It's my 36th birthday soon. I'm going out to a nice restaurant and then on for drinks with OH and friends. Due to dropping a dress size, I have nothing suitable that fits me.
I'm 5ft 5, size 14, fair skin, long dark hair. I have a large bust, so look awful in high necks and round necks. V-necks and cowl necks suit me best. Good legs so could get away with something knee length, but not so great stomach - it's where I seem to gain weight, so fabric with a bit of stretch in it works best for me, because otherwise I find that dresses which fit my lower half are too tight on my stomach and vice versa. While I feel I would be too warm in a long-sleeved dress, I'm also not keen on my upper arms, so something with either short or capped sleeves would work best. I suit jewel colours such as magenta, cobalt and emerald. I look terrible in pastels or any shade of orange & yellow.
Essentially, I know what suits me, but I can't find anything out there that fits the bill. I feel at an age where I'm at a bit of a loss as to where to shop anymore. I don't want to look like I'm dressing younger than my age, but at the same time, I don't want to look like a frump either. I want to look glam and dressed up, but not so much that I look formal, like I'm going to a wedding. I'm willing to pay a bit more for a well cut dress made from good material, up to around £100, but ideally I'd like to spend less.
Any ideas? Thank you!