I know it's a way off yet, but please style me for my 40th in July!

[MyGastIsFlabbered]

I'm having a party in July for my 40th & want to look fabulous. It's going to be a fairly casual day into evening barbecue but I'd like to wear a dress, but not dead against any other ideas.

I'm 5ft & a size 10/12 (hoping to have dropped a dress size by then). Am not quite sure what shape I am, think a pear is the closest although my hips are only 2 inches bigger than my bust.

Budget probably £100ish but would welcome 'fantasy' outfits too.

I'm having a Mad Hatter style tea party for my 40th and planning to have a Get Cutie dress - sorry can't link as on phone.

Having said that, I am tempted by some of the gorgeous dresses on the 50s style thread.

I know Get Cutie well, I live in Brighton. Am very tempted by a 50s style dress, can't decide between prom style or wiggle though.

I would wear a Catherine malandrino silk jumpsuit with some wedge heeled sandals and a fab necklace and sunnies.

I'd say wiggle.

Coincidence - I'm in Brighton too. Maybe we've met...

I recognise your name, have you been to any meet ups?

I have been to about half a dozen in the last 3-4 years, last one was xmas.

I was there too!

Of all the threads on all of Mumsnet I stumbled onto this one

Ha! Yes I've hijacked my own thread!

Sparkly hair slides with a lovely party dress:

www.shopbees.com/category-Hair-Accessories-HairAccessories.htm

Hopeful bump!

Just googled Catherine malindrino as had never heard of her. Seems to be online only (USA brand) and $400 so not meeting your brief. As a 40 something I'm interested in your thread for a party /evening dress. This minute I'd go to monsoon.

this maybe

or this

I quite like this and love this although can't see myself in it.

Those Monsoon links didn't come up for me. I like the Ben de Lisi dress Funnyfoot.
Question, how do you not bare your upper arms or your knees and still look sexy? From hopeful 47yo

Do you mean you want to keep your arms and knees covered?

www.jigsaw-online.com/products/lace-appliqué-shift-dress-8179 this is very flattering on, looks much better in the flesh than on the model which is rare. Looks gorgeous with heels.

Am tempted by JEWEL-10&refpage=promotions/sale-highlights&view=2&searchpage=1&pagesize=18 this. It's the Hobbs Invitation Alyssa dress if the link doesn't work. Like both the blue & the red, but will it swamp me?

Stupid link went wrong

funnyfoot you may laugh. Wait til 50 beckons!

It's not absolute, just , they are not my best features. That jigsaw dress is good ( love the detail)

I didn't laugh???

The smile was just that a smile.

I was unsure from the way it was written if you wanted to cover your arms and legs. It was in no way a dig or meant sarcastically.

I was asking because I was happily going to look for something for you but I won't bother now.

And for the record I do not judge women on their size, age, complexion or any other such physical attribute.

funnyfoot hey - no offence intended. Or taken.
Myself. I'd like to be a little thinner, younger and more sallow. I'm a (teensy bit above) a healthy 25% bmi, older than the 35ish I feel and if I want a summer glow, I need a bottle.
I'm keen to broaden my view of a party dress.

Well I found the perfect one for you but I refuse to post the link and will stomp off and keep it secret for ever and ever and ever and ever

*Disclaimer I love looking at clothes so may post one or two linkies