Help me find the perfect evening dress please!

[FlatsInDagenham]

It's for a posh work event. I want to make an impression because I think I can come across as a bit dowdy - in general I'm not 'well dressed' and tend to wear a lot of black and grey, charity shop stuff for work.

I'm 5'9", size 16, wide fat hips, pale skin and dark brown hair. I suit red. I want to be elegant and have the wow factor.

Link me to your best dresses please!

Full length or cocktail?

Oh yeah, and price range?

Cocktail please but I will consider full length.

Price - cheap. Up to £80.

Not red, but how about this? The back definitely has the wow factor. If I were tall like you I'd probably stick to flattish shoes like these and do strong red nails and lips.

This A Wear dress is also nice, in both black and red.

Red Ralph Lauren on sale beautiful!

good shape,
glam
stunning
veyr formal but rather like it
slightly over budget but fab

But, I'd have to go for something more along the lines of this

I absolutely love the Hepburn dress MrsLettuce - will it suit my fuller figure?

I also like the Planet dress (3rd one down on your list) but seriously need to see that on - looks very figure hugging indeed.

What do you lot think of this? is it too informal?

The hepburn dress will be shockingly flattering on you, yes. Especially with a petticoat. If yo're big of nork there are similar dresses that would flatter.

The Phase8 dress is nice but a pretty casual, yeah. No idea what the event or dress code is though.

It's a retirement dinner for a big cheese. Dress code is 'smart'.

Very tempted to order the Hepburn. I am medium of nork for my size. About a 36DD at the moment. Is that ok for such a dress?

This is similar to the Hepburn one, but far nicer IMO.

This also fab.

Fine one some people, less so on others. Can you usually wear high necks oK?

Agreed on both counts tethers! Budget says otherwise unfortunately.

if you are well endowed I would avoid high necks can make one look a bit matronly!, V neck I think will look lovely.

Yeah, sorry, I'm not in a very budgety mood tonight

hence am skint

A (properly fitted) 36DD isn't really what I'd call big. Is +/- equivalent breast volume to a 32C.

Maybe I should try the Hepburn in black with red accessories? Black might help minimise my norkage. Also I need a better bra - currently in m&s nursing bras (don't worry I didn't let m&s measure me) and they won't give me the shape I'd need under that dress.

Would black be too boring? I wear several black day dresses for work.

oh heck, yes, bra first!

If you'd prefer red then wear red, I;d say. Teal could be a compromise.

Also IMo one thing that makes a massive difference as much as the dress is (if you have time, is the event after work?) a blow dry.