DCs 18th party - 52, barely 5 foot and fat. What would you wear if you were me?

[Septemberbeginnings]

I'd like a new outfit for my DCs 18th in 3 weeks. I'm a size 16, slightly smaller on the shoulders and bust but have a belly, hips and bum and chunky legs which swell up.

For work I seem to have evolved a uniform of midi (they're often maxi on me) or on the knee dresses with opaque black tights and ankle boots. Casual is more of the same or dog walking clothes. I really need to get more casual clothes too but just can't seem to find anything I like enough to buy. It doesn't help that I hate clothes shopping. If I need new tights I'll go straight to the tights and not look at anything else as an example of my shopping style. The thought of traipsing around the shops looking for a sophisticated party outfit fills me with dread. Can any of you suggest what may look good on me please?

Would you consider asking a personal stylist yo help you out? There is a great online one called style me happy and she costs £70(ish) for a shape and colour analysis. I just did the colour analysis and it really helped me see which colours suit me better. I think she can also suggest clothes based on your analysis. Look her up on IG!

Wear what you are comfortable in.

You sound like me so I’m following. I don’t go out socially much as look awful in everything . Maybe I haven’t found the right thing .

Have you looked at Bombshell HQ's website?

@UsernameNotAvailableNow I wish I could afford a personal stylist (maybe when my savings have recovered from this 18th).

@DustyLee123 what I'm comfortable in is what I wear everyday. And even then I don't really feel comfortable 🙁

@Yankeedoodlemandy I rarely go out as I have social anxiety so this is a big thing for me. I also have ADHD and usually end up sabotaging myself with leaving everything to the last minute, buying something in a rush and not feeling comfortable at all. I do it nearly every time so wanted to get ahead of myself this time. It's so difficult buying clothes anyway when you're shaped like me. If I won the lottery I think I'd hire a designer and tailor/dressmaker to make flattering clothes for me.

@Mosaic123 thanks. I'll have a look.

@Septemberbeginnings I think a gorgeous bardot top ( off the shoulder) or a one shoulder top tucked into wide leg trousers with a pair of heels ,possibly platform ( easier to walk in than a very high heel)
All black with some chunky gold jewelry would look lovely and modern.

It will mean that you can highlight all the parts of you that you fee confident amd flatter the parts you not so confident with x

A friend of mine who is your size and 50 years old wore this dress in black to our friend’s hen last weekend - it looked good on her - and it’s the length you like.

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/tulle-sleeve-midi-party-dress-fig/sty-d0360-pst?cat=C1_S2_G4

John Lewis used to offer a personal shopper, I don't think there was a huge fee. If at all? Can't recall now. They want you to buy clothes though!

@TennisWithDeborah that would be a lovely dress if it wasn't for the neck. I don't like anything around my neck. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Black trousers, white t shirt, black blazer, white trainers.
gold hoop earrings, gold pendant necklace.

classy and effortless.

I was going to suggest a dress and boots so I'd wear what you normally wear! maybe treat yourself to a blow dry or new lipstick or necklace or something.

Agree with the above posters. Find yourself some dark wide legged tailored trousers. High waisted and wear with a more fitted top with perhaps a boat neckline or off the shoulder to balance your wider bottom half. Statement earrings and sleek hair. Boots or platforms for shoes to give you the illusion of height and balance your silhouette. Could pair with a blazer nipped in at the waist or cropped jacket. Also fabric is important when planning event dressing. Go for the thickest quality fabric you can afford as it makes all the difference in how it drapes on the body and is much more flattering on a fuller figure.

I'm petite and I think new look and Primark have good midi dresses, the higher end brands are made for giants 😳 my other favourite look is tapered high waisted trousers and tucked in top look. Boo hoo is also good

Given your shape I’d go dress not trousers.

Something that widens the shoulders like this could work. There’s also lots of different necklines/colours available if this isn’t quite right.

Bombshell HQ also an excellent idea.

I'd suggest something like this with comfortable small heeled ankle boots and coated (fake leather) black leggings?
I'm a similar shape to you and this dress covers a multitude of wobbly bits

Thanks for the replies. Been a bit hectic the last few days so only now getting back to looking for something to wear. @PurplePeach62 I like that sort of style. I also like the dresses in Bombshell, they're very me.

What do you all think of this dress?
Silver Star Chiffon Tie Waist Midi Dress | Dorothy Perkins UK

I do something as a sort of paid hobby where a dress like this could be worn again. Shoes would be a problem though as there's no way I could wear heels for the night and strappy are out because of my size 3 stupidly wide feet. I also don't like flat ballet type shoes and find them very uncomfortable. It's at times like this I wish I was average height, size 10-12 with nice feet. Most of the time I couldn't care less.

Yes that's a lovely dress OP. You could wear boots/docs with that.

Love that dress! How about these for shoe ideas

These are wide fit fro M&S

I've ordered the dress!

Thanks for the suggestions @Ivebeenframed. I'm not a huge fan of sandals (due to my feet) but I like the open toe boot ideas.

The dress arrived today and is absolutely enormous on me. I ordered a 16 which is usually a good fit. I've just ordered a 12 as it was so big all over. Length was good though. Fingers crossed🙏

That's something. Hope the next one fits 🤞

Try Jolie Moi. I have been impressed by some of their dresses.