How does a Cello shape look good?

[JustAMinutePleass]

I have large arms small breasts (but a large ribcage), a small and defined but short waist, wide ‘child-bearing’ hips, a wide bum, saddle bags, big thighs / knees, nice calves and ankles (but with varicose veins so I can’t get them out). I’m a size 12/14 up top and a 16/18 bottom, I’m 5 ft 6. I’m also early 40s.

I have a work event I need to go to soon (it’s a high profile tech networking event) and have no idea what to wear to look remotely stylish. I live in straight jeans and sweatshirts as I work from home but big tech CEOs will be there at this thing so I need to do better. Does anyone have any ideas? Would appreciate the help.

I can tell you very quickly that the young women I know through work with that sort of figure (all super talented, highly professional and accustomed to being well turned out) have taken to body positive Skims type dressing, en masse. They look fabulous.

https://skims.com/products/fits-everybody-crew-neck-long-sleeve-dress-graphite

It’s a pity that link doesn’t show the dress on a size 18 or 20 figure, because they’re really, really flattering. And surprisingly ‘formal’ with a jacket thrown over them.

A fit and flare shaped dress could work

this sort of thing

or this if you prefer less clingy

How dressy is the event?

At the risk of pitchforks - for a probably male dominated work event I would want to look powerful, not dainty. So either the type of dress I’ve suggested above, or at the opposite extreme, something that removes your body from the picture altogether. As you’re not there to show off your waist it need not be the focus of your outfit.

So if I were not wearing a trouser suit (which would be a mite predictable) I’d go for something like this, with strong grooming and excellent boots:

https://www.eatdustclothing.com/collections/g-o-d-aw23-24/products/w-h-w23-001-msc-900-garden-dress-massaya-cotton-black

Yes one of my colleagues recommended this to me but when I tried it on it didn’t look right. I think you need proportional boobs / hips to pull it off. Lol I just looked strange.

I think the first Boden dress would be very flattering and smart too.

I’m the same shape, but 5’9 size 16/18 bottom and 14 on top. I wear wide pants that have a waist and slimmer fitting tops.
when I buy a dress fit and flare is a good shape for me.

I’m a similar shape, Right down to the shapely but varicosed calves. Can’t wait for tights weather again!

I avoid pleats and stretch like the plague and usually end up at Hobbs for proper smart stuff. Something like this: https://www.hobbs.com/product/stevie-dress/0223-5879-9045L00-NAVY.html#q=Stevie&is=false&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=0223-5879-9045L00-NAVY&pos=3

or this style works well for me too, but you might want something a bit longer if you don’t like to show your knees: https://www.hobbs.com/product/ruthie-wool-skirt/0223-7234-1049L00-PURPLE-MULTI.html#q=Skirt&is=false&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=0223-7234-1049L00-PURPLE-MULTI&pos=1

I don’t like the pattern but this shape skirt looks good on me too, with a short boxy jumper in winter or a short or half tucked t-shirt in summer. https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-inky-bloom-bias-midi-skirt-black-multi/p110426789

Basically, I like to show my waist but without drawing any attention to my hips. Any pleats or gathers at the waist make me look like the back end of a bus.

I don’t know what your budget is but Me + Em is excellent for work-suitable (but not old fashioned) dresses and has a lot of fit and flare styles at the moment

link

That first Boden one is great. It's clearly based on the more tailored, sleeker styles that Me & Em specialises in, but at a half the price.

This one from them
https://www.meandem.com/scribble-floral-print-fit-and-flare-midi-dress-navy-dark-khaki-black
might flatter small breasts and wider hips.

A shirt dress with a fairly full (not too full) skirt could also work well for your shape

boden shirt dress example

Shirt dresses look good on your shape - there are lots out there and some good ones posted on this thread. Is it a formal event or more casual?

No pitchforks but this has made me titter.

I am always confused by the increasing number of statements on S and B in this vein:
You are not there to show off your waist
You are not there to show off your legs or arms
You are not there to show off your bust
You must pretend you don't have a body, and are just ectoplasm floating through the atmosphere.
I have an event this weekend, and I am all up for looking powerful, but I am wearing a semi fitted navy dress- NOT body con like those Skims ones- that does show off my legs and waist. I don't think I look more powerful in a large Amish sack.

That aside, I like the first Boden dress and the Hobbs dress.

Ha, Amish was exactly what came to mind when I saw it.

To a recent similar event, I wore well cut loose fitting formal trousers with a fitted black turtleneck top. Looked perfect on balance of power, style and comfort. Could've thrown on a formal jacket but didn't feel the need.

Everyone’s different, @Lentilweaver - we’re all entitled to admire and choose and wear exactly what we like.

My expressing my opinion on MN doesn’t impact you in any way. And I don’t suppose the women wearing Skims type dresses, or G.O.D, are going to burn their wardrobes because they’re not your thing!

Chill …

@Lentilweaver - totally agree!! You just reminded me of the rant in the Barbie movie about what is expected of women these days. We can't win...even based on suggestions given by other women!

OP - some lovely ideas on here - I like the look of the shirt dress and crinkle midi dress @minipie suggested. The Stevie dress from Hobbs also looks lovely and so classic (it's giving me Audrey Hepburn vibes!)

Play around with styles, try lots of things on and don't be afraid to try something that you're not immediately attracted to on the hanger/model. It's amazing how clothes can look so different in different ways. Also focus on how the outfit makes you FEEL.

Hope you find something you feel fabulous in - please post afterwards what you chose if you want to!

Indeed, just as my opinion is allowed and doesn't impact you in any way @CountryCousin What I take slight umbrage at is the suggestion that women need to remove their bodies from anything at all. There have been a lot of posts to this effect recently.

Never seen anything so powerless and depressing as women in Amish core.

I think there’s something between the shapeless one and Skims that could work for you

Shirt dress or @ScentOfSawdust link looks better

I often wear this look. The latest Uniqlo trouser collaboration with Comptoir Les Cottonieres has great wide legs.

You haven't mentioned a budget though, so....

I think the patterned boden shirt dress suggested by a pp or the boden colour bock dress (also suggested by a pp) would be ideal. With a pair of knee high leather boots or slightly heeled loafers and tights.

I think the pattern or colour block are both particularly flattering. Ideal if you can get them altered to the perfect length for your body but I think would be lovely anyway.

Lookat the Pretty Drss company. Lots of very flattering dresses for your shape! Lots on Vinted and eBay too

Agree Pretty Dress Company for your shape but not sure about them for a work event. Very very feminine (I know this shouldn’t be an issue…. But…)

I'm 14-16 , that would look hideous on me. It would show every lump and bump.

Same here @greyhairnomore 30 years ago I’d have been happy to wear that on my size 8 figure, but now it would highlight every unwanted menopausal lump and bump - the polite reaction would probably be something along the lines of ‘I admire your sartorial bravery’.