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?!

absolutehush
Thanks for the new suggestions. I quite like the second one (the red one).

Update: Phase Eight order has arrived! Will try on and take photos to share later (if any of them look decent!)

Photos of Phase Eight dresses! Interestingly, they have turned out as I expected - floral is my favourite, blue maxi isn't flattering and red one doesn't look quite right.

I love the floral one, it's flattering and I like the bright colours. I guess the print might not be to everyone's taste but I don't mind that as long as it's not universally hated.

I'm sharing a photo of the red dress because a few people said they liked it. I don't think it fits me well at the top and I think it looks a bit frumpy / matronly. Plus it's unflattering at the back (not sharing that photo!)

No photos of the blue maxi dress because it's jersey and clings to the wobbly bits (as suspected). It is a beautiful colour though and would look nice with industrial shapewear or on a slimmer, more toned body!

I am still waiting for dresses from Reiss and Warehouse but if they don't work I'll be happy with the floral one.

I LOVE the blue floral one on you :)

Agree that the red one is doing you no favours in the norks area and needs to go back. Blue floral way more flattering and a definite runner imho.

Thank you both

It is a shame about the red one because it's so nearly there and it's clearly a lovely dress and hangs nicely on you but I think if that top...er.. flap (technical) won't go over your right bosom then it's a no. Plus you said the back view isn't so awesome. Not seeing the 'matronly' concern so much myself from your picture, maybe because it's so high-waisted?

Looking forward to seeing the rest! And I will keep on trying not to think that you're about to fall backwards down those stairs

So I tried on the red dress again and adjusted the top... I've decided that it looks better and I like it now!

Still leaning towards the blue floral dress. Need to decide so I can buy shoes! Would get red ones I think. I don't have long though (first wedding in 8 days...)

(ThankYou ha yes my mirror is not in the best place, and I'm bad enough at selfies as it is!)

Oh and here are the Reiss dresses. I hate to say I told you so, but I told you so! Massive boob shelf situation. I have returned them obviously. But for anyone interested, the cut is flattering (IMO) and I the blue colour is nice. Red is slightly tomato.

I can t look at the
dresses properly becauseI am terrified you are going to fall downstairs......

The red Phase Eight dress is the one I prefer.

Bertrand I know, I know
I can assure you though I'm alive and not typing from the grave

Doesn’t the blue Reiss just need a different bra?

It does look as if I'm wearing a terrible bra but I'm honestly not

I was wearing the same bra when I tried on the red Phase Eight dress

Definitely the dress then. Shame. Apart from that it’s lovely.

Yes from waist down it's lovely!
I did think it just wouldn't work with huge norks, I'm intrigued that it did for PPs.

Last dress. This one is from Warehouse. Love it but there is no way of hiding a bra strap at the back

@Xiaoxiong I have to say that dress looks better on you than it does on the model on the Phase Eight website. I'm going to hunt down your thread...

I am loving this thread. I'm the same shape and trying to find a dress that flatters and doesn't give the matronly 'breast shelf' is nigh on impossible.

Second photo of the red phase8 one looks lovely.

Ooh I have been eyeing up that warehouse one recently, but was worried about the bra issue too! Such a shame as it’s a lovely dress.

I really like that last one, I wouldn’t have even tried it on due to high neckline and open back, but it’s really lovely.

Could you not buy a matching bra?
Seems to be the “thing” these days to have your bra on show.
You could always wrap a shawl or wear a jacket during the Ceremony.

I love the last one. It fits you best and looks tops.

Could you use those stick on bra things? Obviously not for a ceilidh type wedding but for a sedate English affair?