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Original poster

Plus size evening gown to get married in?

33 replies

Aliensrus · 15/01/2023 17:45

Another poster recently got some great advice on wedding dresses so wonder if the Mumsnet hive mind could help me!

I am eloping in May and need an amazing long dress that is not white, size 20-22, covers tops of arms and fat stomach. I am dark autumn colouring so suit greens/bronze etc and I think I can get away with orange and hot pink. I think an evening dress (or jumpsuit) would fit the bill better than an actual dress.

I have been thinking about going to a wedding dress designer that does evening dresses but not sure if they'd laugh me out the shop.

Any recommendations for shops or website I could look at would be appreciated.

Budget is ideally £500 but for something amazing I would go to £2k (as we are saving so much by eloping).

OP posts:
Bells3032 · 15/01/2023 17:46

Where abouts are you based as you'll get different reccomendations. But a dress maker will deff not laugh you out the shop.

MrsFrisbyMouse · 15/01/2023 17:48

Bombshell

MrsFrisbyMouse · 15/01/2023 17:51

Fairy Goth Mother

LetsDoThis2023 · 15/01/2023 17:58

Why don't you hire something?

MarmiteCoriander · 15/01/2023 19:37

A friend raves about this brand. John Lewis have some of their dresses on sale for less than £50.00!
www.scarlettandjo.com/
www.johnlewis.com/browse/women/womens-dresses/size%3D20/maxi/wedding-guest/_/N-flwZ1z1405zZ1z0ropcZ1z0ropu?imageId=&chunk=2

Flapjackquack · 15/01/2023 19:47

Congratulations OP! If you are near London, David’s Bridal do a good range of evening dresses and are very size inclusive. They were much more reasonably priced than I expected too.

mondaytosunday · 15/01/2023 20:01

I got mine made for me. I was a size 16 but I wanted something totally unique. The designer sketched a few things and we went to a fabric shop together. It was an amazing flower embroidered green tulle over a satin strapless sheath. I think it was about £1200.
Try a local designer - you'll get something truly special.

gogohmm · 15/01/2023 20:06

Look online, loads of options - you may need a local dressmaker to alter for length but evening dresses are widely available now for under £100. Helpfully, ever pretty had plus sized models on some of their ranges photos (usually there's 6+ photos of a gown and the last couple are a model around size 18)

You may need to go up a size or two though just like with wedding dresses

CoffeeBeansGalore · 15/01/2023 20:07

Go on Youtube & search Curvy Brides Boutique. Might give you a few ideas.

Congratulations!

SnackyOnassis · 15/01/2023 20:13

Lots of options for ready to wear in a variety of budgets - hope and ivy, hotsquash, ever pretty if you're on a budget. Second hand on Still White can be good for one off dresses - my own is listed on there and it's about your size, custom made dark dramatic floral top half that fades into a cream full skirt, I've never seen another dress like it and it's definitely a unique taste!
Or if you did want to spend more and have something made just for you, the couture co (check Instagram!) make the most glorious dresses.
Good luck for your wedding!!

Original poster
Aliensrus · 15/01/2023 21:56

Wow, thanks everyone for the responses! To try to respond to everyone:

@Bells3032 I am London based but would travel anywhere in England for a good dressmaker. I did try to have some suits made about 12 years ago when I was a size 12 but they couldn't manage to accommodate my ass (large at any dress size) which put me off going to have something made again. Maybe I need to reconsider.

@MrsFrisbyMouse I like Bombshell but not sure the sequin/velvet vibe will work for the wedding (on a cliff top by the sea). I love Fairy Gothmother but nothing really suited when I went there (admittedly a few years back - I have been engaged a long time!)

@LetsDoThis2023 that is a good idea. I did look at that briefly but gave up as everything seemed to be too small, but would be worth giving it another google.

@Niftythrifter thank you for all those links! I think the pink one could be an option.

@MarmiteCoriander I did try Scarlett & Jo for wedding guest outfits a few years ago and didn't get on with it but worth having another look, thank you.

@Flapjackquack thank you! I did try David's Bridal but everything seemed heavy (literally heavy) and quite scratchy on my legs. Maybe I'm too fussy!

@broomers I do like that, thank you. It could be too light in colour but I will give it a try as the style looks flattering.

@mondaytosunday your dress sounds gorgeous - how did you find a good designer/dressmaker?

@gogohmm I have been struggling to find things in the tight colours but not heard of ever pretty and they have a lot of colours that could work, thank you

@CoffeeBeansGalore @SnackyOnassis thank you!

OP posts:
LetsDoThis2023 · 15/01/2023 21:59

Needle and thread are beautiful gowns and go up to a 20 op:

https://www.needleandthread.com/collections/dresses

LetsDoThis2023 · 15/01/2023 22:02

Apparently Yours plus sizes are cut really well....

https://www.yoursclothing.co.uk/yours-london-curve-forest-green-lace-pleated-bridesmaid-maxi-dress-p

FluffyYucca · 15/01/2023 22:14

Monsoon was always my go-to for evening type dresses when I was in a job that needed them, and they definitely do up to at least a 22