Wedding guest dress after weight gain

[HoneyEater]

Morning all,

I am hoping that someone can help me.

I need a dress for a wedding and I am struggling so badly to find something nice. I have gained weight in the past year, due to a thyroid issue and although I'm not overweight, clothes do not fit me how they used to. I am currently a pear shaped size 12 - 5 "7. Flat chest and big hips. I'm in my thirties with an olive complexion.

I am after a dress that fits these characteristics:

• silk/chiffon or other light material. Wedding in a hot location!
• No polyester
• Preferably not above knee length (I hate my knees even when I'm slim). Knee length is good though
• Not strapless
• Not bodycon or tight fitting
• Preferably A line. Not tight on the waist but nipped in with a bit of skirt is perfect
• Deep or bright colours suit me best. Pastels don't work at all.
• Not too floral or patterned as for some reason they just don't work on me
• Budget - up to £100 but that's an absolute max

In the past I have found that dresses from phase eight suit my body shape well - but I bought two recently which I had to return due to them being bodycon - not what I expected from phase eight!

I know my list of particulars is long, but does anyone have any ideas?

Thank you!!

This would be perfect but its polyester, which just means "sweat" when outdoors

m.johnlewis.com/hobbs-dita-dress-sky-blue/p/3194163

Have you tried Monsoon?

I found a lovely dress to wear to a wedding last year in Oasis. I was in a similar situation. Good luck

Thanks for your replies. The dresses in oasis and monsoon are pretty, but there is so much polyester there. To be fair, I guess most shops don't stock natural materials these days. I will try both of these shops and see how I go!

I was asking about dresses yesterday and someone suggested Lindy Bop - lots of their dresses are fit and flare and cotton, though admittedly heavy cotton, but that's better than polyester IMO!

Joanie Clothing often have nice dresses too, though less likely to be natural fibres

Good luck

Currently on sale and available is a size 12 though over budget still

I lust after this but it's not my size

Also available in blue

Thank you slug and bunny! Both those websites have lovely dresses. I am now looking at this anthropologie dress on eBay but I think I'll be taking a look st those retro dresses again!