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Another wedding guest one - middle aged with tum and big boobs.

94 replies

DingyHall2026 · 12/04/2026 21:14

Hoping for some flattering ideas from MN style gurus.

I'm going to my niece's wedding late May, UK (home counties).

Please find me some options to wear! Ideally under £80 but can stretch to £200 for the right dreas.

I'm 5ft 5, mid 40s, size 14 - smaller on bottom half with good legs but def size 14 waist, and 32-34J chest. I don't mind showing legs or cleavage, poss not both! Need to wear a bra obv so nothing difficult to dress re sleeves etc, and I'm not mad on my upper arms so would ideally have these covered. I think I'm a typical apple shape.

I get hot easily and burn easily so helping both of these good please! Obv no idea what weather will be like. Happy to get a couple of items if necessary, eg layers.

I am open on colours and patterns. I generally suit and wear jewel tones (shoulder length wavy mid brown hair with dyed auburn in it, pale skin blue eyes) and would never wear beige or camel tones, also hate wearing any pink. I prefer slightly edgy prints and designs eg animal and geometric rather than pretty or floral, I'd love to find something I can wear again! Probably not plain colours but feel free to try and persuade me.

I definitely don't want a Bombshell dress, and nothing toooo weddingy. I'd rather be a bit too casual in something I'll wear again than uber dressed up in something which will hang in my wardrobe for ever.

I've got various bags / will use DP's rucksack! And not sure on shoes yet so feel free to add some ideas, but I'm fairly comfortable finding these myself

Huge thanks! I've always wanted to do one of these myself after seeing ideas for other people.

OP posts:
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Gillthepill · 13/04/2026 10:10

https://www.debenhams.com/product/double-second-long-sleeve-lace-pleated-dress_p-cd14b855-2e17-4226-bdcf-33184243fd35?colour=Navy

I have a dress that looks like this (although mine is more of a shift shape as I’m an hour glass shape) and really like it. Not too tight around the bust, lace, so nice and airy but gives coverage and interest. I wear a nude coloured bra underneath. You could wear nude coloured shoes or jazz up with a contrasting colour for bag and shoes - bight green maybe?

Navy DOUBLE SECOND Long Sleeve Lace Pleated Dress | Debenhams

Discover Long Sleeve Lace Pleated Dress available to buy online at debenhams.com. Available with quick delivery and easy return options. Shop now!

https://www.debenhams.com/product/double-second-long-sleeve-lace-pleated-dress_p-cd14b855-2e17-4226-bdcf-33184243fd35?colour=Navy

DingyHall2026 · 13/04/2026 12:02

Thanks for replying {mention:Gillthepill}@Gillthepill Neither of those are quite my style sadly. I think I really do prefer prints, also something a bit more rock and roll. Not even sure what I mean by that, but these seem a bit well behaved for me.

I think I'm more after peacock / paisley loud print and poss some mild ruffling, or a split leg?!

Not meaning to sound ungrateful

OP posts:
Gillthepill · 13/04/2026 13:24

No problem! Hopefully you can find something amongst the Debenhams range as they do trendier styles also.

UDontaskUDontget · 13/04/2026 14:01

Have a look at Roman or Girl in Mind websites. Ive used both for wedding guest dresses and they are both very good for returns. Girl in Mind are very reasonably priced too

Aprilcherry04 · 13/04/2026 21:30

I like Hope and Ivy dresses and have bought one for an upcoming wedding. They do some lovely prints, wrap style with a split which might work for you. The one I've bought is a different style though

Another wedding guest one - middle aged with tum and big boobs.
tangobravo · 13/04/2026 21:32

If you like colour and prints have a look at Gorman, I basically want everything 😂

Defiantly41 · 13/04/2026 21:49

Any of these suitable?

Another wedding guest one - middle aged with tum and big boobs.
Another wedding guest one - middle aged with tum and big boobs.
Another wedding guest one - middle aged with tum and big boobs.
GenieGenealogy · 13/04/2026 21:52

Similar size and shape here. There are a fair number on Scarlett & Jo which may be suitable, lots on Vinted.

DingyHall2026 · 14/04/2026 08:43

Aprilcherry04 · 13/04/2026 21:30

I like Hope and Ivy dresses and have bought one for an upcoming wedding. They do some lovely prints, wrap style with a split which might work for you. The one I've bought is a different style though

Thanks April, this looks like the sort of thing I'm after. I'll browse on the site.

Thanks also for the other recommendations, lots of different ones to consider! I'll let you know how I get on

OP posts:
DingyHall2026 · 14/04/2026 08:44

CabbageWater · 13/04/2026 22:12

What about sth like this?
https://farmrio.com/products/santorini-off-white-mini-dress-sleeveless

(Just saw you don't like pinks or bare shoulders, my bad! Worth checking the rest of the site though 😇)

Edited

I absolutely love this but cannot imagine how bad I'd look in it! It might suit my daughter though, being 14 and gorgeous

OP posts:
OP posts:
LoveYouPickle · 14/04/2026 08:51

I have ordered this! What do you think?

https://www.johnlewis.com/rewritten-florence-waterfall-hem-satin-wrap-dress/burnt-orange/p5890070

Another wedding guest one - middle aged with tum and big boobs.
DingyHall2026 · 14/04/2026 08:56

LoveYouPickle · 14/04/2026 08:51

I do like it but I'm not sure it would suit me tbh. That said, the good thing about JL is ordering 15 dresses to try on and free returns, so if you think it'll suit my shape I could add it to the pile?

OP posts:
LoveYouPickle · 14/04/2026 10:11

I am an apple as well and the flatness of it is very distracting (well I think so) 😂

eta: floatiness not flatness!

there's a green shade as well

GenieGenealogy · 14/04/2026 10:16

I'm not sure wrap dresses in general are great for those of us with stomachs and boobs.

MeetMeOnTheCorner · 14/04/2026 13:17

@DingyHall2026I always have a look at Boden. These are midi dresses which always look great at a wedding. One is bright but comes in other colourways. It’s jersey so might not suit. The other one is another great dress for a wedding and navy is easy to wear again. Both minimise big boobs! I’m always keen on satin trousers with a similar top. Good jewellery and a bag and it’s as easy wedding look to pull off.

Another wedding guest one - middle aged with tum and big boobs.
Another wedding guest one - middle aged with tum and big boobs.
loopsngeorge · 14/04/2026 13:43

I've just bought this for a wedding abroad and am really pleased with it. Im a 14/16 with a tummy that can look at least 6mths pregnant in the wrong thing and I found this wrap dress hid it well. Similar to you, my legs are fine but shift dresses seem to make me look very busty and matronly. This dress is slit quite high so it works well on the legs.

Julissa Wrap Maxi Dress | Phase Eight UK |

Julissa Wrap Maxi Dress

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/julissa-wrap-maxi-dress-10016350500.html

Lemonthyme · 14/04/2026 14:02

I was a size 14, possibly size 12 now but with a large chest, albeit a bit smaller than yours. One brand I'd recommend is Roman Originals. First time I shopped there I thought it was for my Mum's age group but I swear I've had some lovely dresses from there.

I've not tried these on but they've got a great halter dress. You'd need a halter bra as well (you can get multiway bras that convert) but they can make a larger chest look great.

Roman Originals Floral Print Halterneck Maxi Dress for Women UK - Ladies Everyday Holiday Spring Summer V-Neckline Comfy Soft Evening Vacation Work Party - Cerise - Size 14 : Amazon.co.uk: Fashion

Another wedding guest one - middle aged with tum and big boobs.