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Can anyone find me a dress that is flattering?

69 replies

Tootired1 · 19/04/2024 21:35

I have a wedding to attend next month and having spent ages sorting dresses, suits shirts, shoes for children and hubby, I’m struggling to find a dress for myself. I’m 49, 5ft 7 and a size 16 with a pale complexion. I really want to find a dress that disguises my large tummy. I’m trying to find a midi length dress preferably with a v neck although not essential and short sleeves-sleeves are important. I avoid very pale colours as they tend to make me look very washed out and I tend to go for plain dresses as some of the patterned, floral styles I’ve bought in the past have made me look quite frumpy. I love floral patterns just struggle picking the right ones. I’m on a budget of up to approx £75 and would love a dress that makes me feel good and ideally one I can wear again. If you have any ideas of where I can find a flattering dress that does not draw attention to my tummy please let me know. I really want to look forward to the wedding and to stop stressing over finding a dress. Please help!

OP posts:
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TheWorldisGoingMad · 30/04/2024 09:11

This is a beautiful dress. I wasn't looking for a dress but this is a must. It makes me happy just looking at it. 🤣
Thank you

JumpstartMondays · 30/04/2024 09:16

https://www.johnlewis.com/jolie-moi-danika-keyhole-floral-mesh-midi-dress-purple/purple/p6372816 Jolie Moi dresses are gorgeous and very forgiving.

Illpickthatup · 30/04/2024 09:23

TheWorldisGoingMad · 30/04/2024 09:11

This is a beautiful dress. I wasn't looking for a dress but this is a must. It makes me happy just looking at it. 🤣
Thank you

It's it just. And an absolute bargain. It comes in a pale blue colour as well but the yellow is definitely my favourite.

NCprivatelife · 30/04/2024 09:34

In case you don't already know about them, Joanie are my go to as a size 16 woman with a tum for beautiful dresses that are anything but frumpy! Quick selection of possible wedding-suitable ones:

https://joanieclothing.com/alice-embroidered-square-neck-midi-dress-orange.html This one available in orange or cobalt - bit of a hippy/summer holiday vibe though, so for a wedding you might prefer...

https://joanieclothing.com/priya-dahlia-floral-print-puff-sleeve-midi-dress.html
Again a range of prints to choose from - I personally don't like the neckline but i've seen it on large-busted ladies on the 'gram looking amazing... the dahlia or the green print meet your 'bright colours' spec. They also have the dahlia print in a v neck style: https://joanieclothing.com/thea-dahlia-floral-print-jersey-midaxi-dress.html

https://joanieclothing.com/georgia-floral-deckchair-print-square-neck-dress.html love this one but maybe a bit dowdy for your 'bright colours' spec

Something completely different but a bit special: https://joanieclothing.com/natural-history-museum-x-joanie-savannah-meteorite-print-wrap-dress.html Although I'd buy a couple of sizes in the wrap style as I (round of tum) find them to be a bit exacting!

Their stuff is almost invariably well made and accommodating of the fuller figure, bright beautiful and unique! they also now do shoes 😍would recommend to a friend! (and no they're not paying me I'm just obsessed :P)

Alice Embroidered Square Neck Midi Dress - Orange

Meet your new favourite transitional midi! The Alice Dress is crafted from soft and breathable cotton in a striking orange hue and features contrasting cutwork embroidery on the sleeves, centre-front, and around the hem, a square neckline, floaty sleev...

https://joanieclothing.com/alice-embroidered-square-neck-midi-dress-orange.html

nodogz · 30/04/2024 10:11

I'd search for Molby the label second hand. Universally flattering and not at all frumpy. People will ask you where it's from and they are generally very admired at all sizes and very rewearable.

For flattering I've had some success with onjenu but they are not natural fibres (again second hand) or Anthropologie sales (you'll need to try on direct rather than second hand as they can fit weird but I've had some lovely stuff)

Investinmyself · 01/05/2024 14:12

I have this. It fits well everywhere except the belt needs extra holes adding as I have gained weight on middle in peri and have an apron so maybe not best if carrying weight in middle. Took months to come too so no good for event coming up soon.

RobinEllacotStrike · 01/05/2024 18:27

Investinmyself · 01/05/2024 14:12

I have this. It fits well everywhere except the belt needs extra holes adding as I have gained weight on middle in peri and have an apron so maybe not best if carrying weight in middle. Took months to come too so no good for event coming up soon.

I think if you buy now they are "in stock" so come much quicker.
I would have loved this dress but I am way too big in the bust for their more fitted dresses. I do love their clothies and business model - I have a few pieces now. I have this shirred dress in dark green and everytime I've worn it random strangers have given me compliments inclusing this morning in the gym!

https://thisisunfolded.com/products/collection-9-sam-shirred-puff-sleeve-dress-dark-green

Sam - Shirred Puff Sleeve Dress - Dark Green

The Sam dress might just be the ultimate sustainable dress for spring - at least that’s what the amazing Unfolded community members told us when they joined us for in-person feedback sessions! At our London event, it was the piece that everyone said th...

https://thisisunfolded.com/products/collection-9-sam-shirred-puff-sleeve-dress-dark-green

Shufflebumnessie · 18/05/2024 16:18

If you're still looking, I bought this dress for a wedding last year.

https://www.roman.co.uk/floral-print-shirred-waist-maxi-dress-14347909

I'm 5'6", size 14, pale skin, don't suit pale colours and very conscious of my tummy. It was really flattering and comfortable, and I got lots of compliments.

I teamed it with with this shrug (tied at the front) to cover my arms and it complimented it perfectly.
https://www.apricotonline.co.uk/popcorn-knit-shrug/11131-Cream.html

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