Need to look amazing for a wedding. Help!

[vvviola]

I have a wedding to go to in just over a month. Old friends who haven't seen me in person since my own wedding 7 years ago (mainly due us all living in far flung parts of the world).

I'm significantly overweight (size 18) and have no confidence about how I look.

They are good friends, so they won't care what I look like - but I do. And everything I wear these days makes me feel fat and frumpy. (I am working on the weight issue, but I'm an emotional eater and I've had a really tough few months).

So ideas would be great (right down to shapes, shops, colours, patterns)

Size 18, most weight being carried around my middle. Decent legs. Big-ish boobs. Pretty introverted so can't carry off something too flamboyant. Long dark hair (which, if I can find a good hairdresser near the wedding venue I will have curled and put up). Quite pale skin.

I like the idea of 50s-style dresses, but have no idea if they would suit me.

Any ideas?

Well. That was depressing. Took a long lunch to potter about the shops. Anything I liked didn't come in my size. Anything in my size either looked like a sack, was black, or had a really high neckline (one thing I do know about my current size/figure is high neckline + big boobs + carrying weight around stomach = looking like a large blob).

www.blackbutterflyclothing.com

Posted too soon, but I bought my dress for my sons wedding last summer from Black Butterfly, I loved the dress and relieved lots of compliments!
Size 18, 50's inspired dresses to die for!

I love this dress

www.blackbutterflyclothing.com/enya-vintage-infinity-pin-up-dress/

But can't think of when I'd wear it, apart from emptying the dishwasher LOL.

Regarding the weight, every once in a while there's a MN Boot Camp that's really good and easy to do. The weight comes off like a dream. It's the best diet I've ever been on as I'm never going to bed hungry

My sister has some beautiful 50's style dresses from www.lindybop.com

They are good with delivery and returns so you could try a few and send back what you don't like. I always have a bit of a wobble when I haven't see friends in a while too. I'm sure they'll be thrilled to see you and you'll have a fantastic time.

Hi OP - don't let this stop you looking forward to the event -I am terrible for that.
I know this wasn't your original question but I have lost almost two stone on the bootcamp a PP mentioned - there is an interim one on the go right now - you could almost certainly drop a dress size in a month if you think that would boost your confidence!
Anyway what I wanted to say was - they may not be your thing and I don't think you mentioned budget or your age ?
But these dresses are v flattering ..
www.saintbustier.com/nigella-dress-aubergine.html

Is the boot camp the low/no carb one? Completely impossible for me, unfortunately due to restrictions on food in our house due to allergies - cutting out extra food groups never works well for me. But I should get back on the 5:2 wagon again - I lost a fair chunk doing that last year.

I love the dress suggestions thanks! Spent ages last night on the lindybop site. I'll have to do some measuring and have a think about whether I can take the plunge and order online.

Liveinthepresent that dress really is stunning - but a bit above my budget. I have a vaguely similar one, in a similar colour, but it makes me feel huge - I think maybe a bigger/fuller skirt and less fitted might be a better bet for me.