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Original poster

Help! Posh frock needed (or glitzy trouser suit)

40 replies

helsy · 04/10/2006 22:07

I'm going to an awards ceremony in London in about 5 weeks. It's black tie and v posh. I need something to wear, budget of up to 200 quid.
I should get down to a size 14 by then.
I'm 42, 5ft 2 and a half, dark brown hair, pale skin (freckly, actually), no waist, nice bum, trainee bingo wings. I suit red, dark pink, purple, cream, dark green, turquoise, black. Don't mind long or short but did I mention I have no ankles? I suit column dresses, strangely. Love trouser suits but have no idea whether they are "in" or not. Even reading this back is making my heart sink!
Links/suggestions for places to shop please.

OP posts:
JackieNoHeadJustABloodyStump · 04/10/2006 22:09

Coast are supposed to be very good for this sort of thing - their website is 'currently unavailable' though.

JackieNoHeadJustABloodyStump · 04/10/2006 22:10

And how about visiting somewhere that has a personal shopper? You don't have to buy anything, and it makes the whole 'trying on loads of different outfits' experience a whole lot easier.

Original poster
helsy · 04/10/2006 22:12

Now THAT sounds like a good idea! Always fancied doing that.

OP posts:
JackieNoHeadJustABloodyStump · 04/10/2006 22:14

It's great - I did it once, and came away with a great outfit for a wedding. Went with my mum a few weeks ago, and she came away with three outfits. The personal shopper does all the running around, you just sit in an extra-large dressing room and try on stuff at your leisure.

littlelamb · 04/10/2006 22:15

Can't link to the page but if you go on the next website and type 'bow dress' the first one that comes up is really stunning. I had one delivered yesterday for a dinner on Friday night and it is really beautiful on and looks a lot more expensive than it actually is. Comes in a petite option too, and the empire line is great for making waist and boobs look fabulous!

JackieNoHeadJustABloodyStump · 04/10/2006 22:17

Monsoon have some lovely stuff - this is beautiful, as is this , but I suspect you might not want strapless - or you'd want to have a wrap or shrug with it?

JackieNoHeadJustABloodyStump · 04/10/2006 22:19

Or how about this ?

MrsSpoon · 04/10/2006 22:25

I've had this on in Monsoon and loved it, only my norks were making a bid for freedom so I didn't buy it but it is gorgeous.

Twohoots · 04/10/2006 22:57

Thread hijack - Jackie could you post the link to the coast website please? I can't find it and am too looking for a dress for an xmas posh do. TIA

Original poster
helsy · 04/10/2006 23:20

Oh, I like the bow dress littlelamb but I'm afraid I'm too short and dumpy for most of those dresses.
Jackie I like the soft green one in Monsoon but I don't think I can do strapless! Need a bit of a confidence boost before I go shopping, I think.........personal shopper here I come!

OP posts:
anniemac · 05/10/2006 08:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

JackieNoHeadJustABloodyStump · 05/10/2006 10:13

Twohoots - this is the Coast site (I think) - as you can see, absolutely nothing there atm, except a message saying it's 'unavailable'. I've only tried to visit it a couple of times, both in the last week or so, and so I've no idea what it's like when it's actually up and running.

Twohoots · 05/10/2006 10:38

Thanks Jackie - I eventually found it myself, have saved it to favs in the hope it's up and running soon!

Original poster
helsy · 05/10/2006 21:39

Any more ideas? Think you're right about the trouser suit, anniemac -it's just what I feel comfortable in. I have some very glam evening dresses, long and short, but they're size 12 and I'm NOT

OP posts:
JackieNoHeadJustABloodyStump · 06/10/2006 07:11

Phase 8 might be worth a look - but you can't really get a good idea online - looks gorgeous stuff, thoug - click on the squares to the right of the main pic to see others. I love the green velvety one.

Original poster
helsy · 06/10/2006 09:53

Thanks Jackie. The Coast website now works - and you're right, they've got some fabulous stuff! Think I'll pay a visit, try some things on. There are some lovely slash neck dresses that I could wear with a shawl/shrug.

OP posts:
Original poster
helsy · 06/10/2006 09:59

Any opinions on the Green Adeline dress on the Coast website? This is the website but I can't get the link for the dress:
\link{http://www.coast-stores.co.uk/site.htm.}
I love it - with something over my arms, though.
Don't know if this link will work, never tried before.

OP posts:
Original poster
helsy · 06/10/2006 10:03

So, that dress with pointy stilettos - black or dark green - and a shawly thing if it goes?

OP posts:
JackieNoHeadJustABloodyStump · 06/10/2006 10:13

Yes - that's beautiful. With a shawl rather than a shrug-type thing, I suspect.

JackieNoHeadJustABloodyStump · 06/10/2006 10:20

This looks lovely - and has the greeny colour in the embroidery. Though it might be a bit too blue. Need to see them in the flesh, so to speak.

Twohoots · 06/10/2006 13:47

Helsy - i love the adeline dress - really pretty and sophisticated!

I like the kirsten dress (I have to have a long dress for my do).

My problem is I love these dresses on size 6-8 skinny girls and then I try them on and I just look fat! In fairness I am not huge (14) but before I had DD was a 10-12 - my hips and belly are awful now I also don't have a waist anymore!

Might just wear a bin liner!

Hope you get sorted. I am going to have a look at Coast stuff but there are no suppliers in my area so it will be a trek!

crunchie · 07/10/2006 14:00

jackiwnohead THANK YOU!!

That Wallis dress is fab I saw it on this thread and thought 'bingo' Christmas works do sorted I went to Debenhams today and it is in the sale £35

JackieNoHeadJustABloodyStump · 07/10/2006 14:03

Excellent - a bargain, crunchie.

cod · 07/10/2006 14:04

Message withdrawn

crunchie · 07/10/2006 14:05

twohoots this one is beautiful and pretty much full length wallis AND IT's CHEAP