Cocktail dress - give me some ideas please!

[Hulababy]

Treating myself to a new cocktail dress. I have two balls to go to in Febrary/March (different groups of people) and probably 1 or 2 more later in year.

I am going shopping with my sister on Thursday evening, to Meadowhall (big shopping centre near here). All the usual high street type shops and department stores.

I am 5 foot nothing and size 12. At present I am a big 12, but currently trying to lose weight. I have lost 7lbs in past 2 weeks, as of today anyway. Smaller chest, bigger hips and a bit of a tummy. I am prepared to wear the necessary pants to smooth that out a bit though

Seen a dress in Monsoon which I really like, but not sure if it is right for me until I try it on.

It needs to be long, and I don't like really fitted/tailored that much - not for a gown. Want it to be feminine and girly. In the past my dresses for such events have been black, with little divertion!

So, anyone seen anything lovely out there?

There's a Debenhams at Meadowhall isn't there?
Haven't been there in ages.
How about something like this? girly and not black. Although the first long gown on page one is nice - but black

I like the look of that dress, but think it is too long sadly.

What about Coast? They had some beautiful cocktail dresses in the sale last time I went in.

They have a Coast shop - can't find that online anywhere to have a look though.

Or how about this from Laura Ashley? Good price. Although I think these are more ball dresses - a cocktail dress would be the classic Little Black Dress, and knee length, imo.

try coast-stores.co.uk

I want long definitely. Some people do have shorter dresses, but it is still mainly long here. I prefer long definitely.

Do you mean full length, or just above that - kind of long calf length? Phase 8 have some nice stuff, but a useless website.

I love 2 on this page - the one on the top row on the right hand side - the taffeta prom dress, and the one on the bottom row, third from left, the rosebud dress. Were they the kind of thing you had in mind?

Prefer long - ankle length TBH, if possible. But will look at others as well, as will try on lots :D

I think so yes, not 100 sure really. I think it might be a case of when I see the dress I will know!

Any of these take your fancy? Lots of black, but some others too.

By the way - either wear or take some heels with you so you can get the full effect. Nothing worse than trying to guess if something's going to work with heels when you've got bare feet.

Some nice ones in Debenham's website isn't there? Will have to go try some on. There are so few petite length ones that is my problem I think!

Have my heels ready to take on Thursday And hair elastics to test with hair up and down

You're organised. But do consider having one taken up if it's otherwise perfect - if it isn't some sort of ruffly hem it ought to be quite easy to do. Would you have time for that?

Monsoon have got loads for sale atm

I bought 2 today £21 & £25.50

The first is a blue retro print 1950's style slim fitting

The other is purple almost marylin monroe style witha full skirt

Do you have TK Maxx near you?

In town; not at Meadowhall for TK Maxx. Going shopping at MH on Thurs!

Trouble with the independent shops in Sheffield GB is that they cater for women who are about 6 feet tall! Some of the dresses we have seen would be long on DH! LOL!

Hopefully Thursday at Meadowhall will go well. Have lots to consdier anyway.

Can't beat Coast. I've just got a bright green one - simple and understated (ha ha!), strapless, A-line and just below the knee. Not cheap in Coast though.

The Coast website is crappola - doesn't show half the stuff so you need to go in. Still loads in the sale when I went in last Friday.

Agree with others Monsoon is great and they've got racks of sale stuff. Also TKMaxx - my friend goes to loads of army balls and buys all hers from there at really good prices.

Am thinking now, why didn't I look there instead of Coast?!

Well Hula, did you find anything?

I got a dress My sister couldn't come with me though, so ended up with DH and 4yo DD helping.

I can't find the exact one on the Debenhams website. It is the same style and length as : this one but mine is in a deep red, with a black net underskirt which just peeps out under the bottom.

A lot of the ones we saw on the links on this thread were not in the shops!!! Coast was really poor selection (unlike them) and Monsoon had very dresses out of the sale and ost were way too long or too heavily patterned. Debenhams had best selection - tried 4 on IIRR and this fitted and looked best on.