Maxi Dress for Christmas Night Out?

[sailorcherries]

I did post on Style and Beauty but have posted here for traffic and honest opinions. I need to order soonish in case it's crap and I still need to look, regardless of what I order.
I have my work night out the week before Christmas. I work in a school, mixed age ranges of staff going. I am the youngest at mid-twenties and the eldest is in their fifties. It is a party night at a Hilton hotel, meal and dancing/DJ.
I have put weight on recently and I am incredibly self-conscious of my middle section, not greatly fussed on my legs either. Have a good bust which is something. I'm a kick in the arse off 5ft7, size 16/18 (depending on how close fitting it is to my middle section).
Short, pixie hair in the style of Frankie Bridges (Sandford).

I bought a ruched, sparkly midi dress and although it's nice I'm not too sure.
I saw a quite plain black maxi dress, plunge neck and a thigh split which I thought looked nice. Had the idea to spruce it up with a sparkly wasit belt, jewellery, shoes and makeup.

However is a maxi dress 'too much' for a party night? Is it too drab?
Last year to a similar place I wore a short black lacey number but feel too self conscious this year. I've gained around a stone and a half and had weight to lose then.
This is the dress ...

If it's crap can you recommend anything else, not too short and not too clingy.

I don’t think that dress looks too much for a Christmas night out. It’s nice and glam but still pretty plain. Looks much like a lot of the dresses I saw women wearing the last two weekends I’ve been out (London and Birmingham)

Personally I think it’s a bit rubbish. I’d go for a skater dress style as it clings at the boobs but then floats out to hide the stomach. I’ll try and link an example bear with

I wear maxi dresses a lot for nights out etc. I'm tall so they suit me and they're comfy - nothing wrong with a good maxi and they work well for an occasion as well as floating about by a pool....

Like this maybe

With sparkles added that dress will
Look great op

But not as expensive perhaps!

I’m almost tempted to suggest that I’ve seen this dress before on a previous thread about whether it was suitable for a wedding do in the evening.
Sorry if I’m wrong.

A thigh split black maxi is always a winner in the glam stakes. Killer make up, great hair, nice bracelets and earrings and some sparkly stilettos. Leave the dress alone and let the overall look work for you. It's a very grown up look. Very sophisticated.

My Phase Eight black maxi dress is my favourite ever item of clothing, and I wear it to death. Like you, I'm a bit overweight, and it makes me feel great. and my boobs look awesome in it To keep it casual, I wear it with my black leather biker jacket. For a night out I'd team it up with sparkly, dangly earrings and choker, plus have my hair, make-up and nails all nice. It's all in the details and accessories! I'm sure you'll look fab

I wore a very similar dress recently. Made sure I was happy with my hair and make up. Bit of sparkle in my jewellery and i think I wore sparkly heels too, I thought I looked great and I am not in any way thin.

Wouldn't be too much, no. Went to a similar type of night yesterday and there were definitely women in long dresses. A whole range of outfits worn, from short and skimpy to long and flowing.

The dress above is bloody lovely with added sparkle I think it'll be just right for a work night out.

What shoes you thinking?

I love your maxi dress choice, OP. With killer heels, some jewellery and great make up you will rock!

Enjoy!!!

I was thinking of borrowing my sister's black sparkly shoes. I'm not a shoe person, I don't know the style - like a heeled sandal or sorts?
Sort of strap that goes round the ankle and a strap over the top of the foot, near the toes, otherwise it's open. Chunky heel. Sparkly.

I used to love a night out when I was around 5 stone lighter. Nowadays it fills me with dread, especially when I am one of the biggest staff members and all the women I work with are gorgeous. They also know themselves very well and dress themselves to suit which makes it even more difficult being the dumpy one.

I think you’ll look gorgeous in the black maxi - go have fun :)

I love it! Did you buy it recently? If so where from please

A black maxi is always fab!
Please don't be so down on yourself! Slap on the glam and a smile. (And remember - you are the youngest!!!)

Do it! I'd wear that to a Christmas do too just as you're describing :)

It’s lovely. The nicest dress on the thread.

I’d add chandelier or drop earrings, a cuff in a similar ‘stone’ or finish plus strappy sandals but I’d avoid an ankle strap unless you’ve legs to rival Julia Roberts - they’ll cut off and ‘shorten’ your legs. Also, a thin heel would look better than a block heel with a dress like that.

It's sold out. In the 40 or so minutes since I posted it's gone, in both of my possible sizes.
Gone.

Sorry to hear it's sold out, but IME of school staff nights out, that would have been much more glam than I'm used to seeing!

Haha you've never seen our head Dippy

I wasn't sure what the AIBU was but the dress is lovely. Just jazz it up with loads of sparkle

@sailorcherries

Don't be so hard on yourself!

I'm sorry that dress has sold out was truly a beaut