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Original poster

Impossible dress challenge.....

39 replies

MyRealNamesBernard · 01/05/2014 11:53

I need to find a dress for a wedding I am going to in Spain in... wait for it... August! Thrilled as I am at the thought of enjoying guaranteed sunshine for one lovely long weekend this year, I am having a complete nightmare finding a suitable dress as everything, literally EVERYTHING, seems to be made of sweat-tastic polyester. I need something in either 100% silk or possibly cotton (or some other cool fabric) but I also need - and this is the tricky bit - for it to be within my budget which is under £100. It needs to be pretty glam too.

I know I am asking a lot, but has anyone spotted anything in their travels that might fit the bill....? TIA

Oh, nearly forgot, I am size 10, 5ft 6in, very fair skinned, my legs are not great (knobbly knees) so no short dresses - midi would be fine, though.

OP posts:
EyelinerQueen · 01/05/2014 11:56

Anything here?

Original poster
MyRealNamesBernard · 01/05/2014 12:21

Thank you Eyeliner. I would be overwhelmed for choice if it was a UK wedding, but a lot of those dresses are made from manmade fibres and are also quite fitted so not sure I would cope in the heat. Will keep that website in my favourites, though, as there are some gorgeous dresses there....

OP posts:
EyelinerQueen · 01/05/2014 12:25

Yeah some of them are lovely. Makes me wish I 1. had a wedding to go to this Summer and 2. wasn't 7 months pregnant!

What kind of styles and colours are you after? Something to wear with heels or flats?

KnockMeDown · 01/05/2014 12:58

I spotted this one on that website - it is cotton, and a fuller skirt, so perhaps cooler?

KnockMeDown · 01/05/2014 13:00

or this one? Even nicer!!

Rosa · 01/05/2014 13:04

Have you tried Monsoon often they have natural fabrics?

Original poster
MyRealNamesBernard · 01/05/2014 13:06

So - style-wise, anything really - prom dress, tulip, long skater etc but no wiggle dresses as I have strange-shaped hips. Nothing short, either.

I will be wearing a heel - probably a heeled sandal because of the scorchio-ness of the temperature.

Colour-wise I suit (and love) pastels, mainly pinks or greens or peachy/neutral type colours.... Would rather avoid patterns unless subtle.

These dresses give you an idea of the sort of shape I am looking for..... just cannot buy them as they are polyester.

love the shape

and

love colour and style but not sure about the back

OP posts:
Nocomet · 01/05/2014 13:09

I love this Fever

Glam would have to come from just the right, hat, jewellery, gold sandals and perhaps adding a silk sash with a bow and tails. Teal silk (satin) shouldn't be hard to get.

Original poster
MyRealNamesBernard · 01/05/2014 13:11

Thank you Knockmedown, I missed that one. Another beauty.... Sadly, it is over-budget.

OP posts:
JohnCusacksWife · 01/05/2014 13:18

Do you like maxi dresses. Colour doesn't do much for me but if you like pastels it might suit you...

uk.monsoon.co.uk/1/1/38394-dresses-gloria-dress-grey.html

Original poster
MyRealNamesBernard · 01/05/2014 13:21

Nocomet - thank you! Sadly, it is not my colour. However, I have found about three other items on the website I would like to buy.....

...really need to pull myself together and concentrate on the Wedding Outfit Quest.

OP posts:
ZeroSomeGameThingy · 01/05/2014 13:23

Aren't you being a little over cautious? The sales will happen long before August.

Why not simply identify some brands you think have the right sort of thing - and then stalk a few dresses? You'll get far more for your money come the end of June.

Original poster
MyRealNamesBernard · 01/05/2014 13:31

Zero, you are completely right! I am panicking because literally everyone else who is going has got their dresses/suits already, and they keep harassing me asking if I have got anything yet.

So, with that in mind, if anyone sees anything 100% silk which is OVER budget, I am definitely up for a bit of stalking.

OP posts:
Original poster
MyRealNamesBernard · 01/05/2014 13:34

BTW, thank you for all the responses and ideas. You have made this quest about a million times more fun Thanks

OP posts:
ZeroSomeGameThingy · 01/05/2014 13:45

...Also if you manage to save up a little by mid-summer you may even be able to get something from the new collections and put all your speedy friends to shame....

MarianForrester · 01/05/2014 13:45

I searched for silk dress on Frasers site, worth a look. Some are out with your budget, but may be good to stalk..Smile

There's this one that is in budget mint velvet

Warehouse also have a pretty silk sleeveless top warehouse

I'd go for a bit of a pattern whatever you choose: any unfortunate sweaty marks won't show up as much..

LadyMud · 01/05/2014 13:49

I don't think you'd go for blue, Bernard, but I noticed this lovely cotton dress in the BHS window yesterday. Quite a bargain at £45. (It might be the same dress mentioned on another thread a few days ago)

carrie74 · 01/05/2014 13:50

Oops, think they may both be poly. Sorry.

MarianForrester · 01/05/2014 13:54

Ooh, I love that flamingo dress!

Nocomet · 01/05/2014 14:03

It's a very bad website, I love the peacock dress and a couple of other blue ones and I have absolutely no events requiring a new £75 summer dress in my diary.

cowsarescary · 01/05/2014 18:53

I'm an arse - they're too short ...

Original poster
MyRealNamesBernard · 01/05/2014 18:57

Good point, Marian about the pattern. Unfortunately, due to my very pale complexion most prints tend to totally overwhelm me, but I am sure I could find one to suit.

I like the BHS dress Ladymud I have not shopped in BHS for years, I did not realise they had such nice pieces. In fact I had a quick look at the dresses section and found some really quite lovely dresses, such as:

this for example is just rather perfect. It is poly but has cotton lining, so could be do-able. But, alas, not in my size.

this reminds me of the dress Julia Roberts wears to races in Pretty Woman. Poly though, so a no-no. But this is really opening my eyes to some shops I had never, ever considered. Thank you.

OP posts: