Panicking - Plus size Wedding Guest outfit needed

[BrokenWing]

I am currently very overweight. 5'10" and live in trousers and flats. Trousers are size 22-24, tops 26. Huge boobs and tummy to match.

I have a close family members church wedding next month and have been putting off outfit shopping as I know its going to be a nightmare and I'll just look terrible. Now I am actually looking it is much worse than I thought, really struggling with what I can wear .

I am 50, haven't been to a wedding, or even worn a skirt for over a decade when I was several stone lighter, I am very pale skinned and the pale colours most people (I assume) wear to weddings just don't suit as, apart from making me look bigger, they wash me out. I cant wear cold green/light neutrals or blues, although navy is ok.

I have nervously ordered a couple of knee length, short sleeved dresses but know they will look ridiculous and because of my height sit above my fat knees! Maxi dresses in plus sizes either look like nightgowns or bridesmaid dresses!!

Just want to look ok-ish and be comfortable, are trousers ok to wear to a church wedding? What sort of style would be ok? Do people still wear hats to weddings?

I honestly have no idea as it is so out of my comfort zone! Anyone have advice or have an outfit in my size they have recently worn to a wedding and felt good?

I think smart trousers and a pretty top is fine.

Trousers are fine! Navy is fine! I too hate pale colours and skirts. Go with what you're comfortable in. What about Navy trousers (Evans have some with a tie bit at the front) and a nice top. Accessorizw with a necklace and/or hair piece.

For tops look all over. The John Lewis Kin range has some blouse things that are modern and graphic and their size 18 is often huge. I'm usually a 20 and I wear a 14 in some.

Check out ASOS Curve and Navabi - they have some lovely stuff. Again graphic and modern not pale and flowery

With navy trousers www.navabi.co.uk/product/asymmetric-hem-top-49281/?colorcode=9000

And a big chunky necklace from Cos and a bright clutch

Go through navabi and order lots then return stuff

Look at Scarlett & Jo dresses - highly recommend their Nancy Marilyn dresses!

ASOS Curve is your friend here. I am similar sizes and live in their dresses etc

www.scarlettandjo.com

Try here, they also have pics of plus size women wearing the outfits.

Just an idea, but what about a dress that falls from the shoulders with no waist seam - so an A line type shape that just skims the body, and is a midi length - ie. somewhere below the knee but nothing like as long as a maxi. This would look good in a navy or bright dark blue like French navy. I have a sundress in fine cotton jersey like this - its simple which is an asset for the shape of it, and sleeveless but that would not matter as can a put a fine knit shrug or pretty lightweight printed blouse (left open) over it. Unless its really formal, probably no need for a hat, but you could always put a hair decoration with flower on if you want. Weddings are difficult to buy for if you are not used to going to them, but I am sure you will be fine. Just be comfortable so that you are wearing the outfit you choose, not the other way round, and be yourself. Good luck with the outfit search.

Trousers and a nice top are perfectly fine for a wedding and you will feel more you. Or you could try a jumpsuit?

Really wouldn't bother with a hat, mostly only really worn but mother of the bride etc now.

I bought this one recently, it's really flattering and very comfortable.

googling away, the dresses I have orders are from Scarlett and Jo, but really not sure if they will suit.

Good to know hats aren't really a thing anymore for guests.

Trousers definitely. You'll enjoy it much more if you are comfortable. The whole tights/shoes thing, chub rub.. no fun.

Get a great top, bold jewellery etc. You'll look great! No need for soft colours at all- go as bright and bold as you want.

www.box2.co.uk/

I really rate these for an occasion.

Navabi have lots of nice stuff in larger sizes. They also have a good sale on at the moment.

Try studio 8. They had some lovely dresses when I looked a couple of weeks ago. I got a culotte jumpsuit from simply be that could be dressed up for a wedding with the right accessories.

The Lyra dress is super flattering and comfortable. Very easy to dress up. I have it in navy and the dc call it my fancy dress. It is artificial fabric, but swishy and cool rather than sweaty.

www.ladyvlondon.com/lady-voluptuous/lyra-dress

Get some Udderly Smooth Chamois Cream from Amazon. Totally prevents chaffing.

@TheClitteratti Thanks for that ladyvlondon link - I am really coveting some of those dresses ! The narrow silhouette wrap is absolutely my style - petite but with large bosoms and small waist, I have had similar to that before and it is so flattering .

If you go for a dress get some sloggi shorts pants for under, nice and light to wear and very good at preventing chubrub!

Dsis is almost the identical size and height to you and she bought this dress to wear to a wedding a couple of years ago, from Studio 8.

She looked fab, found it really comfortable and flattering to wear as it was made from a good quality heavy jersey fabric with a lining inside of the same stuff, which smoothed things over, so it all fitted beautifully and well.

I've occasionally seen it pop up on ebay if you're really lucky, it would be worth tryinig if you can get a 24 or 26. or look at Studio 8's current dresses (and look in places like John Lewis and other stockists that might have good sales on for even better prices!)

www.studio-eight.com/fcp/product/studio8/sale-dresses-&-jumpsuits/jolene-maxi-dress/230137000

I wore this dress to a wedding last week and got a lot of compliments. I also wore it to work this week and people raved about it (strangers in the office literally came up to me and said how much they liked it).

It hangs beautifully and will fall below your knees. (I'm 5'9).

And you get lucky as it's now in the sale:

www.marksandspencer.com/curve-colour-block-jersey-a-line-midi-dress/p/p60159739?image=SD_01_T42_2134E_B4_X_EC_90&color=REDMIX&prevPage=srp&pdpredirect

(Btw I wore it with gold sandals)

Hello again! Thanks for all the recommendations, I’ve given up on trousers and a top as the men are wearing kilts and it is a dress up church wedding and I could be the only woman in trousers! In my panic I have spent a small fortune on next day deliveries from Scarlett & Jo, Studio 8 (very nice well-made frocks but didn't fit right), Evans, Simply Be, Yours, JD Williams and Navabi. My house looks like a small warehouse and my credit card balance has rocketed until everything is returned.

My favourite for fit is this dress from Scarlett & Jo, does it look weddingy enough? Although it is not my favourite for pattern the v neck, sleeves, fitted waist band, colour and length were the most flattering of all the dresses. Anything with a high or scoop neck just didn’t look right. But I now have no idea how to accessorise it!

Would it be cheeky to ask for more recommendations from you style gurus?

Jacket or pashmina for a late August church wedding in Scotland, as it might be cool? I am thinking pick a colour from the flowers and go with it? A lilac/purple or mint green to lighten it up for day wear?

The dress is very dark navy so navy shoes/bag need to be very dark or they would appear too blue. Should I go with black or nude shoes/bag or another colour? My feet have never handled strappy shoes well so anything would need to be wide and comfortable and not too tall as I can’t remember the last time I was in a heel so options will be limited.

Jewellery - dress is already quite patterned so a simple gold chain and watch?

Hat or hair piece? Still not sure about whether a hat is appropriate and what style would suit the dress, or would a hair piece with up do suit better?

Thanks for getting me this far!

I like that Scarlett and Jo dress OP, totally suitable for a wedding, you can add extra smartness to it by choosing shoes and clutch bag wisely - maybe nude or black, simple styles so as not to compete with the pattern.

That's very pretty. My son got married last weekend and I was in a similar panic when it came to finding clothes - ordered loads off line and didn't like anything.

The dress I wore was similar to the Scarlett and Jo one you have posted - fitted top, layered skirt, v neck. Mine was plain navy and I wore it with navy shoes and hat and an orange wrap and bag.

If you are wearing a hat or a large fascinator you will look more dressy anyway but I think that dress is lovely.

Fly London do great comfy shoes that don't look too functional.

www.google.co.uk/search?q=fly+london+shoes&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari#idx=Charles%20Clinkard%20Shoes&pie=plar-ti

Nice dress, I would pick one of the flower colours for your accessories. M&S do wide fit shoes as do New Look and Simply Be. The last few weddings I have been to no one has really worn a hat, headpieces yes but only if they 'go' and not just a random cream fascinator plonked on.