Need fabulous dress for Christmas party!

[Pusspuss1]

...and my 4 month old baby is leaving me no time to shop. Help please ladies, I'm getting desperate! I have to go to my husband's office Christmas do and I really want to look nice, but not like I've made an excessive amount of effort, obviously. Last time I saw his colleagues I was heavily pregnant. I've lost my baby weight now, although I'm not sure I'm quite the same shape as before, unfortunately. I feel like I've lost my way a bit clotheswise since having the baby. Crisis of confidence!

We're going for dinner at a posh restaurant. I know everyone will mostly see my top half, so that's the most important bit. I think I'd like a dress, perhaps in royal blue, green or black. I'm tall and slim so I can get away with most things figurewise, and I want to look sexy but not muttony (God forbid!). I'm 35.

Please help, O fashion gurus! TIA xx

No idea what sort of price range you're looking at but this is pretty fabulous on

Might be an acquired taste but I have been lusting over this dress here (though if I got it I might be taking the sleeves off...)

m.houseoffraser.co.uk/on/demandware.store/Sites-hof-Site/default/Product-Show?pid=192189744&cm_mmc=Google+Shopping--Product+Extensions+And+Listings--Oasis-_-_Oasis+The+amber+dress&$$ja=cgid:7042436995%7Ctsid:44970%7Ccid:146504515%7Clid:41960916190%7Cnw:g%7Ccrid:34348758115%7Crnd:854397958174333438%7Cdvc:m%7Cadp:1o2%7Cmt:

I like this - flattering curve making ruching and a bit of subtle sparkle

Thanks very much, Mrs Lettuce, I like that a lot! Only thing is I'm not too keen on the length, although I guess I could have it taken up. I like myself best in knee length.

I should have said, budget is anything up to £250, although £150 would be easier on the purse strings.

Stylistically, I'm keen on a fit & flare/prom dress silhouette, and on sequins, long lace sleeves and perhaps showing a hint of cleavage (for me that means a wide, lowish neckline; no proper middle cleavage here to speak of, sadly!). Obviously having all of the above features in one dress would be a bit much, but just some ideas.

Any more thoughts very gratefully received!

Thanks very much for your replies, ladies!

Bigtoes - I prefer myself in something more fitted. Agree that removing the sleeves would be an improvement though!

Workberk - that's a really nice dress and is definitely the sort of thing I'd wear, but as it's for evening I'd like to show a bit more skin than that.

Have a look at the Delilah dress from Collectif-its comes in black,dark green and navy blue velvet and is very slinky while still excuding class. They have a 50% off code too-BF50-but hurry as it ends tonight!

Outnet have some fab dresses atm -

Pink Malene Birger

Milly LBD

Beautiful DvF LBD if you can squeeze into a US size zero