Need a dress but lost confidence

[Sundayrain]

I really need suggestions for a dress for a close friend's 40th birthday party. It's not a fancy venue (nice pub) but I really want to feel good for once. I've gone from a size 10 to a 14 since having kids and it's mostly around my middle, I've had people think I'm pregnant a couple of times which is super embarrassing, but I've always had a big tummy even when a size 10 due to PCOS.

I'm 5'5" and pretty slim around the shoulders/arms/legs, I just need something that covers my tummy without being completely shapeless! Hair is mid-brown and I'd really like something a bit edgy (style has always been a bit rock). Budget is up to £100 ish. Can anyone help?!

@WhatWillIWear and @NatashaDancing and others. I’ve loved seeing all the fabulous edgy dresses you’ve suggested for the OP.

This is possibly the least attractive dress I have ever seen. It's completely shapeless and not in a Belgian/Japanese designer way

@yipeeyiyay explains why it's on sale!

@yipeeyiyay You may think so - but I guarantee it’s exactly the sort of radical simplicity that makes me weak with envy when I pass some incredibly well groomed woman on the tube platform - killer short haircut (or no hair), at most a slick of red or black lipstick, bare legs, Chelsea boots …

Not everything has to be ‘nice’, or ‘show off your waist’. (And not everything has to be Belgian or Japanese to be worthwhile, though I venerate those designers with my whole heart.) There are other ways to be magnificent.

I would rend myself to pieces if even shown a wrap dress intended for me to wear … But tbh I’d never leave the house if it were up to MN to dress me!

(Thanks, @notanicepersonapparently!)

You misunderstand. I am a huge fan of understated, beautifully crafted architectural type clothing. The Japanese aesthetic is right up my street. I'm also a wearing of 'ugly' shoes and androgynous styling. This particular dress however is a terrible example in my view. It's just ugly. Unflattering (and yes, architectural styled clothing can still be flattering in an elegant, pure way), bulky and crudely designed. It's just a bad example

Thank you !

Hear hear!

I didn’t misunderstand you - and I understand the Belgian / Japanese aesthetic you’re referring to. We’ll just have to disagree on this particular dress. 🤷🏽‍♀️

True. You are quite correct. People do have different ideas on what they like even if they generally appreciate a similar aesthetic

I’m late to this thread but a Hush Kensington is ideal for your body shape

If you have good legs and show them off, no one will suspect you are hiding your stomach underneath something like this.

I think babydoll dresses (hate that name) are a really good cut for women with slim shoulders, good legs but heavy or swollen torsos.

@Whataretheodds - those halter neck dresses you linked to are beautiful. Imo just what the OP is looking for - really elegant and don't look at all like she is trying to hide in a sack. If my body was that shape I'd buy them all!

OP - I’d go for the halter neck type dresses which will flatter your shape and hide the bits you want to hide.

Some of the other dresses are so lacking in joy that it’s like watching a grey cloud move over the screen. Avoid.

If you haven't looked before, Simply Be have 100's of really flattering dresses, under £100. Next have nice ones too.

That's what I thought! The fabric will skim over all the bits she want to hide but with arms, shoulders and legs exposed so it won't look like a sack.

I can see them looking great with a leather biker jacket and black ankle boots.

That young British designers dress looks like a beach poncho

@Sundayrain - did the dress arrive? Hit or miss?