"gala" dress

[GrapeWallofChina]

I'm going to a gala in a couple of weeks time - this is a rare thing for me so not wanting to spend a fortune whilst of course looking fabulous! And probably something plain that I could wear again instead of a big statement frock

So I need to wear a bra - strapless is a recipe for disaster, reasonably big chest destroyed by breast feeding and sticky out nipples so no slip dresses, spaghetti straps or even strapless dresses. And a pot belly so jersey tends to cling in the wrong places and I suit more tailored pieces and some nips and tucks. And whilst I like my legs I'd prefer to be below the knees.
Me - fussy not at all

Looking on Net-A-Porter for inspiration on shapes and colours before going a bit cheaper
I like
Vivienne Westwood but worry its a bit prom queen
Vivienne again but jersey so probably wont work
or flapper style possibly look like a big boxy bag on top would prefer a V neck
Would you ever get a cheaper version of something like this
DKNY solves the jersey but would I look like I'd walk off the beach?
ah to be rich, tall and able to carry this off

Anyone want to waste an hour or so helping me look?

When you say gala what do you mean? I think of really formal full length with opera gloves (think the Julia Roberts dress in pretty woman where they go to the opera). Is it that formal? I don't think Jersey fabric as smart enough for it.

What is your budget? And size? And shape- when you say you have a pot belly are you an apple?

The DKNY definitely looks like a beach cover up.

Thanks so much
I'm a 12, a 10 on a good day. Bigger chest than hips but with a pot belly. So face on I look great in slim - then I turn profile and urghh.
Its a school fundraiser for a gala - so gala but not exactly OTT. I think heavy jersey would be OK if dressed up a bit so the Vivienne Westwood could work given the cut but anything less well cut probably not (although I could be just pushing that as I like it if I had the right shape! You're probably right)

Budget I'd say 200 to 300. I do have shoes that could work depending on the dress.

try:
www.divacatwalk.com/shop/view-all/evening.html

So not black tie? Can you suss out what other mums are wearing? Monsoon?

Where we live can be quite blinging which I am not. So from what I can gather there will be everything from full length, slashed to the navel to more LBD cocktail style.

No-one does gala like this lady.

But back in the real world you could bling this up quite eaily with good shoes and a bracelet

And I dont think this one woudl need any blinging!

ohhh love them both. The first isn't in my size. May order the second and see how forgiving it is on a pot belly.
And having said I don't like bling - I do like this
Or I go just all Cher and scare the neighbours....

Boden here sequin dress, silk and lace maxi etc