Make me pretty for an important night! Help me pleaseeee!?

Question

I'm going to one of my good friends engagement party in early November. I have a few problems. Over the past 2 years I've had some rough things happen in my life and I've gained about 50lbs. I went from a size 4/6 to about a 12/14, depending where I shop. I'm only 5'2, (though im not petite, and I have an hourglass shape, I'm VERY curvy, larger on the bottom) so the lane bryant type stores are always WAYYY to big for me.

I'm open to any suggestions. The things I used to wear were fine for my size, but now they look inappropriate. Also, I'm 20 now, and I feel funny wearing the type of clothes I wore when I was 17 & 18.

I need a dress, shoes, and any other advice you guys can give me. I'm looking for a good place to shop for every day clothes, as well, but this night in particular, I really need to go all out.

Please help me...I want to make my mother st*u when she sees me with my fiance - she's made me feel awful about the weight I've put on because of a medical condition. ty!

My mother is frail, and I want to show her (and the rest of my family, for that matter) that "bigger" girls can look just as beautiful as anyone else.

Besides the fact that ofcourse, she should love me for me. Thanks so much. I really appreciate it.

Answer 1

Let me say that you are dealing with things amazingly. You must be a very strong woman to handle everything that has happened so well without letting it slow you down.
I like JC Penney and Deb for most of my clothing, but I'm also a big fan of discount stores like TJ Maxx and Marshall's. You never know what you might find at a great price :-)

For the shower, look for a dress that's about knee length. Try a bias cut, A line, or wrap dress to slim you down, and flatter your curves. The skirt should gently flare and move easily with you. Since you say you are larger on the bottom, look for a style that draws the eye up, like an empire waistline, decorations, or lighter colors around the neckline. You can almost never go wrong with a little black dress. Black is classic, partly because it's slimming and party because it's so versatile.
http://www2.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductList.aspx?RefPage=Products.aspx&Dep=women%27s&DeptID=597&PCat=dresses%2bsuits&PCatID=28247&CatTyp=DEP&CatID=35051&Cat=little+black+dress&showmenu=&ttyp=&shopby=0&sale=&Page=4&cmCatLevel=4&RefPageName=CategoryAll.aspx&RefDeptID=597&RefCatID=28247&CmCatId=597|28247|35051&Filter=
For a really fashion forward look to amaze your friends and mother, try one of these.
For a more casual evening:
http://www2.jcpenney.com/jcp/Products.aspx?DeptID=597&CatID=35051&CatTyp=DEP&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=SIZ&ItemID=0ee38fa&ProdSeq=14&ProdCount=34&Cat=little+black+dress&Dep=Women%27s&shopby=0&PCat=Dresses%2bSuits&PCatID=28247&RefPage=PRODUCTNAV&Sale=&Ttyp=&ShowMenu=&RefPageName=CategoryAll.aspx&RefCatID=28247&RefDeptID=597&CmCatId=597|28247|35051&Filter=
http://www2.jcpenney.com/jcp/Products.aspx?DeptID=597&CatID=35051&CatTyp=DEP&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=0fb5ebb&ProdSeq=28&Cat=little+black+dress&Dep=Women%27s&PCat=Dresses%2bSuits&PCatID=28247&RefPage=ProductList&Sale=&ProdCount=34&RecPtr=&ShowMenu=&TTYP=&ShopBy=0&RefPageName=CategoryAll.aspx&RefCatID=28247&RefDeptID=597&Page=4&CmCatId=597|28247|35051
For a more formal evening:
http://www2.jcpenney.com/jcp/Products.aspx?DeptID=597&CatID=35051&CatTyp=DEP&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=SIZ&ItemID=0fcb44b&ProdSeq=33&ProdCount=34&Cat=little+black+dress&Dep=Women%27s&shopby=0&PCat=Dresses%2bSuits&PCatID=28247&RefPage=PRODUCTNAV&Sale=&Ttyp=&ShowMenu=&RefPageName=CategoryAll.aspx&RefCatID=28247&RefDeptID=597&CmCatId=597|28247|35051&Filter=
http://www2.jcpenney.com/jcp/Products.aspx?DeptID=597&CatID=35051&CatTyp=DEP&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=0fb895f&ProdSeq=31&ProdCount=34&Cat=little+black+dress&Dep=Women%27s&shopby=0&PCat=Dresses%2bSuits&PCatID=28247&RefPage=PRODUCTNAV&Sale=&Ttyp=&ShowMenu=&RefPageName=CategoryAll.aspx&RefCatID=28247&RefDeptID=597&CmCatId=597|28247|35051&Filter=

The hot color this fall is red. Pair up the black dress with red shoes and a purse.
http://www2.jcpenney.com/jcp/Products.aspx?DeptID=597&CatID=39861&CatTyp=DEP&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=0fe627f&ProdSeq=8&ProdCount=16&Cat=warm+colors&Dep=Women%27s&shopby=0&PCat=Handbags+Shop+By+Color&PCatID=33302&RefPage=PRODUCTNAV&Sale=&Ttyp=&ShowMenu=&RefPageName=CategoryAll.aspx&RefCatID=33302&RefDeptID=597&CmCatId=597|28729|28730|33302|39861&Filter=
http://www2.jcpenney.com/jcp/Products.aspx?DeptID=597&CatID=41692&CatTyp=LFS&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=0f4c839&ProdSeq=2&Cat=shoes&Dep=Women%27s&PCat=red+hot+zone&PCatID=41684&RefPage=ProductList&Sale=&ProdCount=16&RecPtr=&ShowMenu=&TTYP=&ShopBy=0&RefPageName=CategoryAll.aspx&RefCatID=41684&RefDeptID=597&Page=1&CmCatId=597|41684|41692
While heels add height and slenderize your legs, don't get anything with a strap across the foot or around the ankle. It cuts your leg line in two, giving you a dumpy look.

Do your hair normal, or only slightly fancier than usual. You don't want to look like you are trying to upstage the bride to be. Then play up your eyes with makeup, not your lips. It's easier to let a more natural color fade as you eat/drink than with a bright red or pink lip color. Touch-ups shouldn't rule your night out. Try Claire's for some great jewelry.

Remember to have fun, and don't let what other people have to say get your down, even if it is your mother. As long as you are happy, that's what counts.

Answer 2

1.face is key in this situation...perfect, light makeup and perfect hair go a looong way.
2. find dress colors that compliment your skin. (you know which colors these are). no printed fabric! it makes you look bigger.
3.look in department stores for slimming underwear/bodysuits. expensive, but they suck you in tight! they also smooth out any lumps and make you look even hotter than your already beautiful self.
4. if you are wearing a two piece outfit, keep the bottem half black, it minimizes size.
5.try and find one thing you especially like about your body (breasts, ankles, etc.) and emphasize that, while covering up the rest.
6.sadly, more expensive clothing can go a long way... cheap fabric only draws unwanted attention. (as in Ross vs. nordstrums, not louis vutton!)
7. don't wear really loose things, it just makes you look big. fitted is good, as long as you don't see rolls!
8. lastly, confidence! you know you are beautiful, your fiance knows it, and everyone else can go to hell!

Answer 3

http://www.shortsupport.org/News/0500.html

Defining 'petite'

Contrary to popular belief, the "petite" label has nothing to do with width, circumference or pounds. Indeed, some petite women also are plus-sized.

For example, Ann Taylor - one of the most well-known petites providers - offers up to a size 16 in petites clothing.

Go to these websites to get some ideas:
http://www.shortsupport.org/cgi/news_list.cgi?category=Adult-Clothes-Female

http://www.dressingwell.com/petrel.htm

Answer 4

Wear something fancier.

Answer 5

(dt) you don't know what your talking about. You sound kinda fruity to me.

Answer 6

black dress from Nordstroms