Help with dress

[SpunkyKhakiScroller]

Hi ladies. I have seen you do wonders for others and I hope you can help me as well. I have been invited to a lunchtime event at the House of Lords as a plus one.

I am a very casual dresser and never go to fancy places so all my wardrobe can offer is Jersey dresses. I am 46, wear size 20 and have large boobs and belly. I look best in yellow and pink. I have a foot problem which means I only wear trainers. My only formal shoes are a pair of plain black flats so whatever I choose, those are the shoes I will wear.

I am attaching some photos of the best candidates from my wardrobe - I am hopeless at accessories but perhaps one of them can be dressed up to do the job? If not, I am open to suggestions to buy something - preferably under £100. I strongly prefer natural fibres though I can get away with viscose.

Thanks in advance for your help!

P.S Apologies for the state of my room, I am mid-declutter.

Um. You don’t look like a size 20, I bet you’d look nice in something a bit more fitted.

Of your choices, the red and white (the predominantly white one) is nicest but NOT with the leggings. The blue looks like a cleaning woman’s housecoat.

This is a great time to get sale bargains.

This for example from Whistles is just £55 in the sale and you could wear with black shoes.

The pinky red one, then maybe use the money for a nice blazer and some jewellery to go with it.

I also think the second one, pink and white.

The first blue one. The pinky red one looks like a dress you could do house work in. The red and white is holiday wear. The black outfit - just no.

I completely agree with this.

Pink/red dress - no contest. Please ditch the blue one - I think it's the white collar that does you no favours. Also no leggings as another poster said.

I hope you don't mind me saying this, but I think you need a new dress AND a better fitting bra.

The second one (red) is the best but really, I think you need something smarter (I would guess, but the aristocracy do dress down don't they?)

Also, I cannot see how you're a size 20. Your legs look great.

As others have said, the red is the best of the four but honestly you need something smarter. It doesn't need to be very expensive, but get something more fitted and darker. Also, invest in some good, properly fitting underwear and some low-heeled shoes or sandals.

Thank you all, I see my new blue dress was not the best buy! 😂 The red/pink one is my current favourite but it's jersey and not really formal as you have pointed out. It's actually a size 22 (Sea Salt) but thank you for saying I look slimmer. I have lost some weight recently so it feels nice to hear. The white one is sort of a kaftan/tunic and shorter than I would wear without leggings. I have one more option though it's still a bit tighter than I would like. I could wear it without leggings.

@KateMiskin , I bought a new bra yesterday actually, so hopefully it will help.

agree, the white one suits you best and the whistles dress that OP shared a link too was very smart

I think you think you’re bigger than you are, OP. You have great proportion and will look lovely in something less floppy. And a good bra will work wonders.

You could try White Stuff sale - a jersey shirt dress might work, within your comfort zone but more formal than what you have at the moment.
I don’t think black flats would work well with a summery dress, you’d either need to get a dark coloured dress, or some sandals in a neutral colour- beige, tan, or metallic?

The blue dress is also too casual and baggy.
How about something from Finery? Under £60 but suitable.
https://www.finerylondon.com/collections/midi-dresses?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=broad&utm_term=6323734938749&utm_content=dpa&utm_id=6323734938949&fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLVDzVleHRuA2FlbQEwAGFkaWQAAAYD8p-DrQGnOr721Z7lSMn6o0Q0qNdw5Hf-DxX7FkUwpTc0rrxMIliXVbqmZUPhgCmJ8QA_aem_N9W05bheMb-ckLvQlzwrcA&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0BMABhZGlkAAAGA_Kfg60Bpzq-9tWe5UjJ-qNENKjXcOR3_g8V-xZFMKU3NK68TCJYl1W6pmVD4YApifEA_aem_N9W05bheMb-ckLvQlzwrcA

Sorry for that link! No idea why so big.

All fo your choices are too casual unfortunatly - the dresses from finery are gorgeous! Strappy sandals will be smarter than flats I think

I like the blue! But think of your current options the pink/red is the best, dressed up with accessories. Or treat yourself to something new! I agree that you're slimmer than you think you are and ou look like you've got cracking legs.

https://www.johnlewis.com/yumi-broderie-anglaise-wrap-midi-dress/navy/p111812660?size=20

https://joanieclothing.com/desdemona-black-floral-print-midi-dress.html

https://joanieclothing.com/albertine-leopard-print-midaxi-dress.html

Apologies OP but I don't think your dresses are flattering your figure, which is lovely.

I wonder if you'd be better with a slightly deeper V neck / wrap style? Ideally something with a bit of a waist (or empire line if you prefer).

That John Lewis one is lovely!

Have you ever tried a Doreen bra. It's a bit old fashioned but gives you a fantastic shape. It transforms your clothes. They do all bra sizes. Available on Amazon.

OP, you have a lovely figure!

I think these dresses are too casual for your event, I agree with another PP.

I would also consider getting a proper bra fitting, as a good fitting bra makes the world of difference to your physique.

What about these?

https://www.johnlewis.com/crew-clothing-dot-contrast-trim-midi-dress-blue-white/p113816279

https://www.finerylondon.com/products/liza-navy-floral-crepe-midi-dress

https://www.finerylondon.com/products/nieve-red-polka-dot-crepe-midi-tea-dress

https://www.finerylondon.com/products/everleigh-green-crepe-midi-dress

best of luck OP.

Those dresses are lovely.

You need smarter, more fitted in the waist area, maybe deeper neckline, plainer & darker coloured and below the knees. I liked the John Lewis navy dress, though black shoes would look odd with that. Could you get low heeled white sandals?

hi you need something more formal with more structure, and very good underwear (sorry but nipples were showing in images I am sure you would regret in photos)
https://bloomchic.co.uk/products/solid-textured-lantern-sleeve-button-detail-dress?variant=51711233687922&feed_id=gg43477301&utm_source=google&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=22623305210&utm_term=179994341029&utm_content=755576292907&_tgid=pla-293946777986&_nwid=g&_dv=c&_gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4Leaj4-kjgMVwplQBh34_B05EAQYBSABEgJA3vD_BwE&_kw=&bc_id=55254701&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22623305210&gbraid=0AAAAABp8iy29q_fPR1-jch5Ff2Rm2D_eU&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4Leaj4-kjgMVwplQBh34_B05EAQYBSABEgJA3vD_BwE

https://www.curvewow.com/products/curvewow-short-sleeve-pleated-wrap-dress-red?variant=44540108079330&currency=GBP&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google%2Bshopping&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17176534968&gbraid=0AAAAADIcvYS4QKvXyZwOSROZhWWqHKm8Z&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItYXdyo-kjgMVN4pQBh0WnRFiEAQYAiABEgLS2fD_BwE

https://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/p/uf835?optionSize=22