I could use some help in helping my 21 yr old find a dress for a wedding. She is 5 ft 2 and curvy and has hips and a chest. She also has a broad back. She doesn’t want to show her legs so prefers something long. The reception is on grass so she won’t be wearing heels. It can be anything from somewhat formal to a maxi that can be dressed up. We hit a few stores today and came up empty handed and frustrated.
Did you try Bloomies and Nordstrums? Neiman’s has great sales, and I got a long black tie dress there for half price.
Is this a summer event?
Yes, what time of year and what state/city will event be held in? Does she like sleeves? Sleeveless? What styles does she generally prefer? Is she definitely decided on dress only or would nice slacks and a fabulous top work?
I like the petites at Loft, given her height of 5’2". If you order online you can return to a store if one is near you (or ship back). Order the same thing in 2 sizes and return what doesn’t fit.
I have somewhat muscular arms and a fuller upper body, and this style looks great on my body:
http://www.modcloth.com/shop/dresses/chance-to-captivate-dress
A silk shawl can provide arm coverage, if needed.
One of CCers who did not want to expose her arms found that this dress looked awesome on her (in a different color):
http://m.shop.nordstrom.com/s/eliza-j-print-pleat-chiffon-maxi-dress-regular-petite/3643201
Stores keep their mysteriously large inventories off the sales floors, so what you see in the stores is not the whole picture. Give online shopping a try! 
@BunsenBurner, that blue dress is lovely! Agree that there is much wider range of sizes and styles online than at stores. CB did look lovely in the other dress!
Online Loft Flash Sale 50% off now through Nov 26 with code “CORNY”.
Wear wedge heels.
Boden has a long solid jersey dress that could be dressed up.
I spent one short afternoon shopping with her. She was beyond frustrated. Every dress she liked at Nordstrom only had a 2 in the store to try on. She has gained a lot of weight over the last few years and shopping frustrates her because she isn’t happy with her body. Add to the fact that her sister is in awesome shape and it makes for a difficult spot for me. A lot of unspoken competition between them.
Nordstrom has several dresses on price match. I am sending her a few in different sizes including the blue Eliza J print Bunsenburner linked in post 5. That one comes in a petite. Hopefully she will like one of them.
I liked several on Modcloth and the prices are great. Unfortunately the styles she liked were sold out in the sizes I think she would need. The wedding isn’t till February so we have some time.
“…in the sizes I think she would need.”
Check the reviews carefully… Most ModCloth dresses are very generously sized. 
I am a 0 or 2 in quite a few they sell (I am size 42 Italian standard, which is true US 6).
I also recommend jersey fabric . It tends to be forgiving .