Is there a wedding guest outfit that's not a frumpy flowery dress? Size 14/16, hourglass. Dresses make me look like Mrs Weasley...

[shutthedamndoor]

I'm so looking forward to an old friend's wedding! There will be a ceilidh and a whole lot of fun, but I have nothing to wear.
I'm 50, size 14/16 and 5'5", and hourglasses figure with a bulging tummy, good boobs (big though) and good legs. I'm a couple of sizes above my happy weight, so a bit self conscious.
I look awful and dumpy in dresses, so I'm thinking a fitted skirt, maybe fishtail so that I can dance, and top. Nothing too obviously retro though.
Any idea where I can find such an outfit? I'll spend up to £300...
All help greatly appreciated!

Oh my! Surely this is perfection? They only have your size left, too. It’s meant to be. ❤️

This could be lovely if it fitted?

This would be great for dancing. Unfortunately only the 12 or 18 left. And probably too wintery. But I thought worth linking, anyway.

Sorry, these are only skirts!

I’m sure you don’t look dumpy and awful in dresses. Skirts are less flattering as they cut you in 1/2.

Can you show us a picture of something that suits you?

At the other end of the scale Zara has heaps of colourful satin skirts suitable for dancing. Mostly around the £30 mark though the one in the photo is a lot more. They’re quite fun to incorporate into a more upscale outfit.

If you carry weight around your middle (I do) it can be hard to find separates to fit nicely without accentuating your widest point. Maybe you just haven't found the right dress yet

I am a chunky, size 16-18, hourglass and I actually really love a top and skirt combination.

I do need to go for big skirts - either full skirts or a-line. That helps with the tummy and hip area ime.

I'm also pretty tall, so I prefer this, as it means I can choose where to fasten my skirt so that it sits on my waist. With dresses, sometimes the waist doesn't sit right on me.

Hmm, maybe you're right about dresses, but everything I've tried on so far makes my torso look very short... or maybe I'm just slimmer in my mind than I am in reality! Ok, any ideas about dresses that won't make me looks like Mrs Weasley?

Just commit to it, try and borrow 7 ginger kids to trail behind you? I’ve got one that can be Ginny or an effeminate looking Ron, you can keep her up to three days if you like.

I like the dresses with the cutouts/embellishment at the sides if that makes sense. When my tummy was bigger I felt it drew the attention away. If you have great legs can you go for a quite short shift type dress and high heels?

I've just bought this for a wedding in July, sized down to a 12 from my normal 14 as it's loose fitting.
I'm bigger busted and it doesn't look nearly as low on me as the model and skims so nicely around the middle.

These are two I've bought recently might be too floral for your tastes, I have a fairly small high waist (in comparison to the rest of me, I'm not dainty) and good legs but carry weight on my tummy especially after DS. Both are very flattering

Try bombshell hq or the pretty dress company. Both fab companies designing dresses for hourglass figures!

That coast dress is gorgeous.

I might just ask, do you fancy trying to find something as the MoG - 2 sizes above my fighting weight and 10 years older than you. I am sure you will look incredible whatever you chose.

I'd love an excuse to try a fitting at

https://www.bombshellhq.com

Wows! Absolutely love the bombshell site, thankyou!

Also, that coast dress is lovely!

@shutthedamndoor

If you do go for a fitting at Bombshell HQ, I'd recommend making a day of it snd including a fitting at https://www.rigbyandpeller.com

Ideally decide a short list of frocks, then go get the bra(s) and then finalise the chive of frock.

Much more fun than usually shopping looking for ages and finding nothing. Worth a days holiday and trip to 'town'

Hello again, and thankyou for all your ideas! In the end I found something rather different, but I really like it!

www.coastfashion.com/lace-placement-peplum-skirt/BCC01251-2.html?color=105

That's lovely. You will get people coming on to tell you that black is not suitable for a wedding. Just ignore them. They are wrong!

Lovely! And swishy enough for the dancing.

I have no sensible suggestions but had to just say how much I loved this one: “ Just commit to it, try and borrow 7 ginger kids to trail behind you? I’ve got one that can be Ginny or an effeminate looking Ron, you can keep her up to three days if you like.” 😂

hopeandivy.co.uk/collections/sale/products/copy-of-the-saoirse

I just bought this, I’m a size smaller but same height as you and it looks lovely. I also have a large bust (G cup). There are some great dresses on here.

@AwkwardSquad

I have no sensible suggestions but had to just say how much I loved this one: “ Just commit to it, try and borrow 7 ginger kids to trail behind you? I’ve got one that can be Ginny or an effeminate looking Ron, you can keep her up to three days if you like.” 😂

This was absolutely plan a, a new frock was a poor plan b 😁😁😁

@ApolloandDaphne

That's lovely. You will get people coming on to tell you that black is not suitable for a wedding. Just ignore them. They are wrong!

Thankyou! I figured it wasn't entirely black, so that will do. Also, it's wedding full of lovely folk and I don't think anyone will care 😁

Lovely dress
Enjoy the wedding!