P lease help: need a whole new look in 2 weeks

[notatwork]

I am fat and 50: need something comfortable as I am midst hot-flushes.

Graduation in 2 weeks (attending). I usually wear trousers and shirts for work and Gudrun or festival clothing out of work. I'm a size 18 with historical hourglass figure now overlayed with big tuckable tum.

I need to blend in. It's my DSDs graduation and I am very much peripheral, but because I am a bit of a hippy I get noticed for the wrong reasons. I want to look like everyone else for one day.

Hence my plea. I don't usually wear skirts/dresses at all and am very self conscious about stubble/scars/bad skin so if I wear a skirt or dress it needs to be long. I need recommendations for not too hot smoothing underwear. DH will look lovely in a soft grey suit. DSD's DM will be glamourous and I am not going in that direction at all.

I need the works please: clothes and shoes and underwear and make up and everything to make me look like a normal person and fly under the radar.

I am very out of step with all this stuff: last time I wore a dress was DB's wedding where I opted for 50s frock with underskirt, felt self-conscious so bought a size too big and looked like a marshmallow with my bra showing in all the photos. Not the effect I was going for!

Budget isn't an issue if it's fabulous/perfect but it probably won't be worn again before it is long out of fashion so designer pieces probably a waste. Thanks in advance!

Oh, I'm an autumn so can't wear blue or black/cool colours very well.

People definitely wear leggings, not necessarily underneath dresses though - tights would be the preferred option. Also I think leggings and a dress together look causal rather than formal, especially as you’re going to a graduation.

I think you should go for tights, a longer dress or just trousers rather than leggings with a dress.

If you need tights, get them from SNAG x

I haven't read all the thread but what about some wide legged trousers and a duster coat in a muted colour?

Monsoon dresses arriving tomorrow.
Leggings arrived this morning and I've been working from home in them with a Gudrun wrap tunic. No regrets on that purchase.
I have ordered snag tights on TheOutside's recommendation.
I have ordered shoes (in addition to the black flats)! I should have said that I prefer a bit of a heel but not too high/pointy and must have toe coverage, so I've ordered 3 pairs from Boden and will send back the other 2.
If either of the monsoon dresses are OK I have shrugs/cardis/jackets to cover if necessary.
I had my hair cut today. Usual stylist was on holiday so I had someone else and might like it better than normal (!). Colour test is currently on crook of my arm and all being well my grey sideburns will be gone on Saturday.
Once I've tried the dresses tomorrow I'll be shopping at the weekend for decent bra as mine are all a bit crap, and big pants/shapewear if necessary.
DH thinks I've lost my mind! DD has even loaned me body moisturiser to smooth out my legs a bit.
Grown up lady clothes!!!!

I would love to see the dress. The link brings me to the generic home page not the specific one you’ve chosen.
Sounds like your new look is coming together!

I will NEVER buy from Monsoon again.
Received the email saying the order was confirmed. Received the email saying the parcel was on its way. Received the text from royal mail saying it would be delivered today.
Only the shoes arrived. On checking the website it tells me that if your confirmation says it is being fulfilled by a concierge service this means that the item was out of stock for home delivery but will be picked from a store and sent at some point. Do not contact them until 5 working days after the order was made. At no point during ordering or confirmation was this mentioned. If I wait until Tuesday to contact them, or the dresses arrive, last in the shop, a bit snagged, then I'm out of luck. According to my order everything has been shipped but as I've heard nothing about subsequent parcels I'm presuming that 'shipped' means that a message has been passed to a store to bag and send the items...or maybe not. Either way as I'd specified to have them delivered to DH's work they aren't coming until Monday earliest as they're closed at the weekend.
If I acknowledge that leaving it until 10 days before required is cutting it fine and my lack of interest in clothes and subsequent stress on suddenly worrying about this is my own fault, can I be forgiven for drinking wine, having a little weep, and resigning myself to dressing in my usual style, in old clothes and remaining entirely on the periphery throughout. On a positive note, the monsoon flats are great and I'll get lots of use; the leggings are great and I'll get lots of use.
Shopping/fashion is shit and stressful: aah, epiphany; why I don't usually engage!!!! And still tomorrow I'll shave my legs and colour my hair.

The shop in the village has received my click and collect Boden shoes. I'm delaying tomorrow's disappointment: they may turn out to be fabulous, but without the frock they are still going back.

Try Heist for smoothing underwear. It’s somehow like magic, holds you in and smooths you down without making you feel like a sausage about to burst out of its skin. I have a couple of their bodysuits and can happily wear them all day

I’ve just ordered a dress from LK Bennet they had some lovely items on sale.
Maybe take a peak?
I’m considering this
www.lkbennett.com/product/CDESTELLASILKCDCPrintPink%20Multi~Estella-Dress-Pink%20Multi
Loose fit to accommodate loose fat over loose abs

I live in a rather remote location so I understand the frustrations of online shopping

Thank you for all your advice.
Without your suggestions I would not have ordered a waisted shirt dress. I would not have gone for something brightly coloured as I thought I wanted to 'disappear'. What I've ended up with is a lovely dress and shoes: neither of which I would have chosen without your input, even though neither were specifically recommended:

zeeba print dress
shoes
to be worn with Snag tights, a carnelian pendant, no jacket as its long sleeved with good coverage. I'll be taking a light mac in case of rain and spare shoes for the journey home.
Thank you so much for your help. I'm really pleased with the outcome.

You will look fab!

Stunning choices . Have a wonderful time ! When is the graduation?

Think your outfit looks gorgeous and you have managed to express your own personal style. Hope u have a fantastic day!

Sounds like a fab outfit - would love to see a pic of you wearing it.
Hope you all have a lovely day at graduation.

Lovely dress

Lovely!