Another wedding guest dress request

[queenofawkward]

I'm going to a wedding solo and I need to look great. I've recently lost weight due to heartbreak and have now got curves I'd like to show off rather than hide under a floaty skirt! Can anyone help me find a dress to suit my new shape?

Stats are 5ft 2, size 8, pear shaped (would like to show off my small waist and curvy bum but keep thighs covered), chubby arms (so a bit of a sleeve would be great) and boobs are quite small but fine- nothing too low cut though!. Age 35. Budget up to £150.

Could also do with some shoe suggestions- no stilettos allowed!

Irregular Choice shoes; i have purple ones that i love & are my wedding, night out, party staple, not too uncomfortable. Coast have some nice bum clingy dresses & are often on sale.

What colours look good on you? How do you feel about prints?

I'm open to prints. Nothing too bright though. My hair is reddish and I'm quite pale so maybe greens and blues would suit me. Open to anything though

This is a bargain (leaves more shoe money)

Ditto and maybe better colouring for you

Lovely shape and plain enough to do something interesting with shoes

A bit different

Looser shape but still shoes off your curves

Any of these appeal?

On shoes, obviously depends on the dress, but luckily block heels are in at the moment

Black sandals (if you are Ok with ankle straps)

I quite like these

Gold

Not exciting but could work with a patterned dress

Higher sandals

Shoes

Thoughts?

Irregular Choice shoes aren't to everyone's taste but can look fab with a plainer dress and most have broader heels (they are often really comfortable as well)

Thanks Olenna! I love some of those sandals! The dresses are nice but I can tell they are made for tall people! Would rather that's something that's around knee length on me. They look like they would be mid calf at least.

www.johnlewis.com/hobbs-margot-dress-chalk-blue/p3188339

I bought this last week. I'm a pear shape, size 10/12 5ft4 and this dress is so elegant. Really lovely

Oh that is beautiful! Would be a bit conscious of my arms though - and the top bit is too lovely to be covered up by a pashmina or anything.

I can't link on my phone but I love Seamstress of Bloomsbury for a vintage look, also House of Foxy. A wiggle dress would be nice on a pear shape.

Or maybe go for a nice body con dress aka Kim k.

Those dresses are lovely Olenna

I quite like this! They don't have it in my size but this is the kind of shape that suits me - maybe with a more fitted skirt.

www.countryattire.com/ted-baker-women-s-dollii-embroidered-mesh-detail-skater-dress-bright-red.html

Steamstress of bloomsbury looks lovely Titania but not really my style for a wedding. Thank you for the suggestion.

Hmmm, designers seem to think that shorter people don't want sleeves on their dresses...

There are some lovely petite dresses around such as this green beauty but they would need something covering your arms. I've been assuming that cap sleeves like this aren't what you're after?

Do you have a good seamstress near you? (Most good dry cleaners also have someone who can do alterations)

If a dress fits your torso, it should be possible to get it shortened to the right length for you and it will look all the better for having been fitted to suit you perfectly

Thanks Olenna! You're right, apparently short people don't need sleeves! I don't might those cap sleeves on the dress you linked to but not so keen on the dress itself.

Not keen on wearing any kind of a cover up - they just ruin and age perfectly decent dresses. If only I had toned beautiful arms!

Put your best underwear on, do your hair and makeup and get an appointment with a personal shopper in a department store (or go in during the week if you have time.)

I was looking for a dress.... the shopper picked one of the rack and said... try this on, woth those shoes and you are done! I also tried on a few other styles I liked but she was right and I still love and wear the dress 8 years later!!!

What do you think of these:

Too casual for a wedding?
www.frenchconnection.com/product/woman-collections-dresses-wedding-guest-dresses/71hcj/bella-ottoman-floral-dress.htm

Kind of in love with this shape - but are the patterns crazy looking? too expensive anyway.

www.karenmillen.com/gb/womens/clothing/dresses/lace-and-floral-bardot-dress/017217.html

I completely agree! The joy of wearing a dress is not having to worry about bits and pieces to match!

This blue might look good on you

This is over budget but you might get lucky with a blue cross sale day over summer

m.johnlewis.com/jacques-vert-beaded-lace-dress-dark-green/p/3065367

www.lindybop.co.uk/sale/isla-green.html

Ooh olenna I like the overbudget one! Typical ! Astro my heart sank a bit when I saw Lindy bop but I actually really like that one . Thank you !

OP - I like both of the ones that you linked but think you need to try them both on. The Karen Millen one might overwhelm you because of your height, but the other one might be a decent, wedding appropriate length because of your height but the proportions slightly out

Some more suggestions!

Navy but not completely dull and will be just below the knee on you, I think?

Throwing in a different colour palate to see what you think

Not enough sleeve?

Length should be OK?

Love this shape

This is also a lovely shape