Wearing an unflattering outfit to a party

[Pickingmyselfup]

I'm having a total nightmare trying to find a dress for a party in a couple of weeks. It's a dressy ish event so I wanted to go with a long dress but my hips are so enormous that they all look stupid.

I found a dress that looks nice enough but people have told me it pretty much looks awful but I'm tempted to wear it anyway. It is appropriate and it's comfy!

Pic attached of the offending dress. I look better in a super short dress because they make me look taller but they aren't appropriate so there we go.

I've tried on so many now and none of them look wow and it's just making me more and more miserable that I'm such an enormous lump so I give up. I'm either wearing this or not going.

I agree with this too. I'm a similar shape and for years hid behind looser clothes. Wear what you feel best in . X

Or this

Ignore people saying that the first dress is dated. You're around my age and it's really not dated - loads of young women wear that style of dress at the moment. If anything, the second one is quite dated and a bit bridesdmaidy. It looks a bit matronly.

I think you need to take a better photo of the first one where you are standing in the same pose as the others to judge it better. I'm a pear shape too and I would try to balance out my upper body because the first one looks good on your lower half but it's quite unbalanced on your upper half as you are naturally smaller there and the straps are so skinny. It's quite a contrast with all the fabric and curves at the bottom. Id even wear a heavily padded bra for a bit more balance if it would fit under the dress

I think your legs look fine in the third one but I do have a similar body shape and feel exactly the same way about my legs and wouldn't wear something that length. But you say it feels right and uncomfortable so that a no anyway.

Take a better photo of the first one. Do you have something you could wear over it?

Good advice here on creating some balance. How about a kimono coverup? You might find something versatile here that you could wear with eg jeans and vests in the summer too onehundredstars.co.uk

So jealous of your figure

I’m guessing size 6/8 US size? So 10/12 U.K. size? I actually really like the style and look of dress no 3 on you - your legs are absolutely fine!

2 or 3 for sure!

PersonallyI prefer the first dress, the second dress is frumpy

The second one looks so much nicer than the first one. I think the first one isn't a good shape for you.

No UK size. I like this dress but it's not suitable.

You have a totally great figure. But the first dress isn't flattering for such an hourglass shape. You need to find a dress that works with your shape.

OP take a picture of 1st dress with your feet in a normal position, please.
Those hips are amazing

Second dress is more flattering

Dress 2 is best. Dress 3 doesn't do you any favours, and not because of your legs, they are fine.

Pic 4: Your hips look rounder and smaller in dress 4 with the over the knee boots but the look is very sexy.
Pic 3: Nice dress, wear with black tights. Your legs are fine
Pic 2: Good style on you but a bit wedding-y / bridesmaid /prom
Pic 1: Style doesn't suit your figure. You're not a lump certainly not at size 6uk but you do have very prominent hips and that's fine however from an aesthetic point it's looks better visually to balance the body.

Agree this is a pear shape body not hourglass.
Also agree that older generations prefer narrower hips and smaller bums. Accepting curves and bigger hips and thighs is relatively modern thing thanks to social media.

I disagree the first dress is old fashioned, it's very 90s which is having a massive comeback. all the young women on social media wear dresses like the first black one.

If I were to dress you, I would second the 40s-50s look of good quality and arms covered. You need something on the shoulders to balance the hips.

Ah ha, latest dress shows that you do in fact have cracking legs and dress number 1 is actually hideously unflattering! I take back what I said about just needing a shrug! I am also short and over the years have realised that it is very, very hard for us shorties to look good in long dresses. I personally look slim in above the knee dresses but very stumpy or like a peasant on the fields in long dresses.

I think this length would be perfect, and would showcase your figure while giving you balance. I think the first dress in your OP has a problem with balance. Your hips are perfectly lovely. But the length doesn't work

Don’t be silly. We were far less bothered about how we looked in the 60s/70s/80s than people are now with body shaming and anxiety through constant scrutiny and criticism on social media.
Agreed. As I remember, this obsession with dressing for your shape took hold in the early noughties.

The idea that your body has to look 'balanced' in order to be well dressed is just fashionable nonsense. It's very powerful nonsense, and I still fall for it myself, but it's a trend like any other, albeit a long lasting one that has somehow convinced us all that it's more important than a trend.

Sorry for digression op. As for the dresses, I can't see the second pic properly so I can't give a preference but honestly, unless it's a very special party I wouldn't buy another dress for it. I assume there's going to be booze and bad lighting in which case no-one will pay close attention to or remember what you're wearing. Any photos will also look shit no matter what you wear or what it cost. I would go and have a good time and save your money for clothes that have to stand up to daylight and closer scrutiny.

I agree op, none of them are what I would want to wear. Having said that, I wouldn't really notice them tbh - you'd just be another person rather then comment worthy for having an amazing dress/look or a terrible one. Try some of the balance suggestions?

You look amazing, were the people commenting it ‘doesn’t look amazing’ middle aged?

If you are short and hourglass then you'll look much bigger in photos like the ones you are posting than you will in a photo next to someone taller or in real life where people can see you are a size 6. There is no way at size 6 you look 'lumpy' in anything so wear what you feel comfortable in and have a great time. And take the advice of

It looks totally lovely, you have a great figure and youre too down on yourself! it's a great blank canvas for you to switch it up with accessories, eg necklace, earrings, right shoes, make up etc. Even a jacket or belt to change the vibe?

Take the advice of these 'people' who say it looks awful with a pinch of salt.

If you feel comfy in it then wear it.

If you like the fourth dress best, why do you think it isn't suitable?