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!

Agreed. Phase 8, Jolie Moi are very dated. The Joannie dress is lovely.

Good luck OP - I'd love to see what you choose in the end

How about something like this? It looks incredibly comfy - there's worse than a restrictive waistline or chest for exacerbating grumpiness!

https://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/p/es128

Whilst generally I'm not usually drawn towards Phase 8, I do think the Nita polka halter neck dress linked to upthread is lovely and appropriate, and would tick some boxes for OP.

As for things looking dated or out of fashion, frankly I buy clothes that I feel comfortable in, are the right colour for me, cut in a way that makes me feel comfortable and in the right price range. I can’t afford to replace clothes to keep up with latest fashions and if someone judges that my clothes are unfashionable, that says more about them than me.

I also appreciate that this is Style and Fashion and that the op may feel differently!

I hope that you enjoy your shopping trip op and find something that makes you feel fabulous

That looks lovely. Just wondering if it might be a bit long? Looks somewhere in the middle of the two styles people are suggesting.

Ha! I can see us all marching down the catwalk looking grumpier than the usual models do!!!!

@Jynxed I have similar challenges! I can recommend two outfits that worked well for me at weddings.

1. One Hundred Stars short kimono over a smart, plain top with a petite pencil skirt from Boden would also work with a petite shift dress. I used navy as the base colour inspired by the kimono. Felt good despite being at my highest ever weight.

2. Bombshell London dress. Only available secondhand now, but I got one from Ebay/Vinted. They're cut really well for curvy women and wearing one will make you feel fabulous!

As a fellow stumpy grumpy overweight woman, I feel compelled to offer up my experience.
Bombshell were a bit of a go to and are now back as Katya Wildman. She was the original founder and has restarted the business under her own name.
Alternatively, I did a big summer wedding in a Scarlett and Jo maxi last year. I needed heels (stumpy) but it looked fab and I got loads of compliments (including from the lovely bride who is incredibly stylish). Apart from my mother who said I looked fat and it was too low cut, but that probably counts as a generous compliment from her too!

I can’t afford to replace clothes to keep up with latest fashions and if someone judges that my clothes are unfashionable, that says more about them than me.

I have stuff which is years, even decades old. "Dated" isn't perhaps the right word. Brands like Phase 8, Jolie Moi, Yumi which specialise in occasion wear, to my eyes, aren't so much "old fashioned" as "never fashioned"

I don't suppose anyone's judging you but people are allowed to have an opinion on clothes.

I don’t think their clothes are cut very well. They are frequently unflattering and the fabrics are not great. I haven’t tended to continue wearing the stuff I have bought from them.

“I don't suppose anyone's judging you but people are allowed to have an opinion on clothes.”

Absolutely! And we all clearly have our opinions. Hopefully some of them have helped give the op some ideas.

i would definitely look at Boden, they have lots of lovely dresses and as someone said, they do them in petite. I like the pink one someone linked to.

The patterned jigsaw dress up above (sorry am on phone) is also lovely. Jigsaw definitely another good place to look.

I was shopping with a friend, not for an outfit to wear for a wedding in 7 months time. I decided to window shop and firmly had my mind set on a jumpsuit as I haven’t worn a dress or skirt for about 30 years.

I saw a jumpsuit that fitted my vision, went to try it on but it look ridiculous on me. The staff and my friend went on hunt through the shop for something, I tried on lots of jumpsuits but none were right, my friend brought what I thought to be a jumpsuit and I agreed I liked it, then the realisation that it was actually a maxi dress which my friend said to try on anyway. I did and it was so comfortable and I felt relaxed in it, the purchase was made and hung in the wardrobe.

I did wear the dress and felt great all day and everyone was asking about it.
it was from Phase Eight, the staff were great, bringing things and putting them back on the hangers and returning them where they came from.
A trip out and try anything and everything, things look different on.

Have you looked at Sosander , they do some dresses in size 18 / 20
Im 5.1 apron belly size 20 and age 60.
Not usually a lover of dresses full stop , but I found the fake wrap over styles with a v neck very flattering. Nice pair of wedges.
V necks are good for boobs and take attention away from belly n bum.
Some of the patterns are floaty which will be cooler in summer. Maybe also look into snag tights worth a look for the anti chafe shorts to wear underneath ( no one knows if skin colour . No sweaty thigh rub if this is a problem for you. Certainly work for me.
I also like Roman as they do a smaller length.
Marks n Sparks per una for a nice summer jacket might be a thought.
Good luck
Im sure you'll look splendid in whatever you choose.
If all else fails new shoes and matching bag with some matching costume jewellery can elevate a little black number / jacket combo.

I would get a black dress ( even better if it has white edging or is monochrome) and then red bangle, shoes, cardigan or jacket. Possibly headscarf/hair band, bag possibly belt.

Or do this with white/camel accents. At least two items of whatever colour it is. Eg brown leather shoes/bag/belt. White cardy and bangle.

Noone can be grumpy in red shoes. Fact.

I wore this. Roughly same measurements as you

Oh pic didn't come up, sorry 😐

Type your dress size and age into Instagram or TikTok- there are so many different size ‘influencers’ these days and I find it really helpful to see clothes styled on different body shapes. Also, type event or wedding guest outfit. I’m sure you’ll look beautiful in whatever you choose xx

This?
https://www.phase-eight.com/product/ella-pleat-dress-220472751.html#q=Ella&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=220472751&pos=11

I'm a hippy 16 and I found One Hundred Stars dresses even in their largest size of M/L still too small for me around the middle.

Have you thought about wearing a trouser suit? Jacques Vert does some beautiful ones. You can often find them on Vinted or ebay.

Seasalt fit and flare floral dresses are lovely and very flattering for small slightly portly ladies.

OMG I am also about 5 feet 2 and currently a size 18/20 again 🙄

Any of these would make me feel unable to leave the house let alone go to a wedding they are dreadful

I’m with you @Hamserfan except for the last one - the blue from KemiTelford.
I like that for casual day dressing.