Panicking about formal event. Floral dresses Please help.

[FrecklesMalone]

I have a relatively formal work event next week. I have absolutely no dresses that are suitable (either to work like or too short). Everything I own is very dated. I am quite chunky on the middle (size 14-16) with quite small boobs (36 c) with skinnyish calves.
I have seen people wearing nice floral (small print) dresses. But am rubbish at shopping and can't find them anywhere.
Would I look like a twat in one. Can only slim people wear them? Where do I buy them? What shoes would I wear with them (no heels I can't do it).

I am very under confident about choosing clothes so any help would be most appreciated.

A bit like this one: www.nobodyschild.com/lenzingtm-ecoverotm-black-and-blue-floral-daisy-collar-midi-dress.html

I'm 5'3" and a size 16, I love the floral dresses, but they always seem to make me look huge, as though there's soooo much material. It just looks wrong. Can you find a similar dress in one colour.

When I'm in your situation I just order a tonne of different dresses from NEXT as it's easy to return them and you can find something you like

I was going to recommend Nobody’s Child OP - their dresses are lovely. Size up though!

M&S have some nice dresses on their website at the moment too…. Search for “midaxi”

Thanks @2DogsOnMySofa I think that is my fear. I have never done online clothes shopping (it probably wasn't invented the last time I bought a dress so shall bite the bullet and do it.) Do you have to pay for return posting?

@BenjiMcSchmenzie that's good to know that my first choice was a good idea. Honestly I am really confident in every other area of my life!

You sound like a pear shape to me.

next

next 2

monsoon

monsoon sale

M and s

M and s 2

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I’m not slim, and would wear all these dresses.

Usually return posting is free, and if you spend over a certain amount, it’s free delivery to you also.

I am the same shape as you and I really like the dresses in Fat Face. The ones like this:

https://www.fatface.com/women/clothing/dresses/cora-wildflower-dress/972776.html?dwvar9727766_color=multi&cgid=women-clothing-dresses-and-skirts#pagination=true&start=37

Thanks op, I have an event next week and didn’t know the brand. Just bought two dresses

@Riverlee those dresses are lovely but you’ve just cost me a fortune! I’m a 16/18 pear shape and have just ordered 3 of the dresses you linked to

Heavens, OP! When did you last go shopping? After all the alarm in your first post I was expecting to see something outrageous in your link. But it’s the most ordinary dress in the world. Hundreds of thousands of women of all sizes and ages must own something similar (size 14-16 is incredibly average). There’s no group agreement on suitable shoes or anything else to wear with a dress. Some might wear trainers, others ankle boots, clogs, knee high boots, brogues … There isn’t a rule; you’re entirely free to choose what you like best.

May I ask why, given that you do have some income, you haven’t felt able to buy any new clothes for a long time? (Obviously new clothes aren’t a constant necessity but the prospect seems to be causing you some distress - which is actually quite upsetting to read for anyone who might have been in a similar situation.) Perhaps your job is new? I sincerely hope there isn’t a domestic situation that has kept you in outdated clothes?

Honestly I’m not sure that dress is “formal” enough? It’s the kind of thing I wear to teach in most days

Should have said - the dress you linked is perfectly nice!

But we can’t tell if suitable unless we know the relative formality of the event.

Just to say I have tried on the first Nobody's Child dress and did not find it flattering because it is slim fit. I am a size 12, 34 B, carrying all my weight in my tummy. Sent it back.

What is the event and what is the dress code?

For example, that would not be suitable for black tie, cocktail event, etc. It doesn't look more formal than standard office wear.

Need more info on the event. Day or night? Type of venue?

Would you look a twat? Highly unlikely.
Can only slim people wear them? Fuck that.

It's a pretty ordinary day dress. Please buy some dresses and enjoy them! As for shoes, again it really depends on the venue.

Honestly my local small town high street must have a thousand floral dresses to choose from. Seriously, between M&S, new look, next etc they are everywhere. I'd probably be inclined to go into shops to try on if you're not sure what will suit you.

I've had a few days of trying stuff on recently and its really helped me figure out what's good and what's not (post 3rd baby). I tried to open my mind a bit and try things on that looked vaguely nice to see what they were like on me. Ended up with a £7 New Look floral dress that I absolutely love for a wedding reception this week, plus a few others bits and pieces from some upmarket charity shops in my area.

Some animal print can be nice as well, or abstract/geometric prints as long as they don't make you look like you're in uniform at a high street bank...

A floral wrap dress would work wonders.

Something like this www.debenhams.com/product/mela-navy-floral-short-sleeve-maxi-dress_p-1f54a24c-173f-44f7-9c6c-1dc206d7bc55?colour=Navy

Wrap dresses are perfect for me when I'm feeling self conscious about the tum. They can always be paired with some suck in pants (Primark do suck ins).

Also quick tip: if you choose a dress with a lower cut and are unsure of what bra to wear I can 100% recommend Perky Pear tape: perkypear.com/product-category/breast-lift-tape/original-lift-shape-tape/

Sign up with them atm and you get 20% off.

@CountryCousin I have been pondering why I am so worried about shopping. In part it is money, DH had to cut back work (I am f/t) for several years so we prioritised other things. I usually buy clothes from charity shops as they are cheap (my favourite one is a £1 an item) it's great for work clothes and going to the pub clothes but never had this sort of stuff. There is no pressure because if it is shit you can donate it back and have just lost a quid. I haven't been to weddings/formal dos for a couple of years and the clothes I had are a bit dated and old. I have always hated shopping, lack of confidence in what suits me, poor body image and being skint for years. I'm bipolar and massively struggle with organisation so returning clothes is tricky and I get a bit overwhelmed in "posh" shops.

Thanks so very much for all of the ideas. It has helped so much. I am going to go to town this afternoon and brave the shops. I'll let you know how I get on.

The event has been described as "lounge wear" - never heard of this before!
I'll also order some perkypeartape!

I'm going to a mix of shops and charities shops too.

Google ‘formal dress apple shape.’
This isn’t floral but it’s inexpensive and pretty:
www.inthestyle.com/jac-jossa-blush-pleated-wrap-midi-dress

I like this from Pretty Lavish £72 - V neck with a good bra will flatter your boobs and the ruffles will hide your tummy.

https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/pretty-lavish-ashton-abstract-pattern-tiered-midi-dressR03792142/?previewSize=8&cmmmmc=PLAGooglegle--WOMENS--PRETTYLAVISH&POR=Y&utmmsource=google&utmmedium=cpc&utmmcampaign=nanaapla-bnaananaaDOMPLA-WOMENSWEAR-SSC&gclid=CjwKCAjwwtWRBhAwEiwALxFPoVrfUBsnvo1Rr1svsm86Qvf7tgbjAB3jqcD9MaeM1aEyFCmdKxXFRoCo-AQAvDD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#colour=CORAL

Put 'ditsy print swing dress' into Google and click on Shopping.

Ditsy is the fashion world for small floral print, and a swing dress will work well with a smallish chest, skim over your chunky middle but show off your slim calves.

The Nobody's Child dress you linked is gorgeous but the cut suits a totally different body shape from yours - it's for an hourglass or pear.

Joe browns are affordable and new range is lovely