Plus size special dress

[Bouledeneige]

Any recommendations of online stores to try? I've become an expert deliveries roundabout returning clothes that don't fit or suit me.

I have a very special occasion coming up and I'm looking for a gorgeous midi dress. Happy to spend the money for something flattering - not completely black preferably - as it's very draining on my skin tone. Greens, blues, purples or gold good tones for me. Not red or orange or yellow tones.

I'm not keen on the 50s looks. I'm an apple so better something that's not trying to nip in to my non-existent waist. Maybe something flowy, boho, patterned. Can go up to £1k for something really special.

Any leads?

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm busy researching.....

I thought I'd link this site. Not sure any of the shapes are good for me...

uk.camilla.com/collections/dresses-kaftans-all/products/00027127-button-dress-with-shaped-waistband-porcelain-dream

The one you’ve linked has an Alemais look to it, which is a high compliment - most of the others are a bit meh to me, @Bouledeneige.

(I am not supposed to say this, I know - but if I wanted to spend £1k on a frock I would find a way to fit into one from:

https://ceciliebahnsen.com/collections/dresses

Maybe book a private consultation and beg her to add a little extra stretch …)

This is the one I'd like to fit in .... but I might be kidding myself on what the shape you look like on mate. As my DD would say it's spenny....

www.ladoublej.com/en/ready-to-wear/our-categories/dresses/magnifico-midi-dress-the-nile-placee-black-DRE0612SIL001NIL01BL01.html

Don't know what happened on that post. I meant I might be kidding myself on what the shape would look like on me

The only thing that worries me about that dress @Bouledeneige is that you can wear it either way? That's surely not going to be a great fit if that's the case and for that price I think you want something that fits well.

Why not order it and see? (Unless you’ve already tried La Double J sizing to no avail.)

I might be able to get away with this Cos dress. I have a few since the cut is usually generous.

www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/dresses/product.scarf-detail-maxi-dress-grey.1223749002.html

To be fair I have ordered the Double J after much umming and aaahing. But I suspect it's going to be too tight over the chest. So annoying.

I was half wondering whether to find a dressmaker who could make a copy upsized by a few inches in silk.

I am a 16-18 apple. That first dress you posted is one that for me could go either way and I would need to try it on. In my case, I have large breasts but quite narrow shoulders so it all depends on whether the dress lands up being bulky on top or actually flows nicely from shoulders, over boobs and then skips tummy. Impossible to tell online because they never show women like me!!

I do have a cheapo Roman dress in a similar style that weirdly looked ok when I bought it but now needs a belt. I have probably gainez/lost weight in some key spot between purchasing it a couple of years ago and today!

The cos one is also good but would also be "see in person" thing for me.

I find fennwright manson larger sizes work for me often BUT probably not funky enough for you.

What about 100 stars? What do people think of this?

www.theluxecompany.co.uk/for-her-c2/clothing-c34/acer-green-pleat-dress-p6337

Probably easier to buy the dress a size up and find a dressmaker to alter it to fit.

I am trying to think of some suggestion outside of the usual suspects.

Tallulah and Hope dresses are beautiful and some of the range is in size 18 with adjustable wrap fits. Anthropologie do a limited plus sized range now too.

The Outnet does have size 18/20 with some real gems if you have to the time to trawl through the rubbish. Ralph Lauren also have a plus sized range online.

I have a few One Hundred Stars dresses, the Rachel dress is the most flattering especially if you belt it in.

If you are busty, I think this would just be a tent.

I have a lovely Rachel dress but I didn't belt it and it did look a bit bulky....

I have this Rachel dress. It's beautiful fabric but worn to a similar event to the one I want the dress for.

https://onehundredstars.co.uk/collections/dresses/products/acerreddracheldresss

BangingOn I'm just in the process of returning a Tallulah and Hope dress. They are beautiful but the style wasn't right in me. It was also floor length and very long which wasn't right for me.

@Bouledeneige that’s a shame that T&H wasn’t right.

I really like the Rachel dresses with a stretchy skinny metallic belt, it adds shape without bulk.

I will check the Outnet and Ralph Lauren and maybe order a Rixo and see how it goes.

Which 100 stars Rachel Dresses do you have? Which is your favourite?

Can I recommend you use some of the budget to get your colours done? If you find the best colours for your skin tone even a cheap dress will look amazing on you. I used house of colour but there are other options.
People can be broken down into two skin tones - warm or cool. Warm skin tones suit yellow toned warm colours and cool skin tones suit blue toned cool colours.
I noticed with interest you mentioned blues / purples / gold - in the world of colours blue and purple tend to be cool colours and go with silver rather than gold as gold is a warm colour.
when I wear the colours which best suit my skin tone people always tell me I look good that day.

I know beige plus has already been suggested. Something like this perhaps? They also have it in an 18 in black. https://www.beigeplus.com/curvy-plus-size-clothing/types/plus-size-dresses/piero-moretti-gardenia-print-silk-dress-lilac

Would this be suitable?
you mention very special event…
https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/product/dima-ayad/clothing/gowns/layered-crepe-and-metallic-chiffon-gown/1647597298932286

Oh wow, those sleeves! I don't quite know what to say

It's obvious from those you've linked you've got a style and type you like. Which is a win,and half the battle! So as cliche as it sounds you've then just got to own it and be confident. If something fits,how it looks is how that person walks in it lol. So it fits,you like, go for it and it will then just look bloody amazing.
My friend had a dress similar. She ws going to a Jamaican wedding. Ans on the hanger I was like eèek. But she loved it,put it on and the sass in my friend just meant she looked glowing.