Active discussions

Help end medical misogyny. Sign our petition.

Help end medical misogyny.
Sign our petition.

Sign the petition

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Plus size Wedding guest dress

32 replies

Frustratedandannoyed81 · 31/01/2026 11:32

Please be kind. Back story: I’ve had medical issues (digestive) for a few years (I’m 44), and I take a lot of medication including steroids. The medication, inability to eat healthily as my body can’t tolerate fruit and veg or fibre, and being so tired and arthritic that I can’t exercise, has made me pile on the weight. I also have lipedema so I have large legs and arms.
I am a size 22 with a large bottom and large apron tummy (I had 2 late MC in my 30s) and my stomach never went back to normal.
The change in my body has ruined any scrap of confidence I had.
I am the biggest I’ve ever been and I hate it.
My niece is getting married end of Feb and I am struggling to find a dress which fits properly and is as flattering as it can be!
They either look like sacks or my tummy and belly stick out more than they do in my other clothes.
I need a dress (I can’t wear two pieces or trousers as I can’t have anything round my stomach as it’s painful and I am often bloated).
It needs to be midaxi/maxi (I’m 5’1) to cover my lipedema legs.

My usual day to day attire is a long dress and chunky long cardigan which I find comfortable but it’s not smart for a wedding.

I need something that’s suitable for a February wedding or ideas on what to wear as a cover up.
I really want to attend the wedding, but, I’m nervous about seeing people I’ve not seen in years and I don’t want to spoil my niece and her husband’s wedding photos.

OP posts:
Original poster
Frustratedandannoyed81 · 02/02/2026 20:10

SkinnyOatFlatWhiteForMePlease · 31/01/2026 11:49

What sort of colouring do you have? What colours do you like?
I was a size 18/20 apple shape and liked Monsoon for flattering dresses.

I have shoulder length dark blonde hair and blue eyes and I’m pale. I’ve tried some monsoon dresses. The 22 was too tight on the bust but 24 was massive all over!

OP posts:
Original poster
Frustratedandannoyed81 · 02/02/2026 20:12

TealReader · 31/01/2026 18:51

Firstly- your size is the least interesting thing about you. You won’t ruin photos, I look at my wedding pics and am just delighted all the people I loved were there, I couldn’t care less what size/shape they were.

What style/shape/colours of clothes do you prefer to wear at the moment?

If you can throw some money at the issue Marina Rinaldi are fab, they have a weird sizing system but I think UK22 is Marina Rinaldi 27.

For example if it’s a typical day time wedding- https://ie.marinarinaldi.com/p-8221016606016-mrsceppo-optical-white?_gl=1mjmh2l_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQiA7fbLBhDJARIsAOAqhsexVfsd76wp7BkfxFgueP8CJKOoUFjhFGR2nlNeoVHiaZWLCFvAmbIaAgMtEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&gbraid=0AAAAADogweuw3js-ASafS9KkRByPoUWG-

If it’s more dressy- https://ie.marinarinaldi.com/p-7226095606030-arte-emerald?_gl=1onr1ig_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQiA7fbLBhDJARIsAOAqhsexVfsd76wp7BkfxFgueP8CJKOoUFjhFGR2nlNeoVHiaZWLCFvAmbIaAgMtEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&gbraid=0AAAAADogweuw3js-ASafS9KkRByPoUWG-

It’s tough when all we have is a list of things you don’t like. I mean this very kindly, I was in the past a size 18-20 and I was so focused on my size and wearing flattering clothes. Even before I lost weight I did a lot of work on caring for myself at any size, bought some lovely expensive clothes and decided that I deserved nice things and it made a massive difference to my self confidence and the way others treated me. There are so many plus size women who look fabulous- move away from this idea that flattering is the most important thing and start to think about what you actually love.

Thanks, this is out of my price range however. I’m struggling to accept the quick weight gain as I look so different to just 3 years ago.

OP posts:
Original poster
Frustratedandannoyed81 · 02/02/2026 20:14

ManyATrueWord · 02/02/2026 09:37

Scarlett & Jo are great. Angel wing sleeves are your friend. The dresses are long so don't get a maxi, I'm taller than you and they are too long for me as in walking on the hem long.

I have bought from Ulla Popken.

Make time to take whatever you buy to be altered to fit. Wear your food bra for the fitting.

My bra is frequently a ‘food’ bra 🤣🤣

OP posts:
familyissues12345 · 02/02/2026 20:44

Following with interest. I’ve got DS1’s graduation this summer and would love a new dress, I’m currently a 20-22, healthy eating at the moment, so hoping to maybe get down to an 18 by July.

Love the Scarlett and Jo dresses!

UnderThePressure · 02/02/2026 20:44

My go to for a wedding guest dress (as a size 18/20 with a belly, bum a bigger bust) is a Scarlett & Jo dress. I found a floor length dress with elbow length sleeves, flattering on the bust and flared from the waist. I wore it with a cropped black thin material suit jacket from Yours. It is called the "Isabelle" dress.

BeenChangedForGood · 03/02/2026 14:09

@Frustratedandannoyed81 It sounds like you’re roughly the same size and shape as me ☺️ I’m a similar shape to Jess too - although I usually wear a 22.

I have a few Scarlett & Jo dresses which fit well and I feel ok in. However, my go to is Phase Eight for occasion wear ☺️ the midi or maxi length ones with the pleated skirts are so flattering and hang so nicely. I’m a very self conscious person and don’t feel very confident getting dressed up etc but i feel at my best in them ☺️

Also have a think about what else makes you feel put together. I feel more confident and put together with my hair nicely done and my nails done so I make more effort with that for occasions to make myself feel a bit more glam ☺️

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread