Where to find a fab party dress for Christmas?

[PanicPants]

Have looked everywhere I can think of today, and found loads I like but not once I tried them on - it seems a 10 is too big, but an 8 too small I've an idea of what I want but can't think of where else to try.

I want a dress which is at least knee length, but not as long as ankle length, not ball gowny, just your typical Christmas party dress I suppose!

I want a dress which looks 'christmassy' but could be worn again for a different occasion. Also needs to be 'posh' enough for dp's 'do' in a country manor house, but 'down to earth' enough for me to wear to my 'do' which is in a room in a local pub!

Have trawled the internet tonight and can't think of where else to try. I've tried all the high street shops I can think of.

Any ideas?

TIA

Come on, you all must be going to some do or other this year?

Where did you get yours from?

I'll ignore the bit about a 10 being too big and give you a link to the one I've just bought for a dinner dance later in the months M&S Bargain at just under £30 - I got it in black as they didn't have the red at my M&S.

really like this one too but can't justify the cost

Thankyou Grace, it's the perfect length. 10's are only too big 'cus my boobs are too small

Well I bought a 12 and am trying to get a flat stomach over the next fortnight (no mean feat as I haven't had such a thing for about 10 years )

Really? How are you going to do it?

Please tell me your secrets!

Well, I'm WeightWatchering frantically (I'm only 4lbs over my goal weight so that's do-able in a fortnight so long as I'm strong-willed) and I'm staying off the booze (I read something about wine making you retain water and be bloated for up to 5 days...may be rubbish but if I stay off the wine I'm more likely to stick to the WWs). And I'm trying to drink lots of water.

And I'm thinking about sit-ups...just thinking, not actually doing. Thinking's got to count for something

I've seen lots in Monsoon and Coast, also Debenhams have lovely ones.

A padded bra or inserts may help if it's just the boob area that's too big - easier than altering it. (Hope I haven't caused any offence, just I find padded bras sometimes help & are a fairly quick & easy fix).

have you checked the supermarkets Asda have some fab ones, and so cheap you can buy shoes and a bag as well

try Tesco as well - they had a strapless one with a snug bodice but full skirt, so you might be able to get away with an 8 to fit your chest and the full skirt would be more forgiving to 10 hips. A few of their things are here .

Doroth Perkins are also good for dresses as no-one else ever seems to get theirs from there so you never turn up in the same outfit as someone else. The red tartan one is rather cool and (full skirt again) I bet you'd get into the 8.

That M&S red velour dress for £29.50 looks great value. Have you thought about control pants in case the flat tum in two weeks doesn't happen? Next's \link{http://order.next.co.uk/page.asp?b=G42&p=144&o=1\bottom lifter shorts are only £8.50 and they go quite high up so it doesn't squeeze out of the top, iyswim.

The magicwear dress is lovely too. I have a thing about red velvet.

bottom lifter shorts

lots here in a variety of prices

I find lots of fab dresses they just dont look fab on me

Im not fat but a little flabby on the arms and you just cant find anything with a little chiffon sleeve or even a floaty sleeve.

MrsB I love that DP tartan one it is really cool. I have already bought my main christmas party dress (another MN idea) a greem full length number from Wallis. Now I am thinking of justifying that DP one for the MN meet up

SueW - I have a pair of M&S magic pants but, while they flatten my tum, they give me waistline VPL . Not a good look. The dress looks better without, tbh. I may invest in a pair of their seamless pants (can't find them online but they go with the new 'moulded' bras).

I tend to prefer separates as I feel that they sometimes make me look fat/pregnant (when I'm not!) My main posh dress was from Bay & my main smart/casual dress was from New Look (total impulse - was so surprised it actually looked nice).

I do love the monsoon & debenhams dresses but need somewhere posh to wear one to!

There are lots of cute little cardigans/shrugs around so maybe you could get one of those if finding a dress with sleeves is a pain?

hi
have you tried Zara, alot of their stuff is quite floaty without being to girly more trendy so you could prob get away with an 8
have some fab party stuff
also try top shop, I always feel that i am to old to be in there with all those prepubestant girls but really they have some fab stuff without looking tarty, give them a go

Lots of ideas - thankyou ladies.

Can't believe some of have a 'main' party dress and another one too!

I got a fab one from Wallis it was only 55.00. I can't figue out how to do a link but www.wallis.co.uk

I bought a great bargain dress yesterday from Sainsburys (the Tu range). It's red, thick enough straps to get a bra underneath if needed, a cleavage showing design and a floaty skirt. It was £25 and goes in the washing machine. i tried it on last night expecting it to be awful but DH and DS thought I looked fab!
My description has perhaps been fairly awful but I would describe it as a classic christmas party dress.

I've got a lovely one from kew and it is absolutely the nicest dress I've bought for a very long time !

it's the £66 silk velvet pintuck onehere