Weird body shape needs a cheap 'occasion' dress - really need help!

[ChubbyMsSunshine]

I'm going to a wedding next month and am really struggling to find something to wear that looks nice. It's made me so upset that none of my existing outfits fit any more, especially as I'm on a very limited budget.

So, here's my criteria list - please can you lovely vipers help me?

Budget £30ish. Ideally less and def no more than £40. I'm guaranteed to have some suitable shoes so the budget is purely for the dress/jumpsuit.

Needs to be flattering on what is a size 14, with literally about a stone or two of that of pure tummy. Honestly, my lower belly protrudes so much, I definitely look pregnant. It's gross and needs to somehow be hidden. From the front I look ok, a bit less hourglass than I was but not completely up and down. But from the side it's a whole orchard of apple shape!

Happy with dress or jumpsuit.
Tend to look better with a bit of cleavage showing so no really high necks.
Floaty stuff doesn't look good on me I don't think.
Old me (pre pregnancy apron belly plus additional COVID weight gain) used to suit body con stuff as I was hourglass from all angles. Pfffft.
Help help help!!!!

@SomeKindOfFloppyWeirdo

I had the same worry I wore it for a summer outdoor slightly informal wedding and it worked, but if you’re going somewhere more formal you might feel differently! If it helps, the material in real life is more satin-y than in the picture so that helped it feel more “dressy”.

But I always wear jeans or pajamas so I felt very posh - your mileage may vary!

Oh could I jump in here and ask about the sizing of the stress? Love the look of those, and the price!

Nobody’s Child does really lovely dresses too - www.nobodyschild.com/clothing/dresses/midi-dresses.html

Do you think this could work? It's shitted so will be comfy and hopefully flattering.

It's the dreaded ditsy print but I don't mind it as I love the yellow.

@Jiggy16 I’m a size 10/12 (ribs up and knees down a size 10, tummy and bum a size 12)

I got an L which was equivalent to a size 12 and it was a really good fit. The belt helps gather it in, so no danger of it being looking baggy in the middle. I have a quite modest bosom though so if you need more room in the chest area, you might want to size up. It wasn’t baggy on me but may be tight on a larger nork.

Shirred not shitted!!!!

Buy yourself some spanx or similar to smooth your tummy down.

I know you like body con, but you sound like you could do with something fitted on top that flares out from the waist. So a fit and flare dress might be better. Something like a shirt dress might work well, especially with a fabric belt on it.

I like that idea @overcomewithemulsion thank you - and GREAT username!

Thanks @MrMeeseekslookatme, I'll look for some fit and flare styles. I'm making a mistake trying to go for my old style I think!

In denial...

What about something like this? The halterneck might draw the eye up away from the stomach.

www.apricotonline.co.uk/pink-tropical-leaf-halter-maxi-dress.html

Would something like a kimono style wrap dress suit better, it’s still got the same silhouette just a little more forgiving on the tummy. Not necessarily this colour but the style www.asos.com/closet-london/closet-london-kimono-wrap-tie-midi-dress-in-sage/prd/22759373?affid=26503&_Cj0KCQjwnueFBhChARIsAPu3YkRgjWMqhDQ2dVa_upYMpmLTa9G-2IAWJ4zB-Wd_ZH2NMBpCexpS5uAaAl_zEALw_wcB&channelref=product+search&ppcadref=12825971728%7C122284310158%7Cpla-335561786393&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnueFBhChARIsAPu3YkRgjWMqhDQ2dVa_upYMpmLTa9G-2IAWJ4zB-Wd_ZH2NMBpCexpS5uAaAl_zEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

The Elsie dress is what you need but it's £8 over budget

Feels like a body con dress but has a drapping style over the tum.

www.ladyvlondon.com/elsie-dress-daisy-fields

Other patterns available but all a bit flowery currently

That’s really nice @21Flora

I have a similar-ish stomach to you OP but without the “good” curves, and I’ve found that wrap/kimono and belted styles are great for hiding the tummy, especially if they tie or belt up above where my stomach starts to go out. Styles that have stretchy gathering over the bust then loose pleats under that also hide it, although I don’t know how well that would work with a bigger bust.

And magic knickers. Aaaalll of the magic knickers

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184325852126

Looks awful on the dummy but has real potential

Yes yes yes to the magic knickers! I have several styles of those bad boys to choose from, so I'm sorted on that front

What does anyone think of any of these?

I love both the one shoulder ones, they’re gorgeous! The floral print one is really pretty 😍

Wine - prettykittyfashion.co.uk/products/copy-of-wine-red-short-sleeve-ruched-tie-bodycon-pencil-dress

Blue - prettykittyfashion.co.uk/products/copy-of-emerald-green-cap-sleeve-crossover-top-bodycon-wiggle-pencil-dress

You would likely need magic knickers with them

Love the off-the-shoulder floral one. Looks much more expensive than the asking price!

I'm going to go for the floral one I think. It's very weddingy, even if I'm not a floral person I think it's really pretty!

Thanks all

I'm a very similar shape (2 sections and a LOT of chocolate during lockdown) and I find 50's styles work well, highlight the best bits and the narrowest part under the bust.

www.ladyvlondon.com/swing-dress-rose-of-the-wild

www.bettievintage.co.uk/dresses

Boohoo wrap dresses are worth a look

www.boohoo.com/boutique--floral-split-sleeve-wrap-dress/DZZ33587.html?color=173

@ChubbyMsSunshine

I'm going to go for the floral one I think. It's very weddingy, even if I'm not a floral person I think it's really pretty!

Thanks all

Where are these from? Love them! @ChubbyMsSunshine

I have this exact problem! Fairly small budget, and very particular about what I can wear. I very rarely see a dress that I like, let alone one I'd actually wear!

I'm short so can't often get maxi dresses that don't drag along the floor. Anything below mid calf makes me look stumpy. Anything much above the knee shows my hideous knees! So needs to be just on or just below the knee. Big tummy apron that I absolutely hate. Love handles too. Cant have floaty or frilly sleeves as it makes my shoulders look too broad. But also nothing too strappy as it shows bra straps and strapless bras are so uncomfortable. Starting to dislike my chubby upper arms nowadays too.

It's very frustrating!

@MichelleScarn They're from Shein. I've never ordered from them before but they've got a massive range, I went completely down a rabbit hole on their website last night after another poster suggested them!

Have you tried Lipsy? I have a big belly, and I find it much more flattering to wear a dress with some structure, with spanx underneath:
www.next.co.uk/style/ls205994/P40217#P40217

Higher neck, but strategically placed knot at the side creates flattering ruching:
www.next.co.uk/gl6286s14/p29576#p29576

www.next.co.uk/style/ls196205/P29555#P29555

www.next.co.uk/style/ls126839/R54305#R54305