Skint and fat and need a dress

[strawberryblondebint]

Hello ladies
Dress intervention please. I am a curvy size 12 to 14. I have recently had to admit that after being fairly slim all my life I'm closer to a 14. I have big boobs but carry loads of weight on my stomach. I hate it. Good legs. Very pale colouring. Strawberry blonde hair. Can't really do heels but have 2 cute non outlandish pairs of irregular choice heels. One in navy floral and one black sequin pair. Budget means I would probably need the wear a pair of these.
The event. I am about to complete a post grad in teaching. As it was distance learning and sponsored by local authority they are arranging an evening celebration. Families invited. Drinks nibbles and council chiefs. This is in lieu of a graduation. So presentation of certificates and networking.
The other 4 graduates (all women ) are all tall and slim. Think 5 foot 7 size 8 types. I have the best hair though (thank fuck something going for me). I need a dress. I'm trawling ebay but don't know what brands to search for. I don't want midi. I love Lindy bop but think the full skirts can make me look wide as a house. Or tend to be too long. I'm 5 foot 3. Body con would make me cringe at my reflection. Colours are limited as I am ginger (honestly true straw blonde) so no pink or red.
I'm pretty much an hourglass although a fat tummied one. I do wear the correct bra size now though. 30G but boobs seem less full on top than they used to be. Love retro style stuff though
Oh and I am skint.
If anyone could find me a dress with pockets my life would be complete lol.

I await your help with nerves and excitement.

Wedding dress is gorgeous!!!
And everyone taking it so serious in regards to OP's original post CALM DOWN! We all have bits of us that we don't like and bits we are happy with. What is wrong with looking for outfits that make the most of what we've got and make us feel good!

This one in green? It's lined so not as clingy as it looks.

m.boden.co.uk/en-gb/womens-dresses/jersey-dresses/ww270/womens-ruth-jersey-dress

There's always a 20% off voucher about.

25% off Boden today I think Pickle

There's some really nice ones in warehouse at the moment. I'm 5'9" with horrible knees though and they're just that bit too short on me. But being shorter with nice legs they'll be just right on you.

Arses downhere i missed out on 5%!!

How about www.romanoriginals.co.uk as they have a lot of lovely stuff. I'm a V fat short arse and they have a nice range of dresses.

Pickle - they'll refund it if you call! They have lovely customer service and they, sensibly, prefer you to do that than return and reorder the same stuff.

OP - you'd look lovely in the green version of that one Pickle posted with your black sequin IC shoes, and maybe a vintage bag that has both colours? With your hair, that would be stunning.

@BeMorePanda I'm shocked and horrified that a woman with children can be so downright horrible to another woman asking for advice to look her best at an event. There is no competition here I just want to look good for me. Try growing up yourself. Spiteful hurtful degrading comments about looks OR personality are forms of emotional bullying. You might want to teach your daughters that. This is a style and beauty thread not a fitness to practice one or a personality judging competition.

Stepping off the thread. Thanks to everyone that contributed.

I will go and search some more. no skater dresses.

Strawberry you look gorgeous in your wedding pic! And I have to agree, you have gorgeous hair. I would search eBay for dresses similar to your wedding dress but in a different colour

I had this exact problem looking for a dress for a wedding last week. Popped into a charity shop and tried a few bits on and found a bravissimo dress in exactly my size with an RRP of £90 for £3.50! So once you know what style you want I'd recommend having a mosey around some charity shops just in case

And your wedding dress looks lovely OP, no need to be worrying about your weight at all, you've a lovely figure!

www.everything5pounds.com/en/Womens/Dresses/c/clothing-dresses#/?q=:relevance:sizeFacet:UK 14
Have you tried here? Worth a skim through. Or you could just go in your pj bottoms and a nice fleece (dog hair embellishments optional) to keep the haters happy

Might go in my Jammies actually. Good idea. With major bed head and some thick moisturiser on my face.
Listen can't thank most of you guys enough. I'm never out of charity shops but will have another look with a fresh eye and see.
A bravissimo bargain would be wondrous.
And thanks for the kind comments. I was feeling a bit shit. Bad day. So nice comments have lifted my spirits

LancashireTea
Looked up that website roman originals, there stuff looks lovely and reasonable prices.

Sorry, no help but your wedding dress is stunning, and you have a gorgeous figure

I love dig for victory but they are a bit expensive if you're on a budget. They will make you something special that's made to measure in a couple of weeks though.

I'm another vote for Lindy Bop also , their stuff is good for those with boobs and it also has pockets.

Ooh....here's a thought....could you look into dyeing your wedding dress?! It is stunning on you, and if you dyed it black or green it would look eveningy rather than weddingy? And yes, you do have amazing hair!

Ohhhh dye my dress!!! Might be a bit much though. Might have to do it anyway just for future. Can't really rock up to much in cream.

Yes to roman originals
Im same size height as you and like tge stretch sleeveless precis dresses with ruched side
Usually a code available
Mind you Im 60 so you mind not want style advice from me!!

I was going to suggest dying your wedding dress, if you can bear to, as well. It's lovely!

Your wedding dress is lovely, wear it with coloured accessories x

size 12 to 14

That is not fat!

Just seen your wedding dress photo, you have a gorgeous figure and yes, you could wear your wedding dress - it's ideal IMO.

The Lindy Bop marianne suits are lovely, and don't make you look huge. I have one in navy and one in red. I'm also short. They come up big though, so I would recommend sizing down.

shell it is, or at least feels it, if you are short and put on weight around your middle.