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!!!!

Sounds exactly my shape. I have a yawning diastasis which makes me look 5 months pregnant permanently despite being nice proportioned everywhere else.

Wrap, angel / flutter sleeved, v neck works on me. Considering both of these for a ending end of the month, but I'm doing quite well on WW so waiting a couple of weeks to see if I drop a size.

www.silkfred.com/boutiques/bella-and-blue/clothing/forest-green-plunge-maxi-dress

www.silkfred.com/boutiques/liquorish/clothing/green-animal-print-midi-dress-1

www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350221596.aspx?docid=210021#shoppingtool=treestructureguidednavigation&srt=noSorting&facets=size380_20_9900014:14|pricerange10000068&shoppingtool=treestructureguidednavigation

www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350212571.aspx?docid=210021#shoppingtool=treestructureguidednavigation&srt=noSorting&facets=size380_20_9900014:14|pricerange10000069&shoppingtool=treestructureguidednavigation&pgnt=2

I would have said this jumpsuit for £22 with heels, clutch, wrap and big bangles - but sadly it's sold out! Sorry, I've got it and think it's amazing.

manamou.co.uk/collections/dungarees-jumpsuits/products/wide-leg-jersey-jumpsuit-black?variant=31709661364297

Isn't Shein notorious for being terrible quality and looking nothing like the pics irl? Don't mean to piss on your parade OP!

Shein comes from China too and takes weeks to arrive....

Shein is definitely hit or miss. I don't own much from there but ordered a top a few weeks back and it only took a few days to arrive. That floral one looks like it has great reviews though (and over 5,000) so should be safe!

Shein can be hit and miss, but in my experience (3 orders and about 18 items in total) I’ve only had 2 real ‘duds’

Make sure you check the sizing and likely size up as Chinese proportions are much smaller!!

Studio online cheap, pretty dresses and jumpsuits . Take a week to deliver, sizing good

I agree with other poster that SHEIN is very hit or miss. If you have certain budget as well you don't want to use it up and find you don't like the item and it's unable to be returned on time to purchase another.

I have bought a couple of dressy items around your budget from Boohoo and was surprised about how good they looked for the price. Much better quality than I expected.

www.boohoo.com/off-the-shoulder-dip-hem-skater-dress/DZZ82559.html?color=148

www.boohoo.com/tall-tailored-jumpsuit/TZZ95674.html?color=165

There is a section occasion wear with lots of different types that might suit what you are looking for.

Also an extra 10% off on there website just now until tomorrow.

Good luck finding something and enjoy.

I’ve got this OP. It’s £18 from Asda and has an opening at the front that shows just the right amount of cleavage and it sits nicely over my jiggly parts. It might look nice with some strappy heels?

I forgot Asda @Chidjireta, that's a really good idea, they have some really pretty dresses all for under £20.

I would have a look round charity shops, especially as people have been clearing out over lockdown. Lots of occasion dresses are worn once and given away.

New look wrap dresses with shape wear shorts underneath, like these two

www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/pink-spot-satin-ruffle-midi-wrap-dress/p/697265079

www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/pink-tropical-satin-tiered-wrap-midi-dress/p/692225879

I would go for a better made brand on sale. I have found nice dresses and jumpsuits at Fat Face and White Stuff recently. (Try John lewis reduced area)
Also Thought is nice but maybe sign up for sale later in the year. I think you get 10% as new customer

What about some palazzo pants and a pretty top?
I have a similar body shape and if I make the bottom half of my outfit wider it changes my proportions, making my middle appear smaller.

As a lifelong apple shape and considerably larger than you are at size 18/20, can I urge you to enjoy your size, whatever it is. 😁

I look back at smaller me in pics, thinking I was the size of a house, when really I looked fine.

Empire line, small cardigans, or wide trousers with loosish t shirts can all look fine and be affordable

Next are great for sale bargains

Firstly you're not gross. Sure your body may have changed since having a baby but you're defo not gross!

Secondly, don't buy a maternity dress unless you're actually pregnant as will add excess fabric where you don't want it. Find a dress that comes in at the slimmest part of your body. On me that's empire line (I'm super short waisted and have a big tummy). Without knowing your normal style it's hard to recommend a dress but as others have said New Look or supermarkets are a good bet for your budget. You might also be able to pick up something in the ASOS clearance section Alternatively, if you have time, finding 2nd hand on ebay/vinted etc is a good option. I once bought a dress to wear to a wedding for a couple of quid on ebay. 2nd hand occasion wear is normally in excellent condition so you can find a barg and are less likely to turn up in the same dress as someone else.

Hope you have a great time at the wedding after all we've been through I'm sure it will be a banger! :)

If you have a problem with a bloated stomach rather than a biscuit belly, then you might have IBS. The dietician at the dr surgery put me on the FODMAP diet and it has helped enormously.

I feel your pain! I found, by accident, a website called airy cloth.com (I think) and it has some gorgeous stuff on there! Might be worth a look. And certainly affordable prices. Failing that, Everything5.com is worth a look. Definitely different, depending on what you're looking for.

I have the same figure OP and huge stomache - this dress makes me feel amazing- search on eBay East - ANOKHI BAGRU COTTON FLORAL PRINT MAXI DRESS

It's £45 but well worth it.