emergency dress?

[MagickPants]

I'm slowly losing weight and had put all clothes buying on hold for a while as I don't love my figure at the moment. But then I saw that judgey thread about "looking after the pennies" and thought fuck it, I want a dress. I'm having people over to lunch for my birthday and I don't have much for work either. A nice dress for a lunch party that could do for dressier work days would be lovely.

Where should I look? I have literally no idea.

I'm size 14, 5"4", hourglass, red hair and freckles. Can't wear things that are too short.

I'd need to have it delivered by Friday. No time to go physically shopping.

thank you

Are you looking for bargain or treat?

If bargain...I love the Sainsburys illusion dresses with the side panels. My size and shape sounds a lot like yours and I find them quite flattering:

tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/tustorefront/?pagetype=product&productcode=128468534-Navy

Thanks fast day! I was thinking more treat. I have had a look at those in Sainsbos but didn't go for them as I don't love the material (not complaining, you get what you pay for and I do have a few sainsburys things... but was sort of feeling this time like being a little bit more luxurious)

Budget?

Sorry. Maybe £40 / £50

I love how the "look after the pennies" thread made you want to spend! I only read one page and felt so guilty. Maybe I need to go back if the tone turned!

How "girly" do you like and how old are you (am I allowed to ask that...sorry if not!)

I also love basically everything that Aspire sell and it mostly looks pretty good on hourglass (if a bit WHOA boobs!)

www.aspirestyle.co.uk/

Also if it would go with either black or sort of bronze coloured shoes that would be good

Yeah the material shows for sure! But they do the job when you're on a tight budget and need a pick me up (or when no clean clothes for work...)

I really want this:
www.aspirestyle.co.uk/products/clothing/dresses/emily-and-fin-elsa-dress-fern-9206

I was going to suggest Phase Eight. They usually have a good selection of Jersey dresses in nice fabrics. You sound like you'd suit a wrap type dress.

It might edge outside the top end if your budget though. I don't know what delivery is like buying directly from Phase Eight but you can buy them through John Lewis.

The other suggestion would be a wrap dress from Boden - I believe they have 20% off until Thursday this week.

Ooh yes to a wrap dress and phase 8 is good on the curves

That's really cute, fastday! Bit short for me though.

OK sunshine I am going to have a look at phase 8 - jersey sounds clingy though - will it be lined?

I think this is pretty if you have nice shoulders

Simple shape if not too clingy / plungy

I do like stripes

Flattering panels

Definite work-wearability, will look lovely with bronze or black shoes, and should show off your colourings (my favourite so far)

asos is such a marvel! Love it and delivery is always so fast.

How formal is your work place?

Magick probably not lined but I find that if the jersey is of reasonable weight/quality it doesn't cling. I like Phase Eight because they do seem to be cut well and suit an hourglass. They are quite clever with regards to subtle ruching

I do generally wear a slip underneath a wrap dress which helps avoid any cling.

The other advantage is that if you are still losing weight a wrap dress can be tied tighter to accommodate that and you won't slim out of it as quickly.

That's so true Sunshine cheap jersey clings to all my wobbly bits but the better quality stuff doesn't.

Thank good for squish you in tights as I do like a cheap dress...

I love that first one Christine

Lace prom dress

I love that teal one, Christine!

I got a super-super maxi blue and white wide stripe jersey dress in the phase 8 sale last summer for about £60 I think but I feel like a film star in it...it's my go to confidence dress if I have to go out places with skinny people!

www.johnlewis.com/closet-v-neck-godet-dress-blue/p1903972

This dress is lovely, dark blue so will go nicely with your hair etc:) if you order you can click and collect from a local waitrose, and go through kidstart and get a few pennies back (1.5%)

Thanks everyone, lots to look at!