of a better word) I am looking for. I do know what suits my figure but I always seem so dressed up… I guess I was looking for a change from DVF/ Anglomania which always seem to be my go to….

MrsLettuce - they are definitely low shoes for me!! Thought I was being super practical Grin (seriously though, I have never had sore feet in JCs)

Maybe I just order the dress and try it… Sigh. Bored of myself I guess.

OP posts:
HappyGirlNow · 15/08/2014 22:24

Ah working now must've been a site problem.. Beautiful shoes and I like dress too, but yes depends on your shape...

BelindaAllWorkedOut · 15/08/2014 22:25

I think it's the shape of the Malene Birger dress that isn't fitting with your ideal outfit image. That dress is beautiful, but the shape is a little formal for how it sounds you want to look. I'd choose a looser / fuller / more casual style of dress.

Like, for example, the Ganni textured skater dress on My-Wardrobe (it's £100). It's actually drop waist, with a flippy skirt. I'm curvy and that sort of dress suits me (skater certainly doesn't, though).

HappyGirlNow · 15/08/2014 22:25

And I think the heel is quite low too! Grin

BelindaAllWorkedOut · 15/08/2014 22:27

This one. It looks more fun IMO. www.my-wardrobe.com/ganni/textured-sweat-skater-dress-by-ganni-463064

Also, the Malene dress is quite long, so that can be hard to carry off unless v tall.

Original poster
petitdonkey · 15/08/2014 22:37

Thank you!! I think that the Sportmax is lovely but exactly what I would normally buy but the Ganni is way off what I would normally choose so maybe worth a shot!!

I've looked at my original dress again and I know it won't suit me but I am sulking about that Grin. Ideally I need something fitted under the bust to show that I do go in, otherwise I look like I am a barrel from bust to hip… will keep looking or accept that I have a wardrobe full of dresses that suit my shape, I just don't like my shape much!!!

OP posts:
MrsLettuce · 15/08/2014 22:39

Drss link now working.MUst have been a problem with the site. Good.

It's a nice dress and the bra problems are absolutely surmountable - doesn't sound like it'd be massively flattering on you though. Are you tall?

If things always look inexplicably formal on you then this might well work

BelindaAllWorkedOut · 15/08/2014 22:42

I just bought a drop waist dress, and was surprised by how fresh and flattering it looks. I normally gravitate towards more shift dress shapes, along with the odd disaster when I forget that I'm not shaped like Audrey Hepburn.

Justinepants · 15/08/2014 22:54

Your dress comes in a lovely mushroom sort of colour: shop.bymalenebirger.com/gb/item/muloca-tailored-evening-dress-q54873012/?t_type=src&t_type=cat.

Might be more adaptable.

MrsLettuce · 15/08/2014 22:57

Oh, looks to have much more OP flatting potential than I'd have thought from the MyWardrobe photos Hmm

Justinepants · 15/08/2014 23:05

I think this is rather nice and you could dress it down with colourful accessories or is it too similar to your usual sort of style?

FamiliesShareGerms · 15/08/2014 23:16

This from J Crew looks adaptable?

FamiliesShareGerms · 15/08/2014 23:19

Over budget?

FamiliesShareGerms · 15/08/2014 23:21

Good support and shaping?

FamiliesShareGerms · 15/08/2014 23:24

Good for giving you a waist?

baskingseals · 16/08/2014 07:58

Really like the ganni dress belinda linked to, manages to be both stylish and non stuffy.

KristinaM · 16/08/2014 08:11

Some lovely dresses linked to here

But personally I think you should stick with Vivienne , if she has worked well for you before

MrsLettuce · 16/08/2014 09:41

Yeah, when it comes down to it Vivienne is unbeatable, IMHO.

Fcukfifa · 16/08/2014 09:54

I think the Ganni dress is more like what you was describing that you wanted. Effortless.

When I think of Olivia Palermo she usually wears a classic shape but teams it with fabulous accessories. Statement necklaces, bracelets etc and gorgeous bags.

Then of course been super groomed.