Wedding guest dress when you are a bit old, bit grumpy, more than a bit overweight?

[Jynxed]

I have two important weddings to attend this year, and whilst I have no illusions that anyone will be looking at me, I don’t want to let the family down. Can anyone recommend a stylish and hopefully flattering dress for a short (159 cms / 5ft2) plump (size 16, 3-baby post meno belly ) nearly 60 year old. Would like to cover up as much as possible! Cloak of invisibility would be my personal choice! 😁
That should read frumpy rather than grumpy, but both possibly true!

Thank you so much everyone for taking the time to help me 😊. To answer a few questions, my budget is up to £200, and both weddings are smart and formal - one in the south of France in May, and one in the Uk in August. My style is . . . Charity Shop. I think clothes generally look awful on me, so I hate shopping. Being short I get easily swamped, and the cut is often not good for me, as knee length is calf length, neck lines are too low etc. My worst point is my big belly, and my best point is good boobs. I don’t like anything too bold as I don’t want to draw attention to myself. But at the same time I would love to look decent for once!

I'm the same height, slightly older and a 14 or 16. I'd look at Sister Jane, Jasper Conran and Klements.

[If budget wasn't a consideration I'd buy this dress and jacket.
Egg Amy dress
Egg Norbu Jacket ]

Something like this would be great for a summer wedding. It’s not too puffy but floaty enough. Is it your style?

I'm wondering if a wrap dress might be nice? To draw focus on the boobs.

Ah @Chocolate85 snap! 😁

Is the French one a French bride/groom/guests, or is it a destination wedding?

I think the orange Amy dress would emphasise my big belly and lack of height unfortunately - and I don’t have the style to carry it off. I do really like the Roman floral one. I also saw this one recommended elsewhere what do you think? www.phase-eight.com/product/petite-julissa-frill-wrap-dress-222085840.html

The French wedding is French / Spanish / Argentinian. Very stylish wealthy people 😩

I’m obviously missing something - to me they are all the most unflattering ugly dresses…diorrhea brown with weird sacking texture, boring dark navy long shapeless sack and washed-out oversized Victorian mental institute nightie…They don’t even look good in the models! I wouldn’t wear them to the corner shop let alone a significant wedding. And £400? Good grief.

Op I’m a similar shape to you and my recent searches have lead me to Ralph Lauren plus sizes which are classic and nicely cut (if a bit dull); or Mint Velvet; or Religion has some flattering flare dresses if you can find something not too hideously tie-dyed. There are always the MOB stalwarts like Phase Eight or Monsoon. The Pretty Dress Company is another one with plenty of choice for flattering cuts for less than perfect figures.

Are you comfortable showing your arms?

It's quite hard to know, from the info you've given, what actual styles you like 😁 I've given a few options below that might help you get started (or to rule things out, at least!):

Nobody's Child printed floral Starlight dress

Jigsaw botanic-print linen dress

Mango pink floral shirtdress

FarmRio printed sundress

Boden Anna linen midi dress with puffed sleeves

Boden red pleated sleeveless dress with bow

Coast satin ruffle dress in chartreuse

You might think some of these are inappropriate given what you know about level of formality/guest demographic etc, or just in terms of what you like, but at least it might help you start sorting the wheat from the chaff, as it were!

Go to a large Phase 8 shop wearing good undies and let them help you - they will have loads to fit you and you can see what suits you best, and they always have all the shoes/accessories to match so its easy if you struggle to shop

I like that best in the purple. Depends on your colouring though.

Ahh then I suspect there will be quite a lot of printed/patterned silk midi and maxi dresses.

The petite Abbi wrap dress in the deep pink is lovely too (Phase 8).

Because I've lived with myself for many years as a round 5' tall person & I know what suits me. I would look like a Flump. Nice to look at something different though.

I'd really recommend looking for a petite fit dress OP. As you've already suggested, it's not just the length that's the issue of you are shorter, it's the whole fit of something.

I know Next isn't exactly groundbreaking for the latest fashion, but they do offer a good range of petite fit clothes so you might find something you like here: https://www.next.co.uk/shop/gender-women-category-dresses/sizetype-petite-use-occasionwear

This wouldn't do a thing for me as I'd be pulling the wrap over my boobs all the time but more importantly, I would never choose a pale plain pastel for an event as it's so unforgiving. Any tiny stain will show, as will creases and sweat, and you'll need the perfect nude underwear. Hence I pretty much always go for a print or pattern now, or a dark block colour - it's just one less thing to worry about!

I really like this, plain simple, well cut but it's too big for me. I reckon it would fit a 16 great.

Might be too expensive to take a chance on though.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/267216233457?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=MtrPUA8PQdC&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=MtrPUA8PQdC&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Urgh awful link, sorry

There are loads of petite as in short fitting dresses in next directory at the moment.
They have lots of brands that do larger size petite fittings that are hard to get in store such as Hobbs, phase eight etc
I'm same size and height as you and ordered loads to try on in the comfort of my own home.
If you have a next directory account you don't have to pay up front so makes it easier to order several to try and return what you don't want without tying up any money.

I think this is rather fabulous and would suit a society wedding.

.Green maxi with cape

Whilst it's all subjective I'd cry and refuse to leave the house if I were forced to wear that Phase Eight dress.

I have that dress in navy blue. I’m 50 and fat (was size 24 at the time of buying). I am also short with good boobs and a hideous fat belly. It really suited me and I think I looked fucking fantastic.

https://www.hurrcollective.com/edits/wedding-guest-outfits?

Rent a fabulous designer dress or two from the Hurr collective.

Isn't it interesting how we all have a different approach to trying to help the OP.