I know wedding guest dresses get done to death but you really, REALLY, pretty please have to help me with this one!

[Thurlow]

It's for the wedding of two rather cool friends - fashion, DJing, exquisitely unusual venue everything I'm not

Anyway, the code for men is all in black tie/dinner jackets, and for women it's cocktail or floor-length evening dresses. I know they are really going for a sort of American feel to the wedding. It all sounds lovely and I don't mind that there is a dress code, but...

I have no idea what to wear, I've been looking for ages

The problem, for me, is that I'm 5'1 and a bit curvy with it (size 8-10 but on my height it does mean I'm a bit squidgy and need some structure in a dress). Basically, floor length is out because they are always miles too long and I don't even think petite cut floor-length looks good when you're this short. And won't manage heels for more than an hour Normally I'd be tempted by something 50s-ish but I don't think it would be appropriate, so the standard v-neck Monsoon-style dress I have in the wardrobe doesn't seem appropriate. Have just enough boobs for strapless to not feel too comfortable either.

I could spend about £100 on a dress, but for that price I'd want something I can wear again - though it's unlikely I'll go anywhere this posh again for a while! But still, it'd be nice to have a dress I can keep in the wardrobe.

I have NO idea where to start with this

The kind of styles I sort of like are this and this but I'm not sure they'd even work.

Please, S&B, someone has to have some ideas of shops etc that might work?

I really like that Closet dress you linked to Thurlow. My only thought is that it may be a bit long - midi can be difficult unless you wear proper heels.

Good point, mycat. At that price I could afford new heels or to have it taken up a bit, which is winning me over, but I won't pin too many hopes on it. I just like the bow! I might try that one and the Oasis one from before, but am still keeping my eye out!

Just noticed that Oasis one is midi length too. I honestly think the length on that one would swamp you - us shorties can pull off a pencil midi but not one with more volume IMO. The fabric looks a bit floaty but if it could be taken up it would be gorgeous.

Being short is such an arse sometimes,.isn't it?! I know all the other women will take advantage of maxi and floor length evening dresses!

You might be surprised, I've been to a few black tie dos recently and cocktail dresses seem to be more popular, I suppose because they're more wearable after the event. I agree though being of restricted height can be annoyingly limiting!