Getting slightly desperate - what to wear to a wedding next week?!

[BigBoobiedBertha]

My cousin is getting married next week and I can't find anything to wear so I beginning to panic slightly. I have been going round and round in circles and can't see anything that I like and would fit. Can you help please?!

I am a bit big which doesn't help - 18/20 but probably more 20 than 18. I don't want anything sleeveless (horrible arms) and I am 5ft 7" and middle aged (48 if you must know). I have looked at dresses but can't find anything forgiving enough or if it looks like it would forgive, it looks too short. I am now considering separates but don't want to look like I am on the way to work. On the other hand I don't want something so 'wedding' that I will never wear it again.

So what do the MN style gurus suggest?

Thanks.

Tell us a bit more: colours? Style? Budget? Favourite stores?

Hiya, I also have a wedding outfit dilemma. I bought a dress and now I really don't know if I like it or feel comfy in it. I tried it on tonight and just feel a bit exposed as it's quite tight and really not something I would usually wear!

Good questions. I didn't want to go on in the OP but since you asked....

Colours - bright colours, no pastels, black or grey unless it is a skirt. Don't mind pattern so long as it isn't big and gaudy. I can't quite decide if I am a spring or autumn palette (if anybody is into that sort of thing) but erring on the side of autumn.

Styles - despite my size I still have a waist so I don't want anything that doesn't go in a bit. Probably hour-glass or pear shaped rather than apple but I can't stress enough how depressing my arms are. All other people my size seem to have decent arms. Mine aren't and they can be bad enough to force me to buy a size bigger than the rest of me warrants so I prefer jersey for tops - it is more forgiving. Wrap dresses are nice I suppose. Don't want anything too floaty up top. Has to be knee length or longer.

Budget - £200 including shoes but it could go a teeny bit higher.

McpMurf - I share your pain.

I'm pretty much the same size as you op and can never find anything I like enough for posh events.

I've just bought this:
m.laredoute.co.uk/productdetails/productdetails.aspx?prodid=324443300&docid=768214&

It's in red or brown - I'm collecting it tomorrow so don't know what it's like, but have high hopes

Do you want long sleeves or would short sleeves be ok?

This would be great.

longer sleeves

Great bargain

lace sleeves

Oh dresses!

I am not to bothered about short or long sleeves so long as they are not cap sleeves. The problem with short sleeves is that I might need some sort of jacket/cardie as it could be chilly but that isn't the end of the world.

The first one of your is great Tethersend. I think I would feel a bit exposed in it but I would love it if (when) I were a bit smaller.

The teal one from Debenhams is the sort of thing I have been looking at but I think I prefer a different neckline, something a bit lower. Same with the Mary Portas one although I love the colour.

The lace sleeves one is closest in shape. That is a really good website too. I shall investigate further.

Iscurtainsforyou - love the orange/red version of your link. Let us know what it is like when it arrives.

Thanks for the ideas but keep them coming. I will know the one when I see it.

It arrived today but just doesn't have enough material to cover my boobs - there's no way I could wear it without a vest or something. I am a funny shape though

Oh no! I have fairly big boobs too so perhaps not the dress for me either.

I have a dress (my only one) that requires a vest top underneath but I never feel quite comfy. It bunches up. I want to avoid that for a wedding. I have enough spare tyres without one made of vest.

The hunt continues then.

Have you tried Kaliko e.g. this?

(I think that's the sort of colour you are after0

Or this although it's not in a colour you've asked for..

Or this with angel sleeves given what you say about your arms.

I've just been out and got a dress for a wedding on Saturday - very traumatic and I'm more or less exactly the same size and age as you . Debenhams came to the rescue in the end - I got a dress from their 'the collection' range - it's not on the website but there were quite a few to try on that looked nice and fitted. I got a dress with a wrap thing from Accessorise and a bag from Next. Sorted. Just.

Here's the Debs Collection range online but if you're near a fairly big Debs go and have a try on: thank god for Debs

ooh - I've found it - it's this one: www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_028020355901_-1 . Looks fine with large chestage and a hint of a waist!

www.kaliko.co.uk/kaliko/tuck-dress/060034668.html?dwvar_060034668_color=0006&cgid=ka_dresses_daydresses

Thank you ladies. I am really not focussing very well on this given the fact the wedding is only a week away. Unfortunately, I am being distracted by DS2's birthday which is this Sunday and DH's 50th birthday the day after the wedding. So many things to sort out.

Anyway, I like the Kaliko one and the Debenhams dress you bought DottyDot is lovely. I might have to venture into town tomorrow although I was hoping to avoid it - I find changing room mirrors depressing at my current size. Some good idea there though.

I wonder what people think of this from East. I like their stuff generally and I got an email telling me about their new range. I like the dress I just wonder if it is right for a wedding. The shoes on the model might be distracting me- they look all wrong imo.

the shoes are definitely wrong but you've got a love a wrap dress! I like it - probably need to try a few on although I agree about changing room traumas - I avoid them too...