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...

I love the one you got, you look wonderful in it. Really didn't like the green one, just so old and dowdy. Looking forward to some fabulous shoes.

Yes the green looked good at first glance (mostly because I love green) but I agree, it’s not actually very nice, and the navy one looks great on you.

I actually think you should wear a fascinator if you want to - you’ll stand out but it’ll set you apart too. And coral is a great colour with navy. I know they’re frowned upon by S&B (and in general) but I wear them because I like a little bit of ‘don’t give a fuck’ in my outfits, I’m just rebellious like that. I can’t put my hair up because I hate my ears, so that’s my way of adding a little interest.

The 1st phase eight dress is gorgeous on you, perfect for your figure.

The first dress is gorgeous on you.

The navy one is very reasonably nice, but it's not as edgy as I got the feeling you wanted. Nay nay on the green and the jumpsuit, neither are great.

The navy one does lend itself to a British wedding look which is one way to go! I you want that go for it. As they said upthread, it's Fraaaanch to be bien dans sa peau!

Aww you're all lovely! I will try it on again when I get home and see how I feel. And pit it against the other dresses still to come. I do think it fits well. Why fight the va-va-boom figure (my favourite ever typo on this thread!)

The shoes are actually phase eight as well! https://www.phase-eight.com/fcp/product/phase-eight/shoes-&-sandals/kendal-knot-front-pointed-court-shoes/750690351

I didn't buy them, though they were very comfy. I did buy these www.tkmaxx.com/women/shoes/womens-trainers/leopard-slip-on-sneakers/p/25026108

Bani no it's definitely a safe, insurance choice. I still would like to go edgier and if the VW fits I will do that for sure.

I am starting to think that the truly edgy fashion choices I dreamed of wearing are not flattering or cut for people my size without professional alterations which considering I am a 12/14 is a bit ridiculous. But if designers are designing their most amazing things for sample sizes and merely blowing them up in all dimensions, there isn't much hope really in the time I've got left. I should have started this process weeks ago...

LOVE the first one. Great choice OP. Definitely wear some interesting accessories, bright orange would be a perfect match.

Love the jumpsuit

The reason why edgy fashion doesn’t usually go very high on sizing is because it’s actually quite difficult to predict, once you’re over a certain size, how one’s figure will look. It’s more variable, depending on how one lays down the extra fat. It’s not straightforward and that means it’s not financially viable, as it needs to sit correctly. If I had the money, and more patience, I would buy one size up and have everything altered to fit perfectly. But even that would be problematic because I fluctuate a fair bit - basically have to have two separate wardrobes so that I have clothes for smaller me and for bigger me.

Meh I’m not sure that makes sense...basically yes, they do just blow up the proportions, because they have to. That’s why you’re generally better off finding a brand that designs to fit your shape, because when they size up there’s more chance it will fit.

Anyway, the navy dress is lovely and you can get your interest/edge in with accessories (hopefully a fantastic bag!). Fingers crossed for the Vw, though!

Another vote for Vivienne Westwood.
You have a fabulous curvy figure. Don't knock yourself.
Fingers crossed you find something you love.

No blame from me Xiao, there’s an edgy person inside living an unfulfilled life since my body shape is always wrong ... I just thought I’d gently remind you of your desire for edge if you were being led astray by the siren call of Safe Eight 😉😇

The navy dress looks better on you than the model on the website mind. 👍🏻

The navy PhaseEight dress looks great on you. I can't wait to see the rest of the dresses when they arrive!

That navy one is really lovely. I like orange, green, pink, yellow with navy. Not red makes it look too nautical!

Do not buy a fascinator or hat- all the cool kids are wearing headbands like this... anthroplogie

My only very very small reservation with the navy dress is that it is a bit “safe”. It’s classic, and tailored and fits like a dream on you, but I think you want a bit more drama.

Oh yes a headband! Totally forgot!

Navy dress is fab, excellent standby dress. Which I'd keep if I was you because a navy dress that fits that well and has pockets is not to be sniffed at even if you decide to wear the VW. Fab shoes and bag and you're sorted.

I feel your pain - in a week I have to go to a private dining event at one of the fanciest restaurants in the country, with my impossibly stylish, childless sister and BIL and their glam friends while I’m a fat short frumpy mum. I haven’t bought a dress as I’m too scared! Hope you find something!

I know it’s not fancy, but since you have great legs something like this could look awesome and still cover the bits you struggle with!
www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-scatter-sequin-knot-front-kimono-maxi-dress/prd/11392293?clr=rust&colourWayId=16330533&SearchQuery=&cid=8799

VW is absolutely cut for flashing big boobs and great legs.

OP that navy dress looks fantastic on you!

That first dress is amazing on you.

The green one is dire, horribly old fashioned and does your fantastic figure no favours.

@xia the navy dress is exactly what I had in mind for a fitted vintage style for your curves. Shows them off beautifully and you look really slim actually, I’d say it even minimises visually the G cup because it suits your va va 💥👍

Sorry only catching up now but I’m glad you’ve got a good standby dress now. Looking Fw to the VW and bombshell options on you too to help you decide.
Nothing to add on accessories but I like orange or a fuschia pink with navy blue. Yellow is very “now”.
Not into fascinators personally or headbands for that matter but you wear what makes you feel fab on that front.
I totally agree on your comments re designer wear for us G cup girls. It’s totally ridiculous. We also tend to have snake hips and great legs but do they care? It’s a real shame our shape is so poorly catered for...and can get quite depressing too.
The navy dress honestly really really suits you. Not a fashion statement but superbly flattering and actually the shape is very chic so totally appropriate in France.
Fingers crossed the other two are even more fabulous on! 🤞

Not to mention we tend to have great derrières too! so we can wear as much embellishments on our backsides as we like