I need a posh frock, please help!

[Tequilamockinbird]

I've been invited to a black tie event through work and need either a ball gown or cocktail dress.

I live in jeans or jeggings and baggy tops as I'm a fat lump . I can't remember the last time I wore a dress.

Please could someone tell me what sort of styles I should be looking for which won't make me look fatter or frumpier?

I'm 6ft tall so floor length dresses are generally too short.
Size 18 bottom and 20 or 22 top.
Massive norks (JJ cup)
Tummy looks like I'm 8 months pregnant
Calves only a cow could love

Any suggestions please?

You can try Chi Chi Clothing. I just bought a dress for a similar occasion from them and they're usually quite good. They also have styles that will fit fuller figures as well as the usual skinnies.

Thanks for the link, will have a look.

I've no idea what style to go for though, I was thinking a wrap type front but not sure if that will accentuate my chest? It will have to be a stretchy type material otherwise it won't fit properly I don't think?

I’m not sure stretchy material on a large chest is nevcessarily the most flattering of fabric? Hopefully some experts will be along soon.

How about this?

For length try Long tall sally or Next Tall.

Maybe these ? Saw them recommended locally recently

I mean these www.bombshellhq.com/

I would recommend a full length dress with an empire waist line. Most are extra long when you buy them to allow for tailoring

Ooh I like that CMOT, thank you. Have you ordered from there before? Do you know if they are true to size.

Will also have to google Empire waistline

Thanks for the other suggestions, will have a look properly when I get home.

do you have a fave colour? whats your budget?

I haven't bought dresses from them, but its the same people as do Wingz sleeve things of which I've bought a lot and they are super helpful, so give them a ring. It has an empire waistline - its that waist just under your bust that means it skims over your tummy.

There's some lovely dresses on Asos Curve, and as it tells you the models height you can see where it would come up on you

I really like CMOT’s choice. It’s looks very flattering and doesn’t draw unnecessary attention to the chest, unless of course that’s the look OP is going for.

Thanks will look on ASOS curve too. Think I might order that one though and give it a try. Hopefully they accept returns Incase I look like a giant quality street! I do love the purple though

I usually only wear black as I think it slims me. Budget up to £150 as I need shoes and a clutch too.

Definitely not trying to make my boobs stand out though! They do enough of that on their own

I'm the same height. No point looking on Asos as even the Tall selection is ridiculously short (above ankle for things that are meant to be full length).

The last long dress I got randomly in Topshop (and it wasn't even tall just some random brand that was mega long and fitted my pregnancy bump).

I'm not sure what sizes shops go to but Long Tall Sally, Topshop Tall and New Look Tall do genuinely long clothes. If budget allows, designer dresses are generally long enough too.

Alternatively, you could try to get a separate top and dress, e.g. a black top from a plus size selection somewhere and a long metallic skirt.

Thanks JoJo, will cross ASOS off my list.

Do you think a top and skirt would look dressy enough? That would be easier tbh as I never think dresses fit properly with having such big boobs - they act like a shelf and then the dress just hangs over them.

I've never been to a black tie event so no idea whether that's a stupid question or not.

Don't like that purple dress at all - looks like it would make you look much bigger than you are. Looks really cheap too. Does it have to be long? What colours are you happiest in? What shoes would you wear?? I rarely feel nice in anything - feel like a lumpy giantess, but this is in my head to a very large extent. Will ook for stuff I like and post back.

I reckon with the right top and skirt you'd look very appropriate. It's probably a case of getting fabrics right + glamming up with hair, jewellery and a nice clutch. Here are a few random examples of top+skirt from Google but obv you'll need to pick particular styles that suit your figure best.

BooHoo have some lovely dresses in!

Wentmad, no it doesn't have to be long. The dress code says ball gowns or cocktail dresses. I'm most happy in black or grey but willing to try other colours. I usually wear fat shoes as I'm so tall so was thinking some fancy flats? Or maybe kitten heels. I'll have to see what's available in my size and go from there I think.

Thanks for the pics JoJo, they look a lot better than the picture I had in my head .

Think I will go to debenhams at the weekend and just try on lots of stuff. I think I read somewhere that they offer a personal shopper type thing so might give that a go rather than taking DH who Will just say that everything looks great