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.

I also prefer the shape of the darker one, but the colour of the coral/orange suits you and the occasion (dark & sparkly better for evening).

Unfortunately, I need to wear chunky insoles to walk without pain. I have a set of lightweight insoles that fit in ballet flats that I can manage with for a bit but sandals are out for me.

Those photos feature my new Bravissimo bra so I am afraid that's as good as the boobs are going to look!

Thanks for this tip @Thingyfanding ! I got this dress today and worn with my new body, I don't recognise my figure. Not sure if it works for HoL but it will work for many other occasions.

All these dresses are much better on you! I have that Uniqlo dress in chocolate. A great dress on you but as you said not right for HoL. But the shape is the right way to go. The bra situation is much improved!

I would still treat myself to a new dress in these shapes.

It would look great with a jacket. I love how it looks apart from it being sleeveless.
The new bra makes a huge difference, @SpunkyKhakiScroller .

The last dress looks great. I would wear that with a little chanel-esque jacket and low heels.

@SpunkyKhakiScroller "the girls" look much better positioned!
love the new dress as well.

That Uniqlo dress may work with a little jacket, I agree. It has a great swirl.

The casual jersey dresses- a no from me
I like the Uniqlo dress which would look nice with the little Chanel type jacket they had in the sale.( if they’ve got any left).

Wow! That looks great on you.

There might be a couple of reasonably priced jacket choices here that could work over this dress https://www.roman.co.uk/search?q=boucle%20jacket

Wow, @SpunkyKhakiScroller - you look amazing in your new Uniqlo dress and underpinnings! Total transformation. (And far better than the Uniqlo model.) What size are you in their clothes, because as everyone has said, you don’t look even close to a 20.

Now you’ve seen how good you actually look, you know what sort of thing to search for if you decide to find a new frock for your event. Do you have, or might you borrow, some nice jewellery? A string of pearls would be a lovely finishing touch to whatever dress you decide on.

I’m not going to make dress suggestions, as you’ve had great advice from others!

But just to add - don’t be intimidated by the idea of it being in the Lords. It’s just a workplace, and people dress just as they would in any other formal-ish office.

I suspect you know this given your dress choices, but I wanted to add balance to some of the posts. I’m in there quite a lot for work and it’s a real privilege to see and be part of such a wonderful place, but clothes shouldn’t be something you need to worry about!

That would look amazing with a blazer and some nice earrings, think that could work for house of lords!

@RightSaidFrederica thanks for that info, it's very reassuring. Would it be OK to wear the black dress as it is with a silk wrap/stole? Will sleeveless be a problem? It's just that the weather is going to be absolutely baking and though I love some of those Roman jackets, I suspect wearing one will leave me a sweaty, stinky mess.

Thank you, I really appreciate how kind you and others have been. It's given me the confidence to try new styles and brands I never would have attempted before. I am XL in Uniqlo.

Fab in that Uniqlo dress, OP. That would look great with flat sling backs.

@RightSaidFrederica you made that point so elegantly! I wrote out a very similar post yesterday but couldn’t get my tone right so deleted it.

I’ve found it odd to see people suggesting wedding guest clothes and frippery. I think of the House of Lords as a place to discuss Law and the Constitution - and in my previous profession I was always there in the black or grey suits I wore in court. But I know it fulfils other functions!

Are posters suggesting wedding guest clothes and frippery? I read it as suggesting smart attire.
I'd want to look presentable, and as I was accompanying someone, I'd feel I'd rather err on the side of caution.

@SpunkyKhakiScroller That black dress will be fine for HoL lunchtime - it's not as formal as people think. If it's a hot day, no-one will have a jacket. I'm so glad that this thread has given you confidence - enjoy your event.

No problem!

Sleeveless is fine, you might feel a bit overdressed in a silk wrap. As PP said - think office, not wedding.

But really don’t stress it. I was there last week (one of the 34 degree days!) for a business event. Men were in shirts (no ties), women in whatever office-appropriate stuff would keep them cool.

The event on one side of us was full of Ghanaians in gorgeous national dress, on the other side it was for art students… dressed as art students.

I’ll be there again tomorrow wearing a tailored, sleeveless royal blue dress, flat shoes, and no jacket (if that helps!)

The dress would be perfect. I don't think a shawl would be right. A little jacket, as others have said, might be nice if it's something you'd wear again. Or even a cropped/waist length cotton cardigan.

I still think you could get away with smart 'office' trainers too; definitely don't need heels.

Wow, what a difference the new underwear makes! No wonder it’s referred to as ‘foundation wear’. I love the shape of the Uniglo dress, might buy one myself 😀I haven’t worn my new shapewear out and about yet but it’s a warm layer even when trying on clothes so with that on under the dress you probably won’t need anything more in this weather.

Of the 4, the pink one is most appropriate and could be dolled up with a blazer. Next is your friend there, they have a single breasted in 20 for £52 that, as I have it and am ahem on the larger side, can tell you feels GREAT. It would accessorise the dress and you would have a piece you can wear with any dress.

You do not look like a size 20, but you could do with a better bra.

You may find the thread worth reading, @Vitrolinsanity!