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.

I can't thank you all enough for the comments. I've always been terrible with clothes, colours, shapes, everything. I hate clothes. (WFH has been a godsend). Even when I had lost weight and went to a personal shopper it was pretty much a waste of time because I'm too short and too round. I always play safe and even when I spend money, I'm invariably disappointed.

One thing I struggle with for dresses is that I am SO short in the body, the waist doesn't tend to sit properly. I'd forgotten, but I'd actually had the white dress altered to reduce the shoulder height to fit better.

I'm still working my way through the suggested dresses and crossing my fingers. Looks like I'm spoilt for choice with Scarlett & Jo but I may be too short and my boobs not big enough for it not to gap. I'll try though!

OMG! Can you even move in that? I'd get horrendous chub rub.

Might have to order it just to try it on though!

There are lots of lovely size 16 midi dresses around.

OP that length is no good and I'd be going for longer sleeves too.

This is petite maxi.

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Thanks! Shouting perfectly ok. Only another 10kg to lose. Again 😢

And most of it is firmly sticking to my tummy.

Hi, I agree that you need some kind of sleeve and you want to avoid a seam going around your waist. Have a look at next at the brand Adriana Papel. Really good for avoiding centre seems.

Okay, so this has a centre scene, but it’s much softer and wouldn’t cling also like the sleeves

You can. Honestly. You step into it and pull it up!

as for chub rub, I buy cream meant for cyclists in Decathlon or Amazon

This?

https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/3993929246-smart-blue-ruched-waist-dress

Definitely the white sleeveless one. It’s a good shape on you and more flattering.

I'm 65. I might at a pinch, if I had no other choice wear the white one but not with the shoes. The blue is dreary. It might be slightly improved with pointy flats.

It's all subjective but honestly that's so dull.

The navy one looks smart and fits well but you're too young for it. You could still wear it and glam it up with jewellery, hair and makeup. I like the shoes.

Most definitely the white one. You look super and it's much more flattering for your shape. Have a lovely time!

I love the navy one. I'm a similar shape and would wear that.

Second this.

You are doing yourself a disfavour!!! But there are some lovely suggestions on here.

OP you need to look at petite dresses with V neck and some sort of sleeves.

I swear by this Nobody’s child dress. The cut is SUPER flattering with V neck, tummy hiding and the puff sleeves to hide the biggest part of your arms. I would recommend going a size down (size 14) to really cinch your waist as this is quite a relax fit. Dress it up with some strappy sandals and statement earrings!

https://www.johnlewis.com/nobodys-child-petite-starlight-puff-sleeve-midaxi-dress-blue/p111905000

Oops just saw that they’ve updated the fit, so stick to your usual size available here:

https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/petite-blue-linen-blend-starlight-midi-dress?queryID=d5f923fba5c7b584f51af9a6502cfba5

The white one is lovely.

I’ll get absolutely flamed for this but there is some god awful advice here and people are either being disingenuous saying you look super or they have some crap style themselves. You need someone to be honest ….

Please god no cardigan or bolero, that’s so 2006 and you’re not ancient. But if you want to look like a frumpy granny go for it.
the navy dress is better , the white dress is like you’re dressing as an 80 year old.

go for a long sleeve wrap dress. Nothing short or knee length.

Look on silkfred and filter wedding guest dresses.

How much doesn't the second one fit? Could you take it to a local tailor or seamstress and have it altered? Cheaper than a new dress and like other people have commented, looks lovely on you.

That I REALLY like! Shame I have no events to attend. Saying that, I just bought the dress in th3 photo but I’m worried it’s the same length on me as the dress you’ve linked and I have to wear compression stockings for lipodaema and it doesn’t look great having knacking big Velcro straps showing! 😢

Look on silkfred and filter wedding guest dresses

Well that contains 2 items I recommend avoiding.

The navy dress is terrible. The white one is a bit better. The shoes should be binned.

My advice would be to look at the websites of Liberty, Harvey Nick's, Net a Porter, Coggles, Matches, MyTheresa, etc and set the filter to your maximum budget.

Avoid any filter with the word "wedding guest"

I’d go for the white one

This thread is an exercise in reading comprehension.

The white dress does not fit.
OP cannot wear it.

She can either wear the navy dress ( please don't) or buy a new dress.