Does the female of the species have to wear a dress to a wedding?

[autodidact]

If so, is there any dress that would be flattering for someone shortish, very buxom (shapely but huge breasts), horrid postnatal belly, good lower legs, the rest non-descript, a not fat but could afford to lose a few pounds and tone up a bit size 12? I really find it hard to find dresses that look good. If not, what other garb would be acceptable? I always manage to look wrong at weddings... Please help!

A photo would be really useful if you could post one...?

Normally dresses, but I have worn a linen trouser suit to a wedding before. No one laughed as far as I know

what about this?

My aunt wore a lovely white trouser suit to her own wedding.

My future MIL is planning on wearing trousers to our wedding this summer...

So, no! You don't have to wear a dress.

What not try a skirt and top? Far easier to shop for...

some photos of me here I've temporarily reset my privacy settings on facebook photos so hopefully will work?

Not at all. In fact, so annoying is SMIl with her list of demands for SILs wedding that I am tempted to go in trousers.

Not at all. There was No Way I was trying to wear a dress to weddings whilst I was bfeeding

Last wedding, I wore trousers and a particularly lovely wrap-around top with a smart jacket.

Can't see the photos I'm afraid...

My aunt wore a gorgeous trouser suit to my wedding - it was made from something soft (silk?) and had a ruffly sort of lapel (sounds grim but was lovely)

I wore trousers to my bf's wedding. I don't do skirts/dresses as I have rugby player legs, awful knees and cankles.

Trousers fine at a wedding imo.

That said, anything nice at bravissimo? I haven't worn any of their dresses myself but I understand they're great for the large of nork. A wrap dress would be best with a post baby belly. Chunky accessories, lovely shoes, bob's yer uncle.

I'm sure you can justifiably wear trousers. I've certainly worn trouser suits to weddings a few times.

No - you dont have to wear a dress. I wore a trouser suit and pretty top when BFing DS1 at a wedding.

Though from how you describe your figure it sounds like a pretty wrap dress which accentuates your good assets (chest and neckline, legs) but helps hide the tummy bit, plus a nice pair of heels, would do the trick if you want to wear a dress.

If you don't feel comfortable in a dress then don't attempt it. I can't remember ever wearing a dress to a wedding and I've never been in trouble for it.

No of course no need to wear a dress. Trousers or a skirt and top are fine.

But from your description, a shift dress with a V or scoop neckline would suit you well in fact - hides the middle bit and shows off lower legs.

Bravissimo does dresses specially cut for larger boobed ladies - the one blushingm posted looks good, or the whole collection is
here

Hell no - wear what you like!

The point of the day is to marry DP, not dress according to some formula!

I've seen the photos - you are very pretty and have lovely hair! A very good figure with a fab bum too

I too think that it would be a shame to cover up your legs, so a dress would be good.

You have very similar colouring to me and I suit colours like this. The Phase Eight dress would show off the bits your like and disguise your tum.

Marvellous! Can see the photos, and you are very pretty indeed.

How about something like

this

this

this

this

this

I am in love with that Vivienne Westwood dress!

Oh thank you so much, everyone, for the help and compliments. Very, very kind of you. I am pretty ordinary looking, tbh, but since having my daughter and rediscovering photos I have started posing more and it definitely makes me look a bit less gormless some of the time at least, thank goodness. The photos of me when my boys were a similar age are truly dire even though I was way younger so should have looked better!

Really love the Vivienne Westwood dress as well- gorgeous. Bit out of my budget but it's so lovely I might go and try it on... Where would sell such a thing, do you think? Do any department stores sell her stuff? I actually really like all the dresses you've linked to tethersend. And phase8 is a great idea, Florence. And Bravissimo too, blushingm, though I wonder if their dresses would be a bit long for me? I have a much better idea of what kind of shape I should be looking for now, I think. Need to go and try millions of dresses on I think.

And thanks everyone who's reassured me that I needn't despair if I can't find a dress, too. I'm much more confident about shopping for other clothes so that's good to know.

btw, Skaterr- I'm not getting married myself or I would definitely get the Vivienne Westwood dress! I'm going to a wedding as a guest.

Selfridges and Liberty stock VW- Liberty's website has that dress

Otherwise, I think there is a VW shop on or near the King's Road...

Ooo- I feel a trip to the West End coming on! Thanks again, TE.

A dress is not necessary. How about something like this with these

Err... Isn't that a dress?

Well looking at your pictures was a shock as you look really slender and perfectly proportioned,not needing to loose a few pounds.With your natural good looks you can go for all out glamour and wear whatever you like.A trouser suit with a plunging 70's style jacket would look amazing,or a Diane von Furstenburg style silk dress.

I've always worn trousers to weddings.

I can't be bothered to time my leg waxes and get my legs out just for someone elses benefit.

Nope it is a tunic, great for big boobs and bellies. They were a staple for me for the first year post baby.