Style advice please - size 28

[GrinAndTonic]

I am wanting to by my closest friend some clothes for her birthday.
She rarely buys herself anything fancy and lives in shorts and shirts.
She and her family and all our friends are off for a cruise next month (we can't go) and I want to buy her something. I have bought her clothes before for birthdays (she is very difficult to buy for and hates shopping so it's a win win situation if I buy for her) but that was very simple items. Now I want fancy cocktail style.
So if you are a size 28 and about 5'5 what would you wear? She is more tummy then anything else and does not wear anything low cut (asymmetrical breasts).
Thanks for you help!!

What sort of budget? Any idea if she prefers block colour (which ones?) or pattern?

A good LBD is always great to have, this?

I'm same dress size, but six inches taller.

I love dresses like these, very flattering line, but elegant

ladyvlondon.com/Black-Hepburn-Dress-with-Red-Belt/#.VwDflOIrLrc

She wears both patterns and plain but I might go with a block colour then she can accessorise easier.