Anyone fancy helping me find an "oh this old thing? I only wear it when I don't care how I look" dress for DH's birthday do?

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We're having a casual, early evening family friendly party for DH'S 40th and I need a dress or something else suitable to wear. I'm imagining an elegant, subtly sexy/glam maxi dress (does this exist?) Or maybe something else that will make me look and feel amazing.

I'm 38, 5'6" and size 12. Pale skin, dark hair, ok boobs, less good tummy.

Help!

I'm not very good at maxi dresses but something like this

?

Ghost. Go for the long stroppy ones, matte not shiny.
Think floor length, bias cut drapery fabric. Wear with flip flops.
Doesn't need ironing or anything, really throw on....look amazing sort of thing.

I thought this was pretty and would go with your colouring and draw attention to your top half, but it seems to be only in a 10 or 14 on line, maybe in a store they'd have a 12 if you like it that is?
Wallis green leaf print

Something like this?

Hmm, not mad about that one, ProjectGainsborough.

Like the Wallis one as a starter, thanks!

Am looking at the Ghost dresses now.

Yes that dress is nice......

Retro chic?

Families, that dress is sweet, but might draw attention to my tummy.

This is either lovely or completely headache-inducing; I can't tell - Warehouse

Ooh, the retro chic one could work.

Warehouse dress is lovely too! I think that halter neck type shape looks ok on me too.

This is lovely on :

www.matalan.co.uk/mobile/product/detail/s2556575

www.johnlewis.com/french-connection-tropicana-daisy-maxi-dress-multi/p1523314 French Connection]] would either do wonders for your figure (by drawing attention to the bust and skimming over the stomach via the tie) or be awful, I think you'd have to try it on.

This one is pretty - Oasis

Hen, I like the look of that, thanks!

I want this one. It's fabulous. May be a bit over-the-top but looks like the sort of thing you could put on and feel really comfortable in - ASOS

No problem
Don't know why my link failed so badly

John Rocha

Debenhams have quite a lot of choice.

Justine, that ASOS one is gorgeous, but probably too much for this occasion. Maybe worth getting anyway, just in case I have need of it one day!

I'm in love with this

www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Biba+Hardware+drape+jersey+maxi+dress/191071980,default,pd.html

I know, I feel the same. I have a big birthday coming up next year and whatever I end up doing that looks like a good option!

Oh Rhonda, that is fabulous!

If you like Biba this looks good and it's half price

Biba maxi

It says leopard print, but it looks like it's subtle on my screen anyway.

I was thinking as it's early evening/casual/family friendly you want something you're not likely to fall out of or have to cope with a long split skirt, and that looks like you could put it on and forget it iykwim?

We never asked what the budget is, so may be looking in the wrong kind of price band?

I thought that ASOS dress looked amazing till I clocked the height of the model. 5'9". :( Probably not for me then. :(