If you're around the 40 mark please please can you tell me or show me what you are wearing to your Christmas do?! I've spent all day looking & am getting nowhere!

[Trickymoments]

I went shopping all day today to find something to wear to my
Christmas party which will be a dinner & band in a smart hotel.
After hours of traipsing round I still have nothing!

I think it's my age, 41, i just don't know what to wear or which shops to buy from. Alot of the shops i like ie Warehouse, Oasis suddenly feel too young for me so I tried Phase Eight & Monsoon amongst others & they felt too old.

My body shape doesn't help as I'm 5'3 so most dresses were too long. I'm a size 12 but with a bit of a tum so things fit well on my shoulders but then are a bit tight round the middle. If I go up a size they are too big on shoulders!

I've been looking on line tonight but am just going round in circles.

I'd be grateful for any advice or examples of what other people are wearing.

I am wearing this https://conceptstore.myrine.com/shop/winter-16/dress/robert-070339/

I love it. I'm 5' 4" and 45

I am similar height and size to you with the tum thrown in! I bought the popcorn dress but the shoulders are so broad and it doesn't nip in at waist at all so just made me look big all over. The material is also very thick so I would've overheated anyway. The eBay offer is good but I would recommend you have a way of returning it as I was convinced it was the Xmas party dress for me and it just wasn't. Instead I returned it and got this:

http://www.oasis-stores.com/gb/clothing/skirts/sequin-tinsel-skirt/060546.html?dwvar0605466_color=01&gclid=CPbL1M7futACFUNmGwod3YAIcg

I'm wearing it with an H&M shimmery black vest (tucked in), long silver necklace, control tights for the tum, black heels, faux fur coat and red lips.

I love the Hobbs one.

Considering this from Coast too.

Floise me that sounds gorgeous.

Thanks Bobcat, good
to know, that's another dress off the list 😬

I'll be 47 by the time of our works do and have bought this off ebay:

m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lindy-Bop-Deep-Berry-Red-Pin-Up-50s-Style-Dress-Size-14-/252632842440?hash=item3ad21740c8%3Ag%3AFHAAAOSwal5YJx1B&_trkparms=pageci%253A59ee37e5-b038-11e6-b2a6-000c292cda7b%257Cparentrq%253A88f790081580a6a8d0d46e9effeee3ee%257Ciid%253A1

I find this style flatters my curves

Wow that's stunning busyboys

Thank you. I have some Ruby Shoos to match like this:

www.rubyshoo.com/product/84/shoes

But last year's so slightly different. More of a wine colour.

Reiss has some gorgeous dresses which are beautifully forgiving on the tummy!

I'm no sure OP what are the sellers reviews like? Is it defiantly the one? I'd be inclined to get it from the store as you know if there's a problem you can retire it, also do you know your size? It comes in XS S M and L.

I've taken a look OP and I've just ordered one for £19.99. Wow. The seller had 99% positive reviews so I went for it.

Have you bought another of the same dress Buster? It's such a bargainous price, and like you say the reviews are all good. The seller I was looking at had tons of other dresses too all at a fraction of the shop prices. Could you update when you receive the dress?

I don't know how to do links but my xmas party dresses are-
Pinup couture monica dress in red
Pinup couture Ava dress in jade green
Collectif Trixie atomic star print dress

I'm seriously considering this: www.bonmarche.co.uk/dresses/sleeveless-sequin-ribbon-dress-039459.html?dwvar_039459_color=53&cgid=

I read an article recently about eBay sellers offering knock-off copies of sell-out items from Zara and other high street shops. They may even be made in the same factories in the Far East, but without the quality controls you would expect if buying from the store itself.

Sorry jmangel (can I call you Joe? ). I had a bit of a Zara splurge the other day, so I'm no help

Dress I got from TKMaxx a couple of years ago: long sleeved navy silk chiffon dress with navy embroidery and silver beading on the hem and a spaghetti strap underdress.

metoo and margaritas thank you.

I'm sorry if this sounds preachy but Ebay knock offs sound well dodgy to me. I dread to think who made them.

OP I won't get it for ages as I'm not in the UK, my mum will receive it and save it until I ask her to post it. I believe they are probably seconds, maybe a dodgy stitch or something. I don't mind that as it's a bargain and I think it will be a comfy dress wether your feeling slim or bloated. You know, a feel good dress for all occasions.

I'm 48 and following this thread with deep interest! Loving the Hobbs dress, very tempted!