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!

I don’t mind a subtle amount of cleavage and happy to highlight my waist but not sure a column shape would really suit me, I’m better with something a bit more fitted as I think that would just hang off my boobs, cling to my bum and completely bypass the slightly thinner bits!

How about something like this, navy, elegant and is in the petite range so shouldn't be too long
https://www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-petite-abbie-wrap-midi-dress-navy/p114237265

This is lovely for a wedding

Last time i looked, about three months ago, Sosander had some lovely floaty floral dresses in pinks and purples that were long but not floor scraping maxis. I needed this length because of an ankle injury I wanted to hide. They were in a nice fabric slightly more dressy than cotton. Watch out for their very short returns window though - I am now stuck with one of the dresses I wanted to return.🌺

Very similar to Roman!

Thought that might be the case. Are short sleeves & midi length ok, or would you prefer 1/2 to full length sleeves & midaxi or maxi? I think with dresses that, if you're short, a bit of ankle helps as otherwise maxis can swamp?

Are you fine with heels? Presume you want to buy new rather than Vinted/eBay (unless you can return). I will often have already tried on something that I then hunt down that way, so I know it will suit me. Or already own similar things from that label. Maybe you could try on some Rixo dresses or separates & then look for them on Vinted etc? As there are some great bargains!

But a bit short in length & sleeve if the OP wants to cover most of her arms & legs?

OP - if you ARE a "soft summer", these are the colours that would supposedly best suit you. Do you think there's any truth in the assessment you had? It would mean that your own colouring is on the cool side & muted rather than rich/intense.

I know you said they can be a bit "Queen Mum", which I get - especially if you're a lover of black!! But it depends on how you wear & accessorise them? You said you're fine with patterns - both floral & graphic ie stripes/dots?

I have had some success trying things on then finding the same thing on Vinted - I got a dress for another occasion that was over £100 for £30 new with tags! It’s much safer if you know it will fit.

i do like those sage greens and dusty purples and I don’t mind a pattern but I’m a bit fussy about which!

That Hobbs dress is really nice but way too much leg on show for me 😳

What about this sort of shape, OP? The blue is a bit stronger than those on the chart (I'm not anally retentive about the whole colour thing in the slightest - but prefer to know what you like & suit, broadly, colour-wise!). Black or silver accessories would work.

If you don't like your ankles, certain footwear styles will look better than others. Pointed toes, a diagonal strap across the foot but not ankle straps, mules/wedges will all help lengthen - block heels are better than kitten/stiletto.

It is polyester, but is cut loosely around the arms etc & is fitted at the waist by the ties, so you can adjust to suit.

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/clemence-lian-floral-print-kimono-dress-blue-70017190007.html

Also similar in shape is this Religion dress, which is black with little silver sequins. Totally fine for a wedding in my book! Also polyester, but also cut loosely around the arms & bum, & free to cinch in as much or little as you like at the waist area.

https://www.jdwilliams.co.uk/shop/p/pq498?optionSize=18&promo=6202&nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ag%3A23918348103%3A201146650070%3A812225954859&nb_adtype=pla&nb_ti=pla-2487687555815&nb_mi=5979198&nb_pc=online&nb_pi=PQ49805&nb_ppi=2487687555815&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23918348103&gbraid=0AAAAADtNp_vuMvZFGQ4uax-aXpExO6l89&gclid=CjwKCAjwu53SBhAhEiwAJzSLNpnkthxE38em_-0f6exu0a1ILx5IRqV_nOR7NwSa0hQKwiG-3bukkBoCA6wQAvD_BwE

This Hobbs one is, I think, a nice shape & colour. The green is more neutral than cool, but still good. Viscose (polyester lining though!) & really well-reduced - although the petite 18 is out of stock, but not the regular. The petite 18 might be available on other Hobbs stockist sites though.

https://www.hobbs.com/product/petite-apolline-dress/0126-5385-9021L04-GREEN-MULTI.html

Did you see this jumpsuit in the Phase 8 sale, OP?

And, if you are avoiding jumpsuits because of the getting on/off issue - you can get the top of the zip altered to add a long silk/embroidered ribbon to hang down your back, which means the zip is easy to access??

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/petite-julissa-blue-wide-leg-jumpsuit-10017560408.html#isShoeProduct=false&navAjax=true&cgid=sale-petite&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&prefn1=size&prefv1=18&pid=10017560408&pos=1

You said not overly formal - this is very pretty & could be vamped up, but may be a bit too boho/casual? Good colours for you?

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/petite-trinity-heart-and-floral-midi-shirt-dress-10018790408.html#isSecondPage=false&start=0&sz=60&isShoeProduct=false&cgid=sale-petite&prefn1=size&prefv1=18&pid=10018790408&pos=2

Theoretically speaking, these colours & this shape could be good. But it is rather more "weddingy" ... Linen blend though!!

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/petite-adeline-cream-floral-midi-dress-10017830102.html#isSecondPage=false&start=0&sz=60&isShoeProduct=false&cgid=sale-petite&prefn1=size&prefv1=18&pid=10017830102&pos=10

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su819458/h57859

This doesn't come in petite, but someone who's 5' 3" has said the length was good. Hammered satin (recycled polyester at least), so may be a little heavy if it's hot weather? You might well need to get the sleeves & hem taken up - but if the overall fit worked that's affordable to do as it's only £48. Navy or green both good options?

I love the Vinted Rixo dress - think that would be amazing

I’m newly converted to Hobbs and have found so many dresses more flattering than the website makes them look.

I actually really like Religion as a brand, I’m
not sure on the quality but the clothes have that slight edge that appeals to me.

Yes, tbh I'm not too sure re quality either - & I'd prefer silk/linen or even viscose over polyester most of the time - but the cut of those dresses is relatively simple, so it's harder to bugger up in terms of the manufacture. And a striking print goes a long way, even if the quality isn't fantastic. They have a few really good prints - IMO they look much better than Sosandar or Roman etc.

Have you seen these ones? The first is in stock in 18 (its the same cut as the black & silver one); the second isn't - but it might be worth keeping an eye out? I think both colour palettes would work on you?

I liked it too, but I guess it's a bit of a risk for the OP. Though as the seller is the same/similar height & size & has already had it tailored & posted photos wearing it, it's less of a risk than Vinted usually is! It also comes in a dusty powdery blue, which is nice.

Comes in petite. I like the sleeves, they lift it out of casual territory.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su892946/w04479

These?

Really grateful for all the suggestions but nothing feels quite right - they’re either not dressy enough or not ‘me’ which I appreciate is tricky as none of you actually knows me!

I ordered what I thought was a really nice skirt from Phase Eight but it has a seam down the front and the pattern doesn’t match from side to side, so disappointing in something costing almost £100 🙁