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Original poster

How does a Cello shape look good?

90 replies

JustAMinutePleass · 05/10/2023 23:45

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.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
13
Lentilweaver · 06/10/2023 17:08

That Plumo dress is very cool. And non-Boden y.

Re Saint and Sofia, their returns are terrible and their clothes have not washed well for me.

minipie · 06/10/2023 17:25

Plumo has quite a few other options that look good actually, including a mustard cord cocoon dress and a rather beautiful velvet trapeze (sack…) shaped dress

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 06/10/2023 17:35

minipie · 06/10/2023 00:25

A fit and flare shaped dress could work

this sort of thing

or this if you prefer less clingy

How dressy is the event?

I think that the Boden ponte dress (first link) is just right . Smart and flattering .

I don't like either the body con or tent suggestions .

Lentilweaver · 06/10/2023 17:42

No @ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea OP doesn't like the Boden dress and she does like an oversized tent dress 😀

Actually, if you are going to do oversize, all those Plumo cord dresses look great. and fashion forward. I have done a complete 360, I know!

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 06/10/2023 17:45

minipie · 06/10/2023 16:50

If you like the oversized dress but want shorter what about a trapeze dress. Or maybe cocoon dress.

bright red

leopard

Like the And/Or leopard dress .

(Ignore my comment above re Boden dress - have now seen it's not OP's thing )

CountryCousin · 06/10/2023 17:45

This one is kinda magnificent.

(Though I don’t like it as much as the G.O.D.)

How does a Cello shape look good?
ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 06/10/2023 17:48

CountryCousin · 06/10/2023 17:33

This one, @minipie ? Could be rather fine.

https://www.plumo.com/products/Rae-Cord-Dress.html

I agree this may fit OP's brief .

Original poster
JustAMinutePleass · 06/10/2023 17:51

CountryCousin · 06/10/2023 16:47

MaxMara … Within budget. Dark green. Shoulder pads might be a good addition.

I actually love this. Do you have a link?

OP posts:
NatashaDancing · 06/10/2023 17:56

SirChenjins · 06/10/2023 15:20

A jumpsuit or oversized clothing is the epitome of safe - every shop on the high street is crammed with them.

Yes , I was with that poster until they got to "jumpsuit"

Fedupwitheveryone · 06/10/2023 19:14

that Maxmara green dress is a really good shout OP. With loafers (no socks - too fashiony and will be distracting/could be read as schoolgirlish)

Cos is possibly the right vibe - looks grown up. some cuts are very odd but some look great and more like £100 than £350

This for example -
https://www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/dresses/product.waisted-midi-shirt-dress-khaki-green.1187027001.html

WAISTED MIDI SHIRT DRESS

WAISTED MIDI SHIRT DRESS: Elevated shirt dresses are a COS signature. Crafted from pure cotton, this contouring piece is designed with an extended pointed collar, curved hem and shaping seams for a waisted silhouette. Style it with sandals in the warme...

https://www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/dresses/product.waisted-midi-shirt-dress-khaki-green.1187027001.html

Polis · 06/10/2023 19:40

This one is kinda magnificent

No. No it isn’t.

Stop it!

CountryCousin · 06/10/2023 19:42

Ah, g’wan - you know you want to … Grin

Polis · 06/10/2023 19:45

I really, really don’t!

CountryCousin · 06/10/2023 19:45

I wouldn’t choose it myself, @Polis, as I like the front of a dress or shirt to be broken up, with buttons or whatever. But for anyone with longer hair or a more interesting face than I can claim - I guess it could look pretty good.

Lentilweaver · 06/10/2023 19:50

@Polis 😂😂😂

MysteryBelle · 06/10/2023 20:23

CountryCousin · 06/10/2023 08:04

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

This looks like a gnome in mourning.

MysteryBelle · 06/10/2023 20:24

CountryCousin · 06/10/2023 20:01

Not intended for OP - but sack dress perfection:

https://apresparis.it/collections/dresses-1/products/dark-grey-polyester-dress

(Don’t even care that it’s polyester. The back is sheer poetry.)

A troll doll in mourning.

CountryCousin · 06/10/2023 20:31

Oh - that’s interesting, @MysteryBelle - do you generally only perceive a garment in the context of the styled photo on a website / advert / editorial page?

Because while I can see the little grey beanie, etc, what I’m imagining is how the dress would look on me - without any extraneous styling.

lotusfruit · 06/10/2023 20:32

Just embrace it. Honestly most people don't give a flying fart about your body shape. Learn to be comfortable about yourself. You see so many morbidity obesr people nowadays and no-one bat's an eyelid. Wear what you like and what fits. Confidence is good looking, trying too hard isn't attractive. The cosmetically enhanced faces and contoured faces,arses tits etc draw mor attention rhan the normal bumps ans lumps. Personality is what shines through.

DarklySparkly · 06/10/2023 21:03

Just hopping on to say I read this as “How do I make sellotape look good?” Not entirely nuts as DH recently made a cast of my body in gaffa tape for a sculpture project so I think I’m a bit skewed in the fashion department 😂