Help with outfit please (plus size)

[TheSilentBang]

Hi,

I'm absolutely useless when it comes to fashion etc. I'm a size 24/26 and have a family function coming up next weekend. It's all DH's side of the family and it's only being held at the in-laws house, but I have absolutely naff all to wear. I have no idea how to dress for my shape and always feel frumpy/awful in pretty much everything I wear. I am working on losing weight.

I'd love to wear something maybe smart/casual and have been browsing on simply be for some inspiration but I'm coming up empty. I have big calfs (sob), bingo wings and a bit of a double chin. If anyone has any advice on what might suit me I would be eternally grateful. I've attached a picture of me in case it helps - apologies it's not the best picture, I don't generally get in pictures but DH caught me in a pic he was taking of DC bowling. and thanks in advance

Agree with a previous poster, don't be apologetic you have a lovely figure!

Are you wanting to cover your arms or could you wear a nice sleeveless top with wide legged trousers? You would need a top that shows off your boobs and is more pulled in at the waist if you're wearing loose trousers I think or it might all look a bit shapeless.

What colours do you like?

Aw thank you - I think the photo may be slightly forgiving as my lower arm is covering my arse a bit

I do tend to go for baggy stuff and can definitely see the point about it making me look bigger. I don't like anything clinging to the lumps and bumps. I went to both m&s and Evans for bra fittings in the past. They were both way way out imho - they had me coming up at a E cup and trying E cup bras on was slightly amusing. I'll have a look and see if I can get to Rigby and Peller - my closest would be Harrogate.

I like purples, blues and greens most

What do you think to this dress? Too booby?

Gorgeous! Where is it from?

That dress is well up my street, and no it isn't too booby at all.
I too want to know where it's from.

I love that, I wouldn't wear it to a house party though - unless it was a glam evening 'do'.

I've just been to a similar sounding (drinks and a posh catered buffet lunch) party over the weekend, people tended to be wearing white trousers, heeled sandals and nice tops.

If you're after a jumpsuit this is gorgeous

www.little-mistress.com/clothing-c9/black-lace-sleeve-jumpsuit-p5010

And in the sale too.

It's a Scarlett and Jo dress. I found it on Simply Be here but it should also be on their website

Ooooh that jumpsuit is v pretty frika [wistful]

I think if you get your underpinnings right, you'll look great.

I have two of these body sculpting slips. I've only ever seen them in this size on ebay although they are ex M&S. You wear them with your own bra. They are the only shapewear that I can put up with - long enough to go over my hips and not roll up, but I can still wear them with trousers. And comfy enough to wear all day at work if need be.
I am a size 26/28 and the 28 fits really well. Make my clothes look lovely and smooth.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/M-S-SECRET-SLIMMING-TUMMY-CONTROL-WEAR-YOUR-OWN-BRA-BODY-SIZE-28-NATURAL-/302047699081?hash=item4653722089:g:ItwAAOSwQiRUoGrj

And Anna Scholz makes amazing clothes for larger sizes - but I can only afford them on ebay.

And there are sometimes fab maxi dresses and occassion dresses in larger sizes on www.justlastseason.co.uk/

OMG. Silent that dress is devine and delicious.

there is a bravissimo in leeds
they will sort you out bra wise

i am looking at your picture and i can't possibly see how you are size 26
a size 20 maybe
but a 26? really?
go you for carrying it so well!

i agree about not going baggy, it just makes us look bigger
fitted always best

Really really recommend Tigby and Peller. Well worth the effort to go there. Their bras would transform your top half .
And agree definitely nothing loose and baggy - not flattering. 1647 are particular offenders there. I notice Dawn French wears Marina Rinaldi herself - which I recommend but it's really pricy.
Studio Eight seem a likely source .
You don't look like a 26 to me.

These would be lovely

And you definitely need a better bra!

I like this

Thank you all

I like all of those dresses - will have a look at all three. Have used the boob or bust calculator thingy and I come up as a 42 KK?! I'm going to try order one from somewhere to try out and see how I go until I can get to Harrogate.

I ordered some things from Simply Be and they came today. I've got some 42K bras on order but they won't be delivered for a while yet. I ordered a 42J in the meantime and tried it on. In the cup it seems actually quite good and the middle of the bra between the cups was pretty much flat against my chest. My bigger boob fit nicely in though I don't know whether a cup size up might be better. I'm not sure whether the band size was too big though. How tight is it meant to be around your chest? I've attached some awkwardly taken photos of it whilst I have it on (apologies in advance).

The other stuff I bought in a 24 and they all seemed a bit big. They fit but I think I might have been able to go a size down. The only problem I have with this is my belly is quite big and wearing more fitted clothes you can see the outline of it - it's not pretty. I like the trousers I've bought so will probably just buy them in a size down but the fitted tops just cling in all the wrong places and you can just see my belly which makes me really self concious. Any suggestions? Some things I could see the use for a belt so I need to see if I can get hold of one of those.

I went ahead and bought the dress from Scarlett and Jo (see dodgy picture ) and although it felt nice on it did feel a little big too but not sure if going down a size will be too tight?

I definitely need to buy a full length mirror - I really struggled in the little mirror we've got to get a proper idea of the outfits when I had them on!

Dress looks amazing on you.

thesilentbang Have you tried shape wear underwear? It might help you feel a little less self conscious of your tummy as it tucks everything in. I know how you feel, I'm self conscious of my tummy too.

The dress is nice btw!

Can I join in that you have a far nicer figure than you give yourself credit for? I'd kill for your boobs and you have a lovely waist!! When I saw your first pic I didn't think you were the size you thought you were.
Hope you find an outfit that you feel great in.

Thank you

I had on my hold everything in knickers today but I think I need to get some proper shape wear too. The overhang and jelly belly just stick out and I end up looking pregnant

If your bra can be fastened on the tightest hook then the back size is likely to be too big. Which calculator did you use? The bra guru one or something else?

The back should feel quite snug and not ride up too