"Like something a drag queen would wear"?

[LunaLoveg00d]

Don't often get invited to fancy functions but am going to a large corporate ball in the autumn where the dress code is black tie. After having speaking to friends who have been before, the code for women is "long and sparkly".

I saw this dress in TK maxx today - tried it, fits beautifully (i'm 5'4", size 14-16, short dumpy legs and long boy) was very pleased with myself until got home and husband's verdict was firstly it's too old for you (i'm 44) and "it looks like something a drag queen would wear." The dress is a stretch jersey fabric which is very comfortable, is a good length on me and the cape bit is chiffony and floaty.

Verdict??

www1.macys.com/shop/product/r-m-richards-plus-size-sequined-cape-gown?ID=2772535&PartnerID=LINKSHARE&cm_mmc=LINKSHARE--2--11-_-MP211&LinkshareID=p.E2XVDQFnI-rDOddiKGJsx33He0fP6bcA

There are loads on the HoF site.

Remus's is lovely. Your second pic is better. I'm glad you're taking the dress back - even the model looks like a wheelbarrow in it.

It's a bit limiting to say your dress has to be long and sparkly. You could bend the rules a bit and go for a non glittery dress with lots of sparkly jewellery or accessories?
Please don't hold back in criticising your husband's attire though, he was far from tactful. E.g. you look like a butch lesbian in that suit, with those shoes..

You sound roughly the same size, shape and height as me but I am older. I agree with your husband. It swamps the model and looks like someone trying to hide their size behind a tent would wear. And it is too old for you.

I'm the same size as you and a similar shape and I wouldn't wear it on grounds of frump and shapelessness.
I don't wear baggy clothes because they make me look fatter, maybe look for something more fitted ( but not tight)

Hate shopping for this sort of thing. I think i'll just wear what I wore last time and hope that everyone was too drunk to remember :P

I'd be surprised if anyone remembered your dress from the previous year.
Do you remember what other women wore?

I would wear it. It doesn't look see through to me. I am 57 5'7" and size 10/12, so it would look different on me.

"Something a drag queen would wear", have seen friends pride party photos this weekend (many guests dragged up) I'd take that as a complement actually! It was glam, glam glam :)

Fair point, I can't really remember what other people were wearing. Apart from one woman behind me who wasn't part of our group who was wearing this white body stocking thing with cut out bits and bright pink underwear. EVERYONE would remember what she was wearing!!

I'm also a 14-16 and found a great sparkly dress from Virgos Lounge that had beaded chiffon short sleeves. If you're uncomfortable with your arms, I am too, and that was ideal. They also cut to flatter more curvy shapes, rather than hiding your figure.

I found quite a few styles on Asos and on eBay.

So true OP that bar extraordinary clothes (like sparkly, cut-out body stockings etc), nobody really notices or cares what other people are wearing enough to remember. I'm thinking back to work dos and can't remember what anyone else wore at all.

I am 50 and that is far too frumpy for me and I couldn't have my leg sticking out. Much prefer your second one.

you have a suitable dress already? Wear it. Why wouldn't you?

I agree with specialsubject the second dress is lovely.

Looks like something Barbara Bush would have worn to a 'gala' in Texas. With loads of other matronly ladies.

So I am glad you are returning it.

The dress has gone back.

Hate returning stuff - the staff in the shop were fine about it, I had my receipt and they didn't mind me bringing it back, I just find it all so awkward!!