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Original poster

Help - need wedding outfit

20 replies

Berries · 26/02/2007 14:06

for boring, forty and flabby (fat ) person to wear to sister's wedding.

Am size 16, large norks (36 dd) short legs (5' 2") and big arse. Have also found that since I've hit forty can't seem to get rid of large rolls of flab round waist (less muffin tops, more cottage loaf iyswim)

Have had prelim look this weekend, but can't seem to get any inspiration. Also, will probably need jacket with whatever I end up in, but all jackets now seem to end at the waist, thus nicely emphasizing flabby tum, big bum. Can you tell I'm feeling a bit fed up about this.

I'm likely to see a number of people I haven't seen since high school (gulp), so could do with looking nice (and confident).

All style suggestions happily received, live in North West so probably shop in Trafford Centre (usual run of shops), don't want to spend a fortune but could go to £200 if outfit made me look like Cameron Diaz (actually, if it made me look like Cameron I'd go a lot higher!!)

Oh, will be disappearing shortly for a few hours so please post all suggestions so I can have a look tonight, I'm sure all you style gurus must be able to come up with something

OP posts:

MrsBadger · 26/02/2007 14:07

quick before you disappear:
what's wedding like? Church / hotel? formal / informal? time of year?

Original poster

Berries · 26/02/2007 14:12

OOh -that was quick - informal (ish) 2nd wedding, but rest of family tend to go formal iyswim. Wedding at end March (think will need lots of time for this one)

OP posts:

JolieGirl · 26/02/2007 14:16

Only one place for wedding outfits - Coast - IMO

MrsBadger · 26/02/2007 14:22

Am mulling on this and will post more later, but think about a coat rather than a jacket - perfect for a spring wedding and if you get a sharply tailored one that has a lot of 'waist' cut into it it'll lend you its shape.
Principles and Dorothy Perkins have lots in pretty colours - might need to check for length though if you're petite.

Original poster

Berries · 27/02/2007 12:32

thanks.Think you have a good point about the coat, and would get lots of wear out of it afterwards. Still stuck with what I would wear underneath though. Has to go from afternoon ceremony, sit down meal to evening do. An other suggestions?

OP posts:

mamma2kids · 27/02/2007 12:40

I have similar wedding problem but in Sept. I was thinking of some sort of trouser suit or top and skirt combo as am unlikely to ever wear dress again. Also will spend the day running after 2 small toddlers so need to be practical (boo).

MrsBadger · 27/02/2007 12:48

I'm actually finding this a bit hard as I am tall and pearshaped and all the things that spring to mind would look shocking on someone your shape...

Perhaps some long elegant wide-legged trousers and a top that will help create a waist - either something hiplength and corsetted or something that wraps round?

It might be worth paying a visit to the (free) personal shopping service in JL or Debenhams...

JackieNo · 27/02/2007 12:59

Agree with wide-legged trousers, maybe with something like this over the top? I quite like this too, but it may be a bit to daytimey, and it's difficult to know without seeing it on whether the volume over the stomach would be good or bad on you. This is gorgeous too, but I'm not sure about it with wide-legged trousers - maybe straight legged ones?

MrsBadger · 27/02/2007 13:14

ooh, now, that first black-and-white top would look corking with the black and white patterend swing mac from Primark...

I think waist ties might be a bit of a danger area if we're trying to avoid the sack-of-spuds look though

MakemineaGandT · 27/02/2007 13:16

I think wide-leg trousers and tunics are to be avoided on someone who is only 5'2" - they are likely to make your legs look about a foot long! I love Mrs Badger's idea of a spring coat - I'll have a look on-line and see what I can come up with. Underneath the coat I'm thinking a flattering dress - wrap dresses look great on petite people with nice big boobs, and would also help to give you more of a waist. I would avoid a hat unless this is likely to cause trouble (some people like guests to wear them at their wedding...). Hmm....will have a look about...

JackieNo · 27/02/2007 13:21

I think it depends how tight the waist ties are, but I completely agree, they don't always work. You'd need to try things on obviously. I'm trying to come up with things that would work on me (5'4", size 20) and that I'd be happy to wear. I wouldn't wear a long tunic, but a hip length one I'd be happy in.

MrsBadger · 27/02/2007 13:25

sometimes wideleg trousers make legs look longer - as I say this is Not My Area though.

I keep recommending this shape of dress (although not especially that pattern) as it turns flab into Monroe-esque curves and the ruched waist bit is tremendously flattering - it may need shortening for optimum leg-lengthening effect though..

They did more colours and patterns last year - if you search ebay for Monsoon and either Oriane, Camille or Yasuko you may get lucky - I rather like the stripey one and it'd look great with a blue coat, or even a yellow one.

Original poster

Berries · 27/02/2007 13:44

AAAGH - just typed in long response & lost it!

ANyway, love the style of the spotty dress, but not sure of the spots. Will try that one. Also, bit self-conscious about tops of arms, do you think you could get away with a shrug or would that ruin it?

Can't do wide-legged trousers as with sort legs am in danger of looking as wide as they are long.

Bought this this at the weekend, so wear over straight legged jeans. Found that the longer length tended to even out the lumps and bumps, and could still show cleavage (accentuate the positive) without looking too busty.

Thanks people, keep it up!

OP posts:

JackieNo · 27/02/2007 13:48

I'd guess that the print on this might be even more scary? It's lovely, though (and they suggest a cardigan to go with it).

MrsBadger · 27/02/2007 13:51

oh Jackie that is fab

Phase Eight have things in that shape too, and some have sleeves...

hoxtonchick · 28/02/2007 18:34

i bought that lovely spotty monsoon dress today, for 2 weddings we're going to later in the year (fear i may need something on top of it for april in the cotswolds though). i'm a 16, 5ft7 with big norks & good legs. best of all, it was reduced to £60 .

MrsBadger · 28/02/2007 19:07

hurrah!
I can't believe they keep reducing / discontinuing those dresses though - they are so good they ought to be a core line.
Like the new print though.

hoxtonchick · 28/02/2007 20:50

they had loads of really nice stuff in monsoon. i had to scuttle away before my credit card took a serious beating . i also got this though i haven't tried it on yet .

Original poster

Berries · 28/03/2007 21:39

update (for those who are interested)

I bought hammond in chocolate brown. You'll have to select it from bottom row as can't link directly.

It looks a lot better on, but is very similar style to the ones in Monsoon as well. Wore it with little lacy cardi/shrug think from kaliko (sounds awful, looked nice)

Did look like I had enormous norks though

Thanks for all your help

OP posts:

MrsBadger · 28/03/2007 21:52

oh, lovely!

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