dress for work and going out - size 20. Please help as I keep buying stuff that doesn't suit me!

[cansu]

I need a new summer dress - midi length ideally that I can wear for work in school but can also wear to go out. I have large boobs and am a size 20. I love Boden, but lately everything I have bought has disappointed. I end up looking frumpy which annoys the hell out of me when I have spent so much money. I am beginning to think I need to choose something more plain? I would really appreciate a steer on what is likely to suit a middle aged, size 20, large boobed woman from Boden so I can use my voucher!

The mango one is great. But they come up quite small - I've got three different dresses to send back to them.

I'm similar shape you but an 18, I find Monsoon dresses are a good fit .

Bloody hell sizing now! I tried to actually go in person shopping over the weekend and some shops weren't allowing me to try on. I got in the queue to try on in Monsoon and there was someone in there trying on about 20 items. I had to give up. Fingers crossed for this one. It might be easier to lose weight at this rate!!

www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350211680.aspx?docid=210021#headerSearchContainer&srt=noSorting&searchkeyword=Plus%20size%20dresses&shoppingtool=search

I'm hovering here too. Now thinking of starting my own plus size brand of smart work clothes. ..

I'm thinking if you're big chested, then midi length might not necessarily work. A dress will hang from your widest point, and I just imagine a midi length dress being a lot of fabric hanging and swamping you.

Well, dress arrived. It is pretty but again does not suit. Just seems to emphasize size of boobs. Back it goes..

@Zebracat I tracked down the blue checked Next clearance dress, and it is utter perfection, thank you. Don't want to take it off.

I’m a different size/shape to you but I’ve just bought this and it is lovely, so much nicer in real life than online, fabric is gorgeous and I think it is really flattering.

www.marksandspencer.com/animal-print-midaxi-shirt-dress/p/clp60506574?color=PINKMIX

@Msrinky I know!, think I will love it for ever, and now find that shape but with short sleeves also suit. Can you post a link to share the joy?

Does this work?
www.next.co.uk/style/st622185/771989?epik=dj0yJnU9b1ROVjdfYW12YUx5LVg1QkVEa2NfeXMyYXVlQngzZDQmcD0wJm49XzhsNzNUSmFsYlBfQ2x6bnFxb0QzQSZ0PUFBQUFBR0RESzBF

Yes well done.

Thanks to another dress thread on here I have discovered Popsy. I'm a similar size to the OP and so far have ordered 3 dresses and they all look great and are comfy (stretch) I get a V neck for the boobs. how about this one? www.popsyclothing.co.uk/collections/frontpage/products/lucinda-navy-green-spot-midi-dress

Popsy is nearly all polyester though and very hot for Any weather.
I am a size 18 with 36h bust and find a lot of the Biden mock wrap necklines good. The Effie. Someone said above was a good fit.
M&S as well have a lot that work. Avoid the current ghost collection though as it didn’t work with bigger boobs.

I see someone has already suggested Popsy which was going to be my suggestion. I loving their midi dresses at the moment and I don't find them overly hot (and I get hot and angry very easily). I'm a teacher and they are pretty much all I wear for work now

I don't think it's the dress making you look frumpy as much as being a size 20 will
The maxi floaty dresses have a terrible way of making a larger woman look like a dairymaid or nursing mother
I have big boobs and it's just not a good look

Would this work do you think:
www.whitestuff.com/womens/dresses/navy-pr-short-sleeve-hayne-jersey-dress/

I'm large of bust and an 18/20 and 5'2" and I would wear that.

My advice is the following for whatever you decide to wear:

1. invest in good quality underwear, both bra and suck-you-in pants!
2. when looking for a dress, look for v neck styles (that's why wrap dresses look good on busty women) or scoop neck but not high necklines.
3. Decide where you want the dress length to end - above/at/below the knee

4 . Try and buy natural fabrics with a bit of elastene built in for a bit of give in the material. You want at least about a 60/40% natural/man-made fibres at this time of the year.

1. I'd go for a single block colour unless I looked shit hot in a patterned dress.

Is there a photo you could post of yourself in something that you like so that we can get a bit of an impression of body shape etc. to help you out a bit more maybe?? No worries if you don't want to post a photo, it was just a thought.

I bought the next £16 dress in a size 18. It's beautiful quality, lovely fabric, but I've tried it on today and it's miniature on the boobs. I can't see it fitting even if I lost two stone, so it's going back.

Hazards of online shopping but it's such lovely fabric I really want it. 😭😭😭😭