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!

Some of these are truly awful

Yes, some of them are truly awful, but I don't think we're referring to the same ones.

Apuntob is an Italian brand. This dress is similar. The one below is 100% linen. The one linked to is 20% linen , 80% cotton (and very badly presented)
Apuntob

I don't have any Apuntob as it's a bit too utilitarian for me but the material and drape is usually lovely. It wouldn't be my choice but I'd take Apuntob (although not the one linked) over several of the other suggestions.

I made an appoinment with a JL stylist when DD was 6 months old for an outfit for her christening. It was awful, the stylists suggestion was black jeans and a sparkly top. For a church christening.

I wasnt even that big.

Hear me out. Please go to a bridal shop that sells mother of the bride/wedding guest dresses. They stock such a huge range of dresses and have contacts for seamstresses for alterations. I’m not saying buy a mother of the bride dress but go and look at the wedding guest dresses, it’ll be worth it.

One Hundred Stars has some lovely stuff but annoyingly doesn’t do a petite range.

If your choice is some of voluminous Amishwear that’s been suggested then probably not.

It's so easy to criticise other posters' suggestions without making any alternative suggestions yourself isn't it?

I suppose you managed at least to refer to 3 mainstream sites albeit with no specific suggestions which is better than several others did.

It’s certainly easy to criticise the predictable suggestions for the voluminous Amishwear that often crop up on S&B, yes - especially when the poster is has already said she’s looking for something that won’t swamp her petite frame.

The 3 sites and the empire line dress style or palazzo trousers I suggested seem more in keeping with the style that the OP linked to.

Saw this when I was looking for something else and thought of you, OP. Could be in completely wrong ballpark
https://www.johnlewis.com/yumi-ikat-skirt-t-shirt-dress-black/p113182249

I like your pink Phase 8 dress OP. Have you tried it on? A friend who is shorter than you & a similar age swears by Boden petite - says proportions are very good. This is probably too look at me for you but I like it www.boden.com/products/lola-broderie-maxi-dress-camelia-pink

I don't think the answer is a dress. Silk slim length trousers with a heel under them. A neat, neutral top and a floaty below the knee length, unstructured very lightweight duster type coat/jacket. Might break the budget bit all the items would be reqearable and useful. Keep it all very toning neutrals.

@Jynxed do you like a tea dress style ?
https://www.marksandspencer.com/printed-v-neck-midi-tea-dress/p/clp23022984?color=REDMIX&_gl=11toyq93_upMQ.._gs*MQ..#intid=pid_pg2pip48g2r12c1%7Cprodflag_New

I just drove past a new ocassionwear/wedding guest shop in our town and boy, are the outfits more formal than I would have thought! They looked a bit old-fashioned to my eyes tbh, but maybe I've just been to a few more laid-back weddings recently, and am out of touch!

I think stuff marketed as "occasion wear" "mother of the bride" looks really dated and not so much old fashioned as never fashioned. And such a waste of money as lots of it can't be worn for anything else. A lot of Phase Eight is in that category.

i would wear something like this https://www.johnlewis.com/alie-street-petite-sophia-floral-dress-petal-pink/p112273989 John Lewis have a few similar in different colours. A shorter one may be better. This style would suit someone with decent cleavage and wanting to hide a tummy. And it’s not polyester.

https://media.johnlewiscontent.com/i/JohnLewis/008894456alt4?fmt=auto&$background-off-white$&wid=640&hei=853

I just want to thank you all massively for your help. Sorry I can’t reply to every suggestion but I’m working my way through all the links and looking at all the options. I will be visiting my local city this Saturday, wearing my best underwear (think that needs an upgrade also!) but leaving my skinny and uncomplimentary daughter behind! Also planning a trip to the Oxford St John Lewis. As someone said a few pages back, I aim to look Fucking Fabulous! But possibly in a wallflower kind of way 😬. You are all wonderful and I appreciate each and every comment.

Why are people showing shapeless sacks to the OP? Jeee.

OP sorry if I’ve missed it but how are you with shoes? I am a not dissimilar age/size and I balls up the shoes every time. I get the dress first then I struggle to get comfortable, well fitting shoes that finish the outfit off well. So I’m either left skidding around like a little girl in my mums shoes, pinched and uncomfortable or in a pair of flats I’ve left in the car for the drive home. I fully except this is a me problem as I have hobbit feet (short and wide plus an issue wearing heels) but just flagging in case. Next time I am 100% going to buy shoes first dress second.

A shout out to the Hobbs Aurora dress. You sound similar shape to me and the combo of structured shoulders and a nipped in waist helps balance things out. It’s also fully lined. They do the same dress in different patterns each year so if you don’t like the current two, you might find similar on Vinted.

https://www.hobbs.com/product/aurora-dress/0125-5213-9045L00-NAVY-YELLOW.html#imageType=model&is=false&sz=60&start=60&isSecondPage=false&cgid=occasion-wedding-guest-dresses&pid=0125-5213-9045L00-NAVY-YELLOW&pos=96

Yes, I have hobbit feet also! I am universally short and wide, with a ridiculously small head which makes my body seem even wider! And then oddly I have long slim hands and fingers - I think there was a mix up in the factory there 😂

The Amish must be thinking "wow if you wait long enough everything does come back into fashion"

I like Sugar hill Brighton - might be more casual than you're looking for but I find their stuff very flattering on

I wore wedges (not too high ones!) to a couple of posh weddings recently. They are great and you don’t sink into grass if you are outdoors! Lots of other people clearly had the same idea and were wearing them too.

I can't remember who suggested Kemi Telford but I do think if you (general you) are going to trot out that oh so witty and never used before "looks like an Amish" comment you (general you) might like suggest an alternative and give posters the benefit of your style knowledge and insight.

Edit I see you at least suggested Sugarhill - not the most exciting brand.

I'd go for something between Kemi Telford and the very dated Phase 8 and Jolie Moi dresses. I think the Joanie dress is comfortably in between, current but not too avant garde.