3 dresses for 40 year old with big tummy - which one?

[Onlytheriver]

I would like some advice about a suitable dress to buy for a dinner (not formal) where I will be meeting people who I haven't met in 5 years, during which time I have aged and acquired a significant tummy.
My saving grace is that my legs are still ok bar the appearance of a varicose vein on one leg but I'm hoping tights will cover that up.

I have lived in tracksuit bottoms for about 6 months due to illness and my tummy has ballooned out of all proportion to the rest of me (think Homer Simpson).
My bust is 34.5, and my waist is about 29inches. I have no bum to speak about.
I have always dressed well and am finding my transition into old age a little difficult to deal with.
I've come up with these three. I know that you can't comment with much certainty without actually seeing me but if you were seeing me after years at an informal meetup, which would you recommend?

Zigzag dress

Linen dress

Lace dress

God not the linen one, it looks like a nightie! Honestly, none of those are amazing. You are 40 for god’s sake, you aren’t transitioning into old age and you don’t need to compromise on what you wear suddenly and dress like a matron. What would you actually like to wear?

Come on, you're 40, not 80, old age?? And a 29 inch waist is still pretty slim i think. Of the 3 linen is the best.

I look about 6 months pregnant due to bowel/gastric issues so I need something loose on the waist. I used to work out at the gym 5 days a week until 6 months ago and haven't been out since in that time so consequently all of my lovely fitted clothes no longer fit.

It's not so much that my waist is huge as that it's swollen and bloated and out of proportion to the rest of my body unfortunately. I don't need to look sexy. I just need to feel confident and not worry that I go from 6 months to 9 months pregnant on the day.

Have you got any pictures of yourself so we can get a better idea of your shape so easier to advice what might suit.
Also just to add, 40 is not transitioning to old age- I hope you were joking?

I agree, those dresses are all very plain and not flattering. Have a look at Nobody’s Child, I have two of their dresses and they are incredibly flattering (as an overweight 40 year old I still get compliments pretty much every time I wear one of their two dresses I own) and different styles / fabrics to suit your taste.

You can do better than this. Get a personal shopping day booked at frasers or similar

Hello! I like the lace one best. The other 2 look too much like summery day dresses, esp the linen. This black one looks classy & I think will flatter your figure.

I wouldn't go for any of those tbh. If you have a 29" waist you can wear any nice dress - no need to go weirdly short and shapeless.

They are all from China, none of those will look like that when they arrive. After probably 2 months.

The first is ugly, second just looks like a shirt, the third looks ok in the picture but will probably be a very poor replica when you receive it.

I think you could do much better than these sorry.

Oh dear! I used to be renowned for my dress sense. I'm actually not kidding.

Oh God.

I have tiny arms and legs so anything fitted now just looks ridiculous on me.

I am sure you don’t look that bad, and your measurements sound fine!

If you do want to go for something which skims your tummy and shows your legs, maybe go for a 60s style minidress?

How tall are you OP? What is your dress size? What about boobs? Just to help us balance you out.

They're all awful in their own way. The first one is a walking migraine aura.

Have you looked on Next? Or M&S? Both have some lovely dresses at the moment.

I am 40 with a big tummy - I am overweight everywhere but my tummy is very big and I hate it. But I got a couple of really lovely dresses this summer from Next.

i liked this one in M&S

I second the suggestion of Nobody’s Child dresses. Many of them will camouflage your stomach and make you look shapely. But your measurements are fine!

It really isn't classy.

I have a big belly and good legs too and all those dresses are exactly my style (although possibly better quality).

I’d steer clear of lightinthebox. They must spend a fortune on SEO or something as their stuff always comes up on Google shopping, but I’d wager a lot of money that the items will look nothing like the pics!

I'm 5'4. Bust is 34C. Tummy is size 6 months pregnant.
I weigh 47kilos.
I'm skinny apart from my tummy so I sort of look a bit ridiculous frankly.

In my defence I've been extremely ill so it is what it is.

Next and M&S are my idea of hell. I simply cannot stand their clothes.

To hide your tummy, wear a longish dress that is fitted at the bust then flares out hiding the belly.
So like a swing dress type style.

God I'm 42 and think those dresses are all too old for me!!

What size do you need? About a 12 at the most?