School reunion- looking for an outfit!

[Badabingy]

I have a school reunion coming up in a few weeks. I haven’t seen some of them for years. I have put on weight since having children and am dreading it. The rest of my friends have mostly stayed pretty slim, I feel like I’m the one people will be commenting on as having changed the most (and not for the best!).

Please can anyone recommend something to wear. I’m 5.2’’, so fairly short, and am a size 14 ish (big boobs, big tummy, rest of me is ok!). Nearing 50. If possible looking fashionable, classy but not too try hard! I was thinking a denim dress, bought one from scamp and dude but it looked awful in- really heavy, too long and bulky. Happy to spend up to say £150 on a dress or outfit.

would love thoughts and suggestions.

thank you.

I feel your pain…I had a 40th reunion recently which I couldn’t go to, and honestly was glad to miss the clothes dilemma!

You might find some tips for dressing a larger bust on this thread ( sorry don’t know how to do a link) : Wedding guest outfit for short, fat woman.

I have a large bust and similar height, am renovating and improving my wardrobe. One tip I’ve picked up is to de- emphasise the bust, wear darker colour on top with a V neck, lighter/ patterned trousers or skirt. (this does assume of course that you’re comfortable in a v neck - which October to May, I am NOT!)

Also at the moment I’m playing around with keeping my clothes very simple and adding the style and interest with fancier shoes, jewellery etc. A chunkier necklace apparently helps balance the bust out a bit.

I wouldn’t think a denim dress would be your best choice, perhaps something which skims the figure? Have you looked at wrap dresses?

Definitely look for a v neck wrap dress in a light material.

https://www.johnlewis.com/scarlett-jo-verity-blue-ikat-gown-dress-blue/p110352537

https://www.johnlewis.com/scarlett-jo-verity-wrap-maxi-dress-green-ikat/p111747052

https://www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-nadine-floral-midi-dress-multi/p111524054

https://www.johnlewis.com/closet-london-kimono-twist-dress-copper/p110891870

I like all of those especially the Closet London one…

Is it a day or evening occasion?

Oh thank you, good suggestions. I like the Closet one too, but they might be a bit too formal (I have a garden party in June though that I think they would be great for). It’s a daytime thing, looking round the school and having lunch, so quite informal. I guess I’d just like to not feel frumpy.