HELP! Christmas work-do outfit

[CutiePatooties]

Hey lovelies,

I’m 5ft4 and a size 18 - I hold all weight in my big, round belly but I also hate my arms!

I need something flattering, perhaps also something that highlights my better features (boobs are somehow still decent 😂) need to highlight cleavage and hide tummy. I have short, stumpy legs.

Christmas colours would be ideal - dark red, emerald green, gold - wouldn’t say no to a bit of sparkle.

I have no sense of style at all and always struggle to dress for my size so end up wearing baggy clothes to hide myself but end up looking frumpy. Would be nice to go there looking my best for a change. I have lost a stone already, so there’s a good chance I could get down to a 16 by the time this event takes place.

Would love links to any dresses you find!

T.I.A

It is October 12th

@CoconutQueen 😆

I’ve just paid for this today and then freaked out that I have no idea how to dress for it.

perhaps I should come back closer to the event?

Don’t hate me, but I feel bound to ask - if you genuinely have no sense of style why are you prescribing the best look for your party outfit? ‘Cleavage and a bit of sparkle’? There are other ways to look grown up and festive - would you not be interested in trying any of them?

@ProperDeep oh I don’t hate you at all! You’re absolutely right - I am open to other suggestions, I was just sharing what I would pick based on it being a Christmas party and the fact my boobs are the only thing that looks good on me 😂

Now you mention it, cleavage and sparkle really doesn’t sound great 😂 😂

HELP!!!

Does it have to be a dress? I'd go for a sparkly or sequin emerald green top, black skinny jeans or black palazzo pants, a nice clutch bag and some sparkly heels. Maybe an off the shoulder top so you get a glimpse of shoulder/clavicle.

Have you looked on Vinted? I just sold my last Xmas party dress today, so your not too early. Fatface was my go to at 18 and 20 not sure of your age I am early 50s so it might be too boring for you.

I've recently bought this for another party and a Christmas party.

@delilabell that looks beautiful and it’s a fab price - thank you so much!

@shakeitoffsis that sounds lovely. It might be worth trying on options like these, as I always choose dresses so do need to try and branch out, I think!

@Doggymummar I’m in my 30s but just checked their site and there are things I love on there. Thank you so much.

There are some nice and fairly affordable options on ASOS.

I always think velvet is a nice option for xmas, and wrap dresses tend to be quite flattering. This jumpsuit is nice too.

https://www.yoursclothing.co.uk/evans-navy-sequin-wrap-dress-p

https://www.yoursclothing.co.uk/yours-london-curve-black-glitter-notch-neck-skater-dress-p

https://www.yoursclothing.co.uk/double-wrap-sequin-drss-p

https://www.yoursclothing.co.uk/yours-london-curve-blue-satin-pleated-wrap-dress-p

https://www.yoursclothing.co.uk/yours-london-curve-purple-glitter-puff-sleeve-midi-dress-p

https://www.yoursclothing.co.uk/city-chic-black-jacquard-dress-p

https://www.yoursclothing.co.uk/city-chic-brown-opulent-dress-p

Yours have a huge selection in! Different price points too, may be worth a look.

I love this, you could wear it with black tights to make your legs look slimmer or just own them. Believe me, if you're wearing a stunning dress no-one is looking at your legs

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/navi-embellished-velvet-dress-purple-64053904.html

There really is no need. You didn’t need to post that. You could have missed the thread entirely given it seems to offend you.

Not everyone can afford to do everything for Christmas is December. Good for you if you can but I suspect you’re a minority. I for one can’t and have started shopping already. Our Christmas night out is in November. I have to plan and budget.

Are you similarly offended when a poster asks about spring clothing in February or Summer clothing in March?

I saw this site on another thread, and am mightily impressed:

https://www.sheike.com.au/

They deliver but I don’t know if there’s a UK stockist.

But closer to home - everything here is perfection (IMNVHO):

https://sisterjane.com/

(Both make clothes that will make a size 18 look incredibly cool.)

How about this OP?
CurveWow Wrap Maxi Dress Black & Silver Sparkle – Curvewow

I have a couple of dresses from this site and they are very flattering. I'm also a size 18.

This? I like Hope and Ivy for occasionwear - I am size 18-20 too, also with big boobs (and maybe I am classless but I would also go for cleavage and sparkle! If I was tall and slim with small boobs I would dress totally differently). I also love Mint Velvet.

https://hopeandivy.co.uk/collections/new-season/products/the-brittany

Anything like this? Didn’t see how old you are?

https://www.roman.co.uk/curve-lurex-Roman is your friend. The quality is amazing for thr price. Ive got some lovely peices from thrm sparkle-swing-dress-14176108

Strange comment. This is the time people are paying deposits etc so naturally they are going to be thinking about what to wear?

Have a look on Pretty Kitty Fashion - they have a lot of flattering 50s style dresses. I am a similar size and shape, and I have bought my Christmas party dress from there already! It's green velour and there are lot of Christmassy options with sleeves :)

Cheap clothing brand Cider has been chasing me round social media for a year or two and I finally gave in and ordered a couple of jumpsuits from them as 20% off and free delivery and returns.

One is horrendous: gold, almost plastic, was a bit drunk when ordering

the other: a velvet one is really nice and the quality is perfectly ok, it is extremely flattering on my currently massive belly and is long enough in the torso to not give me a horrendous hoof. I will be wearing over Christmas for sure

Oh the jumpsuit suggestion wouldn’t be great if you are self conscious about your arms, sorry!

This is gorgeous and would flatter your shape (speaking as a fellow apple!).

I got a control body in Next for last years Xmas do and it makes a huge difference to my shape under dresses.

https://liveunlimitedlondon.com/products/black-chiffon-burnout-spot-short-sleeve-midi-dress?variant=40553497231420
Last one as a size 18. Would cover your arms and skim over your stomach.

It’s not too early, I bought a skirt for mine today.

https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/skirts/dark-green-satin-pleated-midi-skirt/p/878651138

I will be wearing it with something more covering (I’m a 16), possibly a black velvet cowl neck top I have had for years and black sparkly heels. It hangs beautifully and no clinginess.