Can you please dress me for the ball?

[smilesandsun]

Well, its not a ball, but I need to do some style transforming for my evening wear. I think it would be 5 years since I had a new going out outfit, I think its about time! The outfit would mostly be for dinners / drinks.

So for some hints, i'm fairly thin (6/8 uk) and average height.

I generally wear the same thing when we go out for dinner (its not that often since the 2 little ones!) which are skinny black pants and a black or white sleeveless top.

I really need to be brought up to date....at the least I need new skinny black trousers

Thanks!

Love to help Cinders - what's the budget?

I think after a five year freeze I have a decent budget, perhaps I could even get two outfits! Lets say 500 pounds

YAY! I'm on it.

Tell us a bit more about your style please. Are you drawn to plain classic tailoring, unfussy, simple line, or frills, pattern, high-fashion trends etc?

How old are you and what is your colouring?

I have it on good authority that this dress is lovely in real life:
www.theoutnet.com/product/210022

I want this one myself:
www.theoutnet.com/product/64930

Do you want a LBD or some colour?

LeQueen and SarahStratton - are you there? Look! Told you! Watch and learn ladies, watch and learn!

Right come on BlackSwan we need to get this one sorted before Tethersend wakes up and takes over. I'm buggered of I'm letting her snatch a £500 budget from under our noses.

OP - do we need shoes and stuff as well?

I think you should aim for one v. simple LBD that can be dressed up or down, and will not date, as if you don't go out much you want it too last and be good value. And the second one could be a bit more of an indulgence purchase.

That RM dress is lovely - and bargainous. My only reservation for a LBD is that the animal print may be a bit current to be a true classic - although as it's self-coloured it's quite subtle so you could get away with it.

I think it won't date, as you say, it's just self-print. What an amazing price huh? Can't look at it again or I will order it.

On the face of it this might seem quite severe and dull, but it could go anyhwere with the right accessories, and it won't date. Because of the wide scoop neck and the 3/4 sleeves there is plenty of scope for fabulous costume jewellery, so it could do cocktails, dinner, job interviews, funerals, work, anything really.

this is pretty and cheap

vair pretty

I adore this but I expect most people would hate it

as you are very slim you could wear this - but you'd need to be quite fearless as it packs a punch

I love this

That LK Bennett dress with the lace is gorgeous.

Thanks for the help so far. I'm 35 and think I dress too boring for my age...have to make the most of it while I still sort of have it I'm thinking. I've very fair and have darkish hair ....

my favourite so far is the LK dress with the lace and shoe string straps!

What do you think of this for an extra? www.whitestuff.com/look-1-CSGV5_LOOK1/ white stuff pearl dress without the cardi....

Also in need of some pumps and dress runners for everyday

This is nice

As is this

here?

Here?

here?

I think that white stuff dress is very pretty and summery - but that cardigan Thing is truly hideous

I like the Helmut Lang multi tuck dress, that could be the one!!

How about this?

Similar to the Helmut Lang dress but perhaps a bit more versatile. Can get it in loads of different colours too

That certainly is versatile! Can't see any stockists in London, not sure about ordering it online, it seems too good to be true....

There is another company that does them called Dessy and they seem to stock them in bridal shops here

I really want to try one as I think they look fab. Just missed one on ebay . Bloody crappy internet speed.