Student ball - dress for an "old person"

[chemenger]

Style and beauty...looks round in amazement, not somewhere I come on Mumsnet, but I have a challenge for you clued in people. I am an academic in the Engineering department of a university. I'm going to the student ball and I need something to wear. I will literally be 30 years older than any other woman there (all the female students are in their late teens/ early 20's, I am in my mid 50's). I need a dress suitable for a ball (with ceilidh dancing so probably short rather than long), that is social media proof - no low necklines, no splits, no risk of dodgy pictures, less than £100 and suitable for a fairly well proportioned size 16, medium height woman. Help!!

Try Coast - they're having a mid season sale at the moment so you'll find less than £100 there. Though tbh some of their full price dresses are like £110 anyway.

Monsoon is my go-to for weddings/balls. I'm 37 and size 18.

Why not book a personal shopping appointment at John Lewis or similar? Then you can see what shapes work.

By the way, kudos to you for being a female academic in engineering.

John Lewis online have some bargains
http://www.johnlewis.com/adrianna-papell-extended-cap-sleeve-fit-and-flare-dress-ink/p2889371

http://www.johnlewis.com/jacques-vert-lace-bodice-chiffon-dress/p2431460?colour=Light%20Grey

House of Fraser has lots of gowns in your price and size range.

This one is pretty and a good length for dancing.
www.houseoffraser.co.uk/Biba+Short+sleeve+40s+maxi+dress/228712770,default,pd.html

By the way, kudos to you for being a female academic in engineering.

Thanks, normally a great advantage of being an engineering academic is that it takes very little effort to be in the top 10% of stylish people in my field!

I am the same age and size as you. Phase Eight is my go to shop for evening dresses.

jaeger dress it needs a statement necklace.

Phase Eight is my usual go to but I don't see anything there that fits the bill. I really like the Biba one but it is not available in my size. I like the Jaeger one but it does need a necklace and I have a horrible metal allergy that means necklaces usually bring me out in huge blotches and lumps! I don't have time to do a personal shopper, but my own personal student (dd) is home at the weekend so maybe she can stand in.

I'm a little bit older. I don't know about you (because, as I'm always saying on here, we don't all look the same) but I'm finding 'occasion dresses' no longer work for me: too fussy, too floaty, too shiny.
If it was me, I would want structure, clean lines, ease of movement and sleeves (no shrugs).
I've never been to a student ball so not sure how formal they are but, the more I think about it, the more I'm tempted by tuxedo trousers with a silk shirt. And a great bit of jewellery (doesn't have to be expensive) to lift it.
If challenged, I would tell them I identified as a man - I doubt a university would dare argue

How about a resin necklace instead of metal?

You could maybe get away with a belt rather than a necklace with the Jaeger dress.