Desperate for help with wedding outfit - running out of time!

[GoWithTheWaves]

I’ve got a very important family wedding in 2 months and nothing to wear 😩

I’m 5’2, size 18 with big boobs. I don’t like my arms or my ankles and I’m usually a casual dresser so really don’t suit traditional wedding type dresses. I’d be happier in trousers or a jumpsuit but they either look a bit butch/blokey (trouser suits) or are a nightmare to do up (jumpsuits). I hate the Yours Curve/Scarlett and Jo type dresses that seem to be aimed at bigger women and they’re all too long for me anyway.

I’m so stressed about this. I really need to get it right and feel comfortable but I hate everything I’ve tried so far. I’ve ordered and returned hundreds of pounds worth of clothes - tried going in person but even big shops seem to have a very limited range and even less larger sizes. I’ve thought about a personal shopper but suspect that’ll be just the same.

Please can anyone help? I haven’t got much of a budget but could stretch to £150, got neutral bag and shoes that should go with most things. Very grateful for any ideas!

https://liveunlimitedlondon.com/products/petite-black-polka-dot-print-jersey-short-sleeve-midi-dress

https://www.marksandspencer.com/floral-cape-v-neck-maxi-tea-dress/p/clp61267535#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r11c2%7Cprodflag_Just%20Arrived

https://www.marksandspencer.com/v-neck-tie-waist-midi-faux-wrap-dress/p/clp23063777?color=NAVY

https://www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/p/db034

This one looks really nice
https://www.whistles.com/product/polka-dot-print-midi-dress-40997.html#cgid=Petite_Occasionwear_WW&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=polka-dot-print-midi-dress-40997&pos=12

This dress might be good for your shape & colouring? It's more simple than the majority of wedding guest dresses - but you may want that, OP? And it has pretty detailing at the front & could look good with fancy accessories? Now down to £38 in a petite size 18, so you could spend more on new accessories?

https://www.boden.com/products/women-naomi-long-sleeve-jersey-dress-terracotta-red-d1569red

These are reduced, look a bit like Nomasei ones, & look comfy too plus have a decent heel?

https://www.modainpelle.com/sandals-c29/heeled-sandals-c41/love-taupe-metallic-p15930

The bag & earrings are just suggestions for dressing things up, & would take you a bit over budget, but I'll post the links anyway. I'm sure there are loads more cheaper options if you spend some time excavating the internet!

https://www.sophia-alexia.com/products/marble-mosaic-clutch-bag
https://susancaplan.co.uk/products/1980s-vintage-cloisonne-earrings-10

On first glance I thought that would be really nice - but then I looked at the green version & it looks really unforgiving around the stomach, & the proportions look odd?

Still worth a try though, OP? And I agree with the PP who said that navy doesn't have to look like workwear - I would feel more put-together in a navy jumpsuit than a floral/patterned/bright one. But again, I would certainly make sure my accessories were on the dressier side.

I’m 5ft 1, was size 18 and wore this to a wedding last year. About to stick it on Vinted. Also hate my arms and cankles (lipoedema). I wore it with a thick, wide Allsaints belt to cinch me in at the waist.

This perhaps? Though the shade of red may be a little too warm for you. Not sure if you want longer sleeves? In an 18 petite & reduced to £67. A gold belt, jewellery, & gold or black bag & heels?

https://www.johnlewis.com/whistles-petite-blurred-floral-tie-waist-jumpsuit-red-multi/p114892443?size=18&s_ppc=2dx_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23665652874&gbraid=0AAAAAD2el1w-H5m2G0ftnP2QJ0Mr0379D&gclid=CjwKCAjwmJjSBhB-EiwAkZgxi3il5qEKRfgsOtLkLPEv8H5P8bEJPlifN25TH2tNsCkQGWQGX_O_sBoC9o0QAvD_BwE

Unfortunately this is out of stock in a petite 18 - but there is still a 20 if you could get it tailored a bit? Down to £58. Satin is automatically a bit dressier/more evening-y than linen etc. Would be good with silver/gold/other shades of blue - lots really!

https://www.whistles.com/product/satin-short-sleeve-jumpsuit-40546.html

I’m a similar size and shape and found this jumpsuit very comfortable and flattering. It’s very easy to take on and off as it’s stretchy and can easily be dressed up or down. They used to do a navy in it (you could probably find one on Vinted if you wanted):

https://www.roman.co.uk/cowl-neck-bardot-jumpsuit-14111508

This is an actually nice dress, that anyone could incorporate into their wardrobe after an event. And the colour will be nicely seasonal for the end of summer:

https://www.hobbs.com/product/chiswell-paris-shirt-dress/0124-5345-9045L00-RED-IVORY.html

(If it’s too long in the skirt it would be easy to have altered.)

What I like is how beautifully it appears to be made. The buttons down the front mean you can wear it in exactly the best way for you - maybe more open at the top than in the photos. And the pleating at the back means there will be a generous amount of fabric across the bodice.

Really excellent and elegant frock.

Love the brown polka dot from Whistles.

Thank you there are some really nice suggestions here especially where the poster has taken time to choose accessories too - it’s so useful so help me envisage how it might look on me. Some brilliant sale reductions too!

Finery doesn’t get too much traction here, but they do lots of petite dresses and go up to a size 24. Maybe have a browse?

I realise this dress isn’t black btw!

Available in 18P

No I can cope with blue! Finery isn't somewhere I've ever shopped/looked so good to know they do the bigger sizes, I'd assumed they were the sort of brand that wouldn't

Me too, I’m tempted to buy it and I don’t need it. Looks really really nice,

These? All available in petite length

Have you tried roman, kaleidoscope, quiz? You can often find some hidden gems. I picked up a dress from Roman that was very similar to a phase eight one and almost half the price.

Okay, here's a plan that should actually solve the problem rather than throw more options at you.
The formula: wide-leg trouser + flowy top, bought as separates (not a "suit")
This is genuinely the biggest trend for wedding guests right now, so the range is much better than it was even a year or two ago. It solves everything you listed:

• No zip/toilet nightmare — it's just trousers and a top, on and off like normal clothes
• Doesn't read as a trouser suit — the "blokey" look comes from matching structured blazer fabric. Swap the blazer for a silky/satin wrap top, kimono top, or blouse with a bit of drape, and it instantly reads as occasionwear, not office wear
• Full-length wide leg trousers skim the floor, so ankles are a non-issue
• A wrap or V-neck top with a kimono or bell sleeve covers arms without looking "covered up," and wrap/V styles are the most forgiving shape for a fuller bust

Where to actually find it in your size, without endless returns

• ASOS – search "curve wide leg trouser" and separately "curve wrap top" or "curve kimono top," rather than pre-made co-ord sets (the sets are often not in your size even when the separate pieces are). ASOS Design Curve, Vero Moda Curve, and ARRANGE Curve all currently have wide-leg trousers and drapey tops in the £20–£40 range each, which keeps you well inside £150 for the full outfit.
• Next – their Curve range does petite-friendly lengths on some wide-leg styles, and their occasionwear separates are genuinely good quality for the price.
• Simply Be / Evans – less trend-led but reliably do wide leg trousers up to size 32 and often have kimono-style tops that avoid the "Yours Curve" look you don't like.
• M&Co – worth a look for wrap tops specifically; they do a lot of drapey occasion tops that flatter a bigger bust without being twee.
• The length problem, solved cheaply: since you're 5'2", even "petite" ranges can run long in wide-leg styles. Don't let that rule things out — a local alterations/dry cleaner can usually take up a hem for £10–£15. It's much cheaper and less stressful than continuing to hunt for the mythical perfect-length trouser, and it'll fit properly rather than "good enough."
• To cut down on returns: order the top and trousers as separate items from places with free returns (ASOS, Next), and only order 1 size up and 1 size down in whichever piece is more fit-dependent (usually the top, given the bust). That's 2–3 items to try, not 15.

Here are specific pieces that fit the brief — full-length wide leg + wrap/kimono top, both in Curve sizing, both currently in stock. I'm giving you links so you can check current price/size availability directly (prices shift and stock moves fast), but these are all comfortably within your budget as separates.
Wide leg trousers (all UK Curve, full length):

• ASOS DESIGN Curve occasion satin wide leg suit trouser, gold — dressy satin, reads as occasionwear not office wear
• ASOS EDITION Curve satin super wide leg drawstring waist trouser co-ord, blurred stripe — drawstring waist, very comfortable, subtle pattern
• ASOS DESIGN Curve wide leg trouser with linen, black — safest neutral, works with any top, re-wearable after
• ASOS DESIGN Curve plisse wide leg trouser culottes, black — pleated texture adds interest without pattern

Top:

• ASOS DESIGN Curve long sleeve volume wrap front kimono top, khaki — wrap front skims the bust rather than clinging, kimono sleeve covers arms loosely without being hot or tight

I'm a similar height and shape to you but one size up. I ordered the blue monsoon dress and it is beautiful (even nicer in real life!) but it was floor length on me & couldn't be shortened as the embroidery and embellishment go right to the hem unfortunately.
Sorry for the full quote!

Yes Monsoon stuff is very long!

I really dont like Roman/Quiz/Kaleidescope - I appreciate the suggestion and they do have nice styles but it all feels really cheap and nasty, I'd like to feel nice as well as hopefully looking good.

The idea of separates is a great shout, I've found a skirt I really like and am considering it with something like a beautiful silk top if I can find such a thing for my generous boobs!

Why don't you like your arms and your ankles, OP?

Because they're fatter than I'd like and not very toned. I'm not tall or thin but I've got a niceish shape and I'd rather focus on the better bits!