Can you help me find a dress or two (size 14-16)

[DrHarleenFrancesQuinzel]

I want to wear more dresses, but at a size 14-16 Im not sure what will look best.

I have been trying to lose weight for a while now so I can wear nice dresses, but if I do lose it I just put it back on again. Plus I want to wear them now.

Most of my weight is on my belly and in the wrong clothes I can easily look pregnant.

What style of dress would be good for me? Where should I look? Im not mega rich so dont want anything too expensive. Im looking for something I can wear in the office mainly. Im 36 so nothing that only looks good on teenagers either.

What are your best physical body features? Eg. legs, breasts, curvy shape? toned arms? What is it you want to highlight?

Generally, anything with ruching around the waist/stomach area is good as it's very concealing.

Or dresses with a tighter top and flowing bottom from waist or beneath the breasts. But those depend on the fit because as you say if it's too baggy can look pregnant.

I would say my legs are my best features (3 years of running and I have toned legs). My breasts are OK too. Looking to keep my arms covered, but that's more to do with tattoos than anything. As long as it hides my bulging tum is the main point. Im just lost as to what style. Im apple shape (I think) so its just the middle area which needs working on. My arms, legs, neck, face etc doesn't show a size 16 figure. Infact most of my life people have been shocked at my dress size when Ive told them.

I am a huge fan of maxi dresses for the summer, the tend to be quite loose fit so will skim over your tummy and you can get one with a split up it to show off your legs

Can't do links ATM but check asos, they have some lovely ones

Otherwise the classic reiss dresses are beautiful - they tend to have 3/4 sleeves, then a nice hold-in layer underneath with a fine lace / mesh overlay with rouching around the waist, try those

Thanks Queen So I need to search maxi dresses.

Im not good at knowing type of dresses, so knowing the names of the style I need is what Im after.

Hi maybe try a shorter shift dress style. Oasis do some nice ones. They skim over your tummy and show off your legs. Have been my saviour post kids! I recently lost 3 stone and people always say they don't know where I was hiding it so I must have been doing an ok job of clever dressing!

This one from Mango. Lovely colour, flowy silhouette, hides tummy bulges, has sleeves...

Or this one. Slightly more fitted, but the ruched mid area is handy for tummy tucking, again striking colour and looks more corporate-y and grown-up.

Im not keen on the red one TBH.

The blue one is nice, but only goes up to 14. I haven't been to Mango for years so can't be sure, but I think that their sizes are probably on the smaller side. So a small 14 rather than a big one.

Ive been looking at wrap dresses. Would that hide a bulging belly or make it worse?

I think if you have slim legs then avoid a maxi dress because it makes the bottom half of your body look the same size as your stomach.

I think some think that is slightly li lower at the front without showing boobs and knee length is the best option. Will have a look.

Yes knee length would be good. Im not keen on ankle length. I didn't realise Maxi meant length until ASOS told me otherwise

Ive some nice ones, but they are either not in my size or way over my budget.

what about this type of thing

Is it too tight round the middle?

Hmmm...you are right. That IS only upto a size 14. Try Mango Curve. This drapey one looks nice.

Do you like prints? Very suitable for warmer days and prints seem to draw the eye away from any problem areas. This is cute.

If you aren't a fan of loud prints, go for stripes. Same effect. Like this structured number.

I am not sure about wrap dresses, TBH. Most of them are clingy jersey material, and if you are prone to bloating like I am, it can make the rounded belly problem worse.

"Fit and Flare" is fostering to your (and my!) shape and size. I have one from Me and Em which I always get compliments on.

That looks nice. How conservative is your workplace? All neutral colours, pinstripes and dress-down mentality? Or can you be a bit more adventurous when it comes to colours or patterns?

House of Fraser has some gorgeous dresses in their sale at the moment. I've had to stop going on the website because every time I do I buy another one.

And I'm 36 and a size 14 too.

Its a smart casual type of place. So while no jeans, trainers etc (except on Fridays) its pretty casual really.

I do like the bright colours.

The stripy one might make my eyes go funny. I once had a black and white stripy top I wore for work and I just couldn't concentrate.

The Me and Em looks good. Will have a look round the site.

House of Fraser do have loads on TheBook

Right so Im liking this this and this so far.

Still have more pages to look at.