Stylish MNers - Help me put together an outfit!

[Orchide]

OK, well i never have been very good at putting together a whole outfit espcially when there's the added pressure of a looming big event. So with DD christening in a couple of weeks I am beginning to panic.

Planning on shopping tomorrow...... help!

For fancy i like skirts(a line ish),top and little cardi or jacket. Im tall, 6ft and not quite found my waist since dd arrival...5 months ago! so at the mo am size 18 and 20 round the middle.......why does it look worse written down?!!!

Like these skirts but what on earth do i put with them to get a whole outfit? Or please find me somethign similar

this

or this

Ok. I will try though I'm sure there are other stylists her who could do better.

I think that your height gives you an advantage regarding your dress size.

I don't really like the first skirt, love the second but your post makes it a bit unclear, if a tummy is an issue then i would avoid the second skirt because of the belt with bow which which just draw the eye.

What about a dress? less coordination effort involved.

This would be good if you have a nice bust and you could wear a little cardi if you don't like your arms. I know that it has a waist band but it is really empire line so will draw the eye to the flattest part just under your bust then skim over any bumps below that.

I like this but appreciate that the pattern may not be to everyone's taste.

ladidadi thanks for trying!! Have c-section tummy so nothng fitted but mostly just a thick waist, ie. dont really have one!

i always feel a bit huge in a dress....irrational - possibly?! put it this way i have never found a dress which i felt covered/disguised the necessary bits! so i always opt for skirts. however find me a nice dress which disguises and i could be persuaded

This is gorgeous.

woah to the second one!

like the first but would be scared id look voluminous/tent like?

Ah, so trying to create a waist?

What about this

How about something like this with the first skirt? Maybe even with the second, but as LaDiDaDi says, the bow at the waist of that one makes it difficult to have a longer top with it. Maybe a wrap dress? They can be very flattering.

By the waay, Orchide, are you well blessed in the norks department, or not? V-necks good for larger norks. Also, what sort of budget do you have?

I don't think that you'd look too voluminous though it is difficult to tell how much material is in it but I think that at least with your height you won't drown in the dress. I realy think that you should consider a bold/large pattern, you are a tall curvy woman and I really think you'd be able to pull it off without being overpowered.

Lovely jacket, but velvet may not combine with babies too well. Something that shape will help to define your waist though.

Sophisticated and stylish dress

LaDiDaDi - that's lovely, but that sort of neckline will only work if she has small norks - will be a bit shelf-like otherwise.

Agree, we need to clarify the nork issue.

LaDiDaDi...you like prints i see! Offer me a large print and id run for the hills....maybe i should have a go? Liked the spotty print dress.

Budget....dont really have one...although if i came home havign spent silly money then id be in trouble! principles/monsoon price range as opposed to.....more expensive shops!!

Norks - more than a handful. At the mo C/D cup so cleavage but not HUGE

jackieno - liked the shape of principles top v. much

not a fashionista and whilst dress is lovely, i know for a fact i would look shite in it.....too high a neckline.

if i was going to go down the dress route...i would be drawn to this though that is possibly cos it is black!! Also has bow

dress

I agree neckline would not flatter a c/d cup woman. I could get away with it with my a cups .

You probably do need a v-neck shape.

Try a print in just one area perhaps...your best bit for emphasis then plain colour for other areas.

I'm going in shower now. Will be back in half an hour. I love spending other people's money on virtual shopping!

I like the dres though not the bow. Not sure about wearing an all black dress to a christening either tbh.

That's gorgeous, Orchide. Quite eveningy, though - not necessarily a problem.

Laura Ashley have some lovely ones - this and I love the colour of this.

MMmm - purple. (but velvet again).

going to sort out dd....

jackie - liked the first=darker dress!

liked the shape of the purplpe one too

So I think the key is going to be to look for v-necks, and things that skim your shape, and aren't too constricting - tailored/fitted, but not clinging. And do, if you can, just take a few things into the changing room that you might not usually try on - just for fun, and sometimes you can discover new shapes that suit you. Take a few 'tried and tested' things - the sort you usually wear, but also a handful of 'never in a million years' ones. Good luck - hope you can find something you like. Do you have a blunt friend you can take with you? Always useful.

MIL is bluntest person i know but dont think i could face that!!

No, no - definitely not a MIL. Someone your age.