Buckingham Palace garden party, plus-size apple shape. Help!

[goingtostealatoiletroll]

I'm in the very lucky position to be invited to one of the King's garden parties in the summer and I'm already panicking about what to wear.

I am a UK size 22-24, with an apple shaped body thanks to a hormone condition. I have a B-belly with a distinct upper bit and lower bit, and not much of a waist. Big boobs, much smaller legs by proportion.

I don't often have cause to dress up and have no idea where to even start looking. Most of my clothes come from ASOS, Primark and supermarkets...

I will also need to wear flats and have extra, extra wide feet, so could do with some tips on the kind of shoes that would be appropriate to wear. And where the hell do people buy fascinators/ hats??

Thanks!

What about a dressy trouser suit? You could wear flats with it . If you want a dress, try Scarlett and Jo. I got my fascinator off Amazon. Claire’s accessor have them, or you could wear a flower slide. J D Williams have a good selection, Debenhams, Wallis, Yours.

@goingtostealatoiletroll If you give a specific budget people will know which shops to suggest (and which to avoid).

How do you intend to shop - online or in store, new or pre-owned? (From what I’ve seen it’s far more difficult to find a decent choice of clothes to rent for plus size - but it’s possible, and may make more sense if one has a low budget or little likelihood of wearing the outfit again.)

Thank you @ANagsHead

I do want to treat myself (which I never do!) so would be happy with something in the hundreds, maybe up to £500. I think I'd go for new over pre-loved, though I hadn't considered renting at all. It will probably be ordering online.

Either of these?

That makes things straightforward!

Can you wear black to garden parties? This has a great shape and looks good from front and back:

Ganni dress

This is very pretty, and probably extra flattering if worn with some shape wear:

Reformation dress

This is glorious. (Don’t know your height but it’s the sort of cut that could easily be shortened above the hem section, if necessary.):

Marina Rinaldi dress

As you have some time it would be worthwhile to keep an eye on these brands as new things come in. The dresses I’ve linked are only examples of their ranges, so look at the full sites. (For the first two you need to search ‘Extended sizes’) Given your healthy budget I’d anticipate you’ll find something at Marina Rinaldi - particularly since they specialise in plus size clothes so will cut generously everywhere.

I would recommend Ulla Popken, Simply Be, JD Williams and Yours. Marina Rinaldi is a great range to look at. I buy MR from Vinted and there can be a good choice on eBay as well.

Thank you so much for the brand suggestions. I love the style of the Scarlett and Jo dress, though the colours aren't really for me.

I've never heard of Marina Rinaldi before and have fallen in love with this, but far too pricey! Pleated georgette dress, pink | Marina Rinaldi

Oh, and I'm fairly tall at 5'8

Firstly - Congratulations !
It is such a lovely day, but there is a LOT of standing about and a lot of walking (to get there, unless you are in a position to get a taxi I suppose).

so definitely start with finding something comfortable to stand in all day.

I like the two dresses @Thewalrusandthecarpenter linked to.

@ANagsHead - no rule about not wearing black, but people don't tend to - much more of a 'lighter' (often) floral look, or pastels.

If this went into the sales …

MR green silk

The much more expensive one you like might also go into the sales - but still be unaffordable! Essentially though, the sensible thing would be to buy something you can see yourself keeping to wear a million times in the future.

Have you looked at all the Scarlett and Jo dresses, there are many different styles and colours? Plus, try Jolie Moi

I'm heading there next, @Bignanna :)

This is so pretty too, but think I'd prefer my arms covered without needing an extra layer: Magnus Dress Es

Don't forget it might be raining or chilly. Don't get a hat that will collapse if it gets a bit wet, and think about taking a light wrap/shawl/pashmina if your dress is very light.

We were lucky enough to go last year and part of the fun was choosing what to wear. Enjoy!

I think you are sensible to want to wear flats. There is a lot of walking and standing around and on the day we went unfortunately it was raining and I would have sunk into the grass had I been wearing heels (I chose low block heels which were fine).

I didn’t see a lot of women wearing black but trouser suits were fine. A hat or fascinator isn’t compulsory but they are fun. Be prepared for the fact it may rain or be cold and have a plan for this. I looked like a drowned rat by the end of the day even with an umbrella and I was a bit cold!

I went for a red maxi dress from Rixa which I got from Vinted and had black accessories.

We got to meet William, Mike Tindall and Zara when we went and they did spend a decent amount of time chatting but the quid pro quo is that means you are waiting for a long time before you see them - they have a stream of charming equerries acting as “fluffers” but we were in the line up for well over an hour beforehand in the pouring rain.

Phase Eight has some lovely occasion wear that goes up to a size 26 :-

I think the Olivia Jacket with any of the dresses would be perfect.

https://www.phase-eight.com/plus-size/occasionwear/?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=928098715&cq_term=plus%20size%20occasion%20dresses&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&cq_plt=gp&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=928098715&utm_content=174356752779&utm_term=plus%20size%20occasion%20dresses&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADumyC_Y7OuGqZGMhj5h5aMzg104s&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI08_x7eqgjAMVWphQBh3_xhxJEAAYASAAEgLYLfD_BwE#sp=[sessionstorage]

Wasn’t sure about the Magnus dress from Reformation. It is pretty, but, as you say, one needs sleeves if you’re not wearing another layer. And the length might be a nuisance for a walking type of day.

So at least now we know you have a taste for chiffon flounces and pleats!

I think they do have arrangements for people who can't stand for too long. A friend's parents went some years ago and her mother was able to sit down when she needed to.

Trousers with a long tunic over can be very flattering.

There are a few chairs, but you are talking about 50 odd chairs, for about 6000 people, so you do find they will be snapped up by people who do really need them.

We went a couple of years ago and though we did ‘dress up’, there were lots who really went for it - plenty of variety, so I wouldn’t say anyone would feel out of place, but if I knew in advance I would really have embraced it and gone all-out on the outfit, and a fabulous hat if that’s your thing.

Enjoy it!

Ha ha @goingtostealatoiletroll - I've just clocked your user name

They genuinely are the poshest portaloos you could ever imagine coming across

I've been to a garden party, and a couple of other royal events (work, awards etc) I wore this after it was recommended here and the material drapes beautifully. I was a year PP with DS and a size 18 and I'm 5'9 and I felt lovely. I wore tan leather peep toe wedges but you could easily wear flats. It comes in loads of colours and prints and you can accessorize it with a fascinator etc

ETA the fit is generous and the material has stretch, I was top end size 18 and had to order the 16 after the 18 was too big

https://prettykittyfashion.co.uk/products/dark-green-floral-cap-sleeve-crossover-v-neck-wrap-top-swing-dress

I think this would work. It comes in 6 colours.
The lacy neckline will dreaw attention from your stomach area.https://www.monsoon.co.uk/monica-lace-midi-dress-green-20000040140.html

i got my dress for a BP event from phase 8 in JL . Flats from M and S as there is a LOT of standing / walking , if you’re wanting heels then it has to be wedges so you don’t sink in the garden . I wore a hat too - hired .

it’s a lovely event as long as it doesn’t rain !

Sorry can’t help on the dress but I’m going this summer too. Congratulations!

I’m wearing a lovely dress I already own but I’m thinking of buying a thin mac type jacket to wear over it just incase it’s not very warm. Also not sure if I’ll do a fascinator or not- I’m undecided

I've bought headwear from Light In The Box. Their hats are surprisingly good quality given the price.

I love the Reformation (polka dot) dress suggested by ANagsHead.