Wedding in 2 weeks. Fat and clueless. Help!

[BeCarefulWithThat]

I am 5'10, size 18, bottom heavy, pale skinned and prefer to cover as much skin as possible due to acne on back, thread veins on legs and flabby white keratosis pilaris (sp?) covered upper arms.

I had a look in a few high street shops today and tried loads of things. This spotty dress looked OK (apart from flabby arms but maybe a spot of fake tan would help) but I didn't love it. Mainly because I would prefer a plain colour, or a subtle pattern, and I don't know what to do with my legs (tights in July?) or wear on my feet.

You know what? I'm 41 and I feel more like 61. I am fat, I have terrible skin, I live in comfy, cover all clothes and trainers. I don't have a clue what's fashionable or what suits me. I'm totally lost. Please help!

P.s Bon Marche have some nice pieces in larger sizes.

What do you lot think of this pink dress?

I like it, dress it up with some beads and nice shoes/clutch and you're away

It's nice, would need lots of accessorising. Is it maybe a bit work like.

Or this orange one with some kind of arm coverage?

I think that is quite daytimey

To me, daytime wear is jeans and t-shirts and trainers. I'm flummoxed by comments that the dresses I'm homing in on are work wear or day wear. I can't bear frills or prints. What do I do?

How about this even though it's out of my price range?

FWIW, I like the orange one.

another option

or this

Lots of very sheer nude tights around these days in Marks and elsewhere if you feel more comfortable with legs covered.

So. First point, I agree with Winkly. Stop talking about yourself that way. You're getting married! You will look and feel lovely at your wedding because you are marrying someone you've chosen to spend the rest of your life with, therefore stop stomping on your own self esteem. If you're negative about your appearance inside your head, stop.

Re the KP, don't exfoliate. That would just irritate it. Get some high urea content foot cream like CCS and use it twice a day. It dissolves the keratin plugs that make the bumps.

For the acne, try vitamin B6 supplements and also make sure you wear things that breathe (no polyester no viscose etc). And drink lots and lots of water.

Congratulations

She's a guest not the bride.

I like the orange but dressed up with chunky necklace and strappy sandals.

Hi Op,
I am a similar size to you with keratosis pilaris on my arms and legs. I use Soap and Glory The Scrub of your life from Boots, which does shift it for a while.
I also have varicose veins and I tend to wear long dresses.
but have used Rimmel instant fake tan.
I am wearing a maxidress to a wedding evening do in a few weeks.

Oops. I blame non sleeping DD for my reading comprehension issues!

Really hope you find something lovely OP. Being a size 18 and tall does give you a good choice and there have been some great suggestions.

Sorry to be tediously anti ageist but really being 61 doesn't mean you have to live in 'comfy cover all clothes and trainers' ,any more than being 41 does!

Started looking before I spotted the budget but wonder if you might get some ideas of different shapes to look out for here:

on budget, with sleeves, not too short: asos

like this perhaps with navy cardigan to cover arms?

wow! stripy

weddingy maybe with pink cardigan?

classy

bold print here

Floral,size:18 pretty print, could dress up with pink shoes?

Point taken, polyhymnia. Just couldn't think of a better way to describe how far from the slender, stylish 18 year old I used to be I feel. Apologies.

not convinced about phase eight - i'm 5'8" and their stuff is too short for me.

Prints are good for disguising bits you don't want to draw attention to, plain fabrics are less forgiving imo. think about what your best bits are and draw attention to them - ie: if you have an impressive cleavage wear a deep V neck rather than a round neck.

i'm 43 and i don't have a waist so i tend to go for dresses that fit in under the boobs as that's my narrowest point, nothing that clings round the middle. i have narrow shoulders so i go for more fitted sleeves and that helps minimise bulk, loose sleeves and body = tent-like!

trying lots of things on will help, take some photos of yourself so that you can have a look at home. don't buy something just because it fits, try to find something that makes you go oooh, that looks nice! you'll feel better and look better too.

www.stories.com/gb/Ready-to-wear/Dresses/Underwater_Print_Pleated_Dress/582938-104396981.1

largest size 16 but it's a loose style. long length 105.5

Winkly I bought that Phase Eight Amaya dress the other day to wear to a wedding. It's truly gorgeous!

I think the orange one is lovely. I don't think it's work like if put with nice accessories.