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?!

I am extremely skeptical about stick-on bras for 32GG boobs! Even if I could find one in my size (unlikely) that looked OK (even more unlikely) there wouldn't be anywhere like enough support for walking up and down stairs, chasing after my toddler, or doing any kind of dancing (not just ceilidh dancing).

I think I'd just have to wear a nude bra and a cardie, jacket or wrap to cover my back during the ceremony.

I also think the red Phase Eight dress looks amazing on you. That's the winner for me.

Hmmm, I think the Reiss dress looks too big on you actually. The Warehouse one is the most flattering IMO so I would just say fuck it and wear a red bra!

I love the rearranged red Phase Eight on you!

I really like the Reiss ones too - do they just need a bit of rearranging?!

The warehouse one is lovely on you . There must be a bra solution ? Is such a thing as an invisible back bra ! ?

It might be worth ringing Rigby & Peller ... that’s what I would do .

Just googled - invisible back bras do exist .

I absolutely love the warehouse dress, but please move away from the stairs!

The Warehouse dress is lovely. Would it ruin it if you wore a bra with a very thin strap and just caught the sides of the back slit together to cover it?

My dad has an invisible back bra but it has a sort of waist strap that would show in that dress........

Your dad has what now? Progressive!

I would have the back altered. Warehouse is the winner imo

This is the back of the Warehouse dress. I think it's ok with a nude bra. I might try and sew a popper in it, an inch or so above the tie.

I am leaning towards this one as it feels more "me" than the other two. Despite the high neck I think the print makes it ok.

Thanks for all your opinions and suggestions, I really appreciate it. Can't believe how indecisive I've been, it's weirdly stressful trying to find an outfit. So much easier for men - suit, tie, done!

Oh and FWIW I agree that the Reiss dress was too big at the top (it was a bit tight around my generous childbearing hips though) but no amount of rearranging would have made it ok, the neckline was wrong.

I have concluded that the red Phase Eight dress is absolutely lovely but it doesn't feel right. The style is formal, the fabric is quite thick and heavy and the red is a slightly darker shade than I would usually go for. Overall I think it's something I would wear to a more formal and/or in about 10 years' time.

I do feel there is a big gap in the market for clothes for women in their 30s. I don't have any go-to shops really.

I still have a nagging feeling that I haven't found THE dress but I think it's too late now and I've had enough of looking!

What shoes would you all suggest with the Warehouse dress? Would white sandals be too informal?

That warehouse dress looks amazing on you and is incredibly flattering. You look at least one dress size smaller in that than the others

Zara red sandals might be nice with the Warehouse dress.

I like clothes from &otherstories,

www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/dresses.html

Thank you verite

And thanks for the suggestions. Will look tomorrow!