Help! Parisian wedding.

[Xiaoxiong]

My DBro is getting married in Paris to wonderful and impossibly gorgeous French SIL. I love them both but they and all their friends are very image conscious. I always feel like a giant pale galumphing hippo when I am over there and unfortunately I can't hide this time. There is no way I won't stand out like a sore thumb among their slender tanned petite friends so I am thinking instead try to go very fashion forward (which they will all recognise and appreciate, SIL reads French Vogue cover to cover every month). Like some kind of mad jumpsuit or giant Villanelle pink tulle dress or something.

Unfortunately very fashion forward seems to be made for sample size people and I'm 5'6", 11st, short waist, big bust and wobbly belly but good legs and relatively good arms. Looking through fashion editorials for ideas has terrified me (like this - eek: www.theguardian.com/fashion/gallery/2019/may/05/rainbow-warrior-bold-colours-for-spring)

Any suggestions? Budget up to £800 for the whole outfit.

My usual style is more along the lines of cigarette trousers, striped top, blazer and converse...

Kate Spade rose gold handbag

With navy heels, rose gold statement earrings or necklace, and deep red lipstick. Done

Or these https://www.johnlewis.com/l-k-bennett-fern-court-shoes/p3847327?sku=237915380&skwcid=2dx92700039350942816&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAjwwtTmBRBqEiwA-b6cc6euA687fS1fibIzjKA77seH-P3K64TgB7UrjFENtuYfneKLi7aDIRoCEcsQAvDBwE

Or these https://www.whistles.com/women/shoes/cornel-suede-pump-29611.html?dwvarcornel-suede-pump-296111color=NUDE&cgid=ShoesWW#start=0

Actually I wonder if nude shoes would look better than navy. Would need to see pics of both with the dress I think

@Xiaoxiong The navy Phase Eight dress is a fabulous shape on you! I would definitely go for accessories in a different shade of blue, so a lighter blue with navy. I think that looks incredibly chic. Attached a couple of pics of the kind of thing I mean!

Gosh the VW is terrible. What the fuck is going on with it?! It's like it's back the front and upside down. Did you try putting your head through the armhole?

I’m sorry the VW didn’t fit or flatter. I’ve just looked on the Net a Porter app & think there must be an issue with it, in one of the images the model has her arms crossed in front of her and in the walking video she keeps her arms quite close to her body.

Accessorise the Phase Eight navy dress with coral. Softer than orange, nicer than red.

I loved the Bombshell shape on you, so I'd choose that one. It looks classier and a wee bit modern royal, which might score you some points. Maybe a different colour, like the mid blue, for drama.

The VW is a bit of a fright I'm afraid. But think of the money you've saved!

I love this little bag as it has a pop of colour but, still subtle.

It looks gorgeous next to the navy trousers bit.ly/30eHd8G

FWIW I don't like the Bombshell dress.

Fwiw I like the bombshell dress more than the phase 8 (but ... I rec'd the VW so please dont pay ANY attention to me! )

The Bombshell dress is too MOTB and it hides OP's figure. The sleeves are too long and you can't see her lovely arms. There's too much fabric in the skirt. And I don't like the collar.

I've looked through the Bombshell dresses and most are too MOTB but I think this would look much better on the OP.

There is a navy version too (but I still prefer the Phase Eight one!)

You see, I think the Bombshell dress is gorgeous. The collar and the sleeves are the bits I like. Makes me think of Audrey Hepburn. I'd just go for a softer colour.

Not that it matters, because the OP has a fabulous figure, but it's also very slimming.

Shame about the VW but now you know or would have wondered forever more and yes to the Phase 8 which was superbly flattering AND the bombshell is fabulous too on you. I would be tempted to try the bombshell in a brighter/lighter colour though as navy blue doesn’t show off the fabric to best effect? But this could be the pic and in RL a lot more depth to the colour

Coral would look lovely against the navy.

Yes when I originally suggested bombshell I was thinking of the shape @AnotherEmma posted too in a Jewell colour but I do like the style of the one that OP chose too.
Vintage chic.

So to be really honest... the top of the bombshell suits the OP more than the phase 8 which makes her look bigger than she is, but the bottom of the phase eight (ie less fabric) is more flattering than the bombshell. I think sleeves work better on you OP, sorry. So basically the dress Emma posted but with fitted elbow length sleeves. Or the original dress that soyYo posted but not in the shiny fabric .... maybe this www.bombshellhq.com/collections/wedding-guest-dresses/products/new-confident-bombshell-3-4-sleeve-dress-brilliant-blue

also quite like this

This is the Bombshell one in green which I would wear in a heartbeat
www.bombshellhq.com/collections/bombshell-heritage-collection/products/silk-dupion-emerald-green-grace-tie-front-shirt-dress

Please please don't go for a 'pop of colour' shoe. Honestly it would cheapen the look (IMO)
A nude, navy or small strap silver sandal is the way to go
(I just scrolled through pages of navy dresses on my style bible net a porter to make sure I wasn't being fussy but it really seems those are the options that are stuck to)

I agree, pop of colour should come from bag/hair accessories. Shoes need to be classic and elegant to match the dress.

I agree play it safe with the shoes. I'm fond of Hobbs shoes they are so comfy. I like navy Erika Court shoe.

I really dislike the Bombshell dresses with the folded collar/neckline and cuffs, they just scream MOTB to me.

My favourite Bombshell dress is this one, I don't think it's what the OP is looking for, but I like the print and shape. Funnily enough it's very similar to the dress my mum wore to my wedding but she was a young MOTB (and beautiful, although I'm biased about that!)

I think I may keep the Bombshell HQ dress though. It is beautifully made and very comfortable, and covers my arms.

Definitely keep it because you look fab in it, the moreI look at it the better I think it is. Take both to Paris and maybe ask SIL which she likes best. You can wear the same accessories with each.