Oh god I have to go to a really dressy event and I'm a potato

[Anansisu]

Does anyone have any suggestions for what a 5' tall size 16 woman could wear to a fancy evening awards thing? I am really struggling! Budget of up to £500 ish. Don't really do heels but could manage a bit of a heel I guess. Would prefer something a bit interesting/ edgy as am hoping the outfit can look good/ fashionable even if the wearer is a weeble.

Just to second Bombshell.
I am the same size as you and have bought a couple of outfits from there. They're so flattering and you can make them more edgy with nice accessories

[[https://www.needsnolabel.com/products/silver-plisse-tie-front-midi-dress%0A%0Awww.neverfullydressed.com/products/sequin-jem-dress-petite?variant=40290536226893%0A%0Awww.neverfullydressed.com/collections/midi-dresses/products/black-sequin-lila-shirt-dress%0A%0Awww.neverfullydressed.com/collections/petite-dresses/products/black-sequin-jem-dress-petite www.needsnolabel.com/products/silver-plisse-tie-front-midi-dress

www.neverfullydressed.com/products/sequin-jem-dress-petite?variant=40290536226893

www.neverfullydressed.com/collections/midi-dresses/products/black-sequin-lila-shirt-dress

www.neverfullydressed.com/collections/petite-dresses/products/black-sequin-jem-dress-petite]]

https://www.neverfullydressed.com/collections/petite-dresses/products/silver-plisse-midi-dress-petite

@Anansisu Dimly I forgot to attach the link. It a lot less than your budget & I haven't ordered from them so I can tell you about the quality but if you scroll through there is are models for two sizes wearing the dress - It calls it a mother of the bride dress but I think equally an evening gown

https://www.jjshouse.com/a-line-v-neck-asymmetrical-satin-mother-of-the-bride-dress-with-bow-008269027-g269027?pos=your_recent_history_1

This dress is really ornate, it will take focus off your body.
https://www.monsoon.co.uk/elena-embellished-maxi-dress-black-64632201.html

What body shape are you?

example: Pear (bottom heavy), Apple (middle heavy), Lollypop (top heavy), Hourglass (balanced) as this makes the biggest difference (not height/weight) when suggestion styles.

I think I am quite pear shaped but have quite a tummy as well - just not as big as my arse.

book personal stylist at John Lewis. It’s free and most of the people they style are not 20s twigs ha.
my daughters a JL stylist and styling people for this sort of event is common. The only issue with JL is a lot of the ranges they stock only go up to a 16/18, you should be fine tho
they do have bigger sizes too but much more limited .

Try Sole Bliss for shoes. They are the only ones I have managed to wear and be comfortable in.

Esska Charlies are great- I am not a heels person and happily wore them all day and evening at a wedding recently with no discomfort whatsoever. Amazing.

Dawn French often seems to wear items that have a central focus so you don't look too closely at the edges if that makes sense!

E.g. https://images.app.goo.gl/H7ccn7MSfXpVKzVt7

I just looked at this dress five minutes ago (before reading this thread) and thought if only I had somewhere fancy to go.

It's a stunning dress

https://www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/gathered-butterfly-sleeve-dress/

Not necessarily this specific dress, but something in a dark colour with a statement decoration in the middle can look good and draws attention to the centre (and away from the edges). Combined with good accessories and a low heel, would that work?

The one that Scirocco has just shared looks perfect! The green sequin one is lovely too but not sure it's Baftas'y? Might just be how it's styled on that website though.

Yep - Scirocco;s NIssa dress is fabulous. Lengthening, flattering, BAFTA-y - love it.

If you want something a bit different, how about something like this from Jigsaw (can be worn unbelted) with some silver Russell and Bromley platform ankle boots?

I love the dress @Anansisu linked to.

I think the other Wolf&Badger butterfly sleeve one might be far too long if you are 5' and look like dressy up clothes but that metallic green one is fab.

That's lovely but may be tricky to shorten.

Try Scamp and Dude. Universally flattering to all

https://scampanddude.com/products/black-sequin-midi-dress-with-puff-sleeve-and-v-shaped-back?variant=42720415776947&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAzJOtBhALEiwAtwj8tpg2-kYm-svlr6q1Uf0MtfOjFAO5pQdZrvY7d2Ovw054OSMMJik8ahoCxLcQAvD_BwE

https://scampanddude.com/products/green-sequin-short-dress-with-puff-sleeves-and-v-shaped-back?_pos=2&_sid=0bff8dd2a&_ss=r

Google "Louise Pentland Baftas" and you'll see 2 gowns she wore on a plus size frame that looked amazing. One was a sequined wrap maxi and the other a dress from Phase8 that had chiffon or meshy sparkly overlay.

Both looked beautiful and very flattering.

If you have a Chesca shop near you, it may be worth going in and asking them for help. They have some really lovely clothes for the frankly dumpy. They also have a sale going on just at the moment!

https://www.lilysilk.com/uk/lilysilk-x-natasha-draped-silk-midi-dress.html#color=1894 I got this in green and have recommended it so many times to others - material is lovely and fit is comfortable.

https://www.karenmillen.com/tall-baroque-applique-woven-maxi-dress--/BKK15758.html

How exciting! I’d go totally over the top and get something fully sequinned:

https://shopfumbalinas.com/collections/sequins/products/lilac-and-mesh-sequin-kaftan-maxi-gown

https://www.isolated-heroes.com/collections/dresses/products/midnight-black-frida-sequin-maxi-dress

I would channel Judy dench, in wide trousers and kimono, she is so stylish