Oh help! Evening dress required for small blob

[EllaView]

I have a formal evening do coming up and I have nothing to wear and absolutely no ideas.
i am under 5’, a booby apple with a hollow back and a belly. I wear a size 14 to accommodate my bust, and my waist, shoulders and hips are equal sizes. If I wear an empire line I look pregnant, wraps emphasise my belly. I would really like to find a structured dress like Adele used to wear, but don’t even know where to start. Is it even possible to make a blob on legs look elegant-or at the least like I belong at such an event?

Anything here?

https://sisterjane.com/collections/dresses

(Fabrics sometime questionable, but the proportions might work.)

The Sister Jane dresses don't look as though they're cut for someone who has to base their size on accommodating their bust. OP - what is your budget? Does the dress need to be floor-length? Any preferred (or hated) colours?

@WhatWillIWear i think some of the jacquard dresses might work! I’ll order one for sizing and see how I go. Thank you so much.

I know they're disliked on here, but Bombshell do very structured gowns which might work?

https://www.bombshellhq.com/collections/dresses

Some of their DuPont silks look gorgeous, @EmmaGrundyForPM

@HolidayAtNight floor length is preferred, but that leaves a huge number of options available for someone my height. Even a full-size midi dress would be an acceptable length on me. Budget up to £250 but, to be honest, would rather buy something pre-loved. I hate buying new clothes!

What do you think of this? ANAN GREEN OFF-SHOULDER MAXI DRESS - Heritage Clothings

It would likely need to be taken up but it's under budget so hopefully that would be ok. Love it/hate it/along the right lines?

Ooh, I love that so much! I just worry that I am too narrow of shoulder to pull it off. It would look AMAZING on my daughter!

That is such a beautiful colour @HolidayAtNight and I love how they showcase the dresses with the different size/shape of the models .

I was thinking along the lines of a modern version of an 1830s evening gown, and that one seemed to fit the bill. They were off the shoulder or just perched on the edges, with a narrower, structured waist and a large skirt, with voluminous sleeves. I think that silhouette could be worth trying - here are some examples and lots of the women have narrow shoulders and look good:

1830s-romantic-fashion-of-women-1830s.jpg (960×640) (wordpress.com)

71DckZ3Bc4L._AC_UF894,1000QL80.jpg (830×1000) (media-amazon.com)

IMG_02771-e1433085077821.jpg (1795×2317) (cuny.edu)

il_570xN.1787632479_ivpd.jpg (570×567) (etsystatic.com)

This is stunning.

https://www.karenmillen.com/petite-embellished-caddy-plunge-cape-sleeve-woven-midi-dress/BKK12780.html?color=105

@HolidayAtNight you have such a great eye. I think I will give that dress a go!

@Doseofreality it is lovely, but I would do it no justice at all, sadly.

My mother was a similar shape and we bought her an evening top and skirt in different sizes. Perhaps that’s what you should be looking for. Is Ann Harvey still in existence?

That’s a great idea @Rocknrollstar the mention of Ann Harvey makes me feel old though 😂That’s where my nan bought her going out clothes!

Would any of these work? Are there any good vintage clothes shops local to you?

[[https://www.etsy.com/uk/market/petite_formal_dress

House of CB do corseted dresses, and have some with a 'bigger bust' option

I hadn’t even thought of Etsy. Thanks @Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain

and there are some promising dresses in House of CB as well. Thanks @ranchdressing

Honestly-you are all amazing! I really appreciate you taking the time to help me.

If there is a good vintage clothes shop (or more) in your area, they're amazing. If you have time maybe research them. If you then need something altered afterwards this is handy too. I find it easier to try dresses on in person. I used to know (she's just sold up!) an amazing vintage clothes shop where I live. I could literally go in, say what I wanted and she'd have something which she knew would work with my figure. Florence of Florence & The Machine used to shop there.

Sadly, vintage shops are in very poor supply here. I can alter clothes, just need to find them first. I’ve just become used to wearing very unflattering baggy clothes.