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Original poster

Help me find a dress like this one

27 replies

loobybear · 19/11/2017 10:18

I have a wedding coming up but have put on a lot of weight this year (over-eating due to stress but now have it under control). Feeling pretty crap about how I look right now and am a size 14 which is the biggest I've ever been. Have really struggled to find a dress that I felt good in but have found this one in Coast. When I tried it on I just felt so good in it, but stupidly I hadn't looked at the price tag before trying it and I can't justify spending £200 on a dress for one wedding, particularly when I am hoping to lose the weight again.

I have looked around but can't find anything similar at all. Hoping mumsnetters could help me find something that fits the bill for around £100 or less.
When I put on weight, I have literally put it on everywhere so looking for something that covers most of me without feeling frumpy. I have big boobs, relatively small waist, dropped hips and big thighs and calves and arms are big too right now.
Basically looking for something that covers my arms, nips in at my waist and sits out from my hips and is floor length or long midi so as to cover my legs. Any ideas from mumsnet?

Help me find a dress like this one
Help me find a dress like this one
Help me find a dress like this one
OP posts:
NocturneGmajor · 19/11/2017 10:25

A dress you feel good in when your self esteem is low is worth a lot! My first thoughts.
Could you buy it, wear it, then flog it on eBay?

PricillaQueenOfTheDesert · 19/11/2017 10:36

Try Roman originals. They have real shops and a web site. www.romanoriginals.co.uk/serephina-occasion-dress-serpblue014 I’ve already found one dress with sleeves, nipped in waist but it’s short and I don’t have time to continue searching but they do have lovely dresses and very nice quality. I bought my daytime dress of my stepsons wedding from here.

PricillaQueenOfTheDesert · 19/11/2017 10:37

Sorry wrong link. Try this www.romanoriginals.co.uk/dresses/

NocturneGmajor · 19/11/2017 10:44

This is my similar coast skirt size 14
If your near west Hertfordshire you could borrow it?
I know what you mean the way the skirt goes up at the front is super nice and yet I’ve only worn it a couple of times to go to concets

Help me find a dress like this one
Original poster
loobybear · 19/11/2017 10:47

Thanks so much for the suggestions already.
I should probably have mentioned that the wedding is black tie dress code as well.

Having a look through the Roman website just now.

Nocturne My sister keeps telling me that and I think that given how I feel in it I would buy it if it was at any other time of year, but it's just particularly with it being Christmastime too.

OP posts:
Original poster
loobybear · 19/11/2017 10:49

Nocturne That's so nice of you to offer! I'm up in Scotland though but really appreciate the thought.

OP posts:
Original poster
loobybear · 19/11/2017 10:53

I had wondered if this could work but not sure if the bardot top would cover my arms enough...
www.chichiclothing.com/products/Chi-Chi-Jannah-Dress.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiA0b_QBRCeARIsAFntQ9qZCrKdtVuX_pydRssLK537pTfIlBp1sReKjmlG-MLhFdtE2dAr4xEaAtJMEALw_wcB

OP posts:
Elledorado · 19/11/2017 10:55

Pretty Dress Co? Something like this comes in several colours

NocturneGmajor · 19/11/2017 10:58

Actually just buy the skirt? If coast do this as skirt as well as dress maybe a way to bring the cost down. I wear mine with cleavage bra, sounds strange but one of those black marks and Spencer black lace vests things and a 1950s style think it’s called Bordello cardigan/ jacket which gathers in at waist with slight puffy shoulders.
If your emphasis is the skirt perhaps 1950s style might be an idea, maybe Vivienne of Holloway type dress? But this is why I don’t frequent these boards probably taking you down my “freak” route Smile

Alabasterangel6 · 19/11/2017 10:59

This looks like the look you are trying to achieve and you could change the top for something very like the coast top half?

I’ve tried this skirt on and it’s absolutely to die for - heavy swishy satin, side pockets, lined. There is no way you would guess it’s the price it is (bargain!!!!)

www.romanoriginals.co.uk/Full-Satin-Skirt-10516pur?s=googleshoppingppc&gclid=CjwKCAiA9MTQBRAREiwAzmytw9LDZ__ZQwZRbj7iT6VVZT__QFf2q2MN65zJJ4D40cHQ1UXZCjhVhhoCleAQAvD_BwE

molemonkey · 19/11/2017 11:07

Try a website called Elsie's attic they have loads of similar styles that you are after

Help me find a dress like this one
Help me find a dress like this one
Original poster
loobybear · 19/11/2017 11:16

Nocturne, I've never heard of Vivien of Holloway before but loving what's on their website so far.

Thanks, Molemonkey, going to have a look at Elsie's attic too after.

OP posts:
Original poster
loobybear · 19/11/2017 11:16

Nocturne, I've never heard of Vivien of Holloway before but loving what's on their website so far.

Thanks, Molemonkey, going to have a look at Elsie's attic too after.

I'm not sure if this would work but something I have wondered was wearing something like this, with a high neck mesh body suit underneath to cover my arms? Or would it look stupid unless it was all the same colour?

OP posts:
Original poster
loobybear · 19/11/2017 11:16

I'm not sure if this would work but something I have wondered was wearing something like this, with a high neck mesh body suit underneath to cover my arms? Or would it look stupid unless it was all the same colour?

OP posts:
LIZS · 19/11/2017 11:18

Try their outlet section, Debenhams/House of Fraser or ebay. They have done similar styles in previous seasons which may now be reduced.

Original poster
loobybear · 19/11/2017 11:20

Those ones you've shown are lovely too Molemonkey although maybe a bit too high at the front for me. I like to keep my knees covered (because even when I'm slimmer they are probably my worst feature, not because I'm too proper to show my knees or anything).

OP posts:
relaxitllbeok · 19/11/2017 11:29

Every time I've seen something I love and not bought it, I've lived to regret it. (Sometimes for ~40 years. If anyone sees the really heavy, full, swishy, lined, corduroy skirt in a rich dark red colour that I should have bought when I tried it on in 1988, I still want it. Only now I want it in a 2017 size 12...) Two thoughts:

  • is there anyone who might like to chip in and give you part of this dress as a Christmas present?
  • I'm no expert, but maybe a clever seamstress could take it in for you once you've lost so much weight it didn't fit any more? It looks like a style that would work pretty well even if the dress were a bit big for you, so you'd probably get away with wearing it big as you lost, and just having it taken in once when you reach you goal?
relaxitllbeok · 19/11/2017 11:31

Err, that should have been 1978. By 1988, I'd learned and earned enough that I'd have just bought it!

Original poster
loobybear · 19/11/2017 11:40

That is a stunning skirt butterfly but not sure a 12 would fit me right now.

OP posts:
Original poster
loobybear · 19/11/2017 11:42

Thanks, Relax. My mum has offered to chip in £50 to it for my Christmas so that would help with the cost. I wouldn't usually buy a dress that cost that much though as I don't wear dresses very often so still feeling guilty about the price.

OP posts:
LIZS · 19/11/2017 11:43

Phase Eight also similar

chartreuse · 19/11/2017 12:01

Buy the dress, enjoy wearing it then sell it on eBay. If it makes you feel happy and confident then it's priceless Smile

RavenLG · 19/11/2017 12:14

I know it’s cheeky but can you buy, keep the tag on and return after the event?