Help me find a party dress please...

[Umbrelladilemma]

So...
I have a work Christmas party - it's a lunch so nothing too skimpy but want to look great! Also, more importantly I have a party involving a number of people I haven't seen for 20 years... scary!

I'm a size 10 and coming up for 40. Pudgy tummy/hips so skater style makes me look huge. I suit fitted styles better but my problem is that as I'm short they often don't fit we'll unless they are from a "petite" range. Legs are ok so happy to go short - in fact I'd prefer to as I'm increasingly aware that my years wearing short skirts are numbered :-(

I found ordered this but it's just a bit too baggy and also much too long on me (almost knee length).

m.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_62575+YRIW17018_-1

Sorry for the essay! thanks so much.

Oh, also, am blond and pale-ish so don't really suit dark berry colours but love purple, the right shade of red or black (have a bit of a hankering for sparkly though!)

www.phase-eight.com/fcp/product/phase-eight/all-sale/rosette-silk-dress/202655050

This is a flattering dress - wear with sparkly tights /boots. Acessorise and it won't look like a nightie.

Thanks pancake. Hmmm... I do like that one BUT I think it might be a bit shapeless for me and also too long so would give me swamped look - I'm only 5'3".

I am 5ft 4 and it's not long! The under slip thingy kinda gives you some shape.

This one looks fun!:

www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-philly-spot-dress-black-red/p1661462

or this

www.johnlewis.com/collection-by-john-lewis-ponte-dress-black-cream/p820047?colour=Black/Cream

Could add a cute cardi ?

Actually I don't why I feel the urge to be a fashion guru... I am hopeless and get my stylish friend to dress me for special events.

I also a cute dress in White Stuff the other day...

No, thank you!!! I really appreciate your help. I feel like I've trawled the shops and can't face any more browsing so will take any help I can get. Your ideas are good - I like the black and cream one but am perhaps looking for a more party-ish dress... sorry, I am really fussy - hence why I haven't found something myself I suppose!

I am fussy pick pick fussy of Fussyville. Clothes shopping makes me cry with frustration. They just don't make stuff I like.

Scroll through Phase Eight website and John Lewis, there is quite a few party dresses that look ok. And what about Monsoon?? Have you checked them out yet? They usually have a few party dresses..

www.mintvelvet.co.uk/ink-cape-embellished-dress/dresses-jumpsuits/mint-v/fcp-product/4669 s

blue sequin
beaded
black with lace
sequin wrap
purple sequin
mint or pink

lacy

sequin mod style

Velvet and glitter

sequin

stripe

Ooohhh Faux some of those are lovely.
I've had to send back 2 choices of Christmas dresses back now so am changing tack completely.

I like THIS although you don't like skater dresses but they are a staple for me.

love this too

Wow, thanks everyone! Lots to consider. I think my favourite of those is the Miss Selfridge one from Tethersend. Didn't realise they did petites. Will also be looking through the ASOS petites section now. Love the wrap ones suggested by faux but I've ordered that shape from ASOS before and they just don't seem to fit me very well... I have a relatively short body (I don't actually look weird, promise!) so often the waist of a dress will be too low and it will all hang wrong. Very annoying as often it will look great online then just not fit. So I'm a big fan of anywhere that does free returns!

Right, off to browse ASOS!
Thanks everyone.

Hells, what happened with your lacy Christmas party dress? Was it no good?

No tethers it wasn't. I was gutted.
I'm just too short to carry off that longer style.
The lace was thick and itchy and the neck came up really high.
It was a generally weird fit.
So then I ordered THIS ONE

Same problem. Just drowns me a bit made my boobs look weird!
I'll get there. I'm very organised which is why I'm already on it and thank goodness!

Bugger. Start a thread, it'll be fun

I quite like this or this although am aware you wanted short.

Also am aware that m&co is a bit 'budget' isn't it?

My OH didn't think it was fun trying to get me out of 'said dress'.
It was so stiff, I was really panicking that I might never get out of it!

THIS ONE NEXT I think?

Thanks Ghost. I like those dresses but I think short suits me best as longer dresses seem to just drown me. It would be ok if I was very thin as well as short, but even though I'm a size 10 I think I need to be careful with the shape of dresses or they can make me look quite dumpy and/or show every lump and bump!

Hells, I'm more than happy for you to hijack my thread as it just means more ideas for me! I think I'm going to order these next:
http://m.asos.com/mt/www.asos.com/little-mistress-petite/little-mistress-petite-embellished-bardot-skater-dress/prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=4622293&clr=Gold&SearchQuery=Little+mistress+embellished&un_jtt_v_frompage=0&pge=1&pgesize=50&totalstyle=121

Oops link fail

I like this despite the style - I think the slim model is fooling me into thinking it will look good

too many sequins??

possibly a bit too daring but could disguise my upper arms?

See I'm short as well (5ft 0) and can't do short as I have legs like tree trunks I'm jealous!

Marks and spencer have a gold glittery dress in their lited collection that I saw a few minutes a go in store. They also have a think bronze baroque pattern dress in what I would all a prom dress style. Also in the limited range