Can you help me find a beautiful dress for a black tie do. My budget is £80 and I want to be adventurous!

[overmydeadbody]

I have no dresses suitable for a black tie event, I am thinking cocktail dress rahter than a long shiny number.

I'm a size 8/10, have a flat chest and muscly shoulders (so strapless and one shoulder dresses don't flatter me, v-necks with little sleeves seem to look best.

I have always been very conservative in dress and would like to be a bit more adventurous, so would like something that isn't black and plain.

I have a very nice back so wouldn't mind showing that off.

What dresses would be nice?

Please? Pretty pretty pleeeeease?

how about this?

Agree, backless sounds good

Anything here?

what about tihs?

Ooooh a new website, thank you Kristina!

house of fraser have some nice ones, some are even in their sale :o

You re welcome

this all saints dress is lovely but not in budget

Debenhams have a sale on too... Designers at Debenhams is always worth a look for great value evening wear. also on their website is this another phase eight one.

Something like this?

Or this?

Monsoons website have some nice cap sleeve shift-shaped evening dresses with sequins/embroidery in your budget.

Checkmate that phase eight one isn't in my size . I will go to Debenhams though, good idea.

MentalFloss thanks! I like the black Asos one but really need to wear a colour I tihnk. Don;t like the blue and gold one, don't think I could pull it off!

Will check out monsoon.

Forgot to add MentalFloss, love the open back on both those dresses, so thanks for looking!

www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=2000044&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208523&parent_categoryId=203984&sort_field=Relevance&pageSize=20&beginIndex=1&siteID=0RpXOIXA500-pA.vVI3zIvmIdULAUpoXQw&cmpid=ukls_deeplink&_$ja=tsid:19906 (sorry, I can't post topshop links

I think a 1920s flapper style dress would be perfect for your bodyshape. Will try and find one!

How about this?

or

this?

or this?

or

this one, yes I know it's black and plain but v.pretty

or

this one? Different!

or

this is heavenly and would suit your shape

another one

very elegant if you are slim

gorgeous sleeves

I know you said not strapless but I think this would work!

Would you consider 2nd hand dresses?

If so you could try ebay, either search your size in evening wear or for specific designers / brand if you have something in mind.

I get a 'new' dress for every black tie do I go to (not that it's very often) and have found some amazing dresses and bargains over the years.

Maybe I've been very lucky but have always found the frocks to be in excellent condition, look like they've only been worn once and then sold for a fraction of the original price.

You could spend the remainder of your budget on shoes / accessories

I agree - I've had some fantastic Karen Millen and Coast dresses off eBay for about half the price and the seem brand new.

V neck, cap sleeves and adventurous enough?

Ooh loving that Ted Baker dress FN....trying to think of an occasion which I need it for!

I know, it's bloody gorgeous isn't it?! I couldn't wear it though - short chunky legs, big norks, small waist, so it would do nothing for me!

Oh my, just saw all these responses!

Will check all the links you have kindly posted and report back!

FellatioNelson I love the black lacy Oasis dress. The others are nice but I would have to try them on, not sure they will compliment my flat stomach as they are all a bit baggy looking at them online, but I know I'd have to try them on to properly see. Will take a trip to John Lewis this week.

Montifer I would definately consider second hand dresses, will look on ebay, see what they have.

Do you not think the Ted Baker dress would look strange with that huge bit of fabric hanging down the front covering up my best feature? Or would it cover up my worst feature (small norks) so be flattering? OR would it get in the way and just fall into my dinneR?