How to dress for my body shape

[HoHoHoliday]

I need to find an outfit for a special occasion but I'm struggling to work out what to look for.

I have two areas of my body that I hate - my upper arms are really fat, and I have a sagging overhanging tummy (thanks menopause). The rest of me is not in bad shape really.

I can't wear trousers because my legs are around size 14-16 but then the waistband wouldn't fit around the overhanging tummy, or otherwise I would have a tummy outside of the trousers which would be hideous.

Similarly with tops or dresses, my upper body would be a size 14 but my huge arms then don't fit arm holes or sleeves, and if I go for bigger size to fit arms then the body part is too big.

Over the summer I've been defaulting to big baggy loose dresses but I look like I'm wearing a tent al the time.

I have a special occasion coming up that I desperately want to look and feel good for.

What sort of outfits could I look for to fit and disguise fat upper arms and an overhanging tummy, that isn't just a giant baggy tent style?

Spanx for the tummy / long sleeves for the arms?

This dress should work, the sleeves have enough body to not cling. The v neck and twist just below the neckline draws attention up from the stomach. The pleats also disguise ant problem https://www.debenhams.com/product/coast-plus-twist-front-v-neck-mesh-midi-dress-with-angel-sleeve_bcc07290?colour=cobalt

The art of dressing for an unusual body shape is to draw attention from the bits you don't like rather than trying to hide them. A really good necklace can really attract attention to your collar bone

I've got all the same issues- and I'm short, the dress GettingStuffed has linked to looks great.

@GettingStuffed Oh wow that dress is lovely and would be perfect but it's only size 24 and up. Hadn't thought of Debenhams though - will check out what else they have in same style. Thanks!

Spanx and similar hold-in pants, I've tried some but I find I either get so hot I sweat which ruins the "trying to look nice" effort, or a couple I've tried just gave me indigestion from being squashed.

Long sleeves - yes but that's the problem I've described. If I get big enough sleeves to fit then the rest of the dress is too big.

Those fluted sleeves in the link, I hadn't thought of, I will look up some more.

So are you saying you’ve had no success at all with buying for your largest measurement and having the rest of a garment tailored to fit?

Mass produced clothes simply don’t fit everyone. Countless people have to accustom themselves to taking almost everything to their local alterations service / seamstress / tailor. Obviously it costs money - but if it means you can buy what you like and be able to wear it with confidence it’s surely a worthwhile expense.

Find an alterations specialist in your area and buy the size that fits the largest area and get things tailored.

I'm not keen on angel sleeves like the blue dress. Blouson / balloon sleeves should have enough material. The Nobody's Child Starlight dress has generous sleeves and comes in loads of colours and fabric.

TherJoannie dress looks far more expensive than it is. There are other balloon sleeve dresses on the site.

On Klements, all the Dusk and Georgie dresses have fabulously generous sleeves.

I don't think any of these are tents.

Starlight dress
Joannie Brocade dress
Klements

I find that high rise jeans are great for a post C-section stomach. Have you tried them, do they work for you?