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).

Yes it is Mary. I need to look professional and smart. I think I'm probably in the wrong frame of mind to look at the moment. I looked in the mirror at my profile and my boobs and stomach are the same size which is really depressing me.

I would wait a bit further into the Autumn, shops will start getting their Christmas stock and there will be more choice.

new pneumatic bra and some spans will sort that out

Have you tried it on? If you have and like it, go with it.

I haven't tried the dress on yet, I've just been browsing online.
What about this?

Thoughts on this?

I liked the Art Deco one that bean posted, was that close to what you were thinking?

Sorry bean I didn't acknowledge you, I thought I had.
Yes, the deco one is nice - would you wear opaques with it?

I like the Jenny Packham at Debs one, and the Wallis one. A lot of the others are too fussy/ageing IMHO.

If you want to shed a bit of your tummy before the festive season (you mentioned feeling unhappy with it up thread) then I recommend doing 5:2 for a few weeks, really makes a difference!

I think fabric is the key. Lots of the Debenhams and Wallis ones are going to be horribly static, I think.

Well I tried it on. I didn't like it on the hanger in the flesh. You were right, it looked shapeless and something someone in their 50s would wear. I imagined Pam from Accounting getting "dolled up" in it for the Christmas do.
The search continues...

CeliaFate, Im a size 12 with a big tummy too :( Last year got a LK Bennet Dress for a wedding. Its sits slightly high on the waist just below rib cage, and it really flatters my roundy middle. Its really nice and I would definitely try LK again for a special occasion as is quite pricey.

bean has some lovely choices there.
I got THIS recently.
I have problem tummy area as well.
It's very flattering.
Put a sparkly cardi with it and hey presto - more money to spend on accessories.

As someone who more or less fits the description used above by Remus I can assure everyone that I most certainly wouldn't wear that M and S dress! Frumpy, shapeless, and cheap looking. They only tend to do their frumpiest styles in Plus after all.

You are not only smaller than me but, I suspect, much younger. As a 12, surely the world is your oyster. You can do far better than that. I personally liked the one Tethers posted if you are set on black.

Nor do I think anyone I know 'in their fifties' as you say, would wear it either, OP.

A few ageist/patronising assumptions on this thread that 50 +s undergo some sort of taste bypass. They don't.

Sorry polyhymnia I was being facetious.