I need a swanky frock !

[MabelAnderson]

Dc graduation, Oxford so pretty formal. I have a lovely outfit that used to fit me but this year I have put weight on and my good intentions to lose it again… well.. they remain good intentions as I’m only slightly slimmer.
I want a beautiful frock, I am happy to hire if necessary. I am roughly a size 12 . This is quite well padded for my frame, so I do not want to show my upper arm chub. I am annoyingly busty (28H/30GG) and post menopause, with a tummy from that plus two c sections. So partly nothing I like , or used to wear, is very flattering.
I am 5’8” and like things long or longish. I suit things that come in under the bust, the voluminous dresses that are smock shaped (eg Kindred) do not work on me as I look huge.
Best shape for me is fitted over the bust, elbow length sleeves, long A line skirt. Vampires wife dresses looked the right sort of shape but I never tried one on, and maybe they weren’t for the busty ?
I am pale but suit warm colours, probably a vibrant autumn. Happy with solid colours, florals, prints, embroidery, anything. Best colours are mossy greens, or oranges, vermillion red, cream. Can’t wear blue, fuchsia or black, they really do not suit me.
I won’t wear polyester.
I don’t know why I can’t find anything, I think I just feel fat and frumpy, as I love clothes , so normally have a lengthy wish list.
Budget. Hmm well up to £500 probably. Don’t really want to spend much more than that.
I have been in denial that I won’t squeeze into anything I already own and now I have very little time and I’m panicking.
Thanks in advance!

First thing, get yourself an excellent pair of big but comfy control knickers, & a really well-fitting bra!!! Ideally matching - it's nicer.

Then have a look on Liberty's website, for their own brand dresses. They have one particular dress, the Gala, that is very close to the VW dress style you're after. It comes in thirteen prints & is made of silk. It's £495 but if you spend over £300 you get £100 off - so spend that on your underpinnings!

https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/department/women/clothing/dresses/

These are the ones I think fit best with your colour preferences.

There are also these Liberty styles - the first two are silk maxis. You didn't mention mustard/golden yellows, which usually are good with autumn colouring?

The other two Liberty ones are also beautiful, & you mentioned reds & creams. But I think one is possibly a bit casual & the other a bit girlish?

Oh, there's this dark mossy print in the V-neck maxi style too (same as the greeny-blue & mustard ones above).

And another yellow print - but this is sharper, whereas the mustard is warmer. It also comes as a top & skirt.

There are a few versions of this A-line silk skirt, & one or more styles of blouse/shirt to match. I love the dresses, but I think I'd probably go for the top & skirt option for versatility afterwards.

The Peacock Manor separates (same print as one of the Gala dresses, & also one of the Hera maxi dresses). This is the Gala top with the silk slip skirt.

There are also these tops, which also match the skirt.

Had a look at needle and thread too

Another Liberty top & skirt - the yellow cotton Carline Rose variant - that looks like a dress when worn together. Sleeves may be shorter than you'd like though.

Separates in Heidi silk (same print as two of the dresses above).

And another greenish colourway, Aurora silk.

Red/orange Meadow Song silk blouse & skirt separates.

And Faria silk separates, which can also be worn together to look like a dress. May have too much blue with the red for your liking though.

Off-piste suggestion here ... they also have matching tops & trousers, which look great together. These, in Ezra Venus silk ...?

I’d book a stylist appointment in a large department myself, I wouldn’t want to spend that much without trying on first. V neck definitely works best for larger busts, and if you have a decent local seamstress, nothing beats getting alterations done or an off the shelf pattern to fit you - I’m have a dress made at the moment for £150 plus material, local dressmaker originally from Ukraine, several neighbours say she’s great, I’m sure others exist

@EleanorMc67 some gorgeous outfits you found there!

... Or these in Orbella Geo silk. Depends on if you're definitely wedded to the idea of a dress or not. These are equally elegant & flattering IMO.

Look at MyWardrobeHQ or Selfridges hire shop

Thanks - as you can tell, I have an unhealthy obsession with the Liberty range of women's clothing ...!!! And it gets worse every time they bring out more pieces!

When I win the lottery I will buy the lot & be seen wearing nothing else - including at bedtime!!! 😁

I would try and source you favourite dress in a bigger size.

Alternatively put a picture of it up and we could recommend something similar.

HURR have some lovely bottle green Vampires dresses for hire

Beulah also has a dress that's not dissimilar in style to the VW Falconetti, which comes in two prints. One is green & duck egg & coral - which would be good for soft autumns (I'm one), but probably too muted for you? The other is navy with reds/pinks, which is stronger in tone. They're both just in budget, & are linen lined in cotton.

https://www.beulahlondon.com/products/aster-navy-geranium-dress

I am bra obsessed. Polish bras for me so that is sorted. Never can find knickers that fit well though.. I do love that first dress. If they had the colourway I most like (Prospect Road) in my size I would have bought it. Not sure the other colours would suit me. I had also seen that Beulah dress with the floral print they call Geranium but is actually Sweet Williams, and it’s lovely. It’s spendy, but so pretty.
Love a lot of the other Liberty things and I have some money saved in Liberty from my beauty boxes so that would be great.

Thanks for the tip, I’ve saved a few possibilities in HURR, to look at this afternoon.

It’s a late 40s cream linen suit, with a really pretty jacket, it’s just too tight, with no seam allowance or I would have let it out.
Somewhere I have a lovely silk chiffon vintage dress, but we’ve had builders in, everything is in chaos, and I can’t find the blooming thing anywhere.

Sadly no time for this as I also live in the back of beyond, nowhere near a city.
I should have done that weeks ago , spent a day in London, but I was an idiot and in denial !