Effortlessly stylish wedding outfit for a size 16

[HealthyWeightBy40]

Hello Style and Beauty queens. Please help! I'm going to a wedding in August, it's an immediate family member and a big wedding so I want to feel good on the day and look decent in the photos. I'm 39 and losing weight atm, won't be at my final target by the wedding but I have a mini-target. I want something comfortable and flattering but still stylish. Nothing too "old" or floral, I like classic styles and strong/bright colours. Preferably a dress, knee length or longer, with short sleeves. I have a large bust so no high necks! I'm hourglass/pear shape so tend to suit dresses that are fitted at the waist but with a skirt that flares out a bit. Currently size 16, might fit a size 14 by the wedding if I'm lucky. (NB if wearing separate top/bottom it would be size 14/16 on top and size 16/18 on bottom).

Any suggestions of places to look or specific dresses/outfits would be very welcome. TIA!

Another brand worth considering:

https://kemitelford.com/collections/dresses

Thank you! Some fabulous shapes and prints. Love these:
https://kemitelford.com/collections/dresses/products/amina-dress-in-blue-wave-dutch-wax
and
https://kemitelford.com/collections/dresses/products/yetunde-abstract-print-maxi-dress-long-sleeve-airy-cotton-fully-lined-elegant-fit

https://www.heritageclothings.com/collections/brand-new/products/moyo-dress

https://www.heritageclothings.com/collections/wedding/products/emelia-gold-dress

https://www.heritageclothings.com/collections/womens-dress/products/nia-blue-and-black-maxi-dress

Love that last one - the Nia dress, doesn't the model look fabulous in it! 😍

This dress keeps catching my eye

www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/red-floral-embroidered-sleeve-tiered-midi-dress/p/919335560

A few more suggestions:

https://roandzo.com/products/orange-and-blue-floral-puff-sleeve-dress

https://www.marksandspencer.com/lyocell-rich-printed-v-neck-midi-waisted-dress/p/clp22612195

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su419863/b70179

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-printed-midaxi-waisted-dress/p/clp23025422

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-floral-v-neck-midaxi-swing-dress/p/clp23025411

(Some of the brands such as Ro&Zo are OOS but may be available direct or restocked.)

Ooh that pink Kemi Telford one is gorgeous!!
Buy it, buy it!

I have this and I am a size 18, it is very flattering and might be an option - in the sale now too.www.johnlewis.com/and-or-reanna-knitted-maxi-skirt-red-coral/p113027177

Farm Rio has a sale on at the moment, lots on there that would suit your figure.

I couldn’t agree more! Good grief.

I never shop in new look but I like that! Might get it for my holiday

I love heritage clothing, they have a gorgeous white dress on there at the moment which i didn't share because I'd have been roundly told off for suggesting white at a wedding and there's not many sizes in stock but I might need to find an event to buy it for. They usually show their dresses on different size models too which is helpful.

Thank you - some lovely options there!

I've just looked at Ro & Zo dresses and I like this one: https://roandzo.com/collections/dresses/products/pink-carnation-ditsy-print-tie-back-dress

Done! I was very tempted and that was the final push I needed I did have to measure myself and buy a ridiculously large size 😭 But we'll see. I'll report back when it arrives and I can try it on!

Thank you, not quite what I'm after though.

I like this too OP. I have a similar dress - photo below, which is kind of abstract - not floral. It's from JDY. Might be a tiny bit informal for a wedding but I've worn it to a pretty posh garden party. Something patterned but more abstract than flowers might be more to your taste/ age. I'm similar age to you and also wider on bottom half than top so I find a wraparound or a half shirt dress (where the bottom half is a proper skirt) works better, and if it has a belt it is much more adaptable if your shape changes before wedding.

I was also quite tempted by this second one with a beautiful bird design (can you tell I like blue?) - by Patrons of Peace

Thanks for the suggestions! I like blue too, that particular shade is fab and looks great if you have the right colouring (I do!)

Both are gorgeous. Apologies if you know this but the top one is clearly a West African (maybe Ghanaian?) waxprint fabric. First this usually means it's pretty firm fabric, with beautifully vibrant colours (but might not be the comfort or flexibility you're after) and secondly it would be recognisably West African to many people. It's perhaps a bit like wearing a Lehenga to a non south-Asian wedding as a white person (if you're white). I'm not saying that to put you off but something to be aware of maybe!

(I bet you're going to tell me you and all your family and the guests are west African now and I'll feel like a right tit)

Lol! You're not a tit. I am indeed white. So I would feel a bit silly wearing the first dress. I do love it though.

Kemi Telford is a brilliant and completely mainstream designer. Both her plain and printed dresses are worn by a wide variety of stylish people of all races.

Me too, it's gorgeous. I also really like the link and orange ones you and @BlueRin5eBrigade posted above. I think bold colours and somewhat abstract pattern is the way to go!

Is it this one you've bought? I think it's fabulous, and quite unusual and will stand out. Excellent choice. Do let us know if it works out.
It looks easier to wear than some of the more structured dresses too - although some of them are gorgeous I do think if you can find something gorgeous AND comfortable you are onto a winner. And it's cotton, too.
kemitelford.com/collections/dresses/products/yetunde-abstract-print-maxi-dress-long-sleeve-airy-cotton-fully-lined-elegant-fit

Yes, that's the one. Thanks - fingers crossed!

@HealthyWeightBy40 stunning dress. Fingers crossed indeed. 😍

I wear Kemi Telford clothes a lot and I am a white woman. I am regularly complimented by friends with Nigerian and Kenyan heritage and we have borrowed each others clothes and shared pieces. I do not think buying and wearing a beautiful dress is every considered cultural misappropriation as long as you don't behave inappropriately.