Work Hospitality Event - Dinner, posh London Restaurant..opinions please

[TheGoddessBlossom]

I have ordered the following dresses online to try and on and send back the ones that don't work:

this

this

this

this

and this

The two Monsoon dresses have already arrived and are both nice, the colours on the tatiana dress are stunning, but I think a scoop neck would be better, and the marianne shift has a nice neckline, but is a bit dull in comparison.

What do you think?

Bloss

[whoneedssleepanyway]

I have to say I think the Tatiana dress by a mile I think it is gorgeous.

I am not convinved by any of the Oasis dresses, the green one looks very short, and don't like the shoulder detail on the red one.

I totally agree that the second Monsoon dress is very drab looking.

[Earlybird]

Think it all depends how you want to look, and what message you want to send.

The first dress (black with flowers) is pretty and you can't go wrong.
The second dress (white and green) seems more a daytime/luncheon dress to me.
The third dress (red) seems more suited to a social event (where you really want to stand out/make a statement) than a work event.
Fourth dress (floral from Monsoon) is pretty in a floaty, feminine sort of way
Last dress is elegant and understated without drawing too much attention to the wearer

You've chosen some lovely dresses.

Not sure any of that helped, btw!

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Don't like any of the Oasis ones and don't like the last one at all. The Tatiana is the best in terms of fabric but I'm not fond of the colours - it looks a bit like an explosion in a plasticine factory. When's the event? Are you open to/do you have time for other suggestions?

[ifancyashandy]

Love the green Oasis dress. The others no so much.

[polyhymnia]

Really depends which London restaurant you mean, I guess, and the exact nature of the occasion and your role in it. But, for a work event, I'd beware of looking too obviously 'dressed up to the nines' in bright colours, etc, such as you might wear at a wedding, or private party.

For that reason, would thiink the 'rather dull' Marianne shift would be a better bet for the occasion than the other one. Or something else understated but classy, with great but not OTT accessories.

Wouldn't go for the Oasis ones, for reasons above, and those others have mentioned.

[polyhymnia]

Also depends what sort of business you work in of course - eg, would be a big difference between what's appropriate if you worked in law and if you worked in fashion/ meeja.

On the green Oasis dress, not personally a fan anyway, but also don't think it gives a very 'authoritative' look, if that's what you want.

[TheGoddessBlossom]

remus - deffo open to suggestions!

Thanks!

[polyhymnia]

To help other suggestions, can you fill in any of the details of occasion/ type of venue/ your role in event

[TheGoddessBlossom]

Very well known London restaurant
Smallish dinner for mix of clients and prospects
I am a business development manager (sales) in IT services, and am co-hosting with my boss.
Agenda is informal giving guests chance to chat and enjoy hospitality
Aim is to look amazing and not get pissed, on a personal level, and for client's to give propsects a good impression, on a professional level.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Try Whistles, LK Bennet, Hobbs or Anglomania - unless you are v young!

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

lace bargain but only in size 14 or 16

Purple bargain in an 8 or 10

[TheGoddessBlossom]

They are both really nice Remus....particularly the green one...

[pink4ever]

I dont like any of the Oasis ones-cheap looking. Love both the Monsoon ones but prefer the shift dress. Have you tried it on as I see from some of the reviews that it looks much better on?. I think its looks very classy and just right for a smart work do.
Also like both the Hobbs ones.

[tethersend]

How about:

This

This

This

This

[TheGoddessBlossom]

Ooh tether love that black drape one. Also the all saints one. Funnily enough bought and sent back that green jaegar one for a do last year! It's very nice, but doesn't suit my shape.

Thankyou!

Am veering towards the previously considered dull marianne monsoon at the mo, as it does look good on and flattering. Will get the 3 oasis ones delivered tomorrow, have already dismissed red one as too ostentatious...

[auroraday]

For something like this - I'd say Reiss, LK B and Whistles are your friend. The FC one linked is very nice too (though quite cocktail-ey). I think Oasis is a bit loud and Monsoon just never am a fan - but that's me.

[tethersend]

yy had forgotten about Reiss... this and this are lovely

[whoneedssleepanyway]

Both those Reiss dresses are gorgeous Tethers, and from what Bloss said in her OP sound perfect for the type of event.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Don't like that gold Reiss one - tis a bit WAG imho. Sorry!

[polyhymnia]

Agree the gold one wouldn't be right for the occasion - sounds like it is one where under-stated (but not boring) classiness is the way to go. In fact, don't think anything shiny would be good - nor anything with a lot of fussy draping, etc. Aim should be to put on the dress and then, knowing you look good, be able to forget about it and concentrate on the event.

Think the first Reiss one looks good and agree Hobbs, Reiss, or L K Bennett would be perfect hunting grounds. Also still think the Monsoon Marianne would work well with the right accessories.