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.

Perfect disharmony 😂

The last two are due to be delivered this evening, but I won't get a chance to try them on until tomorrow evening. I'll be back again!

https://www.coastfashion.com/product/yumi-green-frill-wrap-dress-with-tassel-detail_p-b6693066-7674-43ac-b810-ba8a8fcce509?colour=Green

They both look nice but agree v neck and colourful is better. What about this one from Coast?

1b

5

4 or 5
very similar

There’s a very similar, but nicer version on the Yours site!

I think so too, you look lovely. The shoes suit you too.

6b is great.

4 and 5 look great

6 looks nice but unsure of shape on waist

I love this, I wish I wasn't skint (lol)

1 is nice too

Honestly @ADress you look so much better and more confident in these dresses you’ve posted recently. You’re standing much better 😊

My verdict by number:

1 frumpy and ageing.

2 too short. Not nice. Colour doesn’t suit you.

3 really suits you and is a good fit / length. Good colour in you. It isn’t that special though and I would keep it even if you don’t wear it to the wedding.

4 I don’t like the hanky hem. It draws attention too much to the legs.

5 is ok but not that special and looks a bit big on you. If you feel comfortable in it, this would be fine to wear to the wedding and far better than your current navy dress your first post.

6b looks good. It is more special than the others. Is there room in it to go down a size to emphasise your waist? The shoes are wrong for this dress. Because it’s quite long I’d say a closed to shoe might be better as they’ll give you a more elongated appearance. I would try it with the plum ones even if they don’t ‘match’. It’s fine these days to wear a navy dress with plum shoes etc.

4 most definitely

I think 3 is the stand out winner. It's a great fit on you and isn't insipid floral or safe plain.
More interesting. More stylish.

I like the look of 3 and I also think 6b looks perfect for a wedding, it has the tie waist too and I like how it comes down sighter longer at the back.
The colours and pattern is very nice too.
I had a nightmare finding a dress fro a wedding recently, having put on a few pounds over the last couple of years.
I am 5f 10in and I find that the dresses I like the look of always comes up too short on me.
Bit of a reversal, but I feel your pain.

3 and 6 are my fave!
I like 3 as it’s a bit different

3 looks fine, but it looks like the kind of thing my mum would dig out of her wardrobe for a wedding. She's 60 - at mid-forties that dress ages OP, and the shoes don't go with it at all.

Going against the grain, I love the first one and find the second one really frumpy and 'boring wedding guest' choice. Can you wear interesting accessories and just ditch the stress of finding something new?

1b 2 4 5 @ADress no particular order

Don't like any of the new ones they all look quite frumpy to me. But pick one you feel comfortable and nice looking in.

I think the navy one is very unflattering and does nothing for you. It looks frumpy. The white one is much more flattering and the neckline and colours really suit you.

Is that one of the OP's choices? If it is, it's far and away the best.

I know it's all subjective but the last set of photos are variations on a theme of a not very nice dress. I particularly dislike the dipped hem versions.