Wow, thanks ladies, some great advice.

Undies might be the answer - I need some big Bridget Jones tummy-tucking-in mummy- panties. No wonder my mother laments the death of the girdle for my generation - hers wore them all the time after baby!!!!! It is probably the ultimate fashion trick!!!

Pregpan - Agree, Allannah Hill has some great stuff. I have never bought anything there but worth a look. I hadn't thought of dresses being harder when self-conscious but I think you are right. Definitely harder to buy off the rack when proportions have changed. I used to find dresses hid more of the bits I don't like because I am short and I think one piece in one colour looks better. Then again a girdle might just do the trick. Yep, need a makeover. Haven't had my makeup done since my own wedding - and well, that was last century! This is going to be fun!

lil-chookie - yep, I should get the courage to try on the Dianna Ferrari dresses, because they had some really nice stuff. Maybe with mummy-tummy-tucking-in pants they might fit. I am a bit small busted, so some of the cross over stuff and v-necklines don't work for me, because well, there is not much there to make it look good!!! Maybe a push-up bra would help.

Geez - I am going to be tucked in and pushed out in all sorts of places!!!

Ryn - I love the empire line! Thanks for the advice on the heals! It is chunky for me. I hadn't realised that was the reason the slim heals didn't work for me!!! Yep, need a corset!

Rayray - agree the old biddies in Myer do know what they are talking about. I need to go at a non-busy time because when they are busy it is useless getting help! Yep. love empire line and A-line - any ideas where to find some nice ones! The wedding is not too formal being at lunchtime. A nice dress that can be worn anytime of day, to restaurants etc will do the trick!

mbear - I am in Melbourne, so still a bit chilly. The tight tummy-tucking-in undies will add extra warmth! Yep- knee length - there is a lot of that around! I prefer just under the knee because I hate my knees and my legs - a little chunky like the heals but probably not really that bad!!!

Geez - why can't we have bodies where we like all the bits!

Satya - yep- I need to someone to come shopping with me. Grandma will go shopping anytime to spend time with her grandkids and mind them too but she is not the greatest asset when it comes to fashion advice. I wish I had assets like you, but my big bits are those which I sit on! I am more a size 10 on top and a 12 on the bottom! Wrong way around!

Another mum from my mother's group also needs to go shopping for a dress for a wedding - her is more formal - may be a joint trip with all the kids to Chadstone is the go - I'll mind hers while she tries things on and she can mind mine - geez - that will be exhausting!!!!!! Nup - I think I will go on the weekend when DH can stay home with the kids!

Keep the ideas coming and I will let you know how I go!