so yesterday i went on a mission to find 'the' dress for a party on saturday

[AnAngelWithin]

and i came away with nothing but eyes full of tears i couldn't find anything that fitted or looked nice. Even the assistant in principles said that one of the dresses I tried on made my look 'dumpy' All the dresses I liked didn't go up to my size. I could barely even fit in a size 18 I still have nothing to wear on saturday night. Think I am going to fall ill at the last minute and not bother going. I'm not good enough to be in a room with them all anyway.

or this

purple?

the red top is nice OO but im not too good with red. makes me look ill!!

tutter i like that second one. my arms arent that bad i dont think.

very Chloe, will be either lovely or hideous!

wow i like the purple one!!

Try monsoon. Go in, say "I'm finding it hard to get clothes to suit me. Please will you help". Go into the changing rooms and wait and they bring you anything that might suit. Their clothes do go up to 20 or 22, but some of the cuts are pretty generous so it all depends on the style.
Good luck!

go shopping again

think TUNIC AND TROUSERS

think of nothing else

chin up

i am post natal and have a party a week on sat - i too am going for tunic + trews. tried dress shopping last week and was Rather Despondent

came home, tried old satin tunic on and felt fab

do they do that pooka???

thanks tutter. have a nice time.

see i like this dress, but, oh, i don't know

I had a poor shop assistant running round after me for hours in Monsoon when I was hunting for the right outfit last year - they were great and very honest about styles/colours which did and didn't suit me.
Worth a try

(my dd still complains if we even walk past Monsoon because she remembers the afternoon we spent so long in there trying on every dress they had!)

might give them a go then. thanks

Monsoon would be good for your shape I think. I am also busty and hippy, and things fit round these two areas nicely, but sadly for me don't tend to reach in the middle (am 5 11) - so should be better for you.

hi angel, hope you don't mind me joining in - i get the feeling i am a bit older than you so here comes the 'benefit' of my older style of advice! half the trick of looking good is in the grooming, tonight start by exfolitating, moisturising, treat your feet, over the next few days try and be kind to your face, give it a really nice cleanse etc, if you can afford it get your hair done and perhaps your nails.

on saturday afternoon, have you thought about booking a make-up session at one of the make-up counters in debenhams?

get some sleep, drink loads of water (makes your eyes sparkle)

get some good 'suck it all in knickers' add a bit of body shimmer to the bits that show
even now, with only a couple of days to go, these few things will give your confidence a nice big boost!

sally forth and and enjoy the compliments

jwn, thanks. i don't actually wear make up. I haven't worn it for years!! I think my mascara will be dried up in the bottom of the bottle by now. And thats if i can find it lol. I have not long had my hair cut so it doesn't really need doing, but I will straighten it. thanks for the advice. I will do what I can!!

angel- lucky you to be young enough to get away without the old 'slap'(many years since i could even feed the cat without a 'full-face'), what you could do though is nip in a salon and have your eyebrows shaped and your lashes tinted, i bet you will be really surprised at how your look changes! it's not too expensive either

trouble is, DH works til 2 on a saturday, then by the time he gets home i wont have time to go and get anything done!! party starts at 6, so got to be out the door at 5.30

in the area i live there are mobile beauticians, look in yellow pages and maybe you can get someone to come to the house, not a truly pampering experience i grant you, but needs must!

ok, i think i have found a top....what do you think to this one?

really lovely!

shows just the right amount of everything!

I'm not sure about that colour, but if pink is your thing then go for it

What colour accessories are you going to wear with it?

I love the black dress you linked to. With some good pull in knickers & a wrap/short cardi thing it would look fab!

Angel, that pink top is lovely - and reduced too!

The pink top is lovely but they do it in black - reduced too!

Ahree with Moinsoon, they are v helpful and honst (without being likle brutal bitcht prionciples woman)

If you can afford it, but some new underwear, and you will feel FAB.

Bolleaux to everyone else at the party, you are just as good as them, and I bet you will look gorgeous

(I do know who you feel, btw, I am far and away oine of the biggest out of my group of frineds, and I hate going anywhere with them, as I awlways feel oike the fat mate.)

Btw, I have a tipo for cghanging rooms, always get dressed with your back to the mirror and only look when you are dressed. I find the light in changing rooms oftejn a bit harsh and odd, so it accentuated all your lumps and bumsp. I get less depressed doing it that way

Abgel, that top is really nice!

It would look fab witrh some black trews and some nice heels.