Plus size dress

[swoosher]

I need to find a smart dress to wear in the day for an event, not formal but think posh afternoon tea. I am a size 18. We have a 4 hour drive and nowhere to get changed beforehand so I am ruling out linen or linen blends because of creasing. I am not a huge fan of florals, I find they look frumpy on my frame.. No upper budget, I just want to feel nice. Any suggestions very gratefully received, thank you.

Joanna Hope ,Scarlett &Jo. Yours clothing, M&S ,Roman, David Emanuel on eBay are all worth considering.

Live Unlimited worth a browse

https://liveunlimitedlondon.com/products/black-cotton-poplin-short-sleeve-maxi-shirtdress?_pos=9&_fid=92603f1c6&_ss=c&variant=57128624128375

https://liveunlimitedlondon.com/products/chocolate-polka-dot-print-midaxi-shirt-dress?_pos=13&_fid=92603f1c6&_ss=c&variant=57128627241335

https://liveunlimitedlondon.com/products/blue-cheesecloth-broderie-maxi-dress?_pos=35&_fid=92603f1c6&_ss=c&variant=57096847294839

https://liveunlimitedlondon.com/products/blue-broderie-shirred-midi-dress?_pos=39&_fid=92603f1c6&_ss=c&variant=56912910352759

https://liveunlimitedlondon.com/products/green-embroidered-cut-out-midi-dress?_pos=90&_fid=fcb91280b&_ss=c&variant=56293740413303

Marina rinaldi or the fold ( there are a couple of beautiful silk dresses up to a 20).

Thank you so much, I will have a look through your suggestions

I only use vinted and eBay when I get anything from Marina Rinaldi as it is too expensive for me otherwise, another company I use is Ulla Popken and always from the afore mentioned websites. It does have a British website.

Have a look at these Snag dresses. They are made especially for each size rather than just cheaply upsized for the larger sizes. I wore them when I was a size 18 and I wear them now as a size 10 and they fit really well. Very pretty too.
snagtights.com/collections/all-dresses

Something from

https://kemitelford.com/

might be good as the prints would disguise crumpling - and the dresses have presence. But that would depend on your exact measurements and the individual dresses. Size guide here:

https://kemitelford.com/pages/size-guide?srsltid=AfmBOoqUhXlRbQAW4hoOZKcJIFt60ljJaw87Q6bXggXOXuGubEQrPJ3s

Monsoon all the way for me.

Ooh just popped back to see more suggestions, thank you!

Rixo is my go to for a nice occasion where I feel good and it’s comfortable. The dress I bought was a generous 18, so check measurements
https://rixolondon.com/en-ie/products/meg-leopard-polka-dot?variant=41592133451821

Let us know what you get OP we need to know 😀

This is updated and should be useful, @swoosher:

https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/gallery/best-plus-size-fashion-brands

What body shape are you? Pear? Hour glass?

Sister Jane https://sisterjane.com/collections/dresses/products/menton-stripe-maxi-dress?edit=one

https://sisterjane.com/collections/dresses/products/indigo-bloom-midi-dress?edit=one

https://sisterjane.com/collections/dresses/products/sandstone-tassel-midi-dress?variant=57297835590014

I’m still browsing, really appreciate the suggestions!
I always used to be a classic pear shape, I definitely carry weight on my thighs and have a smaller waist and bigger boobs, but these days thanks to the menopause I have a bit of a tummy too. I don’t like my body at all and mostly try not to think about it!

What height are you, @swoosher ? And what is your colouring? Are there any colours you like/suit more than others, & what about your preferred dress length? Are you happy in sleeveless dresses, or would you prefer a short sleeve, or longer?

Also, I know you said a dress - but what about really lovely separates, or a co-ordinates set?

I do like that Marina Rinaldi dress - though it would depend on the OP's colouring. Not with those shoes though ...

One thing though, @swoosher - you said you want to avoid linen because of creasing. Other fabrics like cotton poplin will crease too. Patterned fabrics hide creasing better than plain - so would you wear stripes/abstract prints/checks/dots?

The somerset dress in anthropologie is a great dress and comes in different colours. Very flattering.

I haven’t recommended any particular dress from that article. I am assuming the OP will read the whole piece and click the links to any mentioned brand she likes the sound of.

(So I’d be sorry if she is put off reading the article through an assumption that it all centres on one frock!)

I am 5 foot 6, olive skin, absolutely happy to consider bold prints, abstracts etc. i love teals, purples, blues. Orange and yellow doesn’t really suit me. I would prefer a sleeve and length below the knee. I promise I am looking through everything, I have until the end of the month so I’m carefully considering all your suggestions!

And I would consider separates but really need the bottoms to be dark because of my very chunky legs!