Had to buy wedding evening outfit on a pittance - please reassure me :-(

[CatKisser]

Due to a few reasons I've been extremely short this month. A colleague has invited me and another chap from work to the evening part of her wedding. It was a last minute invite but kindly extended and we both feel we should go.

I've had to buy a £7.99 dress from H and M and a shrug I couldn't afford. I am pretty down about my body at the moment due to being overweight and size 20 and am so aware the event will be full of beautiful women in pretty dresses.....I need some confidence tips! (Of course I know it's "not all about me" but I would rather not spend an evening feeling totally crap.)

No female pals locally who can help either. Just needed to rant mostly.

[AllMimsyWereTheBorogoves]

CatKisser, I'm no Style & Beauty expert (very far from it!) but I'd be willing to bet that at least half of the women guests you think are beautiful women in pretty dresses will be feeling exactly like you do. I don't know why it's so difficult for women to accept that they are perfectly normal, and usually also really lovely, and that nobody is looking at them and judging them all the time, but it does seem to be difficult. I bet you will look absolutely great. Your colleague has invited you because she/he likes you and wants you to share this very special day. You will look great and I hope you have a lovely time. thanks]

[CatKisser]

I really, genuinely can't tell you how much I appreciate that reply (to what was essentially an indulgent, panicked rant.)
Thank you
You're right though - I don't go round thinking how dreadful other women look so why really, why would they do that to me!

[AllMimsyWereTheBorogoves]

I see my emoticon didn't work! Sorry about that. Typing while drinking a G&T is not usually a good idea.

Glad to have been of service! I lurk here to look at pictures of dresses.

[Solaia]

You were invited because your colleague is fond of you and wants you to be part of her day. Not because of how beautiful you are or what you wear! She likes YOU and that is a lovely thing.

Even aside from that, I'm sure you will look great - expensive clothes are not automatically better. It's about how you look and feel in what you have on, regardless of what it cost. Looking at a wedding guest I would find it hard to tell an h and m dress from a Zara dress from a Karen millen dress without checking the labels! I have worn a new look beach dress to a wedding, put my hair up and sparkly earrings/shoes and it was fine.

Enjoy the wedding.

[Waltermittythesequel]

I'll bet you will look gorgeous!

My friend came to ds's christening in an absolutely stunning dress. She really did look remarkable!

I asked her afterwards where she got it: Primark. A fiver.

She looked beautiful (size 18 btw) and lots of people commented on it.

[BrieAndChilli]

Went to my sisters wedding last weekend in an outfit from matalan clearance £3 for the dress and £1.50 for the shoes. Had lots of comments of how nice I looked (and I am a 16 so not got a nice figure!)

[BarbaraPalmer]

I wear lots of smartish dresses for work, mostly french connection (sale) or M&S. However the one that always gets me loads of compliments was less than a tenner in Asda.

[CatKisser]

Thank you so much, all. I think I just had this bizarre idea that everyone else spent massive amounts of money on smart clothes... Just need to relax, dye my hair and pick out some nice jewellery.

[BloodFlower]

I bet you'll look fab. Make sure you enjoy the day, the happier you are the more beautiful you'll look :)

[Madamecastafiore]

I am on hols at moment somewhere super and am in awe of a beautiful plus size lady by the pool.

Flower in hair every day which matches her bikini, beautiful nails and an air of not giving a shit makes you realise why everyone is secretly in awe of her.

I am a size 12/14 with awful body issues after having dc3 and feel shit in my one piece.

Its nothing to do with size. Head held high, nice hair and nails, shoes a shining and a couple of vinos then hit the dance floor. I bet all the skinny minis will be wishing they were having as much fun as you.

[CatKisser]

Thank you blood and madame you are both lovely.

Actually, I'd appreciate hair advice if anyone has any ideas. My hair is long (below nipple length) curly and thick. I have nice red dye to sort the roots out tomorrow. I usually wear it in a braid over my shoulder. Is there anything I can do with it with....er...not a lot! I think I have a few bobbles and a ton of bobby pins....

Aaaaagh I really miss having female friends!!!

[Maverick66]

Hi OP,

as a larger lady myself I agree totally with what MADAME says.

Look on You Tube u will find tutorials for easy updo's and put something like a flower or a bit of bling in your hair.

Definetely paint your nails, face pack, exfoliate and false tan the night before.

Some gorgeous scent/body lotion a new lipstick/lip gloss a statement necklace and you are good to go! Just remember to shake what your mama gave you with confidence :)!

[Maverick66]

P.s catkisser my hubby loves the more curvaceous lady and reckons most blokes secretly do! So bear that in mind when having a downer on your body ;)

[fishybits]

I have a dress from M & Co that is three years old, worn to weddings, dinner dance thingys, cocktail parties etc and I am still complimented on it and asked where I got it from. I'm a size 20 but happen to look great in this particular dress.

[lettertoherms]

Just want to say I bought an H&M dress for $5, wore it to a wedding and a few events, I've had so many compliments and genuine inquires as to where I bought it. Price doesn't mean anything.

[LadyOnARooftop]

I live oop north but sometimes have to go to London for work, and have meetings at a major fashion retailer who are also our client.

Without fail, the dresses I get most compliments on are from......Asda! And cost me no more than £16. I'm a size 14/16 too so no supermodel.

Enjoy the wedding!

[Selks]

Your hair sounds lovely as it is. I would just do the colour then focus on having it clean and shiny, and enhancing the curl maybe with a bit of blowdrying or some product. There are lots of tutorials on youtube for enhancing waves and curls if you should feel so inclined. Check out the 'plopping' videos (yes really, it is a wavy hair method - honestly! )

But honestly, you sound gorgeous, so just get your glad rags on and go and enjoy yourself.

[FuckTheMagicDragon]

Do a half up/half down with your hair. Pull back the top bit and pin it back, add a flower or ribbons to match your dress. Put some light argen oil on before you dry it. Don't hide it away in a plait :)