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.

Thank you so much! Those dresses are lovely. I especially like the navy John Lewis one and one of the Joanie ones. And the Finery ones are very appealing too. Will need to choose but how? 😂

Unfortunately with the sagging boobs and the protruding meno belly, I have to be very careful with plain colours, belts, and anything with a fitted waist. I look ok from the front but the side view tells another story. I hope the new bra makes a difference. I was fitted for it at Bravissimo. Thank you all again for your advice and kind words.

I’m obviously an outlier here as I thought you looked good in your first dress! (The blue with the white collar)

I'm really glad you got a new bra. I'm a 36 GG and a size 18, trust me, good underwear makes all the difference. If you're worried about your belly, perhaps some magic knickers to hold it all in? Provided its not too hot on the day!

OP would you consider a pair of wide leg trousers and a fitted - ish top with a blazer. Have a look at “I’m just me Marleen” on YouTube - she has really helped me find ways to disguise the tummy . She’s just done a vid on summer dresses as well. - I don’t know her or anything I just find her very helpful and have totally changed my style - I think for the better!!

I would suggest this:

https://communityclothing.co.uk/collections/womens-dresses-jumpsuits/products/womens-full-skirted-phoebe-trench-dress-black

as it’s suitably neutral and grown up, and it will mean you always have a really good, plain dress for future events.

(And I agree that much better fitting underpinnings will make a vast difference.)

.You have a great figure, very well proportioned, and I'd have guessed a 16 rather than 20. Are you tall? Your dresses do nothing for you, you can definitely do much better. Some of those posted are lovely. I would go somewhere like John Lewis and try some on. Failing that, order a few, either from JL or Finery, and send back the ones you don't like.

I would also invest in a shaping bodysuit, that will really pull your stomach in and smooth out any lumps and bumps. Something like this.

Come back and show us what you pick!

https://www.simplybe.co.uk/shop/p/xe416

Re footwear, try fit flops as they have in built arch support and memory foam in soles so are very comfortable to wear.

https://www.fitflop.com/uk/en/

https://www.johnlewis.com/our-services/personal-styling

Book a stylist session at John Lewis, you don't have to buy their suggestions but it'll give you ideas of what shapes suit you.

I’ve just bought one of these to wear under dresses because I found control pants cut in at the waist which pushed my belly out. This is smooth all the way down and you wear your normal bra.
https://shapermint.com/en-GB/products/shapermint-essentials-open-bra-bodysuit-shaper-panty?variant=40031751176326

Roman Clothing have some lovely dresses at the moment A lot of the suggested dresses seem worth taking note of..

Not for the figure shape stated.

Why ever not? It’s seems obvious that the limp jersey garments the OP has been choosing really do nothing for her. She would look excellent in something more structured and … intentional. I would certainly suggest she tries something in the shape I’ve suggested, before dismissing it.

Op I am older than you and also an 18/20 (although you look slimmer as I'm also short!) I've recently bought the two dresses below for work wear bit when I'm attending a lunch / dinner during the day. I think something with a lower v neck and more fitted around the waist will look great on you.

I would go for the blue dress with white collar in the first photo as it is the best cut one.

Bin the black dress as it doesn’t suit you.
Get a better fitting bra as PP
The second and fourth one are ok but too casual and not entirely flattering but ok

This, but the red dress might be OK with a decent bra.
Sleeveless is too informal.
You go in at the waist, so make the most of it.

Seasalt have some pretty dresses in the sale right now.Shop All Sale Clothing - Up To 50% Off - Seasalt Cornwall - Seasalt Cornwall

I love this dress. I have a bit of a belly too, and I find wearing something more fitted- not clingy- actually looks better than wearing a loose sack.

I'd google "midi shirt dress" and see what comes up - they are usually belted which will pull you and and give you a nice shape. There are loads for under £100. Jasper conran do nice ones - they are v expensive but you might get one in the sale for a little over £100

Have you tried shift dresses? The shape might suit you.

https://www.whitestuff.com/p/5776/june-short-sleeve-linen-dress/NAVY_MULTI

That's completely wrong for OP's House of Lords event.

Thank you all, I've taken loads of your suggestions. I've bought the recommended body suit from Shapermint - my bust measurement (42") suggested XL and my stomach measurement (41") suggested 2XL. So I got XL, hopefully not a bad decision!

I've booked a personal shopping session at John Lewis though bit worried the largest size they stock is 18.

And I have ordered a few dresses suggested. Will update with what I eventually wear. Thanks again, you are all brilliant!

The pink dress is ok, but if worn, use the £100 to buy some brown (or neutral) shoes, not black shoes.

You look like you have an hour glass figure, so perhaps something belted, or a wrap dress if buying something new. And if you do buy a new dress, and if this means you need to wear the black shoes, go for something darker, or something with black in the pattern. Good luck!

Sorry didn’t mean to be rude about the pink dress, it suits you well! Ok as in fine!

You definitely need a new dress OP. I am around your age and tend to go for block colours rather than pattern now, broderie anglaise is very forgiving and comfortable...I like the look of the JL one that someone posted however does black actually suit you? Go for something plain but in a colour that really works for you.

Oliver Bonas have some beautiful dresses in at the moment.

Hope you don’t mind me saying this, but all of the dresses are quite frumpy. You look like a size 16 and you need a bra which hoiks your boobs up. A V Neck would be more flattering and a slight a line, rather than full swishy skirt. A shirt dress would look good on you as long as not pulling at the front. I also think a plain top with a patterned wide leg trouser would look good on you. You could wear a bit of a platform sandal too. Look at influencers on Instagram to get an idea of what you want. Caroline’s Style Hacks is slimmer but I think her style may suit you.

The pink/red one is the best of those, but needs a better bra.

I think the black one and the leggings need burning, sorry.

Where do you normally like to shop? Can you use this event as an excuse for a new dress and new shoes that you’ll get lots of wear out of afterwards?