Christmas Party dress help!

[traceyturnblatt]

I'm not long back to work after maternity leave and have a Christmas party night this year. I'm completely dreading it. I've had two children in the past three years and my stomach is horrible. I also don't like my upper arms. I like my legs though so that's something I guess.

I know it's next month but I really like the team I work with and want to go out with them but want to look good too! I haven't been out properly in years without a baby attached for me and want to enjoy my night off.

I'm a size 14, smallish busy and 5'7''. I'm a peely-wally Scot with dark hair and normally wear black.

Any advice on wear to look or suggestions?

Trying to find something suitable but I'm not 100% sure of the colours in the dress. Something like this is what I would wear but nicer or brighter. Bring the dress with you and ask for help. I find people very willing to help. Anyway..long necklace - y style.

https://www.parfois.com/en/ie/jewelry/necklaces/silver-basics-long-necklace-159607.html?cgid=55&dwvar1596077size=U&dwvar1596077color=PA_#cgid=55&start=1

This the most invested I have been in a thread 😂😂😁

Late to the party I know, but just read through all of the thread . . . . like shopping with a good friend, but in lounge wear with a bottle of beer on my sofa. Perfect! For what it's worth OP, I think the Becca was the best on you. Bum looked good, legs great and that tum you're not keen on? Gone!! Thanks . . now need to think about something for myself. Different age, shape and body issues, but even I've found some inspiration here.

@bitofabelly I really appreciate all your and everyone elses help. We should all just go out on a Christmas night out together!😂
The dress has lots of rainbow coloured sparkles so something like the necklace for Parfois would work I think.

@Zebrasmummy you're right, it's like having a bunch of mates shopping with you!
I never would have even considered buying let alone trying on the Becca dress without this thread.

And I forgot to mention, since it's my first night out in a while decade I'm pushing the boat out- booked in to get my hair and makeup done! I'll not recognise myself!

Well done you..it's important to make the effort for yourself...I've really tried not to buy unless it's nearly right or is right..so many purchases that don't do my figure any justice. I've a similar figure to you OP and I try and flaunt the good legs..and cleverly hide the rest...!!!! Have a super night and report back!!

@madvixen I hope Phase eight are going to give you discount or a commission based on the sales of the dress on this thread!

OP here is the Hush Tina dress

www.hush-uk.com/m/womenswear/daywear/dresses_skirts/tina_dress.htm

It's a knitted jersey material, very soft and I find it flattering. I have it in grey, navy and burgundy. I find it a bit longer than the Becca, which I felt was a bit short in the body and on the legs. I find it smart enough for work (with a jacket) but great for socialising too.

There is also a t-shirt type material version which is called a Hush Tara. I have that in black.

I like Hush

@LurkYouLongtime oh good lord I want that dress too! Tell me that Hush have sales?

This necklace is quite nice and pulls on the green and gold within the dress.

Hair, make up and killer dress... your going to look fab!

Saw your becca dress in person today..it's super colourful...gold would be much better not silver.

@SimplyPut that link doesnt work! 

@bitofabelly it's a lot more colourful in real life, do you think a long necklace but in gold would look better?

This is the one... only £8!

The model was wearing this

I tired this one on...it's actually a beautiful purple which the picture doesn't capture but you can see in the second photo

@bitofabelly that looks really great on you! I think that's the one @Lurk has ordered

@SimplyPut £8! Bargain! Off to the shops tomorrow

Happy shopping!

@bitofabelly that is the one I've ordered! It looks fantastic on you. Both you and the OP have cracking legs

@Lurk has the dress arrived yet?

I'm swithering between the red dress and the becca dress. I think I'll wear it more often but it's so pricey! What to do!

Ask the Becca dresses are in the Debenhams sale

www.debenhams.com/search/Phase+eight+becca

My vote is for the Becca dress. I love it!

I've ordered that Quiz one. I'm hoping it's not too big for me - they only had small or big sizes left! And got it in the sale! Have also got some sparkly skirts coming. Feeling festive now I'm shopping for sparkly things!

Oh bloody hell the rainbow Becca is half price! I've got three other Beccas to return, I hope I get back the price I paid for them...

The sequin skirt one hasn't arrived yet, hoping it's tomorrow so that I can make a decision. Although it's also in the sale.... For some reason it never occurred to me Black Friday would apply to Phase Eight.

Right! The Phase Eight Geonna has arrived and I really like it. Still like the rainbow Becca (which is good because I now have two of them...) but at the moment it is not as flattering on the bumpy bit of my tummy where my CS scars are. Here are the photos of the dresses on an actual person, size 12/14, 5ft3ins!

@Lurk that looks fab on you! I'm a little in love with the skirt part of it too! You honestly can't see any part of your stomach either. What size is this one? Do you prefer it?

Thank you! Yes - prefer the Geonna I think. The thicker skirt material with the sequins is better at covering my bumpy tummy and it's a bit longer in the body. It's a size 12, think phase eight is reasonably generous sizing as I bought some new leggings recently and got a 14 from both m&s and Next... the Becca is less flattering from the side but I am trying to list weight so hopefully that will get a bit better.

I'm going to try everything on again today and decide what I'm keeping. Might keep both the rainbow Becca and the Geonna and wear the Becca for daytime things with tights and the Geonna for Xmas party night out...

Really glad you started this thread OP! It got my arse in gear for getting organised with clothes and kick-started my determination to lose weight when some of the dresses looked utterly awful