4 hours in central London to find perfect outfit. What? Where? Help!

[CheeryPenisBeaker]

Fashion emergency!! Any advice much appreciated. I have four hours in central London on Friday to find the perfect 'bridesmaids' dress for a winter wedding. It needs to be black and not sleeveless. I am in my late forties, 5'4, size 14, apple-shaped. I'm not into anything too flouncy or fussy, but I don't want to be frumpy. I'd prefer it not to be long. I'd consider a lovely trouser suit, but I'd like to take the jacket off (for dancing!), and all the suits seem to be styled with sleeveless or tummy-clinging tops, which I refuse to do! I also love the look of jumpsuits but have never found one that works with my apple shape. It's my brother's wedding, so I can go up to a max of £350. I'd be so grateful for any outfit suggestions and also recommendations of the shops/department stores I can hit in central London as I'd rather try stuff on than buy online. Where should the older, tummy-blessed, flounce-adverse bridesmaid go to find a frock?

I have a morning shopping today, first in ages. I'm going to start at the top of Marylebone high street and end up at Selfridges which is kind of at the bottom of the road (with a small detour). In Selfridges, ignore the designer floor (I think 2nd) and go for the 3rd or you'll get disappointed that every dress is £1000s.

Marylebone High St has Sézane, Maje, me & Em, all sorts of great shops.

Some of these suggestions are pretty dire.
Oxford street is pretty run down and doesn’t have much to offer these days.
A Uniqlo suit for a bridesmaid at a wedding??
Its very hard to find occasion wear in person, with such a limited time window I would order several things online to try, pay for next day delivery and then if you need to make tweaks to the outfit you can.
Personally I don’t think I could spend 4 hours in town these days and come away with a special occasion outfit guaranteed.

I'd do it online I think if it was me. But if you're set on a physical shopping experience I agree that Marylebone High Street down to Selfridges is a good route, and I'd add a visit to Liberty too (bypassing all the Oxford Street shops).

Jo Brown has just brought out a fabulous cerise velvet trouser suit and M&S has got a teal one..not sure about black though. If you are on Insta have a look at Dressed to the Max. Maxine is shorter than you and apple shaped. She always looks fabulous and definitely not frumpy. Good luck with your shopping. I agree about the John Lewis suggestion by the way 👍

10 years ago the trawl from Oxford Circus to Bond St on the north side of the road would have been perfect as you would have had JL, HoF and Debenhams one of which would have had something.
Now, I think Covent Garden might be your best bet.
Selfridges might give you some good ideas but your budget might be a bit low for some of their options so, whilst you're in a massive shop, you're ruling out half of it before you even start.
Also, and I realise time is tight, I think it will be at least a week before shops start getting all of their Xmas party stock in and that might be the ranges you are looking for

Oh, and whilst the M&S teal suit is fabulous in the advert, as a fellow size 14, 5'4" apple, it didn't look anything like as good on me

You could consider going to Westfield at White City - it has branches of several of the shops PP have mentioned. To go on to Bloomsbury you could then get the central line to Holborn.
Also, it might be worth looking at Monsoon.

You could consider going to Westfield at White City - it has branches of several of the shops PP have mentioned. To go on to Bloomsbury you could then get the central line to Holborn.
Also, it might be worth looking at Monsoon.

Oxford Street is fine as long as you avoid Oxford Circus. I would agree with the recommendations for Marylebone High Street, but keep going until you hit Oxford Street by Selfridges. You can then do Selfridges or JL if you want, or cross straight over the road by Bond St tube and cut the corner to get to Regent St. I would then personally cross Regent St and go to Liberty's, but there's also plenty on Regent St which might be worth a look.

Alternatively, for a central London branch of John Lewis my personal preference is Peter Jones, which then also gives you the King's Road as a further option for e.g. Maje,Me + Em, Jigsaw etc.

I would do the Marylebone down to Selfridges and Liberty as suggested. You still might need to do an online search but at least you would have a ruled out loads of things.

I am a similar shape and have to wear suits for work, I find jigsaw often has the best tailoring. Also try Hobbs and Reiss. It can be worth sizing up on the trousers if you want to take the jacket off to give more of a "tummy skimming rather than clinging" look. Me + Em is lovely but a suit will be over budget. They do very nice non-flouncy dresses that could be an option

There are even more shops at Marylebone than I remembered! But they're all pretty high end and the op's budget is £350. I'm wondering if @JadedFilly's and @sangriaandsunshine's Covent Garden suggestion might work better as there's more of a mix.

In truth, if it’s a ‘winter wedding’ you’ve got time. So why not just use the London trip to browse in a leisurely fashion - and then do the proper choosing online, unpressured, with a better idea of what you like? You’ll be able to consider a much wider range of shops, and take advantage of sales and discounts.

You could even rent, having seen some options in person.

https://www.elle.com/uk/fashion/g29187954/rent-dress/

Oxford St is depressing, but John Lewis is not!

Liberty is also v good for clothes choice, better than Selfridges, IMO.

And it is possible to nip from JL to Liberty without needing emotional support.

Also easy walking distance to Marylebone if the big stores don’t deliver.

(M&S have some excellent trouser suits atm)

Off to Oxford St to a particular destination I have visited many times this year 😂

Would this one that MN is promoting from Nobody's Child interest you?

Black Black Balloon Sleeve Zora Midi Dress (nobodyschild.com)

The quality of much of the clothing in M&S is not very good. It looks great on the website but when you see it in the flesh it's rather disappointing. Just returned a load without even trying some of it on.

However, their branded clothing such as Jaeger, Nobody's Child is good value for money so worth a look.

Last time I was in JL it was a bit boring.

I'd do Marylebone High Street or Covent Garden (and Liberty). Go for a look-see and then order online.

@CheeryPenisBeaker I’m large busted and have a bit of a tum. Norma Kamali is one of my go-to brands. Fabulous fabrics and a great price point for a special occasion. I have more than one of these in different colours - I had the front adjusted by a seamstress so I can wear a bra underneath without it showing. worn with a bit of shape wear it does look lovely. This one might be a lovely choice for a winter wedding.

www.mytheresa.com/gb/en/women/norma-kamali-obie-lame-gown-blue-p00947620

I'd book a personal shopping appointment at one of the large department stores with your brief. They can filter and present you with a short list which would save time.

Oh that's lovely! I will definitely check it out!

I really love the look of this but big sleeves make me look like a ball!

Good call. I really like the idea of renting so will check out places. Thank you.

I ended up buying it. I need to stay off this board 😂

Thanks for all the great ideas, everyone. I started at JL in Oxford Street and immediately found a silky jumpsuit and a dress I loved. I didn't buy either because it was too soon. I walked up to Marleybone High Street, which I would never have found if you hadn't mentioned it. I went in and out of everywhere - there were lots of lovely things but nothing quite right. I had a v nice lunch, then nipped back to JL and bought the jumpsuit and the dress. I'll try them on again and home with shoes etc and decide then. Thank you for your help - you're the best!