I’m in tears and don’t want to go to an event I’ve been looking forward to for months because I have nothing to wear

[CultureAlienationBoredomandDespair]

Please help!

I’ve put on weight and generally feel awful. I had an outfit planned that I wasn’t 100% happy with because everyone has seen my wear hundreds of times but it was ok. Problem is there’s now a heat wave and it’s a long sleeved maxi dress so no good.

I’m 5ft 3, blonde, massive boobs, big hips and huge belly but with a defined waist. If I don’t have definition I look like a weeble.

The event is like a hen do with a daytime party boat, DJ, afternoon tea and then an evening do in a pub. Daytime is mainly women 35-45 then spouses and wider group in the evening. Even if was happy with my body I think I’d struggle to know what the right kind of thing to wear was.

Please help me enjoy myself and not feel awful. Budget would be a max of £200 but that would have to include shoes/ accessories.

The dress I was doing to wear was the Dancing Leopard Dove dress in bamboo, which I feel good in and I always get lots of compliments but it’s a bit of a dated look now and too hot for this weekend.

I tend to suit more fitted clothes with a vintage style (pre weight gain I was similar to Christina Hendricks figure). I still can do that with Spanx but it’s too hot for that and seems a bit out of kilter post-covid and for daytime events.

It doesn’t help that I’ve been wfh with young children for the last 5 years and feel like I’ve lost my way fashion wise anyway. I used to wear lots of tea dresses and feel great but they don’t seem quite right now.

I’m definitely to wear separated and weirdly a jumpsuit can look quite good on me.

Scarlett and Jo Midi dress navy/pink

I won’t have the opportunity to go to try anything on and the event is on Saturday.

It’s very pretty but my mum wears lots of those styles and I already look enough like her 😂. I find they age me (I’m 39).

What about something from Scamp & Dude? Very easy to wear, style up or down, comfortable and hugely flattering.

https://scampanddude.com/products/green-with-black-leopard-ray-flute-sleeve-midi-tea-dress

Monsoon Jemima
https://www.johnlewis.com/monsoon-jemima-shirt-dress/p113521760?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlappios_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ=

For big boob's the professionals always say a V neck..l agree ( im big boobed) and an A line dress to cover up tums.
https://www.yoursclothing.co.uk/yours-london-curve-navy-blue-pleated-v-neck-midi-dress-p

Any of these any good?

www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-louisa-palm-print-cotton-midi-dress-green/p113547879

www.johnlewis.com/monsoon-jemima-shirt-dress/p113521760

www.johnlewis.com/whistles-textured-cotton-midi-dress-navy/p113693496

www.johnlewis.com/ghost-selina-button-front-dress-black/p113531092

www.johnlewis.com/hobbs-vanessa-ruffle-shoulder-dress-navy/p113526616

I think the plain ones would look fab dressed up with silver or gold sandals and a chunky necklace; or simpler accessories with the pat
terned ones.

Have you looked at 100 Stars? Floaty light dresses in pretty fabrics. The larger size should fit you, or some are one size.

Something like this?

https://onehundredstars.co.uk/products/string-dress-stork-black

Great minds - I just linked this too. Beautiful dress.

I'm the same height as you, and find Boden dresses to be great for petite options, and also really flattering. How about something like this?

https://www.boden.com/products/carolina-smocked-midi-dress-cognanc-floweret-vine

Do not wear polyester in a heatwave, you'll hum!

Farm Rio has a good sale on at the moment. At 5'3" their midis will be more or less maxi on you: https://farmrio.uk/collections/sale-midi-dresses#product-grid-item-20

They have express shipping so should arrive in time.

I was going to suggest Scamp & Dude.

This is lovely.

I’ve been wearing these dresses a lot this summer and the shape/ colour suits me a lot (I’ve been analysed as a light summer) but they’re too casual.

I think some of the options, while pretty, are a bit too old for OP and the event she's describing.

How about this OP - It comes in petite too which as a fellow short girl - I find can make such a difference to how flattering and well something fits.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su601317/f09169

This jumpsuit is lovely, if you fancied a change from a dress. Available in petite length.

www.boden.com/products/gwen-slash-neck-jumpsuit-dark-cherry?_pos=1&_sid=d4eca2952&_ss=r

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su343448/e61988 www.next.co.uk/style/su343448/e61988]]

This from Next?

Something like this maybe? It's pink so summery for day time but has silvery bits that help it transition to night time. Well defined waistline, but ruched at the back so has some give and won't gape. Covers the bra-line and shows off the boobs nicely. Only £70, so there's money left over for good shoes.

Thanks, very useful. I have the Dove dress in two prints and I agree it can be a sweaty one!!

I’ve got this jumpsuit and it’s smarter than you’d expect. Available in a 20.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su473882/aj2355?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22747671005&gbraid=0AAAAADm_5UXdzNg_bce2IK_NgalJTxiUA&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIs72k9eeFjwMVlZJQBh1ugB1AEAQYBSABEgIrF_D_BwE#AJ2355

This printed border one looks great for a boat party! Available in 20

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su478447/aj6330

Or this is a bit different:

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su681174/f89457#f89457

I’m avoiding dresses as they can tip into wedding guest quite easily…

The Hobbs Vanessa is definitely my favourite. I like the shoulders as mine are a bit narrow so I find a frill helps balance me out. The people going are quite young in their dress style and fashionable. I’ve often found when I spend time with them that I leave the house feeling good and classic but actually end up feeling plain and frumpy.

Yumi have some nice options. Lots of wrap tops but not all are.
https://www.yumi.co.uk/products/yumi-blue-abstract-geo-print-relaxed-midi-shirt-dress-with-belt?_pos=58&_fid=e8542b551&_ss=c&variant=49946632946011

https://www.yumi.co.uk/products/yumi-navy-daisy-print-retro-shirt-dress?_pos=89&_fid=432e5c145&_ss=c&variant=49572121641307

Also, I recommend Primark cycling shorts to avoid chub rub and don't wear control pants - they will give you stomach ache and make you sweaty and feel fat all day. Better to just have the very light support of cycling shorts to help you waft around easily without needing to walk like a cowboy.

Maybe this: https://farmrio.uk/products/blue-foliage-off-white-midi-dress

Or this: https://farmrio.uk/products/midnight-macaw-fiesta-black-sleeveless-mini-dress

I’d never usually go for this but find it very beautiful. I’d worry it might look like a dressing gown but I suppose I could only try it.