need a dress for summer wedding and other posh do..but useless at dress shopping

[gladtoliveinademocracy]

Have a reasonably posh do with dh's work (it says "lounge suits" on the invite - am assuming that means nice dress but not evening dress?!) and then a wedding to go to in a few weeks and I would (obviously!) like to look beautiful and stylish but preferably in the same dress (stingy emoticon) but i am really not good at knowing what looks good on me so...
any suggestions for me?
I am tall - 5'11", about a size 14 although with a relatively slim waist (but a bit of baby fat left from baby born last year) and have longish curly hair and quite pale skin.
I dread going shopping for this kind of thing and have exams at the moment so am time-strapped (as well as having the dc to look after!). Anyway, any help appreciated, thanks
ps budget of about £50 but would spend more if it was fabulous..

Try Oasis. Have a nice selection of floral dresses, that would look great with pale skin. I would avoid nude dresses, which could wash you out (i have pale skin too)

I bought one only yesterday, it was £70 so more than you were looking to pay. But there were others there for £55ish. I'm 5'9", and the one I picked was quite short. But I think that it is exceptable providing that it's no more than half way up the top of your legs.

Hope that helps.

thanks natty - have had a look at Oasis website and already feel inspired!

Oh I'm similar - very rarely wear dresses & I hate shopping but I was forced into it yesterday - couldn't put it off any longer.

I went to Debenhams & bless them - it was a huge success much to my delight!!!! Lots of dresses, labels, shapes and styles. I was looking for large size, maxi dress at fancy end of the range and ended up with AT LEAST THREE I could take home! Result! They have a great selection, have the in store designers ranges, and have many dresses priced from £40 - £70.

My number one choice was out of stock in my size, but I was able to access one via their customer services, so I'm very happy with them all round.