Help! Parisian wedding.

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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...

I also think the reason you liked the DVF jumpsuit was as much the drama of the print/colour - without that print, I think it could look a bit meh.

Hate it when that happens - I often find the body-leg ratio is off if you're not 5'0 or 6'0.

Have you looked at Needle & Thread, or Roksanda?

Definitely the bird jumpsuit.

Look amazing.

Good bra.
Red lips and nails
Fabulous red shoes

Good hair.

I am incensed on your behalf with how badly those fit. Why is there room for two people in the top and only half a person in the bottom? Who designs these patterns? Argh I’m getting shopping anxiety on your behalf!

Oh yes it’s time to hit the button on that gorgeous VW dress!

*Fingers crosses for you.

Have you had a look at Wolf and Badger? I find the choice a but too much but they have some pretty cool prints

Wide leg jumpsuit in colourful houses print www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/paks-big-houses-print-mandarin-collar-jumpsuit/

Sigh, *crossed, obviously.

I think tomorrow go out and do a physical try on session, as many options as possible.

I do really rate Phase Eight. Obviously it’s not going to be out there, edgy or whatever, but I have had successes with them.

Jumpsuits are much better when you can try them on before you buy - I find they are tricky - certainly not straightforward - unless you are a very tall and slim, but when you get one that’s just right on the proportions they are fabulous on a curvy figure.

I really like the pyjama jumpsuit you linked to. I imagine it would feel very comfortable to wear - very stylish but still covered up, and it's a good price.

Have you thought about a Rixo dress? Look good on your boobs, not too try hard, good prints etc?

Ok, I counted up and unless you're all Soy or atalune sockpuppeting, there are nine separate posters cheerleading the black crepe de chine VW dress so I have ordered it!! It's arriving Friday hopefully. And if it's horrendous I'll return it. It's £5 under budget but if it's THE DRESS it'll all be worth it.

I know, we all LOVE that first DVF jumpsuit. And I agree that it's the print and the cool red sash and stuff that really makes it pop and I am sad I ever saw it and fell in love with it. Somewhere on the internet is someone who is still selling the DVF Fall 2018 collection, I just haven't found it yet...

The two jumpsuits from today are definitely going back (plus some Rag & Bone jeans that were so bad they didn't even make it into a photo because my DCs said "ewwww" as soon as I put them on). bani yes I was quite sad about the fit! I'm not sure who they are cut for - it felt almost like they took the cut/proportions from a kind of straight up and down sample size model and just kind of blew it up in all directions somehow. I think if I got the top quite tailored on the Le Smoking one it might work if hard pressed but I don't have time now anyway.

I'm discovering so many brands I don't know as well, thank you for all the suggestions! Checking out Rixo, Ghost, Wolf & Badger, Needle & Thread and Roksanda now...

Also, in the course of looking for an actual picture of a Vivienne Westwood dress on someone with boobs I came across this article which basically sums up my jumpsuit sadness today: www.theguardian.com/fashion/2015/aug/13/why-does-fashion-ignore-big-breasts

Still has no picture of a VW dress on someone with big boobs though! The Net a Porter model is apparently 5'10" and wearing a UK size 8 and it seems to come down past her knees! Oh well - I'll find on what it's like on Friday hopefully...

Keep us updated. Good luck!

I’m super excited about the VW dress! 🤩

Just make sure you’re quite dolled up before trying on. Get some lippy on and make sure you’re having a good hair day

I feel like I have some sort of responsibility to ensure that VW is good. Also putting in a vote for the other roksandas I suggested, I think the shape would work on you, Karen Millen sometimes does that sort of thing with a twist but usually high neck

Westwood is good for boobs! I have JJ knockers and have worn her frocks

Yea we’ve talked about Westwood on the Parisienne thread and those in the know have said she’s quite good for curves, so fingers crossed! It’s a lovely dress, you can count me as vote no 10. FWIW I was an au pair in Paris 25 years ago and my employer had a story about going to an English wedding with a black dress packed. When she arrived she was told black is an absolute no no in England, so she panic bought something else that wasn’t as nice. Of course turned out that several people were wearing black at the wedding 😂 she was v ticked off. In other words black is no problem at Paris wedding, I surmised.

Anyway all that is misunderstanding or watering down of clothing rules - you don’t go to a wedding dressed as for a funeral - not the same as just wearing black.

Elllle don't worry, I won't hold you or anyone else responsible!!! i'm not holding my breath too much anyway given what MrsDrudge said upthread. I know VW doesn't work for everybody and it might not for me either. But the hope is real.

In the meantime, I may go into town and try a load of stuff on in person as well. I forgot to mention there are in fact three events surrounding this wedding so more than one outfit will be needed anyway...

Bani that's a relief about black!!!

Sorry I haven't got time to read the whole thread - I'd probably be no help anyway as I have wedding guest angst of my own and I'm clueless about the etiquette. But what I do think is that Vivienne Westwood understands women's bodies and that she works with our curves rather than against them. Fingers crossed.

Westwood runs true to size so you probably need a 14 rather than a 12. If your credit card can bear it order both. I’m the same height & bust as you but over a stone lighter and mine is snug.

Oh no Lizzies - I wonder if I can alter the size with customer services, I only ordered it last night!

Yes I’d get back on and ask them, I’m sure they can do that as long as it’s not been processed.

I've emailed them to ask to switch to the UK 14 equivalent so fingers crossed 🤞

Just sending a good luck message , i know where you're coming from with the big bust thing , i don't think designers can cope with boobs or understand that a bit of cleavage is nice but we don't want to worry about our boobs falling out . Hope you find something you love