Fat, frumpy and fifty - outfit needed

[Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies]

I am, as the heading suggests, not stylish. Nor do I have any pretensions to good looks (I am a 5 on a good day)*. I wear Fat Face and Joules, just to show my completely boring middle class, middle aged vibe. I want a nice outfit for Christmas dinners, afternoon tea somewhere posh, Christmas Day, etc. And I want it to be a little bit wow.

I am 16 bottom half, but have large boobs, so sometimes need an 18 top if very fitted. 41+ shoes (wide). Budget around £200 for clothes and footwear.

No, I won’t attach photos.

I would be grateful for any help S&B can give me.

*I don’t care about this - I have a very nice life, and am actually very happy. My gifts just don’t include looks.

Once again, thanks everyone. I am going to try some jump suits/trousers, and get a 100 Stars kimono (I already have several of their scarves). This isn’t too far out of my comfort zone, so I think I’ll still feel relaxed. To be fair, once I get to any event I start chatting, and then completely forget what I’m wearing.

'I can’t wear heels, without appearing very, very drunk.' 😂😂😂Same, @Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies, same! Glad to hear I'm not alone! Good luck with the outfit, lots of fab suggestions!

It's a shame Bravissimo no longer do clothes. 😞 I love Izobel as it's usually generous enough up top to not have to size up.

I love this dress as it's low at the bust to flatter your boobs and the ribbon will give you the illusion of a waist. There are loads on the site though!
https://www.izabel.com/products/d165906

Do consider going somewhere like John Lewis and using their Personal Shopper facility. I find Phase Eight make flattering dresses.

How about this, not very expensive either

https://ie.boohoo.com/plus-mesh-sleeve-slinky-off-shoulder-jumpsuit/PZZ08642.html

Try looking at the Scamp and Dude website ...they have some lovely dresses and sizing really works on all shapes and sizes ...to get an idea of what things look like on "normal" people rather than models join the Facebook group scamp and duders as people often post pics of themselves wearing

https://www.toa.st/collections/womens-dresses/products/v-neck-garden-print-dress-toffee

I got this the other day and it’s lovely, so flattering. You’d have to wear some boots you already own!

also this,
https://www.toa.st/collections/womens-dresses/products/greta-harlequin-flower-print-dress-slate

both really flattering and comfortable

Popping back to say thank you to the OP for starting this thread, and everyone who's contributed. My Seasalt dress recommended by @rogdmum arrived this morning and it's lovely, I'm so pleased with it. The colours are gorgeous - I know black is flattering, but I love a bit of colour.

I've also got my eye on a couple of dresses from Onjenu which @verbalreason suggested. They look gorgeous, but they're quite expensive and with Christmas round the corner I can't splash out on another dress right now. Early next year, maybe!

I've recently bought this. Also early 50s and large. Have had a couple of dresses from here that I have been comfortable wearing and have attracted compliments.

A friend of mine bought that in a different colour. She isn't skinny and she looked fantastic in it. I love it in that colour too. Such a flattering dress.

I’m so pleased @morningtoncrescent62 - it’s really comfortable as well!

This was recommended on an earlier thread. I bought it and I love it. Comes up big so recommend sizing down. https://www.nobodyschild.com/black-floral-cord-starlight-midaxi-dress.html?queryID=738521298393543a58de4f67385a693c&objectID=50292&indexName=nc2-prod_uk_products

I rather like the muthahood dresses for occasion where you want to look posh but have room to eat sort of thing. I'd probably go for something like this one https://muthahoodgoods.com/products/flock-leopard-maxi-dress?pr_prod_strat=use_description&pr_rec_id=423cf9198&pr_rec_pid=8745024880960&pr_ref_pid=6650751909991&pr_seq=uniform

I did try their 'shimmer star maxi dress' because I wanted some sparkle, but I didn't really like the amount of gold stars.
So I went a different route and bought this https://www.diskokids.co.uk/products/ladies-stretch-jumpsuit-black-rainbow? and I'm way fatter than you and 49. But I thought fuck it. I having that.

Sosandar has really good collection by the way

I have to laugh because I was going to suggest this before I even read you like FatFace! I have bought it, I'm 5'7 and a size 18. It's really lovely on, and has elastication under the bust to hold it in.

https://www.fatface.com/women/clothing/dresses/victoria-floral-midi-dress/981660.html?dwvar_981660_color=MULTICOL

@morningtoncrescent62 glad you like them! I’ve also picked up a couple of onjenu dresses on eBay — they seem to come up quite often.

I wore this to a wedding recently and felt great in it. A black blazer from Next over the top but you could brighten it up easily as it has so many colours in it.

Joanna Hope Printed Batwing Midi Dress | J D Williams

Where is the dress from please? Link not working for me.

Kemi Telford has amazing huge wide skirts and dresses. I have one of her skirts and it is so beautiful and I can sail along like a galleon. I am also fat and fifty something and have decided sailing along like a galleon and taking up space is the best bet. I definitely feel less frumpy! Skirt is elasticated and very comfortable too.

Love that dress @ChocoChocoLatte
I have a wedding next year and may buy it for that, so thank you.

@Rina66 it was fabulous. Covered all and so comfortable. I wore it with tights and a pair of 'TOMS' ankle boots. Too cold for shoes lol

If you're alarmed by lipstick, try these from Mac m.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/14766/83067/products/makeup/lips/lip-care-primer/glow-play-lip-balm?shade=Rouge_Awakening
It's a lip balm but with a good slug of pigment and look both natural-ish and much better than your actual lips. Sheer colour works really well but doesn't last forever (like lip balm) so needs reapplying, which means you don't get the weird edge you get with a red lipstick. Good lip balm, too.

@Rina66 was that the Kew or Richmond shop? Mary Portas shops have some great buys …especially in affluent areas 🙂

Love this thread lots of good ideas on here …

The one in Station Approach Richmond @ilovebrie8

Thanks @Rina66 🙂

I came on to say Scamp and Dude! Flatters so many shapes and ages! But it's a very slippery slope one one is never enough!!!!