Help! Old, fat lady going to a hunt ball

[MovingSouth]

Hi all

As the title says, I need to find something to wear next weekend at a hunt ball. I have a great DVF dress from about 10 years ago but it's very cut away at the arms and arms are super flabby at the moment. It is jade green.

I am 5'8", 49, 14 top, 16-18 hips - very out of shape compared to usual due to stress, long travel for work, bunch of stuff not worth talking about. Dress is a 14 but has a v flared skirt so just about fits but looks crap. I want to go and not be super self-conscious about what I am wearing.

Apparently hunt balls are v colourful affairs so might stay away from black. I am fine w embellishment within limits. Not super sensitive about budget but given I am larger than usual would rather not spend some astronomical sum.

WOuld really appreciate any help. Looked at phase 8, outnet, couple of other places and not been inspired. WIll have to be ordered on line as no time to go shopping.

[tootsietoo]

Love that dress MovingSouth, v chic!

I think hunt ball dress depends a lot on location. Oxfordshire/Glos - v. chic and expensive with jewels. NW - must be accessorised with fake tan, lots of skin on show. Depths of Lincolnshire - eighties throwback.

I hope you had fun.

[EmpressofBlandings]

So very, very glad you didn't wear a jumpsuit. Hunt balls are at least 40 years behind any current fashion stuff.

[Gruach]

Glad you found something nice. Did you have a good time?

[MovingSouth]

Best piece of advice would have been - choose a dress that looks good w wellies!

[TooExtraImmatureCheddar]

If it wasn't too late, I would be giving you the advice Hazel the coincidentally-arriving make up artist gives to Taggie in Rivals - go for the dark red one, it won't show up the red wine that is bound to get poured over you. Also, you must call all young men "young bloods".

[MovingSouth]

Hello Lovelies. Wanted to say thank you for all the help. I ended up with this one

www.theoutnet.com/en-GB/product/Mikael-Aghal/Embellished-tulle-gown/697767

Which needed taking in on the shoulders and is overall a bit big (I went for a 16 and turns out these dresses are quite generous on the hips which is my usual area of being a size bigger than the rest of me), but looks glamorous esp due to the low back.

Surprisingly I found a few that were good, including this one from HoF which is staying in the closet for the next time I need a dress.

www.houseoffraser.co.uk/on/demandware.store/Sites-hof-Site/default/Product-Show?pid=225554042

Thanks again for all the help!

[keely79]

I don't think the LK Bennett one would look frumpy - sparkles should help with that I would think and the lower back to show a bit of skin (helpfully the bit that ages the best!)

Glad to help to give you some options. Hope you have a fab time.

[ChristineDePisan]

No problem!

And definitely avoid a jumpsuit - only a tall and willowy (and young!) person could pull that off at a hunt ball...

[MovingSouth]

Thanks Christine - I like the black and silver one although it's not very 'me' - might be nice to do something different for a change! I worry that navy lace one would be frumpy unless you are tall and willowy!

Thanks for the help!

[ChristineDePisan]

Navy lace

[ChristineDePisan]

Sleeves

[ChristineDePisan]

Stunning red

[ChristineDePisan]

this could be elegant

[ChristineDePisan]

Hi - what's your budget?

[MovingSouth]

Wow! I work my socks off all day in the office and look what I come home to thank you! Toomuch you are hilarious, but I am not that brave. I am also not brave enough for white.

Ladyprigsbottom (great nick!) I notice that but think it is diff in US as my friend who is a member of this hunt and a couple of threads I found in 'horse and hound' (if my 18 year old self could read this she'd probably be stabbing herself right now) said colour is the thing. I think US may do it differently.


Gruac I love that DVF one I might have to try that. And diddleydokey wow! Thank you for all that work. I like the Gina baconni red one and the asos one, some of the others are not really 'me' like the one with the open back (must wear a bra!).

Keely I like the LK Bennett one, do we worry it might seem a bit frumpy, almost apologetic? Don't know til I try I guess..I really like the Hobbs one, funny what you've found as I'd looked at both their websites and hadn't seen either dress! I thought I'd also properly looked at John Lewis. Guess I must be part timing it!

Raising steam I think that's a fair challenge. I might try the green one on tomorrow and see if it's really not going to work or if I am being a bit cowardly.

Thank you all, I feel so much better, lots of options - thanks!

[OhShutUpThomas]

I've never seen anyone at a hunt ball in a white dress. You'd look like a bride. Or big fat gypsy weddings.

White tie - floor length, straps, not too booby.

Black tie - at LEAST knee length (not above), cocktail type dresses ok.

[LadyPriggsbottom]

Just noticed both those sites are American so maybe they have different 'rules'.

[LadyPriggsbottom]

"You absolutely can't wear a jumpsuit to a hunt ball"

Meh fair enough, if you say so.

"Apparently hunt balls are v colourful affairs so might stay away from black"

OP, I'm just wondering where you heard this. I've just been doing some googling (what? It's nap time chez Priggsbottom and this is more interesting than tv, and I can't afford to shop for myself atm so am living vicariously). Anyway, a few sites say most ladies at hunt balls stick to black and white gowns). Not that I think you should have to, but then it seems I am not to be trusted with sticking to dress codes (sigh).

www.what2wearwhere.com/2013/10/the-hunt-ball/

www.chronofhorse.com/forum/showthread.php?115908-Hunt-Ball-Attire

Someone please correct me / these sites if they're nonsense. Am genuinely interested to know.

[ItMustBeBedtimeSurely]

You absolutely can't wear a jumpsuit to a hunt ball. But I'm guessing the op already knows that.

[Sparklycat]

Go as a fox

[LadyPriggsbottom]

Please don't wear a fucking jumpsuit to a hunt ball



I've seen them at formal events and they look quite cool - honest! Understated and chic. Some of the dresses you see at these things just look so uncomfortable! All shiny and tight-fitting - not for me. Some people look great in them obviously and enjoy wearing them but I don't really like them myself.

I really like the Hobbs one Keely79 suggested, though depends on how you feel about short sleeves.

[RaisingSteam]

Can you just wear a lace shrug to match your green dress? Spend the money on a hairdo and accesories/ undergarments and you will feel the part.

Having said that some of Diddly's dresses are lovely!

the Quorn Hunt last weekend

[keely79]

Is it white tie (i.e. long) or could you do cocktail?

How about this from Hobbs:

www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0215-5710-3697L00&productvarid=0215-5710-3697L00-PLUM-12&refpage=dresses

Or this?

www.johnlewis.com/l-k-bennett-quinny-maxi-dress-gold/p2253279

[Diddlydokey]

One more... www.asos.com/asos/asos-cowl-back-crepe-maxi-dress/prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=4790881&clr=Navy&SearchQuery=dress+with+sleeves&pgesize=8&pge=0&totalstyles=8&gridsize=3&gridrow=2&gridcolumn=2

[Diddlydokey]

www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Kaliko+Lace+top+maxi+dress/229605358,default,pd.html

www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Chi+Chi+London+Floral+Embroidered+Maxi+Dress/226903668,default,pd.html

www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Chi+Chi+London+Embellished+Embroidered+Maxi+Dress/237875179,default,pd.html

www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Gina+Bacconi+Long+corded+disc+lace+wrap+dress/236449234,default,pd.html

www.justlastseason.co.uk/belted-lace-maxi/010036493.html?cgid=JLS_DressesMaxiDresses&dwvar_010036493_color=0240

www.justlastseason.co.uk/amethyst-chiffon-beaded-gown/010037855.html?cgid=JLS_DressesDresseswithSleeves&dwvar_010037855_color=0330

www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Chesca+Matt+Crepe+Chiffon+Flounce+Trim+Dress/232326573,default,pd.html