A dress for a slightly podgy, flabby armed 57 year old

[bloodywhitecat]

I am 5'7, wear a size 12 and I am getting married to the love of my life in seven weeks. I don't want white or bride-y, I do want to feel special though. I have NO clue where to start, jeans and a top are my go-to staple clothes. I will spend a great deal of the day with my fosterling who is 1 on my hip as he is my limpet baby so it needs to be something he can't grab the neckline of and flash what little boob I have to the assembled guests. We are marrying at our local town hall so nowhere flash and afterwards we will go to the pub for a meal.

This!

Or this?

Look at Bombshell. Very flattering and lovely but not ridiculous and easy to wear for different occasions.

Congratulations. What's the budget? What style do you like? What are your go to shops? What length are you thinking?

kitristudio.com/products/cassat-jacquard-maxi-dress

There are lovely dresses in the bridal collection - or the main collection, if you don’t want white. Good quality and a little bit different.

Sorry, just realised that’s sold out in 12. There are others. Good luck x

Or maybe this?

Sorry, but I don't like any of the ones posted so far. It's really hard to know where to start without a bit more info though.

I know you said not white, but this was too pretty to ignore and it's not bridal. Would be cute with a denim jacket and Converse over the summer, too.

This navy one is pretty and not too out there.

How do you feel about your legs? What colours do you like? Do you have shoes in mind?

This one is beautiful and reasonably priced:
kitristudio.com/products/carrington-chiffon-smocked-dress?variant=31286806249523

This would be glorious if it matched your style. Which is obviously something I know nothing about.

Do you have colours and styles you gravitate towards? Do you want to be able to wear for future special occasions or is a very one off dress fine / what you have in mind? Rough budget?

We need much more information.

What shape are you?
What colouring?
What are your best features?
Are there any fabrics/cuts or colours that you especially like or hate?

@MayIDestroyYou - on first glance (and maybe second) I thought you'd linked to a plastic bag

I'd like to be able to wear it in future but in reality it is unlikely I would. I will be widowed quite soon after marriage so I am not sure how I would feel about wearing it again.

I am tall and straight up and down, my hips are wider than they used to be but my shoulders are broad too. My legs from my knees down are probably my best feature.

Colours? I don't have a preference really. I tend to gravitate towards dark colours as I probably have body dysmorphia and don't like how I look.

I am dark haired with olive skin tones and brown eyes

Thank you all so much.

A link is beyond me on this device, but the Greta Popover dress on the Hobbs website seems to fit your bill: long sleeves, on the knee, no exposed neckline and weddingy enough but not too bridey.

No dress tips OP but wishing you a wonderful day, the circumstances sound tough

Having said 'not white or bride-y' I love some of those Kitri ones and the Monsoon dress, I think I need to think outside the box a bit more. I also really like the Greta Popover dress.

Sounds tough, i hope you manage to have a lovely day. I think Seasalt have some nice dresses-I’m fatter than you (size 20) but I’ve been looking for a summer wedding where i need to look nice, but also be able to help with the bridesmaids and page so don’t want fussy.
www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk/clothing/dresses-tunics

I'm sorry about the circumstances of your wedding, OP; I hope you'll have a joyful day.

The circumstances of your wedding sound tough, I hope you find something you feel great in. If you don't want white, like showing a bit of leg and will possibly wear it again, how about something like this: https://www.johnlewis.com/mint-velvet-maeve-abstract-floral-print-midi-dress-blue-multi/p5425989?sku=239831924&size=6&sppc=2dx92700061299945075&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-aba5YTl7wIVzO3tCh0UNgJtEAQYAiABEgLLBBDBwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I wonder if you'd like to rent a designer dress? My friend felt fabulous in a Vivienne Westwood corset dress for her small wedding.
I remember your posts OP and I'm so sorry for the very sad circumstances. I wish you both a joyful day. 💐🥂

Sorry I forgot to post a link. I haven't used them - but this type of rental service.
www.mywardrobehq.com/vivienne-westwood/printed-asymmetric-dress/P5287

I think this would be great with your colouring OP (+arm and limpet baby friendly) though the navy/ mustard colourway may be a bit marmite eu.toa.st/collections/womens-dresses/products/lento-floral-print-dress-golden-ochre
So sorry to hear you are already anticipating your loss while planning your big day and bringing up a baby. You deserve the very best of dresses, I hope you find it.

I'm so sorry about your soon to be husband.

Please no to those Seasalt ones - not at all special enough for a wedding.

Hobbs bargain

Phase Eight green

Another green

Navy Hobbs but you might not want so much arm on show?

How about this shirt dress in gold/ cream?

www.bombshellhq.com/products/gold-grace-tie-front-shirt-dress?variant=32578347958352&currency=GBP&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&ate_adgroup=120715581547&ate_campaign=12331941336&form=&gclid=CjwKCAjwx6WDBhBQEiwA_dP8rd1vzSu0MnBMSArNGj1gKNs0lJI5czhQtpV0Vv19ycVjhkWqRzwPtBoCMygQAvD_BwE