Urgent dress help!

[Notapartyanimal]

Help! My boss was supposed to be going to an event tomorrow but is unwell and has asked me to go in her place. It's reasonably casual but full of clients (so need to look presentable), and it's essentially a drinks party but outside in the sun.

I was thinking a long(ish?) flowery dress and sandals, but here are the issues:

• I'm 5 ft 3. And I can't wear heels.
• I'm a curvy size 14, definitely an apple shoe with most of my weight on my tummy. Not keen on my upper arms
• I'll have to be able to buy it tomorrow, I'm at work and the only options near my office are M&S, New Look or Next
• it's going to be roasting tomorrow!

Please send help (and gin!) What would you wear???

Apple shape! Not shoe.

https://www.newlook.com/row/womens/clothing/dresses/white-spot-ruffle-midaxi-dress/p/863669819

This is nice. Might be a bit long though

Not flowery, but I love this dress in orange (I’m an apple too).
https://www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-rich-puff-sleeve-midi-tiered-dress/p/clp60601041?color=ORANGE#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r1c1

https://www.next.co.uk/style/st286287/d14040#d14040

I have this in petite and is a very flattering shape for an apple

I'd go for something like this from next:

I walked through a big M&S yesterday and was surprised at how much lovely stuff there was

Thanks for the suggestions - @Greenfree I love both of those.

@PamelaBanisha I LOVE that dress but think it's a bit short for tomorrow, I'm v tempted to buy it anyway though

@HRTeatime I like that too but not sure what the shape would look like on me, I might try it on tomorrow. Love the orange version

@coxesorangepippin that's lovely but I don't think I could pull off the ruffles!

Keep them coming!

Do you have a Sainsbury's you can get to I am very similar sizing to you (slightly shorter) and have this tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc142199238

Asda also have some lovely dresses.

It's a midi dress, but just above ankles so a maxi dress on me.

https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/cutie-london-green-button-front-maxi-dress/p/873265448

https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/vila-pink-floral-twist-front-maxi-dress/p/859283479

Either of These?

www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-textured-v-neck-midi-dress/p/clp22565992#intid=pid_pg1pip48g2r16c2www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-printed-midaxi-tiered-dress/p/clp60594380?color=WHITEMIX#intid=pid_pg1pip48g2r24c2

I find next have very little in store as most is online but they do do next day delivery to the store so you could get a selection, try on in store and immediately return what you don't choose.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-printed-midaxi-tiered-dress/p/clp60594380?color=WHITEMIX#intid=pid_pg1pip48g2r24c2

https://www.next.co.uk/g88397s1/c99802#c99802

Is your boss paying for a new dress? You must have SOMETHING presentable in your wardrobe?

@exaltedwombat honestly after covid and two babies I really really don't, nothing that fits anyway!

The wrap dresses from Next that Fushia123 posted look the smartest and I would say most suitable for drinks etc.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/printed-v-neck-midi-wrap-dress/p/clp60596426?color=CREAMMIX#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r9c4

I realise that time is short, but I would strongly suggest you look at these books by Trinny and Susannah (library or book shop) to see what styles they recommend for shapes and how to camouflage upper arms: The Body Shape Bible, and What not to wear.

This will save you a lot of time in rejecting what is not suitable, and selecting what is.

@Notapartyanimal obviously the model doesn’t have an apple midriff thing going on but I have had many compliments wearing that dress and I am not the sort that usually gets compliments!

https://direct.asda.com/george/women/dresses/blue-patterned-tiered-mini-shirt-dress/G007612588,default,pd.html

Asda have some nice floaty dresses

Thank you everyone - I went for this one and it was perfect - sorry I can't remember who suggested it 😂 M&S have tons of lovely stuff at the moment definitely worth a look.

@Notapartyanimal ohhh I love that dress
I'm usually a size 14/16 but 20 weeks pregnant but I am huge. How's the tum area would you say it's generous enough for a bump? Sweating in this heat haha
Hope you have a great time x

Lovely!

Some really nice dress suggestions