Help me. No style. Overweight. Need to dress up for work awards ceremony.

[Motherfeckinlegend]

As the subject says :)

I have to go to a works awards dinner and need to dress up. I’m fairly senior so don’t want anything that shows much skin- let’s pretend that’s the reason and it’s not because I’m overweight.

I’m short, 5’2 and will need size 14/16 probably. Happy with dress or suit but have a stomach.

I need a complete outfit, shoes the lot! Please help, I really am at a loss and having a panic and am not looking forward to it.
It’s all to do with the extra weight I’m carrying and I don’t think I’ll lose enough - am currently dieting - to feel more confident on the night.

TIA

Could you pay an in store personal shopper OP, or rope in a friend to help?

I would be the same, I find having someone else brings objectivity (whereas I feel like everything is hideous) and it takes away the pressure of what to try on.

Hi Baystard, that’s a really good idea. I just think I’d be too embarrassed to do that!
If anyone’s got any nice outfit ideas I’d be grateful. Thanks.

What’s the budget? I would keep it simple with a
black dress and some nice heels, black sandals or go for a bright colour if that’s your thing, I’d probably wear some long dangly earrings or big hoops to add some glam too, and if you haven’t gone for bright shoes, a bright red or pink lipstick would look good too.
Have a lovely time!

What’s the dress code, type of venue, and your budget?

What about these?

www.hobbs.com/product/reece-sequin-a-line-dress/0221-5841-9045L01-BLACK-SILVER.html#cgid=occasion-clothing-dresses&is=false&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=0221-5841-9045L01-BLACK-SILVER&pos=10

www.hobbs.com/product/christie-silk-wool-beaded-dress/0220-5298-3093L00-NAVY.html#cgid=occasion-clothing-dresses&is=false&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=0220-5298-3093L00-NAVY&pos=48

How do you normally dress? It will give people an idea of the type of style you like? I'm overweight and I always go for a black 'core', trousers & camisole with either a jacket or kimono jacket. I usually choose brighter colours - red, orange, etc as people focus on that and not the area the black is covering.

Dress code?

Do you want a dress? Jumpsuit? Heels? Flats? Palazzo pants? Is there a particular colour that suits you? Budget?

Give us some details!

Hello all, thanks for the replies. I’m not a very colourful dresser, not just because I feel overweight at the mo, as have always liked black, grey, white etc. I also like light blue, hello, orange but perhaps as highlight colours rather than overall. I love the idea of a jumpsuit but am worried it’ll look like a babygro on me
Also very happy to wear a dress but worried about my tummy as it’s large at moment.

Thank you

Oh and would pay up to £500 for whole outfit,but it would need to make me look like JLo for that amount.

yes to a personal shopper.
they will just keep coming up with different styles/sizes/colours.

This hides a multitude of sins (and sturdy bra and Spanx and chubby upper arms) and was delightful to wear.

Needs to be taken up so factor in an alterations lady.

www.phase-eight.com/product/edna-cape-maxi-dress-220047351.html#q=Edna&is=false&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=220047351&pos=0

I like the dress @Fauxfox posted - think with nice heels, earrings and good hair and make up it will look great!

Get some sucky in pants from Conturve!

This was on another thread looking for similar www.phase-eight.com/product/tabitha-beaded-maxi-dress-230595832.html#isSecondPage=false&start=0&sz=60&is=false&cgid=occasion&prefn1=size&prefv1=22&pid=230595832&pos=39

Thanks everyone for the suggestions already made.

@steponthetightrope that’s a beautiful dress thanks you, but probably just that bit too dressy for this occasion.
Just mentioning this as an example of what would be appropriate and what wouldn’t.

@workyticket thank for recommendation of Conturve. That was going to be my next question! Are they the best ones?

Hi, I am obese, though taller than you, and I bookmarked this site when someone posted a link to it on Mumsnet as I thought these looked amazing for a special occasion. I don't know if you would feel happy or comfortable in any of them? I think they look fantastic, though I've never had the chance to try one on, so have no idea if they would actually suit me (or you!).
www.bombshellhq.com/
Good luck with your hunt!

Is an awards dinner not going to be black tie though? I would expect black tie and full-length dresses for that type of occasion, with @steponthetightrope's dress ideal.

www.nkn.es/en/dresses/3610-printed-viscose-dress-with-embroidery-8435651009867.html I've got this on its gorgeous and I'm not slender.

I will say that it is jersey with a lining on the main dress so actually it's not as dressie and bridesmaidy as it looks. Totally appropriate for an awards do. I assumed it would be black tie or dark suits dress code?

I always think slinky wide legged trousers with a silky blouse tucked in and heels look lovely on shorter, curvy women. Definitely wear some Spanx if it helps you feel more confident. You've got this!

I think, because you've said its anawards do, people are going to suggest things at the dressier end of the spectrum. The dress that @steponthetightrope suggested is amazing.

Hi everyone, apologies for confusing people with talk of an awards do.

It is a work 'do', part of which is an awards thing. Most people appear to take this chance to dress up to the nines and, being mostly antisocial, I don't often have to do this.
Add that to the extra weight I have and I have myself a problem!

So, I'd like something that looks lovely, hides the stomach and I feel comfortable in- just got to find it :)

@ alltometouterus thanks :)

@alltometouterus thanks :)