Cocktail dress help

[alison]

So... I'm in need of a cocktail dress.
What looks good on a busty, short, chubby girl with ugly legs...?

[alison]

I knew it.... Nothing looks good!
I can't go in jeans, can I?

[houseelf]

I'll meet you at the bar!

[PrincessFiona]

lol I have the same problem. I don't know what dress looks good, but if you put on a pair of 4" heels, you'll feel awesome!

I've been salivating over this:

http://www.coldwatercreek.com/produc...k=dresses.aspx

but I don't know if it constitutes cocktail dress or not.

[diggitydot]

Something with an empire waist would be flattering. I'm not typically a JCPenney shopper, but I happened into our local one out of sheer desperation a couple weeks ago. They had a surprisingly huge array of dresses in different styles, sizes, and for a wide array of functions. I found a very cute (and flattering) LBD for less than $40. I was floored.

[alison]

I'm 5 feet tall, and I wear a size 12 usually. I'm busty (36D) for my frame. I've got a short torso, and short stumpy legs. I do like my arms, and my shoulders are ok.

My best friend is 6'3" and thin. The only thing we have in common is facial hair.

I know that that's not much to work with...
I prefer black and chocolate brown looks good, too. You know, so I can blend in with coat racks.

[GrayMatterWife]

Go for an empire-waisted, slightly (not inappropriately) v-necked dress in a single, dark, sophisticated color. The look will elongate your body, show off your girls, and draw attention away from your waist (you said "chubby"--I'm not really sure what you mean; some "chubbier" girls rock a fantastic voluptutous (sp?) look, which can be achieved by de-accentuated the waist and highlighting the top). Use Spanx to enhance the hourglass effect. You might try to wear you hair up, in a loose up-do, do continue drawing the eye away from your middle and toward the neck. Be sure to wear high heels in some trendy style, and a great, grade-A professionally fitted bra. I am a pathetic, jealous A-cup, who is a Christina Hendricks at heart. It breaks my heart to see women with the ta-tas I'd love not wear the right bra. It's like watching someone drive a Porsche in Tiptronic. If you've got the assets, know how to use em!

[diggitydot]

I don't know if this qualifies for cocktail, but I just bought this dress and it's very flattering. It's available in our store in plus and misses sizes:

http://www3.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx...Id=70656|80145

It also comes in a really rich looking purple-ish color.

[Lala]

I would say emphasize your assets! If you like your arms and shoulders, and are "well endowed", go for sleeveless for sure- maybe a V neck with straps, or even a halter style if you can find a bra that would work for halter. I am in complete agreement with those who recommended wearing a great, preferably high, pair of heels. I am 5"2 and I don't wear high heels very often, but I ALWAYS wear relatively high heels when wearing a cocktail dress. It makes me feel so lady-like! ps. if you have "stumpy" legs as you say, try wearing your dress with sheer black stockings. They are incredibly slimming and look good with almost any colour of dress.

[alison]

Do you think I can pull off a short(er) dress, or should I see if I can find a long one?
The one thing about a long dress is that I'm worried it will make me look like I'm obviously trying to cover up my legs. Is a long dress smart or overkill?

[MissCrabette]

I think that at your (our) height, a long dress would swallow you whole.

Maybe I'm wrong about this, but I also don't think most people would look at you from the perspective these dress models are photographed. They'll mostly look at the top half of your body, so I wouldn't worry too much about the legs. I'd focus on getting a dress that shows off your bust and making sure you have a great bra. I think a wrap knee-length dress would be very flattering.

Then again, I'm not a fashionista, so...

[DCJenn]

Not long. What about a pair of really dressy pants and a sweater? My friend had a blood clot in her leg and now has to wear compression hose for the rest of her life and she has no problem finding really pretty pants and sweaters to go formal or cocktail.

Jenn

[HouseofWool]

I really like the last 2 options that Lily gave.

[alison]

I like the black ruffle one, but have a short neck. What do you think? Will the ruffles accentuate my non-existent neck?
I'm sorry to be such fashion dead weight...

[alison]

Also--thanks, ladies!
I'm flattered that you think I can pull this stuff off!!!