Black Tie/Ball Dress emergency!

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Soooo, I decided to try on my new ball dress for saturday (not sure if link will work but it was this) and the bloody zip broke - badly. Stroppy email demanding refund has now been sent after having to cut the zip to get it off!

But, this means I am now dress-less for a work ball on Saturday! Crisis! I am fatter than I was pre-baby (ok, toddler) so I have NOTHING else I can wear. Seriously thinking about not going and feeling pretty damn shit about myself right now :(

I'm 26, 5'6, roughly a 14 but kind of Christina Hendricks shape - big (30H/HH) boobs, decent waist, big hips and sadly a pretty bad but quite low tummy (I'd love to blame that on the c-section but it's just accentuated where I naturally carry weight) so I don't want anything that is super clingy/tight across the lower tummy/hip area although I do have spanx! Unless the dress is very well made I will need to be able to wear a bra, but I have the Wonderbra ultimate so strapless is an option, it's just super low backs etc that are a problem.

I'm probably a winter colouring - close to black hair, pale skin - so I suit black and bold colours. Pastels not so much.

I have shoes and accessories coming out my ears, so it's the dress that's vital. I'd rather not spend more than £250.

Suggestions please stylish ones!

[notMarlene]

Get thee to a seamstress!

[lurkingaround]

Terrible!
Have you looked at Mango?

[notMarlene]

black again?

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Seamstress is the back up option, but there was also a slightly odd bulge in the zip over my bum (I have quite a deep curve in my spine and a big butt!) so I think I would need to get the zip removed entirely and maybe replaced with a zip up back - which I'm reluctant to do when the thing is brand new!

[lurkingaround]

I'd be reluctant to start messing with your dress too. It's brand spanking new, from a reputable brand and wasn't cheap! Unacceptable.

[FauxFox]

biba
coast
planet
karen millen

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Thanks for your suggestions! I adore the Biba one - I'd looked at it before but I don't know if I could get a bra under it. HOF is just round the corner though so I may nip round and try it. The Karen Millen would be great if the split wasn't so high (I'd need spanx and they're long!)

[FairPhyllis]

Mango silver
Black strapless
Floral silky

Phase Eight in black or purple
Red
Green but you'd need one of those crossover at the back bras.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

The mango silver one is very pretty - I wonder if it would have enough boob space? With long dresses I need them to nip in underneath (cos my boobs are huge) or I look a bit like a ship in full sail :)

The black is lovely too...also on the list!

I found this which I love but can't decide if it might be too boob-flashing? also like this karen millen but not sure if it will be too cruel on my tummy?

[FairPhyllis]

I quite like the grey Karen Millen one, but I'd want to know how far the split goes up in case I was risking having Angelina Jolie stylee leg.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Or more worrying, spanx flashage!

[Lavenderhoney]

Monsoon laurton dress is nice and in purple ( dark) which could be lovely. Have you tried a dress hire place fr ball gowns, like carriages at three? They are very reasonable and can have lovely unique dresses? How awful about your dress. Hope you sort something:)

[Lavenderhoney]

The ghost website has a good sale in long evening dresses too...

[StatisticallyChallenged]

I've ordered the red project d one to try on next day delivery- if that's awful that still gives me a couple of days to panic! Currently trying to get my money back for the first one- I do resent expensive dresses having crap nylon zips! Will check out those suggestions, thank you.