Christmas do, can' find anything to wear

flissh

Went out yesterday and tried on loads of dresses. Just felt fat and frumpy in everything. Usually would wear black, but that looked all wrong. Tried a bit of colour, but couldn't get the shape right. flaring out from under the bust with sleeves I think would suit me best, but could not find this style anywhere.

Christmas do is on Thursday and feel like canceling now.

bella*donna

Hi,

Sorry you are feeling rubbish. Don't lose your Xmas spirit!!

Instead of buying new, have you got a dress already you could wear? Maybe get some new accessories/shoes/sparkley wrap to make it feel different? Even painting your nails or doing your hair a different way could change your look so you feel special for your night out.

Good luck!

Bronnie

Have you tried this dress from Next on? It's called "dobby smock dress", online it's only available in cream and blue, but instore they have it in black, which is what I bought. If you phone the storeline for availability and they will often hold it for you for a short while until you can get down to try it.

The reviews say the cream one is a little bit sheer, but I have no such issues with the black one and the sizing is on the more generous side, always good for morale!

It is an extremely flattering style if you are curvy, Fits neatly around the bust and upper arm, beautiful feature sleeves and flares nicely over the tummy. The fabric is layered and not bulky. It is a fab fit and very slimming and flattering and comfortable. I love it and it will be the answer to this years LBD issue!

http://www.next.co.uk/shopping/women/tailoredlooks/11/1?extra=sch&n=women&utm_source=google&utm_medium=product_search&utm_campaign=googleps


Remember when you try black dresses on in the shops, you are in a harsh bright draining light, not looking your best after trying on stuff and a day's shopping! A black dress in more subdued evening light with your accessories, make-up on and hair done looks completely different!

Good luck. Hope you find what you want and can start to look forward to your do!

missPinky

Hi

Have you heard of the miracle M&S dress that was featured in the daily mail??

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1335869/Party-dress-helps-women-drop-size-ANY-dieting.html

or alternatively their guide to dresses that flatter everyone

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1328585/Frocks-flatter-EVERY-derriere-The-best-dresses--shape.html

dmg24

What kind of shape are you OP? I have the older version of this dress and it is lovely, very versatile and very forgiving. There aren't many sizes left at Bravissimo, but if you ring their call centre they will check if they have any of the older versions in stock, or if any of the stores have it in. Alternatively, ebay is always a good bet!

flissh

Thanks everyone.

Bronnie, that Next dress looks good, am off to Bluewater today, the nearest big shopping centre to me, so will look in Next there. You are right about the lighting in shops, it is way too harsh.

Saimak, could not find that dress with the secret panels yesterday, but will look today in a bigger M&S.

dmg, I'm a bit big round the tum and bum, but not so much in a nice curvy way, just a lardy way!!!! I am a size 16., 5' 8". Also, very wary of looking too 'muttonish' !! Added to that, feel happier when my arms are covered, not that they are too bad, but think that is just an age thing. Worst is, I'm only 47, but suddenly really feel wrong if I'm dressed too 'young'.

Anyway, off to the shops. I have also ordered two dresses online, they can be picked up from store tomorrow, thought I could try them on with tights, shoes and make up for a better idea. If I don't like either they will be easy to send back. Ironically, both are sleeve less!!

dmg24

A big belt can do miracles in turning you from an apple to an hourglass! Equally be careful not to make yourself look even more apple-ish(!) by hiding your waist at the same time as trying to disguise your bigger bits.

Let us know what you end up with!

vwelsh13

I always felt like you but wore bright red for daughter's wedding..- many complements so be brave and try something very different

choccyface2006

I bought this rather plain jersey dress from Matalan last week and think its great.

I went to see an afternoon show on Saturday and afterwards for a night out and was quite creative. I dressed it down during the day with leggings, boots, a cardi and chunky jewellery. In the evening I stripped off my leggings to reveal tights, swapped my boots for heels and my chunky accesories for sparkly silver ones and lost the cardi! I went from cosy and practical to classic night out in minutes! :T

The great thing is that it was on special offer for £14 down from £18. There aren't many sizes available online but my local store had a good range of sizes. If you are worried about upper arms you could always add a splash of colour with a bright shrug/pasmina.



Sarah x

flissh

Bronnie, I got the dobby smock dress from Next. I really like it. Feel it will look great with leggings.

I now have three dresses to try on all glammed up at home (when the two I ordered are here) I will only keep one and send two back:sad:

foreign_correspondent

Glad you are sorted - I was going to suggest this dress - I got one from Asda yesterday, and its designed by the woman who set up Biba - its very flattering, but it fits very differently on me than on the model - on me it looks much more like a wrap dress, and less drapey, becuase I fill it out a lot more - its not dissimilar in fit to the bravisimo dress posted above, which I have also been hanging my nose over for a couple of weeks!

The only problem now is what to wear it with - opaque tights and knee boots?