Is this dress ok for a smart Christmas party?

[CeliaFate]

This dress ticks a lot of boxes for what I'm after but is it smart enough for a formal party? (a boring one, not a let's get pissed one).

Positives...nice sparkly Christmassy neckline.

Negatives...looks like a sack shapeless.

What size and shape are you?

I think it's nice - a LBD with some seasonal sparkle. Have you tried it on?

It's nice but i do agree it's shapless

I'm a size 12, but have a big tummy which is why I liked the shapeless bit.
I haven't tried it on. I spotted it online, liked it, thought it was a good price and there's 20% off at the moment which makes it even more reasonable.

Hmm, it's nice but is it not awfully covered up for a party?

I like being covered up, the one time I wore a sleeveless dress showing a bit of cleavage I ended up sitting in a corner all night because I felt over exposed and unconfident. Not me at all.

I don't like it, sorry.

Shapeless can be good. Covered up can be good. But something about that isn't quite right I think.

How about something like this? What's your budget?

Up to £100. I'm not keen on the fabric of the Cos one.

Thing is, it's such an obvious "Christmas party frock" (and 20% off) that I'd be worried about meeting 15 other people wearing the same thing...

I didn't think of that. What about this?

Argh. Just spotted the asymmetrical hem. That would drive me nuts.

Do you need to buy it now?

There will be lots more choice in a month or so.

I could wait, I just like to get in early so it's done and dusted. I thought there would be more out there by now, but you're right, late October will be plenty of time.

this is nice

Does it have to be black?

Inns of Court?

Dining?

Or wait orking behind the scenes?

What other colours? Can you show any limbs? Length?

The original one is from a 'plus' collection & size 20-28 only OP?

Tethers' phase 8 dress is nice & there's 20% off P8 dresses at the moment too.

& free delivery & returns...

I didn't notice I'd posted the wrong link. Here it is in my size
I like the Phase Eight one Tethers linked to.
Zero, I'm confused - Inns of Court? Sorry if I'm being thick.

Tethers suggestion is v nice

the M&S one I think could be very ageing unless quite young and lissom

Zero - to answer your other questions I'd prefer knee length, a bit shorter if I could wear opaques with it.

Mary I'm 44 and not overweight (except for my stomach!) but not lissom

How old are you, Celia? It looks a bit like the sort of thing a slightly large 60 year old would wear, sorry. I suspect it will also look pretty cheap fabric-wise, irl.

I don't like the one that Tethers posted either, sorry Tethers.

There will be lots of nice black dresses around soon, I think.
Too boring?

could be awful or amazing

Sorry, just seen 44. I'm 44 but I wouldn't wear the one in the OP because it looks far too 'old' to me.

A couple of other options...

This one

Or this

Bit more expensive

Not sure but might be nice on?

I'm 44 too (so Not Old) and wouldn't wear it.
Alexa Chung or Daisy Lowe could make it rock. If you re older or less groovy and slender than them = matronly. Something about chiffon to hide a crepey décolletage. Sorry
If slim you have so many more options.
Is it a work party for entertaining clients type thing?