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!

I don't like it, though. I don't like the colour or print. And I have a very strong suspicion that the style, which looks very elegant on the slim model, would look awful on me and on most curvier women.

Are there any other dresses on the thread that you would consider at all? You don't like either of the dresses I've ordered, I assume.

Sadly I don't just pop out to restaurants, btw, I have primary age children so it's family friendly places or a military operation involving a babysitter.

I love Closet dresses. The quality is really good. I'm a 14 and large bust, the cut is good

I really like this one
https://closetlondon.com/closet-gold-pencil-wrap-dress-d10712.html

Or this
https://closetlondon.com/closet-london-green-pleated-midi-dress.html

(Also I'm trying to lose weight which means restaurants are pretty tricky atm! I can still eat out obviously but have to be careful!)

I second Rixo if it’s in your budget. I wore the dress below for a special occasion - I’m size 18 and felt lovely in it. Quality of fabric was fab, felt really light and floaty. Got loads of compliments:)

https://rixolondon.com/en-ie/products/kristen-navy-polka-dot

Can I just say, from experience, those dresses with a lot of shirring on the bust can make you look really booby. And not in a good way.

What bra size are you?
I avoid high necklines due to massive norks.

Could be worth trying this green jumpsuit on? The colour is lovely in the shop. My general rule is never to wear something where the model doesn’t look great, but in this case I think she’s actually a bit thin for this look.

Oliver bonas

Or I personally like this, though that probably means it’s a bit safe. I would feel attractive in it though

Link failing me

John Lewis Hope and Ivy Blake dress

36G with a really good bra to lift them up. I think a pendant necklace can break up a round neckline on a large bust.
My tummy is my problem area and felt the dress skimmed over it nicely

Like almost all of fashion hasn't worked on that model, until (grudgingly) relatively recently.

The Kemi Telford dress arrived and it's all wrong. It's the right size but kind of swamps me, the sleeves are too long, the print is too much, light cotton fabric but doesn't feel special enough. I'm sharing a photo in case anyone is interested but please no comments, I know I don't look good in it! (And photo of dress on model for reference )

However, I think I've found a winner which is this one. It's really floral which isn't what I was after but the colours and shape suit me. Not brave enough to share a photo of myself in it so you'll have to take my word for it that it looks loads better!

It's Boden which I always think of as mumsy rather than stylish but they do have some nice pieces IMHO.
https://www.boden.com/products/lillian-cotton-midi-dress-multi-painterly-meadow

It’s a very pretty dress.

At least you know this shape isn’t right. With your figure (mine is similar) you’d be best in a shift type shape or hour glass body con (but not tight) with a pencil skirt shape.

Look at Scarlett & Jo online!

That's lovely!! I would love to wear a jumpsuit but I just feel too fat for one atm. I'm definitely going to buy myself one or two jumpsuits when I've managed to get to a size 12/14.

Wallis have quite a range in a shape that would suit you.

https://www.wallis.co.uk/categories/womens-dresses-occasion-dresses

I wore a Lanre dress from Heritage for a wedding a few years back, was a size 16 with generous bust at the time, looked and felt fabulous and never had so many compliments on a dress ever, must have had 20 women ask where it was from. I would say, get the tape measure out and buy the size closest to measurements, they fit absolutely as per the measurements and there's no give in the fabrics.

I now want an invite to another wedding so I can buy another dress from there.

https://www.silkfred.com/womens/clothing/dresses/day-dresses/jolie-moi/angel-sleeve-pleated-chiffon-maxi-dress-navy-floral

https://www.silkfred.com/womens/clothing/dresses/midi-dresses/feverfish/bardot-frill-midi-print-dress-red-green

looks like you’ve found your dress but hate to miss a good shopping thread! Xx

I'm a size 14 and find me + em clothes really flattering, definitely worth giving them a go

Hope you find something you feel good in and amazing job on the weight loss, hardest thing is getting started. Have a lovely time and enjoy being you x

Thanks so much

The Rachel dress. Beautiful fabrics (this is just one of them), quality cut. Skimming and flattering at the same time.

onehundredstars.co.uk/collections/dresses/products/acer_red_rachel_dress_?_pos=4&_fid=bfd931d78&_ss=c

Thank you! Those dresses are lovely (this one's my favourite print https://onehundredstars.co.uk/collections/dresses/products/crane-cobalt-rachel-dress) but I don't think the shape would suit me I'm afraid. I have a decent waist (compared to the rest of me that is!) so ideally need something fitted around the waist. This is kind of the opposite of what an hourglass needs. They definitely meet the brief of effortlessly stylish, though!

One hundred stars do a cut with a drawstring waist which may work? the acer print is absolutely stunning, I've been coveting it for a while!

https://onehundredstars.co.uk/collections/dresses?filter.p.m.custom.dress_shape=String+Dress

My sister has the scamp and Jude dress and wore it to a family event a couple of weeks ago. She looked fabulous and the dress can easily be dressed up or down.
One of the most flattering dresses I’ve worn to a wedding has been from Scarlett and Jo. They start at size 12, many have a floral design but they also do plain colour with no design too (I have a plain green dress).
The dresses are always selling on vinted, so may be worth looking there. There is also a discount code for new customers if you buy directly from Scarlett and Jo. https://www.scarlettandjo.com/collections/plus-size-dresses