Please help! I need a cocktail dress.

[lovelybunchofcoconuts]

I have three weeks to find a cocktail dress.
I would prefer something I can wear again for a meal or similar so it needs to be reasonably plain, something that I can dress up or down.
It can't be too revealing.

I'm usually a size 10 and I really like this:
www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0213-5761-3786L00&productvarid=0213-5761-3786L00-NAVY%20IVORY-8&refpage=dresses

But they have sold out of 12s and I don't want to hedge my bets in case
I am a fat cah their sizing is small on this one.

Sequins are fine.
Black is good as are any blues, dark pinks and possibly emerald green.

I also like this but I'm short and don't have the time to have it taken up.
www.johnlewis.com/ghost-sylvia-dress/p471219?colour=Nude

Max budget of £250.

Thanks in advance.

The Hobbs dress is stunning. Why not try the House of Fraser/ Atterley Road websites? They sometimes carry things that are sold out on the main website.

Not so keen on the Ghost dress. It's a bit blah.

Have you looked at Karen Millen? That's my usual cocktail dress motherlode.

Ok, buy the big one, take it to a seamstress and get it properly fitted.

Thank you
I've thought about the Ghost dress today and decided against it plus time is a factor, my nearest John Lewis is about 30 miles away so it will be the weekend before I can buy/it will be delivered which doesn't leave much time for alterations.

For some inexplicable reason I hadn't thought about Karen Millen, I'll have a look now.

Try Collectif online-they have a beautiful velvet dress called the Delilah that comes in black,navy and green.

this Hobbs one?

Whistles lacy sleeves?

I LOVE that Hobbs one Roan and it's cheaper too

Also, what does anyone think of these:
www.karenmillen.com/dress-with-mesh-cut-outs/clothing/karenmillen/fcp-product/103DR17101

www.karenmillen.com/tailored-dress-with-cut-outs/clothing/karenmillen/fcp-product/103DR06701

I think the first Karen Millen one might make your waist look quite chunky unless the panel bit fell at exactly the right point (I know on me it would go over my rib cage rather than my waist iyswim).

The second one is lovely!

m.marksandspencer.com/mt/www.marksandspencer.com/Collection-Dress-Floral-Secret-Support/dp/B000TE4BJI?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_6&nodeId=1675696031&sr=1-6&qid=1384126690&pf_rd_r=0WJX3VZJQ5704VVX33NA&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=1675696031&pf_rd_p=321381387&pf_rd_s=related-items-3

How about this? Very flattering on.

My two favorite dresses of the moment:
This which is sold out here but they prob have it e.g. in John Lewis

and this which is supremely flattering on and has great detail at the back.

Blame I love the Reiss one, am I too old at 47? and at size 12, my hipbones do not look like that. Black or navy shoes?

Same question here re the Reiss dress - what shoes and what tights? Are opaques ok with this?

Oh good - am glad you both love it. It is currently my absolute favorite dress. I wear it with red high heeled shoes and opaques and think I look smashing! Black shoes would also work. I'm not young either East and I think part of the appeal of this dress is that it isn't at all muttony and works at any age.