Mumsnet Talk

I want to find, ahead of this year's Christmas party season, an elegant lace dress which makes everyone think 'wow' and my husband's eyes pop out on stalks.

I'd like the lace itself to be delicate and beautiful. I like the idea of lacy shoulders/sleeves - it's not necessary for the whole dress to be covered in lace.

I'm looking for an investment piece which I can wear for years to come - so it can't be too trendy, young, short, etc.

I'm 5ft1 with big boobs, am currently dieting away the post-baby flab but aiming to be a size 10. I have a terrible post C-section tummy that ain't never going to go away, so would rather have something well cut and structural rather than just jersey. Due to my height/boobs I'm also not great in anything too floaty.

I'm prepared to pay up to £300 for the right dress but am going to be dreadfully fussy and spend ages and ages faffing around...

Has anyone seen anything to fit the brief?

I think the sleeves on this LK Bennett Lara dress are very pretty but the dress itself is a bit 'meh' and lots of people in my professional circle wear LKB all the time so I might bump into others wearing it.

Whistles Victoria dress - cute, but the lace is a bit clunky and there are a lot of ruffles.

Whistles Clara - cute but not sufficiently classic?

Closer, I think - Jaeger.

More Jaeger - cute, not as old?

I'm quite enjoying making this look like a really popular thread all by myself!

There is no such thing as a forever lace dress - even if fashions don't change radically your shape and tastes might. Get something cheaper on the high street and wear it at every possible opportunity for a year - this is not a case for "investment dressing",

But there's lots of cheaper ones out there so you should be fine.

Red Valentino is a bit sexier?

Aw, Dilys, just when I was having fun!

Thing is, that if I buy something with only this season in mind, I will only have a couple of opportunities to wear it so it won't work out as better value.

I do have a couple of going out dresses that I have loved for a couple of years, so I'm hopeful that it is possible, but it will need to be the right one.

I like the second Jaeger dress if it's any help, but I think it's less "wow".

I think the LK Bennett is lovely

I like the LK Bennet, the Victoria and the 1st Jaeger dress best.

I like the LK Bennett one best

Oh alright then, the LK Bennett one is smashing (though of course it's all about the personal fit) and Grazia had a 25% off code for Whistles which might still be active if you hurry (the code was on a thread it a couple of week's ago).

I like the Whistles Avril dress. The colour makes an unusual change from black, yet it's still a classic shape.

Oh and I do really like the LKB one too. Have a bottle green one with one lace sleeve that shape from last year and it's super flattering.

I sort of agree with Dilys that there is no such thing as a forever lace dress - lace is so big at the moment that you are going to need to pick very carefully if you want it to be a wardrobe staple for years and years. I love the first Jaegerone. I think the second one is a bit too prmmy and fifties, which will date, and is also a bit too blousy if you are short and big boobed. The other has much, much more mileage in it, even if it is more staid.

Having said that, I do have a silk and lace dress which is 13 years old and still completely wearable and timeless. If only I could fit into it!

The first Jaeger one is stunning and I think it would stand the test of time really well

this is nice. I'm looking for a lace dress too. I want kind of lace bodycon with lots of stretch to get married in. Not having much luck though.

Do you like this QueenBee?

That Whistles one is gorgeous!

Or this, very elegant.

I just bought this in Whistles:

https://www.rufflr.com/product/narcisse-tiered-lace-dress/

I'm 5'2" and also a size 10 so should fit you just right as well.

The first Jaeger one is great. Everyone will do that wow thing in that.

Although can't see all the links on phone.