I want to buy one "nice" dress - suggestions?

[Curlyfrizzball]

I am the sort of person who usually buys my clothes (well actually everything really) as cheaply as I possibly can - lots of eBay and charity shop buys etc. This is great and I have had some brilliant bargains, but means I also have a load of stuff which isn't exactly what I wanted, or fits ok, but not as well as it could.

My DH and I have agreed that for my birthday present I will buy myself a dress. I don't think I'll be able to justify (to myself) spending over £50, but I would like a nice dress that really fits well and is well cut etc. I have fairly simple tastes style-wise - don't have the courage to wear large patterns and really bright colours, much as I think both can look stunning on other people.

Ideally I would like something that could be dressed up or down for different occasions (especially since I don't have many occasions to properly dress up and I want to wear it!)

The trouble is that I don't know where to look as I'm so used to not buying that sort of thing - any suggestions? Online would be good and then I can send it back if it doesn't fit.

I am 36, size 12, pear-shaped, narrow shoulders which means spaghetti straps don't often work as they just fall off, preferred length would be just above the knee.

Rather long, sorry! Would love suggestions though.

More - I think if the OP is wanting one that can be multi-purpose, it needs to be plain.

Too flowery

Noddy - we must be completely different shapes. I always see you as a bit of a, 'kindred spirit' sartorially, but actually completely different things work for us.

looks flattering

Nice - but you've proved my point completely: that would be a disaster on me. I think that needs a fairly straight up and down body type.

I have some of those tops with that neck think I have just gone off that look on me

i liek that too remus - let me know if you try

there are no Cos stores within an hour and a half of here- is v annoying

LadyM - try Hobbs for drapey necks too.

The cos here is very good big and lots of choice.

This is brilliant

Think the OP is pear shaped so may suit her. I wouldn't wear not for boobs really! Some lovely dresses in zara too

Thats lovely but I would look HUGE

Really Noddy? Are you broad-shouldered then?

Not massively but not very narrow either. I think its the skinny sleeves and tucked in scares me a bit!

Need to go now - have spent far too long on here. LadyM - let me know if you ever want anything picking up in Cos.

OP - sorry for the hijack.

Oh I don't tuck it in - I let it just sit over the skirt and it comes to just below fat tummy whilst still showing off reasonable bum.

the house of fraser one is showing as 2 in stock in a 12??

The House of Fraser one comes up a bit small too, so a 14 might be better on you depending on your hip size.

Remus, you are costing me a fortune lol - just ordered that grey Hobbs jumper

:) It's a t-shirt, not a jumper - I hope you like it.

Thanks fairimum - there's now one left in a 12 as I've just ordered the other one! Not sure why it said there were none earlier.

MoreThanWords I like the black one very similar to the one you pointed out too.

No worries re thread hijack - I'm quite excited that I started a thread that has run to over 70 messages, even if quite a few aren't directly related to the original question!...

WithASpider I tend to be more the smaller side of 12 so fingers crossed that one will fit perfectly!...

Just have to comment. Fab thread. Like eavesdropping on a conversation. (With lovely links, love the Whistles leather wrap skirt and i now may have to order a Simone, this is why I'm not a regular attender here). Reads v well. And I'm still snorting at Vivienne of holloway prison....

:)

I totally recommend the Simones. I have them in both large and medium - medium for with skirts, and large for hanging loose with skinnies!

I didn't mean the leather one, I meant the split tube one - but both are gorgeous.