Black tie dress needed I’ve put on so much weight

[FabricedeSauveterre]

Black tie event next week. Work industry event. Will be seeing people I haven’t seen since before COVID. Am 40 and gone from size 12 to size 16/18 with a big bloated tummy over the past few years in some stressful life events. Literally nothing fits. I am also a bit broke and can’t really afford £100 on a new dress. Well I can but it would impact on Xmas presents for the kids! I guess I could swallow £60 ish. Just need to look smart enough for black tie and to hide my tummy a bit. I have nice jewellery and shoes.

Have you thought about hiring a dress for the evening? You could get something really lovely and not spend out too much

What colours are you looking at?

I hired this for a black tie event recently, it was really fun to wear and incredibly flattering! Probably cost me £60 all in.

www.hurrcollective.com/listings/strawberry-midi-dress-56941

Have a look at asos, they do some plus size cocktail dresses at low prices.

www.asos.com/search/?currentpricerange=5-355&page=1&q=cocktail%20dress&refine=attribute_10155:7699&scrollTo=product-20282024

Hiring would be a good idea. There is a sale on at John Lewis, with a few bargains. They stock Jolie Moi which is a cheaper range. Not a huge amount in the right size, but might this work? Simple, might look best in black or a darker colour, and would look good with your jewellery and shoes.
joliemoi.co.uk/products/plunge-neck-draped-maxi-dress-teal
Otherwise Ebay and Oxfam have evening wear bargains, but lots of bidding at this time of year!

Gosh I’m so glad I asked I would have never thought to look at rental! My fear is not fitting, I am looking at this but it’s a bit far away from my plan of wearing a black sack

www.hirestreetuk.com/product/lavish-alice-curve-gold-balloon-sleeve-pleated-sequin-mini-dress

Try Roman. They have a sale on at the moment and some really nice dresses around the £30 mark which could easily be worn for black tie.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/363614474363?hash=item54a91c907b:g:gH8AAOSwWqZhiVr8

Then sell it on.

I love the gold dress

This is lovely
I’ve had the same dilemma recently so I’ve been doing lots of dress research!

www.phase-eight.com/product/lara-belted-maxi-dress-209155252.html#isSecondPage=false&q=Maxi%20dress&srule=Storefront-price-low-to-high&start=0&sz=60&is=false&prefn1=size&prefv1=16&pid=209155252&pos=35

Gina bacconi has 25% off inc sale dresses but they are still quite pricey. Might be worth a look though

This is the one I went for which they have in a 16. My tummy is my problem area too. If you buy this please let me know when your event is so we don’t wear the same!

www.phase-eight.com/product/caylee-drape-maxi-dress-206740983.html#isSecondPage=false&q=Maxi%20dress&srule=Storefront-price-low-to-high&start=0&sz=60&is=false&prefn1=size&prefv1=16&pid=206740983&pos=4

This is lovely

ginabacconi.com/gbp/cassandra-velvet-maxi-dress-26158.html

They have this in a 16 & 18 and there’s a code for an extra 20% off

www.chichiclothing.com/products/chi-chi-regina-dress

www.chichiclothing.com/collections/sale/products/chi-chi-curve-farcia-dress

I’ll stop posting links now but there’s loads on chi chi london

Have you considered a dressy jumpsuit? I have a phase eight one that is aces for tummy coverage and all you need is some jewellery...

This kinda thing: www.phase-eight.com/product/starlight-multi-colour-sparkle-jumpsuit-20853105014.html?istCompanyId=c38fe7a0-ffd0-4925-94b3-cff8df449484&istFeedId=5a41320b-c741-4d1e-b90d-1091450d147c&istItemId=ptilmiiww&istBid=t

@Christoncrutches I’ve just ordered that jumpsuit to try so thanks! Although I’ve got the green dress I keep seeing others which I keep buying them sending back 🙈

I’ve just ordered the jumpsuit too! Fingers crossed it fits!

@Daisy829 your links are all gorgeous but forgot to say I’m a short arse and tend to look both fat and dumpy in long dresses! Plus my legs are about the only bit that aren’t fat so if I can possibly get them out I will.

I can see if I can get a student discount code for you if you find a dress you like

@FabricedeSauveterre I think we have the same problem areas! My legs are decent but I’m very conscious of my tummy. The green dress I ordered is quite nice as it’s open at the front and higher at the front so shows some leg. I’m 5ft 4 x
Chichi London have lots of shorter styles too

@Babyvenusplant

I can see if I can get a student discount code for you if you find a dress you like

Thank you!!

Oh I’m 5’3 I’ve just never been able to carry off a long dress!

I’ve ordered these for rent but suspect may be mutton as lamb….. wasn’t brave enough for the gold one but similar style in red

I recently bought something from this website:

{{https://www.allgoodthings.co.uk/collections/dresses?collection_scope=159192383588 All Good Things]]

that has end of line of various brands like Hobbs, Jigsaw, etc. I think they might come from China, but it arrived in about 3 days. The one I got cost about 30% of the original price. They don't tend to have too many sizes of some of them, but it's worth a look.

@Myotherusernameisbest

Try Roman. They have a sale on at the moment and some really nice dresses around the £30 mark which could easily be worn for black tie.

Roman is a good shout! There’s one near me I could try on if nothing I ordered online works

Trying the link again:

All Good Things

@SaltedCaramelHC

Trying the link again:

All Good Things

Ooh it’s cheap!