Dress Shops - Melbourne. Recommendations please!

[jackrose]

I have an invitation to a wedding in a few weeks, dress code: Garden Party. I take that to mean floaty, floral summer dresses.

My wardrobe doesn't have anything really appropriate for that as I have a 'wider/rounder' body now than I did pre-children so I need something new and *flattering*, oh and where the zip actually does up!

My problem is that I am reasonably sized in terms of shoulders, bum and thighs but I have a left over tummy that is hard to fit in a dress without looking pregnant/fat! I'm looking for 14-16 size and find that a lot of dress style look gorgeous on the hanger and shocking on me!

I'm sure I could find something if I had the time to look around but in my very limited window of child free time, I think I need a short cut. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good dress shop in Melbourne, preferably CBD or inner city suburbs that I could go to in the next few weeks?

I'd be ever so grateful for some direction

[Arcadia]

I can help with garden party style, but not sure about sizing. What about MAZI or even the IT factory clearance store on Brunswick st which has allanah hill, gormon and princess highway (at heavily discounted prices).

[feeb]

City Chic have nice dresses that are classy and dressy.

[Rivlas]

I have just bought some clothes for a wedding from Motto. The dress is layered and I will be able to get alot of wear out of it for most of the year as I will dress it up for the wedding and then can add boots etc for another look

[lisaandshaun]

Dream diva they have a website and face book page.

[LimeSlice]

Head into Myer in the city, they are FABULOUS.
I bought an amazing dress from Leona Edminston and it is gorgeous, the girls were so helpful and it is probably the only time I have been in a shop since being bigger than a 10 that I didn't feel condescended to and made to feel like I am a whale! LOL
David Lawerence also does 14-16 too, and is also at Myer in the city!

[jackrose]

Oh my!

Quick suggestions and good suggestions! Thank you all.

Lisaandshaun, online shopping makes me very nervous for clothes for me. In store, I always love heap of dresses, follow a general rule for what looks good on me and then try them on. 95% failure rate! How can you be sure something will work? (insert nail biting nervous emoticon here)

[lisaandshaun]

They have a store in Melbourne, Richmond I think. Just check their website.

[jackrose]

Ah ha. Sounds good lisaandshaun, trying on = good. Thanks!

Off to do some pre shopping googling now...

ETA: Arcadia, just checked out MAZI and they have a dress call "garden party"! Cool.

[~me~]

Lana Berg Clarendon St Sth Melbourne! They are fantastic, like a personal shopper. Lana is about the same size as you and will definitely be able to help you out. Just tell her the occasion and theme and she will work her magic

Leona Edminston has a shop in Chadstone, another one worth checking out.

Alannah Hill is definitely garden party and her Chadstone store often has sales racks.

[FabFiona]

Leona all the way. Lots of prints and colours which would suit the theme and they are very flattering for real women.

[myturn]

Dream diva is on bridge road Richmond, easy to find, and great clothes you could check online and see if you like what thypey have before you head in... I was going to say them or city chic as well, but Meyer or Davis jones would probably have some good selections as well... Good luck!!!

[Arcadia]

I just checked out the 'garden party' dress and uts really nice! it would suit lots of body shapes too!

I like Leona Edminson too but found her stuff pricey.