Work trade show help please!

[Frolicinameadow]

Hi all,

I have a week long trade show coming up that I need outfits for.
They are professional wear but not necessarily full suit depending on temperatures on the given days.

I’m short and fat with a large chest, size 14/16.
I am lost and have been reduced to tears trying to find appropriate outfits.

I also need shoes but the days are 12+ hours so heels are a no go but I also can’t wear anything completely flat.

Please help me find 5 day outfits and if pieces can be used for evening business meals also that would be great.

Have you considered using the personal shopper service in a department store?

Do you prefer dresses/skirts or trousers? Have you any items to start with, eg. jackets? Also what budget - supermarket/M&S/John Lewis etc?

I have some cropped trousers that are comfortable but they are not suitable for the long days as they need to be worn with heels.
I have one black and white houndstooth, no collar suit jacket that’s nice on me.
Another couple of Chanel style blazers in all black and one in blue.

I prefer dresses for ease but I’m open to suggestions. I don’t know how to dress this body 😢

I’ve looked for personal shopper service but there are none near me.

In terms of budget I’m open to reasonable costs. I can’t afford £150 per dress so probably mid range price point?

Also can you get to a big Next? They have a good petite range and if you see what you like you can get a different size delivered quickly. They do collections of co-ordinating items so it's easy to put an outfit together.
I'd get some low block heel ankle boots as a start, some black/grey bootcut trousers, couple of jackets and selection of tops. Or go for dresses if you prefer. Try to have a splash of colour so you get noticed .

x-posted but still would say start from the feet up with comfortable shoes/boots. Your jackets sound lovely and versatile.

Would a pair or chunky soled loafers work with your cropped trousers? It's a combination that I frequently wear to work. Chunky rubber soles tend to be very comfortable too, particularly if you get something with arch support

I would start with full length wide leg trousers, and 'shell' tops that can be worn with them under your jackets. You shoes will be concealed by the trousers so go for comfort.

Then just change to a polo or 'maice top' with the trousers in the evening

One of my friends who's a similar size and height to you wears trouser suits or nice dresses with jackets.

www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/c/fashion/dresses/work-dresses?cm_sp=DAL-Dresses--ShopByOccasion--WorkDresses

www2.hm.com/en_gb/ladies/shop-by-product/hm-plus.html?sort=stock&productTypes=Dress&image-size=small&image=model&offset=0&page-size=36

www.johnlewis.com/browse/women/womens-dresses/work/_/N-flwZ1yzkkud

www.next.co.uk/search?w=womens%20work%20dresses&isort=score&af=#1_228.6666717529297

I know you say there's no personal shopper service but what's in your area re local boutiques with a range?

My friend has often gone to a local boutique and spent a bit more than she'd like to but for a really flattering dress/jacket etc.

I think this may look good, and I think (on me anyhoo) the centre panel bit would probably make me look a bit thinner here

Agreed re comfy clothes - and shoes. I'd look for the sort of clothes which have a bit of give in them, that you can ease a jacket or cardigan on and off and not structured dresses.

I used to love Fenn Wright and Manson jersey dresses but they don't seem to do them anymore. Used to be very flattering and easy to wear and definitely smart enough for a work trade show with jacket on top:-

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255457764294?hash=item3b7a7823c6:g:HbMAAOSwf5tiQHBr

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125225928304?hash=item1d280c0670:g:VM4AAOSwyGxiJO55

My friend used to swear by Wallis too for cheaper options.

www.wallis.co.uk/womens/petite-clothing/petite-workwear

Don't forget that if you get a plainer dress you can accessorize it well, and the accessories often make a good talking point if you wanted to do that - for the evening meal part.

This sort of thing, but long enough to cover shoes.

www.princessaudu.com/2017/07/work-wear-wide-leg-trousers-bow-blouse.html

www.thezoereport.com/p/kate-middletons-wide-leg-pants-are-surprisingly-affordable-16921627

These could be an option for trousers - pull on style, wide leg but with some shape to them.

www.marksandspencer.com/jersey-houndstooth-wide-leg-trousers/p/clp60506492?color=CHARCOALMIX&prevPage=srp

Not what I'd normally choose but this is a really nice blouse with enough detail to make it stand out:-

www.marksandspencer.com/collared-blouson-sleeve-blouse/p/clp60528338?color=PALELILAC&prevPage=srp

Not overly keen on pussy bows myself!

To make a statement and would go well with trousers:-

www.marksandspencer.com/floral-v-neck-short-sleeve-popover-blouse/p/clp60541474?color=MULTI&prevPage=srp

I went to one recently but just for a day and wore a shirt dress with slightly sucking in tights (the dress was longer on me at 5'3" than on the model!):
www.nobodyschild.com/navy-heart-tessie-mini-shirt-dress.html
they also do various styles in midi dresses that look really nice even if they were more maxi on you.

I also wore a thin long sleeve top under so no jacket needed and I think also makes everything look smoother and more flattering - being short I find layering just makes me look a bit bag lady and it's better to keep outfits really simple. I had a thin heat tech top similar to this one: www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/women-heattech-crew-neck-long-sleeved-thermal-top-449197.html

And low-ish heel chelsea boots like these: www.marksandspencer.com/chelsea-flat-ankle-boots/p/clp60505749?color=BLACK

I felt comfortable and smart enough and knew I could take off the top under in the loos if I got too hot.

I'd also get a pair (or 2) of Saint and Sophia trousers, love these ones, so comfy and would go with ankle boots: uk.saintandsofia.com/products/finsbury-pant-black-leopard-tapered-leg-trouser
Or they have some really nice wide legged ones too: uk.saintandsofia.com/products/chelsea-pant-black-jersey-trouser?_pos=9&_sid=8d5d689c6&_ss=r&variant=39314395824231

Maybe with a fine knit jumper or wrap cardigan? And work for dinners etc in the evenings if you're staying in a hotel.

Good luck! I always found it so hard packing for trade shows when we used to do them.

Also love the M&S wide leg jersey houndstooth trousers that a PP linked above!

Thank you all so much! This is super helpful. Going to look properly through all of the suggestions and order this evening.

Such a difficult event to dress for in my industry.

@Frolicinameadow - what's your industry if you don't mind outing yourself?

If you feel you need to show less/more flesh, be more smart etc then do so. But to be honest with you, it's quite a demanding length of time (though normal for trade shows) so I'd definitely do maybe smarter and smart casual. Maybe a bit more smart casual towards the middle of the week and then smarten up etc.

Ensure you make the most of hotel spa/pool etc to relax and rewind!