Please help me find a dress before I start crying in a corner.

[PinotAndPlaydough]

I’m very much a jeans and long line top girl. It what I’m comfortable in and I never deviate from it.
This year I have a Christmas part I have to go to (next Friday ). I can’t find anything I feel comfortable in. Here’s my problems-

1. I’m short-5ft 4
2. I’m fat- size 20, all on my stomach hence the long tops.
3. I can’t/won’t wear heels so whatever I find needs to go with black ankle boots.
4. I’m poor- max budget of £30.

Everything I’ve tried so far is either too glitzy, makes me look like a sack of shit, too tight on the tummy area, finishes below the knee which makes my legs look like stumps or is out of budget.

I’m envisioning a black dress/tunic with maybe some embellishment around the neck line, fairly low cut (good boobs, bad, bad double chin and short neck so high necks look horrific) OR a wrap around type dress. It doesn’t have to be super smart or dressy just nice enough for a posh meal out where most people will be dressed up.
Am I a lost cause?

Look at roman originals, Dorothy Perkins or Sainsbury's tu dresses in your size and price range (am also a 20)

Eg

www.romanoriginals.co.uk/cowl-neck-velvet-dress-30949mbl

m.dorothyperkins.com/en/dpuk/product/dresses-5699972/womens-dresses-5686813/billie-blossom-mulberry-glitter-lace-dress-8203944

Have you tried ASOS? They have a lot of brands, next day delivery (you can pay a tenner a year for unlimited) and are quite cheap. There are loads of party dresses on there.

I really like knee length or midi dresses with ankle boots.

I'm a similar size and shape. My go-to outfit for ages was a lovely, dressy tunic from Simply Be that I wore with thick black tights. I'll have a look and see if I can see similar.

If your stomach is bigger than your boobs, avoid a wrap dress, they don't tend to be very flattering.

Yours clothing is all size 16 upwards and is very reasonably priced! I had a look and saw a few contenders, I thought this one looked nice and has the low neckline/wrap look you like, whilst not being too long:

www.yoursclothing.co.uk/black-red-floral-print-wrap-dress-with-hanky-hem-p

With 100 denier tights, ankle boots and a little black cardie (or biker jacket if it’s feeling a bit too girly), I think it could look good! Looks looser on the stomach too.

Have a lovely time at the party!

Or next

www.next.co.uk/g111556s10?i=20

The flat ankle boots limit the choices massively, but here are some suggestions.

m.asos.com/asos-curve/asos-design-curve-lace-insert-smock-mini-sundress-with-embroidery/prd/9581131?CTARef=Saved%20Items%20Image

m.asos.com/asos-curve/asos-design-curve-mono-stripe-belted-plisse-wrap-dress/prd/10647148?CTARef=Saved%20Items%20Image

m.asos.com/asos-curve/asos-design-curve-embroidered-mini-smock-dress/prd/10610802?CTARef=Saved%20Items%20Image

m.asos.com/asos-curve/asos-design-curve-sheer-shift-mini-dress-with-high-neck/prd/10883194?CTARef=Saved%20Items%20Image

m.asos.com/asos-curve/asos-design-curve-midi-tea-dress-with-cape-back-in-floral-print/prd/9401675?CTARef=Saved%20Items%20Image

m.asos.com/asos-curve/asos-design-curve-skater-mini-dress-in-washed-floral/prd/10164713?CTARef=Saved%20Items%20Image

This from SimplyBe?

Could you spare an extra £17 and afford some comfy, low, block heel sandals like this?

They'll increase your options by 99%

This?

Joe Browns x

Personally I'd go for dark/black jeans with low block heel sandals/boots and a more "glitzy" party top. You don't have to wear a dress to be 'dressed up'.

Top can be anything from a wrap around or loose fitting, as long as there's a bit of sparkle (or you have a statement necklace to add a bit of something).

Don't make yourself uncomfortable. If you never normally wear dresses.. don't for a party! A blazer can add a bit more of a formal feel if you already have a top/jeans that could work.

I just bought this, its a gorgeous colour and looks great with boots.

I agree with BramRang I don’t do dresses as they just don’t suit my shape. A good pair of dark jeans, a swing shape cami top and something like this over it would look great with ankle boots

www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/junarose-floral-kimono/ko495/product/details/show.action?pdBoUid=8015

That turquoise dress is lovely

Oh really like the Yours dress suggested by Fi1982!

Wow, thanks for all of the replies! I’ll check out asos am also loving the turquoise dress.
Ideally I would love to do dark jeans and a nice top (because I have loads and would have to buy anything). I think I just need to make more of an effort and having something in my wardrobe like that would be handy anyway.

I really like this OP - I'd wear it

Such a pity that most of the dresses on YOURS are bloody viscose. I hate it.

So I went and braved the shops today, these are what I felt most comfortable in. I think the black would have to be worn. With leggings rather than tights because of the length and I would definitely need to dress it up with some jewellery. I’m not as sure about the flowery one but it’s not as boring as the black. Am going to go back during the week and try on some others as I was pushed for time today. Interested in thoughts on these two though.