Help a fat middle aged woman look WOW for a wedding please!

[Ishoos]

So, I usually wear black but feel I need to go for colour. I’m an 18, 5ft 5, prefer knee length but no shorter and need to cover upper arms. My hair is baby pink so was thinking green, pink, purple but open to suggestions. Would ideally like something quirky. Think I like this: www.asos.com/asos-white/asos-white-pink-textured-short-sleeved-midi-dress/prd/12258246

Any suggestions for on line shopping?

TIA

I can't give too much advice on an outfit as I don't usually shop for quirky items- I am far too boring! However I thought I could offer some other advice on the wow-ness!

Hair, makeup and nail polish can make all the difference in the world. I can be wearing the worlds most boring plain black dress, but if I have my makeup done nicely and my hair blow dried it makes 100% of the difference

I rarely get my nails professionally done, I just buy a few shades from Boots/Superdrug usually that are gel nail polishes, and the gel top coat too and your nails can look professionally done

I also own a big round metal brush to try and professionally blow dry my own hair. Its quite time consuming it can take between 20-40 minutes but if I am going to a special occasion it is definitely worth it

For makeup, I usually watch a few Youtube videos on the look I am after (usually soft makeup look/glowing makeup etc) and use this as inspiration. If you searched middle aged woman for makeup something will definitely come up

Jewelry makes a huge difference too, a few rings, a nice watch and a nice pair of earrings can really make an outfit.

Sorry I couldn't offer much in terms of an actual outfit- but I could have the worlds nicest dress on and unless the rest of me is "done up" I don't feel wow.

I'm sure you will look beautiful whatever you wear!

Thanks Optimistic! Really appreciate that! Got hair booked in day before and when it’s freshly cut I can boss the blow dry. Will book in for nails and check out the makeup - I’ve got a couple of makeup savy teens on hand so will do some practice runs. Normally go for a red lip which does make me feel more confident. I’ve got to stand up and say something in the wedding though.... eek!

I have got loads of nice wedding guest dresses from Coast in the past- just checked and they're still selling online with a sale on. Could be worth a look!

Other good places to look are Reiss and Ted Baker

Thanks Tickle! I’m on it!

I think if you have pink hair don't wear (matching) pink dress. It will look a bit odd. Maybe google pink hair and look at different dress colours to see how your shade looks with different dress colours ?

Coast, Reiss and Ted Baker are not generously sized in my experience, although their posh dresses are really lovely. What's your usual sort of style? I personally dislike the 50s style dresses that often get suggested for plus-size women, but I think if you have a decent waist they can look very good. Also, do you have a budget in mind?

I like that asos dress! With baby pink hair: lovely! but... I wouldn't have a red lip. I'd go for a lovely bright fuschia pink, and matching nails...

aelida.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Hot-pink-lipstick1.jpg

Thanks all!

Have a look at Phase Eight, if your on a budget there are some nice ones on ebay.

Collectif do great vintage dresses and styles that are made for curves, very feminine. Lots of knee length and covered arms. Lots of swing dresses and add pp above had said, accessories and make up make all the difference which is possible with something like this. If they are too long, you can always get them shortened. However I'm 5'4 and find them slightly below the knee and that's ok, it works with the style.

www.collectif.co.uk/dresses-t23

Some examples

Also some black ones, if you feel more comfortable in black, I think these could still work at a wedding.

Free delivery, you pay for returns. Cost me £10 to return 3 dresses tracked royal mail so not too much to get a few to try.

I don't work for them honest. They've just saved my wardrobe!

Have you looked at lindybop, not my style so I can't comment on fit but my friends wears them a lot and looks amazing!

www.lindybop.co.uk/marianne-teal-swing-dress-and-jacket-twin-set.html

Something like this?

rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F223611768701

rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F333287912601

That dress isn’t very wedding-y. I think you’d actually look better in something more structured, fitted and less casual.

I also think pink hair, pink dress and red lippy would look strange.

What’s your best feature? Do you have a waist? If so go for a wrap type dress to highlight waist and boobs, in a bold colour. I think with pink hair and a baby pink dress you’d look washed out, even with strong lipstick.

hellbunny.com do some funky outfits in big sizes.

And if you find a dress you like but the sleeve thing is an issue, you could consider www.wingzfashion.com/shop/

If you love 50s/retro style then absolutely, go wild, but - and I say this with no malice in my heart - there can be a certain element of obvious camouflage when larger women choose to go for the look (not to mention the fact that you run the risk of looking like you're wearing fancy dress if you're not 100 % in your skin in that style).

I am a firm believer that the camouflage is what draws attention to the problem, iyswim. Like middle-aged men who start wearing scarves - we all know you're hiding your wrinkly neck. I have no solution really, we all wear a bit of camouflage. I think the trick is to master the art of not being obvious about it.

With your pink hair you could pull of something looking a bit artistic or bohemian, like a kaftan in nice material/fab print. Maybe even a headdress. But I'll admit I'm not 100 % aware of what is suitable for a UK wedding, I'm going a bit by your first suggestion which was quite low key so I was thinking arty kaftans could work.

I’ve remembered that I’ve got a Bombshell dress - just need a diet of dust for a few weeks to get into it!

Try a Dutch company called Heart
www.heart.nl/

This from Next. Looks amazing on I'm also 5.5 and size 16/18 usually live in black, I've bought this dress for a wedding and it feels and looks fabulous on plus it's only £29 - bargain!