Wedding guest - I've been an ostrich - please help

[ADress]

I've had ages, but I'd hoped to lose more weight so I've had my head in the sand and now I've run out of time! Ideally I wouldn't spend money of a new dress or accessories, but I can do if it will make me feel really good.

I'm 5'3, size 16, mid forties, and with a lumpy tummy as a particular problem.

The only dress I have at home as an option is the navy pattered one. It fits and is nice and forgiving around the middle. Plus I like that the worst of my upper arms are slightly covered. But I don't think the length is the most flattering. What do you think of it?

For comparison, the white patterned dress is a Phase Eight which I was helped to find on here a few years ago when I'd lost weight. It doesn't do up any more so it's not an option but I'm sharing the photo for comparison of the different length dress. I feel like the length is better, but the under bust band style could be a bit too maternity at the moment and I'd prefer my arms covered.

Please let me have your kind thoughts and suggestions. Any new ideas would need to come from somewhere who will deliver quickly like Next or John Lewis.

Now I need a handbag. I don't mind buying one (£within reason) but it would have to come from Next so it would be delivered tomorrow. Or anywhere else with 100% next day delivery.

Any suggestions please? Or even pointers on colour? Could I go bold with such neutral shoes? The neutral ones I have are really boring and the silver doesn't go with anything.

Also someone said fascinators are dated, and I hate hats, I get hot and my hair goes flat, so I'm not going to do anything there. (Unless fascinators are ok? I have tons in the loft!)

That pink one is very pretty on you!

Oh nooooo? Really? Thank you, I think. I just felt it was a bit wishy washy.

@Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain Sorry, the Whistles one would be a bit too much money, even if it was fabulous. I doubt I'll go to another wedding before my own kids', so just can't justify the money. Thank you for the suggestion though.

Bags - they usually say to either pick out the colours in the dress, so I've gone with pink or yellow clutches. My trump card though, and only because I love the colour and shape, is the orange citrus fruit one, orange goes well, I think anyway to match with navy:

[[//Buy Navy Clutch Bag With Detachable Cross-Body Chain from the Next UK online shop

[[//Buy Orange Fruit Clutch from the Next UK online shop

[[Buy Accessorize Pink Suedette Clip Frame Clutch Bag from the Next UK online shop

[[//Buy Joe Browns Pink Floral Corsage Vintage Frame Clutch Bag from the Next UK online shop

[[//Buy Accessorize Yellow Floral Beaded Clip Frame Bag from the Next UK online shop

[[//Buy Dune London Yellow Koining Large Turlock Purse from the Next UK online shop

Look out for it in the sales, they often have good sales and you might get lucky . I rarely buy Whistles full price either.

Good choice@ADress .I really like that hem on you though I'm not usually a fan of fancy hems
Pretty colours too when seen in close up.
Go you!!

I just thought it looked cute. Actually on second viewing the dress you've picked is better.

Have you thought about someone doing an updo for your hair, even a French plait? I've done this last year.

You look lovely! A million times better than those first two pictures.

Well done OP! It's totally fine to stay in your lane with what you're comfortable with, nothing at all wrong with that. You look lovely, that dress shows you have nice arms, shapely calves and ankles and you go in at the waist.

I'm not great at bag advice as I don't have many. I'd either go with the one in the top left of the picture as it's the closest match to the shoes, or I'd match one of the colours in the dress.

A dark pink clutch bag may be good for picking out the colour of the flowers on that dress

Leah Ward Women's Faux Suede Leather Clutch Bag Wedding Party Evening Purse Handbags (Fuchsia): Amazon.co.uk: Fashion

And you could do the shoes
Ajvani Womens Ladies mid Heel peep Toe Buckle Ankle Strap Party Strappy Sandal - Fuchsia Suede - 5 UK: Amazon.co.uk: Fashion

Agree that fascinators are horrible but a flower hair pin might be nice
5pcs Bohemian Flower Hair Clips, Artificial Tropical Flower Hairpin for Seaside Holiday, Wedding Party Bridal Hair Accessories, Hawaiian Hibiscus Flower Orchid Hairpin for Women and Girls : Amazon.co.uk: Beauty

I am not obsessed with amazon by the way - just do not know how long you have left before the wedding!

I also think the pink one looks lovely on you. Out of that and no1 I’d be keeping the pink one for work. It’s the Next sale one, isn’t it?

It’s lovely and I do like the dipped hem! where did you get it from?

OP said she’d prefer Next as they do next day delivery.

@Mummyoflittledragon i agree with you, the pink dress is a keeper, if not for the wedding definitely for work and even more so if in sale.

@Bignanna It's this one www.johnlewis.com/mela-london-floral-print-wrap-midi-dress/navy/p6434862?size=16#product

I'm sorry I'm so boggled by dresses, I can't remember if that one was kindly suggested or just one I found.

@ADress I agree the pink dress really suits you. I think possibly because the shoes look best with that option. The navy one you've decided on is nice too. Just go with the beige bag on top left, yes it's a little boring but it's inoffensive, a good match for the shoes and (most importantly) free as you already own it... If you're going to buy a new bag for future occasions it's best to get something you really like and will get a lot of use out of, rather than a last minute impulse buy for one specific occasion/outfit. I've learned that the hard way (my wardrobe is full of crappy £40 bags in various colours!)

@innerdesign That's exactly what I did through the wedding years of my 20s! But most of them have now fallen apart. Good shout to make sure I choose something I like and can use again, if I buy a new one.

@Mummyoflittledragon Yes, the pink one was from Next, thank you for suggestions. WHO KNEW the Next website had a clearance section? I've got the delivery pass mainly for last minute panics with DC, and when I use the app on my tablet the 'clearance' on the menu bar is off the right hand side. I've never seen it before 🤦‍♀️

I've had some good bargains from the Next clearance section and now you link to the dress you're going with it is really nice.

I'm almost tempted by it myself as I like a nice wrap midi dress.

@Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain Thank you very much for linking all of those bags. Did you see there was also a lime one like the orange? I am very tempted by both, but realistically they're a bit too unconventional for me.

@Breadcat24 Thank you for the links. Fuchsia is also a good shout for a handbag. I like the idea of hairpin flowers, that's a lovely way of at least doing something.

Oh I'd go with unconventional! I did see the lime one. Carry it as a conversation starter.

You’re welcome @ADress . Sorry the others didn’t fit. I’ve been buying from Next Clearance for years. Also have the delivery pass. Some great bargains…

I love the blue dress that you are going for. It really suits you!
I feel like a sunflower yellow clutch would look nice with it.

Whatever you decide ditch the ankle strap shoes.

So, I'm also 52 , shopping for a wedding, I'm. Curious, are fascinators dated? What should I wear instead? A proper hat? Advice greatly received! I'm so it is the loop fashionwise!

Fascinators have always been awful. Don’t go near one.

Very few wear hats now either. At the last wedding we went to (a relatively posh do), I noticed the only people wearing hats were old women.