What should I attempt to squeeze my short fat lumpy body into this friday??!!

[mrspink27]

I bow to the infinite style wisdom professed on MN and wondered if anyone had any ideas for me! My niece is 18 on Friday and we are having a family party. Only trouble is we are all supposed to be dressing up (dress code - black tie. This is my worst nightmare for several reasons:
I have nothing remotely suitable which undoubtedly means a week of worrying and atleast one nightmare shopping trip with dd2!
my SIL is extremely stylish, a complete bitch and always looks the dogs doodahs.
I am 5'1, with a lumpy body and wobbly arms! (sz 14-16) average norks, very blobbly belly, big thighs, ok bum. Mmm great!!!!
I have had my colours done and am a deep autumn - so black is ok, but reds or browns are better.
I keep coming back to the fact that this is an in house party, with family, and that I am unlikely to need this sort of outfit every week! My SIL when asked said Oooh I'll just be grabbing any old thing out of the wardrobe, Yeah right!
So the question is oh wise fashionistas is...What should I be attempting to find in the shops to wear? I have till Friday!!!!

Well, if it is at home rather than out somewhere, you're probably not going to want to go the whole hog in black tie terms - I think sitting round on your SIL's sofa's in tafetta evening dress is going to feel/look a little silly. If it was me I'd go for separates rather than a dress (easier to wear again, and dressy but not OTT). How about a nice skirt - Coast do nice ones - and a fitted top/jumper with nice shoes or knee-high stretchy boots. All these things can easily be worn again, so it won't be a waste of money

sofas - sorry for the apostrophe abuse

I love the fabrics and prints in Monsoon and think they are very flattering to a curvy figure.

I have also seen some larger women looking stunning in very bold printed wrap dresses. I think there is one in, erm, Principles or somewhere like that with a peacock feather type print on that is just fab.

I must admit I don't exactly know what black tie means but I would think a nice smart dress would be ok to go anywhere?

Nice shoes maybe with a peeptoe and pretty painted toenails always look nice. Some really bold accessories can look stunning as well, chunky necklaces or a big ring.

I have that Principles dress - it's gorgeous! Am also a shorty but a size 12. It's not a wrap dress but has a sort of wrap-over bodice. Hang on - will try and find a link.

Grrrrrr it's not online anymore. Worth having a look in store though - they have a fair few things in the sale at the moment. They also do tops in the same print. It really is lovely!

QueenMummy - I have nightmares about being completely over or under dressed so I deffo want to get the right look. I am a trousers person, but have been trying hard to wear more feminine things... I can feel a very depressing shopping expedition coming on tomorrow.

Oh good it was Principles then?

It is totally stunning, that dress, I first saw it on a very large woman and actually did a double take and stopped to watch her crossing the street because she looked so good.

I would buy that, mrspink, it is beautiful.

First stop Principles then!

Please post again, pref with pictures

Oh Matalan have some lovely cheap and striking costume jewellery in at the moment, inc really vivid green and blue shades.

Well, I went to 3 different principles and couldnt find the peacock print dress! However searched Monsoon, Coast, French Connection, Wallis, Jane Norman and a few others and finally ended up in Debenhams, where I think I have been successful. I must admit I was beginning to lose the plot and this despite the unusual impeccable behaviour of dd2! I suspect this is due to the fact that she has raging teething pains and was feeling under the weather. ( oops ) didnt notice this till we got home and I thought about why she was so well behaved and quiet!
Amazingly I have bought a sz 12, so I am quite pleased although not entirely sure what I have bought is classic enough or quite right for the occasion but will run it by dh later and hope he agrees!

This looks far nicer in real life and I have teamed it with a black shrug from Monsoon. Can't find that on their website. Plus these shoes black pair bottom left I have no idea what it looks like when put altogether, that will be the exciting task for tomorrow!

Thanks all for your suggestions!

Lovely - you'll look fab.

The dress is lovely - well done! Can't see the shoes link, sorry

also sorry you had a wild goose chase round Principles - it must have been last season's stuff

have you got jewellery?

Got but I think it will look wrong Any advice or suggestions gratefully received!

These are the shoes I think!

Yes I have a vaguely similar dtess and am stuck for jewellery too. I think that necklace looks very pretty, or maybe one of those with absolutely loads of strands and mad random beads sticking out everywhere? (do you know what on earth I am talking about? )

Shoes look vair nice

Don't worry about the Principles thing BTW! I know exactly what you mean about the random beads necklace thing, and I think if the dress were plainer it would be great. Might have another look later in the week. Must remember to get dh's suit out for dry cleaning tomorrow to!

I like the necklace you have chosen a lot, I don't see why it wouldn't go

are you going to paint your toenails?

Sure will, my usual deep red should be ok I think!