Help with an investiture dress

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I'm attending an investiture as someone's plus one in May (Windsor). From what I understand, the dresses worn to these are usually smart rather than weddingy, though there can be cross over. But more block colours than heavy florals.

I have nothing in my wardobe. I am short and dumpy and not fashionable. Late forties. Size 16 but trying to lose weight. The way I carry my weight (mostly on stomach, and the fact I'm otherwise petite, means I can sometimes wear smaller sizes. Or sometimes, if something fits my waist, it will look baggy on the shoulders. I probably won't attempt a suit as I hate restrictive skirt/trouser waistbands. I know I need a hat, but think I'll buy a cheap fascinator.

Shoewise, I don't do heels. I have some flat pointy kitten heel type shoes that would fit the bill. One pair mint green, the other black. Otherwise I have wedges from Fly London that I think are smart (black, teal, red), but I have read conflicting things about wedges at investitures.

I have a navy Hope & Ivy tea dress I just got off Vinted. Like this one but slightly different colours. Too floral? https://www.johnlewis.com/hope-ivy-the-ingrid-floral-embroidered-midi-dress-navy-multi/p113294363?

And this Joanie dress I think is too wedding guest? https://joanieclothing.com/celia-birtwell-x-joanie-queen-of-the-night-angel-sleeve-floral-print-maxi-dress.html?srsltid=AfmBOorsJvF_z9sO6sHEaH2XCoujOplWVVTniKgk7GSFYbBQengHMmL2

Help! Particularly if you can find a dress that might go with mint green shoes :D.

Forgot budget. Cheap. Less than £100 ideally as can't imagine I'll get much wear out of it. Maybe more for the right thing.

re sizing, I have the hope & ivy in a 14 and the Joanie in a 12 somehow but will prob need a 16 or more in places that don't vanity size

I always feel it’s such a waste buying a cheap dress you have no real use for beyond one event.

Might you consider renting instead? That way you’d get to wear something lovely (and photo-worthy) without ending up with landfill.

This is really helpful:

https://www.redonline.co.uk/fashion/a37750531/rent-clothes/

I don't think I want to rent, I want to be happy with it well in advance not get something just before for rental and not like it.

Well, my husband does get invited to a lot of events (I don't, workwise) so it may get more use, it's just hard to say. It depends. £100-£150 is not cheap for me, albeit it may be cheap for Style & Beauty. I could potentially afford more but trying to be sensible.

That Hope and Ivy one is really lovely.

I think the Joanie one might look voluminous with arms down (I hate it when they pose models like that- who walks around with their arms in the air?!)

I agree, the Hope & Ivy one is lovely!

The Hope and Ivy looks just the thing. I really like it.

The other one looks like a summer holiday evening. Fine in its place but not quite right for an investiture.

I don’t think there can be a forum-wide consensus on what constitutes ‘cheap’! I was quoting your second post.

Of the two dresses you link, the Hope & Ivy has wonderful clear colours so will make a strong impression. And would go with your mint coloured shoes. Why not wear that?

The colours aren't as well matching in mine, but it is a possibility, just wondering if it was smart enough really! Mine is this pattern (not my pic)

If pic didn't work, it's this one:
https://blushboutique.co.uk/product/hope-ivy-the-clarice-v-neck-button-front-midi-dress/

That’s lovely! What do the invitations say about dress code?

That’s a tiny bit fussier (more wedding-y?) than the first.

I would probably want something more sober. This isn’t quite my style but it’s a rather good dress, and a bargain: (Ignore the belt!)

https://www.cos.com/en-gb/women/womenswear/dresses/wool/product/shawl-collar-wool-wrap-dress-purple-1317070001

I think the Hope and Ivy dress will be good. With your kitten heels, not wedges.

@ScoutOfTheSoftHeartsClub that looks like something from Star Wars!

I honestly don’t like either of the two you have posted - I think given that you say you are petite sized in height (so under 5’2”) with a larger tummy than you’d like, both of these will look aging and unflattering. You’ve also said florals aren’t ideal for the event but these are both floral!

I might be inclined to go for something like this with the pale green kitten heels and a pale green hat or fascinator or buttonhole. I think the shape would be flattering to your body shape, it’s versatile enough to wear to other less formal events and looks well cut. if you do drop some weight round the tummy area, it will accommodate this without looking baggy and I think it’s less aging than the two styles you have selected.

www.phase-eight.com/product/petite-julissa-wrap-dress-10022240351.html#cgid=petite-dresses&is=true&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=10022240351&pos=18

Invite says day dress (with hat) / smart trouser suit

@Katrinawaves you are right, they are both floral and prob not right - I'm just mentioning that I have them in a 'will one do' sort of way, but in the pictures I've found online most (but not all) people are in block colours. The phase eight is 'fine' just doesn't bring me joy but could well be worth a try if it looks nice on.

@ScoutOfTheSoftHeartsClub I know what you mean by 'sober' and I quite like the dress, but in May it could be cold or scorching, so I think I need a more summer weather dress I can add a jacket to if needed.

Would something in a brighter colour be in your comfort zone? This is also Phase 8 and would be a good cut for how you describe your shape too and could work with mint green https://www.phase-eight.com/product/petite-petra-wrap-pleated-midi-dress-221525463.html

This is a variation on your theme. (I have no idea if it would be formal enough.)

https://www.east.co.uk/products/jeanie-dress?abtr=true&view=eab-22C98G5juj

Thanks for suggestions. Think I'm too scared of bright pink but do like the shape - and suspect the brown dress would just be too long for me.

Appreciate ideas though! I may need to forget the silly mint green shoes. They were a real bargain but there are other shoes in the world.

Don’t forget you can get whatever you choose altered to fit you properly …

Plenty of time!

I think this dress will look lovely with a jacket that picks up the pink and navy accessories. Very suitable for the occasion.

You certainly don't want a maxi dress, no matter how nice it is.

Another option - this one is more muted in colours and a different shape but still probably flattering for smaller shoulders, larger tummy

www.next.co.uk/style/su696566/w86458

I don't like the first Hope and Ivy one at all, nor any of the fussy Phase Eight dresses. The second Hope and Ivy is better.

Someone posted Cos - I can see the rationale but it's a bit drab. On Cos website, I like this which would look great with the Cos brown boiled wool jacket.

www.cos.com/en-gb/women/womenswear/dresses/mididresses/product/sleeveless-bubble-hem-midi-dress-orange-1281602003

So far as being "short" I'm 5'3". I don't think I'm short.

We don’t know what height the OP is though she says she is petite range which is usually under 5’2” I think. The average height for a woman is 5’5” so 5’3” is a little below average but not petite and probably doesn’t read as “short”

I like that Cos dress but it will emphasise that her shoulder waist ratio is out of kilter and it will be hard to style with a fascinator or hat (as would the next one I posted to be fair)

I thought Joanie had gone out of business? It says on their website that they are unable to take any orders.

Not an answer, OP but I wonder if you'd tell me when your friend's honour was announced (eg was it the most recent New Year honours list?). I ask because I have a friend whose honour was announced then who is waiting to gear of the date for her investiture and I wondered what the gap usually is!