Does a cheaper version of Monsoon exist or am I living in cloud cuckoo land ?!

[Guaparesaca]

In preparation of a few xmas nights out, I am searching for that perfect outfit. I occasionally shop in Monsoon but am increasingly at the prices.

I'd really like to find something feminine and floaty but without the huge price tag.

Having found out recently I am an 'inverted triangle' I should be bigging up my bottom half more and detracting from my broad shoulders (though some attention to my womanly bosoms would not be undesired )

Many thanks!

What size/budget/colouring?

I don't know, but in this month's Easy Living there is a £20 gift card , valid against full-price items in Monsoon. Every little helps

The "Soon" section of Matalan is supposed to be a rip-off of Monsoon I think, but tends to look more like Per Una.

you take a risk of course with buying unseen/ untried but there are trillions of monsoon dresses on ebay as people buy them for a 'do' wear them once and sell 'em on!

There are lots of places you could find something, I'm sure. What are you thinking in terms of colours, budget, length, and what size?

Here are some offerings:

Too summery?

Red Maxi

Biscuit satin shift

Coast pink dress

Warehouse beaded waist

Oasis purple

Bargain Oasis purple maxi

Phase Eight Verity

Matthew Williamson at Debenhams is quite Monsoon-ish

Linea

Untold

Thank you so much everyone who's replied, some great ideas here, plenty of homework !

tether I am a size 14 really though inching towards a 12 (boobs are 32G though!) I am 5"1 tall. Budget, i'd say £70 max for a dress, £100 max for skirt or trousers & top. Colouring I have typical Scottish pale skin with rosy cheeks, blue eyes and mahogany hair.

Agent thanks for the voucher tip-off, may have to try that one ! Love EL mag too.

Bigus I like some of the stuff in Matalan but want something a little more unusual. Cheers !

bigmouth I am a total wimp when it comes to ebay but really should just get on there and get me some bargains. Have you ?

saoirse you are a gem ! A fab selection of frocks- I esp like that red maxi. One shoulder jobs fascinate me but alas the bra issue stops me. and the Phase Eight one is def va va voom.

I would just add that I've had a recent conversion to ebay - I got a vintage 20s silk dress (perfect and for about £7), oasis silk dress, again for less than a tenner, also a number of brand new cashmere jumpers for less than the cost of a shop bought boring acrylic jumper.

So far (touch wood) I haven't had any bad experiences and all the ebayers I've dealt with have been lovely. Likewise I tend to pay immediately when I have "won" something and the sellers tend to reciprocate with fast delivery.

I have got some lovely things from eBay in the last couple of weeks a gorgeous monsoon wool coat for my daughter and a Next coat for myself both in perfect condition.

I also have been sent a lovely monsoon silk dress with a grease stain which to be fair to the seller, was refunded including postage costs immediately, and a dress from the House of Fraser outlet with missing sequins which I am also returning. So my advice is go for it but check the rep of the seller make sure they accept returns and refund if item is not as described.

The seller doesn't need a refund policy, if it's damaged or not as described you can get your money back through eBay anyway. I've had to do that a couple of times with dishonest sellers and it's pretty straightforward.

eBay's great for bargains!

Find your nearest 'posh' village and go to their charity shop!

My local ones have racks of "Christmas" wear out now. Yesterday they had a fully beaded Monsoon dress for £12 (black with emerald beads). As new.

Get out there and grab a bargain! And donating to charity feels GREAT.

Guapa can I just add that your phrase Having found out recently I am an 'inverted triangle' gave me a fantastic mental image of you jumping off a shelf singing "I am a shape" just like on Mr Maker!

You seasoned ebayers are very confident aren't you ! It is really comforting that your experiences have generally positive ones. Think I'll have a look this eve once the kids are in bed.

Pinot charity shops are a fantastic idea & I agree that targeting a 'posh' area is a good one too.

Bigmouth thanks for that Mr Maker reference, maybe I could practice my star jumps once I get my new frock ! that's what that little ditty makes me want to do (rather than kick in the telly)

I did a 'Colour me Beautiful' style & image consultation and was money very well spent.

I found a frock ! Are you sitting down ?! It is from that much maligned brand 'Per Una'

It came this morning, I have tried it on and all i need to do is take up the shoulders a bit- my shoulders may be broad but they are not 'deep' if that makes sense.

www.marksandspencer.com/Una-Sleeveless-Waterfall-Pleated-Dress/dp/B0054MHV1U?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_32&nodeId=43009030&sr=1-32&qid=1320676445

also these shoes-www.marksandspencer.com/Round-Heel-Ruffle-Court-Shoes/dp/B005G0NI8K?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_8&nodeId=209669031&sr=1-8&qid=1320676515&pf_rd_r=0VV0VF1N24Z1B53RF0TK&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=209669031&pf_rd_p=215570647&pf_rd_s=related-items-3

I really scrub up pretty well, even if I say it myself.

Many thanks for all the tips and advice, I will have a posh charity shop excursion and also make a foray into the unknown territory of ebay, cheers !

Beautiful dress :)

(but the description is dire -M&S really know how to put people off...)