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Original poster

Need a dress for a millionaire work do - on a shoestring budget - help me!

30 replies

hattyyellow · 01/09/2011 08:48

Would really appreciate any pointers. I have a work client do, drinks and dinner at a house of a very wealthy family. I live most of the time in jeans and warm clothes out in the middle of countryside.

So it needs to take me through drinks and dinner and look professional. And needs to be under £100 - £150 at an absolute pinch but I'd need to then be able to wear it to every evening do for the next ten years.

I'm size 10-12, 5ft 7, fair colouring. I'm happy with most of me apart from my tummy and upper arms - so would love something with bracelet sleeves/three quarter length sleeves. Has to be fairly respectable in terms of length and cleavage.

And as I'll be surrounded by women in extremely expensive designer clothes it needs to look more expensive than it is! So really a bit complicated. Please help me - we don't live near any shops so I need to find something online and need to start ordering now as it's in 3 weeks time so i have time to send stuff back if it doesn't fit..

Thank you!

OP posts:

worldgonecrazy · 01/09/2011 09:36

Long black sleeveless dress. You can make changes with jewellery, or if you're any good at sewing, add sleeves for the winter, perhaps in contrasting lace. The back of the current Waitrose/John Lewis has some really bad instructions on how to do this, but google and you may get some ideas. The key to looking 'expensive' is grooming, so get your hair and nails done for the events. It might be worth getting some advice on cosmetics from your preferred brand too, book in for a free consultation.

Original poster

hattyyellow · 01/09/2011 09:42

Thanks so much - I'm afraid I'm awful at sewing and very time limited as i freelance and have three small children. But that's such a good idea to add sleeves..

I've had a look at these two - wondering if they are just a bit boring, perhaps with jewellery as you say they might brighten up a bit? i wonder if the jersey one is just a bit sack-like..

www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Dresses/Knee-Length-Dresses/BQ008-BLK/Womens-Black-Chic-Wool-Dress.html

www.boden.co.uk/en-GB/Womens-Dresses/Above-Knee-Dresses/WH280-BLK/Womens-Black-Jersey-Circle-Dress.html#nav

OP posts:

brookeslay · 01/09/2011 09:50

Lace dresses are very in Autumn Winter ranging from High End to high street.

here they also do an all over lace dress

here

I like a burgundy wrap dress that is a bargain in warehouse but can`t link atm.

brookeslay · 01/09/2011 09:56

another lace

She has crap shoes on I like that it is 100%cotton.

lovely silk dress

NewChoos · 01/09/2011 09:59

I ordered the Boden dress in the 2nd link and sent it back. I don't think it would be suitable for your event - it's quite thick jersey fabric and didn't look particularly smart.

have you looked at Banana republic, they have 20% off at the mo.
I'm thinking of getting this for a party, you could wear a shrug/pashmina to cover upper arms?

bananarepublic.gap.eu/browse/product.do?cid=69885&vid=1&pid=101262114&scid=101262114SUM11-473

brookeslay · 01/09/2011 10:02

Too boring those boden dresses you have a nice slim figure enjoy it !

I had a lace dress made for me and I can wear it anywhere. You can add a nice tuxedo jacket if you are worried about arms.

Can yo ebay anything to increase your budget as you have 3 weeks ?

NewChoos · 01/09/2011 10:02

Oh that FC dress is lovely!

aftereight · 01/09/2011 10:05

A bombshell dress?
www.theprettydresscompany.com/acatalog/The-Three-Quarter-Sleeved-Bombshell-Dress-The-Pretty-Dress-Company.html
I am thinking of buying the purple one.

onelily · 01/09/2011 10:06

I presume u need either three quarters or bracelet sleeves. So, try
thsi lace sleeves dress, i actually love the sleeves
team this up with nice belt and bracelet
this comes in blue and has similar looking black one

Hope this helps and fits the budget you mentioned

Original poster

hattyyellow · 01/09/2011 10:11

Thanks so much for all these links -this is great! Forgot to mention, that it does need to err on the side of conservative as the couple in question are very traditional - so pretty as the lace styles are, they would need to be very traditional.

Will check all the links out at lunchtime - thank you all so much!

OP posts:

Original poster

hattyyellow · 01/09/2011 10:12

Couple in question being the hosts of the event! Sorry up in night with toddler so not sure am making much sense today!

OP posts:

onelily · 01/09/2011 10:15

the lace is only on the sleeves, i am sure it doesn't look un-traditional..It'll jst tell the hosts you are very stylish... :)

orangina · 01/09/2011 10:18

Ooooh! Just saw this on outnet.... snap it up now!

meltedchocolate · 01/09/2011 10:18

That first lace dress (where it is just at the top) is absolutely gorgeous!

brookeslay · 01/09/2011 10:19

great find oragina yummy ! shame not my size as I would have bought one too !

orangina · 01/09/2011 10:23

It is nice isn't it? I am now addicted to checking outnet every couple of days (though I buy almost NOTHING.... I am vicariously fashionable by checking it all out....!)

slug · 01/09/2011 10:37

How about this?

DumSpiroSpero · 01/09/2011 10:37

Coast

Aubergine dress

A bit more colourful but also available in black

my favourite so far!