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!

What about wide leg trousers with a 3/4 length coat type combo?

Don't bother going to a John Lewis stylist appointment, although this could be just my local store, but I went to 2 last year, one with my mum, one with my mil, both very different colouring and style, they brought out the same dresses, and all we're only from Phase Eight or Hobbs, DM even said she'd seen a particular Ted Baker that fit the bill which she was not shown, mil ended up browsing the shop herself after to look at anything in other brands!

I wore the Lindy bop Marianne dress to my daughter’s wedding in a pale blue it cost around £50. I liked it so much I wore an emerald green one to my middle daughters wedding!

Empire line may work.

Have a look at Poetry. They do a silk dress in a different print each year. My mum wore one to my brother's wedding and looked fab.

https://joanieclothing.com/victoria-floral-damask-balloon-sleeve-midaxi-dress-clay.html?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19740813301&gbraid=0AAAAApXnhh5zIrzwcVNyhBrRGYBHtDogG&sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=259955&awc=18442_1745274244_112aa09b57dbe9e79c02744ebc6b22c2&utm_source=AWIN&utm_medium=Genie+Shopping+CSS&utm_campaign=259955#136=34

This is so chic https://www.jigsaw-online.com/products/draped-tie-detail-dress-navy?_gl=114ipaxv_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2ZfABhDBARIsAHFTxGz37uv3rGmQAf0nZDMZuCZhfdRLW30iUodIx-LLT_mN_85uHMpPiWkaApq9EALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAAD4Q9mSukcfuAMm67iKLH9R1xpUEY

Such a nice dress. The green version is lovely too.

It's like a tattie picking dress 😂

Indeed 😂

www.phase-eight.com/product/petite-elaina-blue-wide-leg-jumpsuit-221594418.html#isShoeProduct=false&navAjax=true&is=true&cgid=jumpsuits&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&prefn1=fit&prefv1=Petite&prefn2=size&prefv2=16&pid=221594418&pos=3

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/petite-dana-dress-10001120409.html#cgid=petite-occasionwear&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=10001120409&pos=7

Yes! This or any of the others. A more plain dress is good because you can wear it later for less formal things too. But if that's what you pick, then be sure to add some sparkle. Diamond-ish earrings/necklace or hair ornament, glittery shows or shimmery over-the-shoulder wrap. Or all of the above. Enjoy!

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/petite-nita-dress-10007960106.html#cgid=petite-occasionwear&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=10007960106&pos=19

www.phase-eight.com/product/petite-amaris-dress-10002850000.html#cgid=petite-occasionwear&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=10002850000&pos=9

It is but I've never seen anyone ever wear anything like some of those dresses that were first linked to at a wedding or any kind of event. They're possibly ok for a protest march but that's it.

How do you like this one from Phase 8 on Next?
https://www.next.co.uk/style/su593472/f13997#f13997

I find searching on Next is very easy (look for petite) and they have a lot of different brands.

I'm your height and similar shape (also grumpy and same sort of age range) and oh, do I miss Debenhams for the concessions! Though John Lewis is a good shout.

Brands I've found flattering over the years include Precis Petite and Minuet, Kaliko, Phase Eight, Alexon, Elvi, some Monsoon, some Roman, Italian and Spanish cut clothes, and I have a lovely black dress from Bassini that takes two dress sizes off me. I'm a jewel winter and once I realised that and stuck to that palette it made a world of difference.

Mostly I find myself shopping on Vinted these days as current styles are so awful, they make me look like I've escaped from Little House on the Prairie or something. Plus some of those labels have been discontinued.

Good luck and enjoy the wedding.

You might find something you like here:
https://www.scarlettandjo.com/collections/plus-size-midi-dresses?filter.v.availability=1&filter.v.option.size=16&sort_by=created-descending

Something like this? The waist is a bit higher and pleats can be camouflage!

https://www.jjshouse.com/a-line-v-neck-ankle-length-chiffon-evening-dress-with-crystal-brooch-pleated-017308040-g308040#/

OP I think the wrap one you chose yourself is the best

Could you go for something like this? or similar?

I'd be tempted to bin the shapewear, it's hot and really uncomfortable and if you're already grumpy then 14 hours in a stranglesuit isn't going to help. I'm a similar shape and anything wrap or empire related is disastrous for me.

I'd go for something like this in a beautiful fabric, but a solid colour as I'm not a fan of prints, bold lipstick, and big on the bangles.

I like that @GoldDuster. Elegant shape and just understated enough, I think. Also good advice re shapewear!

No, they wouldn't be my immediate thought @Foolsgold74, but I think it's good to get a range of ideas, if they broadly correspond to the OP's stated brief - sometimes it's as helpful to rule stuff out as to rule it in, as it were.

Sweaty shapewear and a jumpsuit won't work for trips to the toilet. The tattie picking outfit, I'm not sure.Nor the esaped from an institution look either.The man the barricades look, perhaps not so good either.
Jigsaw is the winner!

I like these two - personally I don't usually go for reds but I think that first one is a nice style. The polka dot one is really nice - I do like a halter neck.