high pressure wedding invite- I'm a dress short of calm

[Cathpot]

Right. I am going to a wedding in June of an old school friend. At this wedding will be many people I have not seen since I left school 20 years ago. The last time these people saw me it was 1989 and I was firmly permed and mostly drunk. I am neither of these things now, but having not had to dress up for what seems like years I dont really know what kind of dress I want or where to go. John Lewis is exotic for where I live and a good long day trip away, so I need basic shops or internet advice. Am a size 14 in most shops. On the plus side have broad shoulders and small waist, down side I carry my weight on my hips, saddle bag style- really cant do clingy.

Please help!

I wouldn't ever claim to be any kind of clothes expert, but I must be about the same age as you and rarely dress up too, but I like Monsoon for weddings.

this dress would show off your waist and not cling to your hips ? They have others in similar shapes

or this?

Any of these??

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_007010235494_-1?breadcrumb=Home~Women~O ccasion+%26amp;+evening+wear

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_008010237533_-1?breadcrumb=Home~Women~O ccasion+%26amp;+evening+wear

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_008010233907_-1?breadcrumb=Home~Women~O ccasion+%26amp;+evening+wear

www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_007010237085_-1?breadcrumb=Home~Women~O ccasion+%26amp;+evening+wear

How tall are you? What colours do you like/suit you? What's your budget?

You are all lovely - I feel more positive already. I am 5 6" - I cant do autumn colours, I wear alot of blue. I seem to look better in things with small detailed patterns.I like halter necks or scoop necks. Going to poke about in all those links, thank you.

While you're poking about..

blue phase eight

laura ashley

nicole farhi

people tree

traffic people

noli

noli again

fever

jigsaw

Anything grab you?

And lovely jaeger

A new discovery of mine, thanks to someone else's thread today, is this website
www.styleshake.com/default.aspx
where you can put your own dress together (material, colour, neckline, sleeves, length etc) for really quite a reasonable price!
Might be an option if you can't find anything you like? No patterned material available (which I think is a shame) but looks good for formal dresses.

Thanks both, will look, hopefully a dress will grab me saying' look this is the woman you are now'...

Have a day to myself friday, think I will go and try on lots of different shapes of dress then I will feel more confidant shopping online, some really useful links, thanks again for taking the time

I would go for a fifties swing style with your shape.

Dig for Victory look fab- scroll down for the gorgeous floral bouquet prom dress.
The day dresses are lovely too.