Elegant but flattering dress for a wedding guest?

[AnotherEmma]

Help! I'm going to 2 weddings this year (May and September) and I need a new dress but I don't know where to start

The problem is that I'm 33 and curvy and I want an elegant dress that isn't too MOTB...

Here's the brief:

• Needs to fit a curvy hourglass with 32GG boobs and a bum to match (dress size usually 14, depending on fit)
• Neckline not too high or low (due to boobs), ideally a shallow scoop or v neck
• Length on/below the knee
• Ideally with sleeves
• Colour: not cream/white or black, obviously (as it's a wedding), and I prefer strong colours to pastels.
• Budget: ideally not more than £150 but would consider going above it for The One

I really want to avoid looking frumpy and matronly (always a risk with the boobs)... the look I'm going for is elegant and stylish if at all possible, but I fear I'm looking for a unicorn...

Can the stylistas of Mumsnet help, please?!

Come join me on my hunt
I've ordered a lot of dresses from John Lewis, phase 8 have some lovely things

Hope one of them is right for you!
Just looked on the website, I like the Phase Eight Cleo dress (cobalt) but I don't think it would look good with huge boobs. Neck's too high.

Try Jolie Moi. I have this one and adore it: www.joliemoi.co.uk/products/Jolie-Moi-Retro-Floral-Textured-Prom-Dress%2C-GREEN-FL-.html

It was only £40 and you get 20% off first time orders. Loads on there reduced to £25 too.

They sell this brand in John Lewis, which I think is a good thing.

I specifically chose that neckline cus of my boobs btw. I am also 33 and curvy.

That's WildFlower, that's a lovely dress. The colour/pattern isn't really me but I love the shape so I'll check out Jolie Moi.

Meant to say Thanks not That's!

I've just bought this for a wedding - my boobs are 36J. It's very flattering. Jenny Packham at Debenhams.

Try chichi London. They do similar styles to the jolie moi dress

Honey You were right about Phase Eight - lots of gorgeous dresses. I've just ordered these three:
Darcy Printed Kimono Dress
Mel Maxi Dress
Tania Coat Dress
I found a 20% discount and got excited but then it didn't work
Oh well, fingers crossed that one of them looks good enough to keep...

Laurie That's lovely!

How about a bombshell HQ number?

That red coatdress is gorgeous!

I have never heard of jolie moi, some nice stuff

OP I am hourglass with big boobs and I actually love dancing leopard, some lovely stuff on there

French connection has got some gorgeous wedding appropriate dresses just now

I came on to recommend Bombshell too.

I’m 5’3” & 34JJ and bought a dress from there that I wore to two weddings & got lots of compliments on.

Thanks all.

I had a look at Bombshell and they are great dresses but they seem a bit too MOTB (albeit a hot one!)

I will check out the other suggestions too.

I'm not sure about Phase 8 if you're trying to avoid the MOTB look. Their cuts are often this way inclined.

Have you look at Finery, Closet London, Whistles? Sometimes they have some gems

finery

blue whistles

I should add, I feel like the smocking in the whistles one doesnt look that great in the pic but might be better IRL.

The Finery one also, shapewise, might be too full in the skirt.

But the websites might have loads more if you have a proper look .

If you have a look at the outnet too, there are others a little bit above your price range but could be perfect....

Thanks Elllle.
I originally thought Phase Eight would be too MOTB but I don't think the styles I've ordered are - I'll have to see what they're like on.
I've bought a dress from Finery London before and had forgotten about them.
The dresses you've shared are lovely but not to my taste, but I will look through the websites.

Thanks again for the suggestions, all!

No problem, the print isn't for everyone (I wore with a navy cardi and heels) but they do loads in similar shapes with different prints.

The other place you might want to try is Yumi

Good luck x

I'm glad you're looking at phase 8, we have one in our town and they have some lovely looking dresses in the window at the moment...

I'm glad you're looking at phase 8, we have one in our town and they have some lovely looking dresses in the window at the moment...

Agree that the red coatdress you've ordered looks lovely. Looking to the trying -on session pics

I've got an horuglass type figure (5'4", 30F boobs, small waist, larger hips) and have just bought this from Reiss. It's very flattering!

I'm in my 40s and find Phase 8 dresses look really frumpy on me. I don't know why as I always think they look good in the shop or on other people.

Sorrel
That dress is lovely but it would never work on a woman with huge boobs. At 30F yours aren't particularly big (mine are 4 cup sizes bigger, and no I'm not showing off, it's a PITA!)

I should also have mentioned that I'm 5'8...

Feeling a bit Meh about the Finery dresses.

I quite like the Lizzie but something about it makes me think work dress (admittedly a nice one) and I don't like the length. Hate mid-calf (which seems to be fashionable atm, typical!) Side note... hideous shoes they've styled it with!

I also like the Hettie but it's too plain/casual for a wedding and as it's jersey I bet it would cling in all the wobbly wrong places.

God that reminds me I probably need Spanx 😭

I tried the Reiss dress on that Sorrel linked and at 34G my boobs are plenty big enough and it looked lovely!

Too worky for a wedding which is what I was looking for but definitely not too small on the chest

I’ve also got lots of wrap dresses from
Dancing leopard and they are lovely and definitely not MOTB

www.dancingleopard.co.uk/products/cayenne-dress-pink-on-mint-bloom