Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Wearing an unflattering outfit to a party

245 replies

Pickingmyselfup · 28/12/2022 07:54

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.

Wearing an unflattering outfit to a party
OP posts:
Thread gallery
20
KimmySchmitt · 28/12/2022 19:39

Pickingmyselfup · 28/12/2022 19:21

Maybe I'm being blind but they have an ankle strap too?

They do, but you said you needed a strap? I think the chunky platform style with the one ankle strap looks a lot better than the ones you're wearing. It's hard to tell from the photos how high they are, but they look like low-ish heels. They're also not delicate enough to be strappy sandals but seem to have a few chunkier straps. On the photos they look more like beach sandals tbh. They're not coming across elegant enough for the event/dress.

EmergencyPoncho · 28/12/2022 19:42

Kimmy's pair are similar to Esska ones, which are having a moment. They're more now tbh.

Pickingmyselfup · 28/12/2022 19:46

KimmySchmitt · 28/12/2022 19:39

They do, but you said you needed a strap? I think the chunky platform style with the one ankle strap looks a lot better than the ones you're wearing. It's hard to tell from the photos how high they are, but they look like low-ish heels. They're also not delicate enough to be strappy sandals but seem to have a few chunkier straps. On the photos they look more like beach sandals tbh. They're not coming across elegant enough for the event/dress.

I do but I thought you were saying they had a different kind of strap.

Heels are pretty high, they aren't "glam" but I don't know if glam would be right for the dress. I have a pointed pair of silver shoes which are sparkly but they feel too dressy.

OP posts:
Pickingmyselfup · 28/12/2022 19:58

How about these?

Wearing an unflattering outfit to a party
OP posts:
Pickingmyselfup · 28/12/2022 19:59

Scrap that, not in my size

OP posts:
done4now · 28/12/2022 20:08

@KimmySchmitt and @EmergencyPoncho have made good suggestions on the shoes. I don't think you need something full on spike heel. Retro style platforms like the Eska and Reformation ones I think help keep it feeling younger looking at the moment. Can you post a closer photo of the ones you have? What shoe size are you?

Pickingmyselfup · 28/12/2022 20:24

done4now · 28/12/2022 20:08

@KimmySchmitt and @EmergencyPoncho have made good suggestions on the shoes. I don't think you need something full on spike heel. Retro style platforms like the Eska and Reformation ones I think help keep it feeling younger looking at the moment. Can you post a closer photo of the ones you have? What shoe size are you?

I'm a 4. Want to keep them silver because I have silver jewellery.

Will post photos of my current shoes alone in a but but not on my feet, had enough for one evening!

OP posts:
done4now · 28/12/2022 20:30

Fair enough! I don't suppose you're in London? I have loads of size 4 shoes I'd be happy to lend. Even some with ankle straps 😀

Pickingmyselfup · 28/12/2022 20:31

Not chunky and don't go across the front of my ankle?

Wearing an unflattering outfit to a party
OP posts:
runningonberocca · 28/12/2022 22:01

You’ve an amazing figure and all the dresses look good but the second is definitely my favourite. Really elegant ..

hay5689 · 28/12/2022 22:07

The first dress with the hemline shorter looks better. The Kardashian's have made hips fashionable so go with it!!

MistyRock · 29/12/2022 04:41

HideyHoe · 28/12/2022 19:00

When you lifted up the first dress in your last picture so it's knee length that changed everything and it looks SO much better at knee length with the silver sandals.

Agreed, it looks great at this length.

MistyRock · 29/12/2022 04:43

Op don't spend any more money, stick with what you have. After 10 minutes of being at the party you literally won't care anymore.

Pickingmyselfup · 31/12/2022 15:25

I have finally found the dress!! It's black, lacy, fishtail which helps balance me out a bit. Changed my sandals for some a bit more delicate and it's officially a winner!

OP posts:
sonjadog · 31/12/2022 15:30

Let's see it then!

B1993 · 31/12/2022 15:30

@Pickingmyselfup, I understand if you don’t want to, but I’d love to see a picture (as I’m sure many of us would)!

boboshmobo · 31/12/2022 15:55

Have you lost lots of weight?

I think people aren't used to an extreme pear shape like you have so are uncomfortable with it .

boboshmobo · 31/12/2022 15:56

Also I think all 3 are a bit dated but definitely just wear what you want ! 🤷‍♀️

Pickingmyselfup · 31/12/2022 16:01

Here it is!

I've lost 2 stone total but it was weight I put on during lockdown and I'm not quite back where I was, especially with all the mince pies over Christmas!

Something I'll tackle after NYD.

Wearing an unflattering outfit to a party
Wearing an unflattering outfit to a party
OP posts:
sonjadog · 31/12/2022 16:02

That looks great! An excellent choice.

Pickingmyselfup · 31/12/2022 16:06

Bought it from Next, £95 which was way more than I was planning on paying but I got to the point where I was past caring. No idea when I'm going to wear it again, next works Xmas party since they do the same theme every year. I'll do the housework in it if I have to to get my money's worth 🤣

Still it cost a whole lot less than my wedding dress which I only wore once so can't complain when you look at it like that 🤔

OP posts:
CiderJolly · 31/12/2022 16:33

Love it! Definitely suits your shape- I’d go full on red nails and lippy and 50s movie star hair.

Wearing an unflattering outfit to a party
KimmySchmitt · 31/12/2022 17:09

You look fabulous OP! ✨ Hope you have a great time

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 31/12/2022 17:10

Brilliant choice. It looks great.

Pickingmyselfup · 31/12/2022 17:30

I do need to get the straps altered because the top is so loose you can see my boobs when I bend down.

Will curl my hair, not sure about the red lipstick, I love it on others but my lips are really thin so it doesn't really suit me.

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread