Dress for the palace!

[MollyRoses]

Yes! I am going to Buckingham Palace - tad excited, will be on my best behaviour BUT I need a dress so please could I have some help :)

I'm about a size 10 5'3'', don't like having arms or legs on show so would either have to wear a cardi or have long-sleeves. Also, don't like clingy or red. So aside from those demands I'm open to trying things (places which have free post returns wuld be good as I'd probably need ot buy lots and try on then return)

I'm just goign to go to the shops and try on some things but thanks for any links for when I get back

Anyone? Am I just too fussy?!

I quite like this www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/dresses-442/limited-edition-ruche-maxi-dress-2142996?bi=1&ps=200 but it's a bit over my budget - I'd prefer to spent less than 150

What's the event?

The dress you linked is lovely, but might be a bit too debutante?

Try Phase 8.

The white dress is wrong for the Palace I think.

Phase 8 has long sleeved dresses too.

And you might need head gear and fab shoes too.

Will you need a hat/gloves as well?

The event is for an awards ceremony type thing - I don't think I'd need hats and gloves and I think I'm a bit young for wearing them (I'm early 20s).

Shoes on the other hand - can't wait until I have a dress beacuse I acutally like trying on shoes but hate dress shopping

How about this? www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/clothing-427/dresses-442/open-back-jumpsuit-by-love-2326257?bi=201&ps=200 Would it work if accessorised up? Any tips on accessories?

I think I would tend towards something a little more formal - the men will be in suits and a lot of the women in matching dress and coat.

Something like a shift dress with a matching jacket would look nice (not black, have a look in next) or Karen Millen is often good for smart ish dresses.

Think I'd try to avoid a cardigan as they tend to look less smart and go for a nice jacket / blazer instead.

Oh and the pretty dress company is good for pretty smart dresses too (as long as you avoid the TOWIE style ones!)

Thanks I'll have a look at them

I would never wear a shift dress (legs on show are a no no for me). That's the problem when I went shopping today, lots of shift dresses - not much else

I think you should wear a hat regardless of age.

floral

oh sorry, that was a shift.

If Reiss is the high street store favoured by Duchess Kate, would that be worth a look?

www.shopstyle.co.uk/action/loadRetailerProductPage?exit=ProductCell-Image&id=437466123

www.shopstyle.co.uk/action/loadRetailerProductPage?exit=ProductCell-Image&id=437236178

Smart trouser suit? Something light coloured so it doesn't look too worky, pretty bright top underneath and matching shoes?

If its an evening awards dinner, I personally probably wouldn't wear a hat but might go for some kind of nice hair thingy like a big rose slide so it looks a bit 'done'

Oh I like the Alexon Brooch Maxi Dress

I think I might look for a maxi suit as well - it'd be useful for work in less smart ocasions too then

Thoughts on these and their suitability?

1 www.johnlewis.com/east-jersey-maxi-dress/p505157?colour=Cobalt
2 www.asos.com/Little-Mistress/Little-Mistress-Embellished-Halter-Maxi-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3256426&cid=8799&Rf981=3680&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=204&sort=3&clr=Navy
3 www.asos.com/ASOS-Petite/ASOS-PETITE-Bar-Belt-Wrap-Maxi-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3321330&cid=8799&Rf981=3680&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=204&sort=3&clr=Plum
4 www.asos.com/Solace/Solace-London-Levan-Maxi-Dress-in-Colour-Block/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3448171&cid=8799&Rf981=3680&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=204&sort=3&clr=Blackwhite
5 www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-Devore-Kimono-Maxi-Dress/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3240328&SearchQuery=ASOS%20Devore%20Kimono%20Maxi%20Dress&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=36&sort=-1&clr=Black

1 or 5

Looking at the dresses, I'm assuming it's an evening do - so I clearly need to retract my previous comment regarding a hat!

Is it evening? I wouldn't wear long during the day at all. If day a hat will be required. Have you not been sent a dress code with your invitation?

I'd also say no to a cardi if its day or night. Jacket I think. Or coat, depending on season.

It's not evening - it is in the day! I just don't know what to wear that would cover me up. I really hate showing my legs/arms. Am happy to wear a blazer with coat on top which I'd take off I guess when I got in there.

Ok, can't work out the dress code -it's this event www.royal.gov.uk/LatestNewsandDiary/Mediaguidelines/Investitures.aspx

Does the invite state 'day dress'?(i've done a couple of events there with this as the dress code) I don't particularly like dresses either so wore nice navy tuxedo trousers with a navy silk blouse on one occasion and a black skinny trousered suit on the other, with stilettos. Hat's won't be worn btw.
HTH

IME best off in a little suit from somewhere like Phase 8 or a little boutique, plus hat from specialist shop.

If it's an investiture I wouldn't wear a maxi dress. Trousers would be acceptable though.
When I attended one I wore a hat, as did the other ladies in our party, but other groups didn't. It is a very formal occasion though, so definitely err on the smart side.