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!

That dress is lovely @TheCurious0range

Do it @Powderblue1 , or go full on stunning hat. There's not many places where you can really dress up in a stunning outfit, but this is one.

Have a look at jjs house.
They make to measure.
Have some really good styles to choose from. Perfect for a one off event. I got an outfit for a wedding from there.

Joanie have some lovely 'garden party' dresses and go up to a size 26.
Just wish I had an excuse to wear one of them!

Etsy sell loads of fascinators and dome sellers will Taylor them to your colour scheme.

Love the suggestions, everyone, thank you so much.

Yes, I'm definitely a flats kind of person, but thankfully able to stand for long periods and deal with a lot of walking.

I haven't had my official invitation yet, but it doesn't sound like a hat/fascinator is required, which is a relief for me. I have BIG hair and hats really don't suit me.

This would be lovely in either colourway - if you feel its a bit low cut then a silk cami in a toning colour underneath would look good https://rixolondon.com/products/tania-miami-floral-emerald
Their marigold and camelia styles also look lovely

I hired a hat when we went but I’ve bought fascinators from Light in a Box for other occasions. There are loads on eBay too.

Really good of you to go OP, hope Charles appreciates the effort and have a lovely time

The garden parties are literally held so that the royal family can say thank you to people who give so much to the community, so I'd say he does appreciate the OP, or she wouldn't have been invited.

Have fun! And have fun dressing up too.

I would choose wisely with colour and go for a mid to darkish green gardeny colour, plain or with a medium sized pattern.
I would choose hat, shoes and handbag of brighter or lighter colour, or natural straw.

Dark trouser suit with pale blouse.

Aww congratulations in being invited, I went in 2019, when it was the queen
and it was such a good day
the feeling when the gates open and you go in
and all the tourists are looking at you, and everyone else going in
I didn’t wear a hat or fascinator as cousin find one I really liked
the typical a week later I saw one that would have been perfect in a crap cheap shop
quite a lot of women didn’t wear them

the food is great
and a tip is stand round near the bottom of the steps early, then you can get in the front row

Dresses Spring-Summer 2019 Marina Rinaldi

some lovely dresses from long to short all sorts of prints and price points.

Pleated georgette dress, olive green | Marina Rinaldi

it's a dedicated plus sized brand.

Thanks for this link, just ordered a dress for a upcoming wedding!

If you look on YouTube there are lots of videos of Buckingham Palace garden parties - might be helpful to watch, and you can see the different styles worn. Have a wonderful time!

Considering the information you have given - and I am not judging - I think you would be wise to go to an independent shop and try on some outfits rather than shopping online. I appreciate that the cost would be higher for more slightly exclusive clothing but you have stated that you are prepared to spend a bit more than usual for such a special occasion.
Perhaps think along the lines of 'Mother of the Bride styling'. Whatever you decide to wear, I hope you have a fabulous day 😊

That green silk thing someone linked to is just awful, please don't!!

I like this one which would do you for lots of other occasions too. https://www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-collection-8-willma-floral-dress-multi/p113044435

Or this style from the Pretty Dress Company which comes in loads of colours https://www.theprettydresscompany.com/sale-c16/the-pretty-dress-company-hourglass-swing-dress-p288#attribute%5B1%5D=124

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/arabella-print-trousers-101490079.html#navAjax=true&imageType=model&is=true&sz=60&start=60&cgid=suits-separates&isSecondPage=false&pid=101490079&pos=87
this co ord set is lovely and has arms covered, great pattern

I have wide feet anyway and had an injury which made one foot swell up, and got shoes from here. They are not the most exciting but they come in many widths and have removable insoles and a width measuring guide.

That Arabella combo from Phase Eight looks like a badly wrapped parcel even on the gorgeous model who has been primped and fussed with and only worn it for a photo shoot! I can only imagine what it might look like after wearing it for a day on a hopefully very sunny day

I'm the same size and shape as you. I find not-tight jumpsuits fabulous - easy to dress up too.

I think it’s lovely but it looks like pyjamas and is more appropriate for holiday wear than a royal garden party.

@MyDeftDuck- you would really prefer a local shop (assuming you don’t live in Mayfair) to the whole of Net-a-Porter (and other similar sites) at your fingertips?

(Anyone selling ‘Mother of the bride’ outfits is a tasteless rip off merchant. The OP would do well to avoid any such establishment.)

I love the pink one so pretty!