Moderately festive dress for a size 18

[TeaNights]

Hi all. I've put on a lot of weight in the last few years and now everything seems to look rubbish on me. I don't have a great fashion sense but when I googled what looks good on overweight people I just don't like the recommendations as they mostly show clothes that accentuate your curves or bulges (e.g. very short, tight tops). Which is perfectly fine but not what I'm looking for. I'm very much pear shaped. Big bum and thighs but these days I've got quite a big tummy as well.

I have got a few Christmas events coming up and am looking for a dress I can wear to several of them. My requirements:

1. Comfortable And something i can wear with flat shoes or boots
2. Not too quirky or extravagant. If I can wear it for casual outings or work as well that would be perfect.
3. Not too short (ideally around the knees or just above them) but also not floor length.
4. No sleeveless (any length of sleeve is ok)
5. Neckline not too deep
6. Available online but with easy return option

I know it's a long list of requirements but ive seen magic being done on this board before... Budget is about £50 but could go slightly higher.

Thank you for your help!!

My boots look a lot like this

DREAM PAIRS Women's Mid Calf Winter Snow Boots Shorty Fashion Lined Boots https://amzn.eu/d/921pP50

Do you live near any of the stores to be able to return them in person?

Would be easier to return them to a store , if there is one near you, but unless they are faulty, you can only exchange or have the value put on a Roman card, to use when shopping online. You don’t get your money refunded

https://little-lies.com/products/sweet-jane-merlot-crushed-mini I’m apple shaped and have to be careful with length or I can look a bit silly and this one is great.

If they were bought online they legally have to accept returns and provide a refund… I think

Well, they told me that unless it was faulty, I could only exchange it or have the refund value put on their card. I don’t know any other firm that handles refunds like that. Perhaps I should ask Trading standards?
update - Just looked at Citizen’s Advice-apparently, legally they do not have to give you a refund, unless its faulty. Most do though.

They do give refunds but they deduct £3, however I don't know if they deduct £3 per item.

Check out Melissa Murrell on Insta (daily posts) and tube (biweekly lengthy videos). She is a personal stylist, but features all shapes and sizes, and normal clothes for casual wardrobes (some cane be more expensive but most aren't).

I found her about 8 months ago, transformed my wardrobe completely and lost two stone as I am now excited about how I look in clothes which has motivated me to look better nd take better care of me. Life changing!

Love the dresses you have chosen you need nice footware though https://www.boohoo.com/low-block-heel-patent-shoe-boots/FZZ32072-105-16.html?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAu8W6BhC-ARIsACEQoDAdHHoqaFSBOt1PJ71PQBUMmpSp5kVzdTnCd4gYCYkxDaP6kM-60p4aAgkAEALw_wcB
Not expensive, not high but more dressy than every day boots?

Thanks. I have shoes very similar to this but they aren't very comfortable and I want to be super comfortable. I used to wear heels but now I just can't be bothered.

Did you buy it online?

https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/i-want-to-return-something-bought-online-aqsD32m9r5P3

Sahara is for you surely?

Yes, and returned it to the shop. I do this with Yours and M&S, and I’m refunded , no problem.

@daphneorvelma - following your example, I bought that dress online from Seasalt, in size 18, tall. Unfortunately, it doesn't look very good on me, I look like several scoops of green ice-cream on top of each other in it. I think high heels (which I don't wear these days because my old body can't take them) would probably help a lot with it! BUT at the same time I saw this: www.seasaltcornwall.com/glass-stem-sparkly-knitted-party-midi-dress and bought it in 18 regular as they didn't have the tall fit - it looks absolutely amazing on me and I love it and feel lovely and festive in it, even though it's bascially brown with a bit of shimmer! (Moral of the story, however tall I may feel, I am merely regular!)
Anyway, thank you for sending me in that direction, and Merry Christmas!

@Jaichangecentfoisdenom how tall are you please did you buy your usual dress size or size up and what sort of footwear are you going to wear with it please? Also do you think it might be flattering on a larger tall lady or not?

Final question is the fabric at all itchy or overly warm or ok?

@Rasputin123 - I'm not sure which dress you're referring to, so I'll answer for both!

I'm 5'7 and am trying to lose, currently gaining and hovering round the 98k mark. This is the first time I've bought from Seasalt and the size 18 fits fine for both dresses, maybe slightly large for the green velvet, comfortable for the brown shimmery one. I usually buy "tall" from other companies which is why I chose it for the green velvet one but given how well the "regular" brown shimmery one fits, I would go for that size again with Seasalt. As I said, I am surprised at how good I look in the brown shimmery one and think the taller you are, the better it would look!

I'm afraid I am no style guru and go for comfort over elegance, so I'll just be wearing my comfortable flat black pumps with both of them. Were I younger and in less pain, I would definitely be getting some plain black heels to go with them both!

The fabric is not itchy at all in either case, it's very nice to the touch. I live in a somewhat warmer climate than England and am a bit worried that either of the dresses might be too hot for Christmas Day, depending on what the weather does (it might be 22ºC and sunny, or it could be 18ºC and rainy) but I'd be happily wearing them (not at the same time) if I were in England for Christmas.

Oh, just one more thing (à la Columbo!), @Rasputin123. The glass-stem sparkly dress reminds me (in a good way) of the time when I was young and slim and had an hour-glass figure, if that is any help to you!