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Original poster

Emergency dress needed

59 replies

SirVixofVixHall · 30/03/2017 11:53

Heeeeelp! I'm singing in a concert on Saturday. I have to wear black, formal evening wear. I never wear black, and have had a really stressful few weeks will ill daughter, very ill dog, death in the family etc. I thought I might wear a dress I already have but it is too tight, I've put weight on. I've been trawling ebay, John lewis, Debenhams, House of Fraser online, but I can't find anything that will suit me, I have found short ones, I've found navy ones, but not full length black. I am tall and busty, rough size 12, and I hate my upper arms. I can't wear a wrap thing as I'll be holding music. I normally wear vintage, so nothing madly body-con as it won't suit me. Sparkle would be good. Has anyone seen anything? I need to buy it in the next few hours as I'm leaving to travel to a funeral and won't be back until tomorrow night. Honestly I am hopeless, I just haven't been thinking straight.

OP posts:
Original poster
SirVixofVixHall · 30/03/2017 11:56

I forgot budget- don't really want to spent much over £150

OP posts:
CaveMum · 30/03/2017 12:00

I also love Chi Chi - bought several of their dresses last year for weddings. They can come up a bit small on the waist though.

www.chichiclothing.com/products/Chi-Chi-Hetty-Dress.html

3boys3dogshelp · 30/03/2017 12:03

Try monsoon - I can't do links - Carrie and Meredith both might work. Don't be too hard on yourself you sound stressed.

naichick · 30/03/2017 12:05

Coast have some nice ones, but a bit over budget!

This is a lovely dress with a vintage feel..
www.ghost.co.uk/meryl-dress-black-dw11ca-a01

Original poster
SirVixofVixHall · 30/03/2017 12:13

I like the Meryl but I have to have a long dress. I like the ChiChi dress but need to wear a bra (am 28H), so that might rule it out. Had seen the Carrie from Monsoon and am mulling over it but the sleeves are so short, and the Meredith is sleeveless, no good on me and probably too chilly. Coast do have some nice ones, although seemingly mainly in navy?

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MaybeTimeNow · 30/03/2017 12:14

Little Black Dress site has some lovely dresses, they do some Gatsby style long formal dresses.

MaybeTimeNow · 30/03/2017 12:18

The problem I've found with most of the long sleeve dresses, is that they have open or mesh panel backs, which doesn't always work if you're big busted. How do you feel about it?

Original poster
SirVixofVixHall · 30/03/2017 12:23

The open back problem...I saw a Ghost dress on ebay that was ok, but has a great big open back so I couldn't wear a bra. Short sleeves are ok if they come to just above the elbow, or 3/4 length, or a little sort of cape affair, I just don't want something strappy or sleeveless, partly arms, partly because it will be cold, and being cold doesn't help with singing.

OP posts:
gonegrey56 · 30/03/2017 12:24

I bought a Coast dress for my dd to perform in, heavy black crepe, so flattering and classic . A couple of years ago but see what they have in current range. Dress was about £150 I think .

naichick · 30/03/2017 12:25

This one op, got some arm coverage and vintage style!

www.coast-stores.com/p/abriella-structured-maxi-sl/1680980

gonegrey56 · 30/03/2017 12:26

You could also go for a long black skirt and a black top. Lots of dd's choir friends did this .

Original poster
SirVixofVixHall · 30/03/2017 12:29

This is the sort of thing that suits me. I may buy this one, but I was hoping for something a bit more dressy, a few sequins, or lace, as I look grotty in plain black (am v pale, light brown hair, green eyes, look nice in green, red, yellow, brown, but washed out and ill in blue or black!) www.nancymac.co.uk/collections/black-and-souchong/products/sable-maxi-dress-in-black-crepe-1

OP posts:
Original poster
SirVixofVixHall · 30/03/2017 12:30

I thought of a skirt and top, but can't find a suitable version of either, and it is two garments to get here on time rather than one...

OP posts:
naichick · 30/03/2017 12:32

Sorry x posted. Have you tried house of fraser?

Original poster
SirVixofVixHall · 30/03/2017 12:36

Have looked at HoF online. Nothing seems ok, may have to look again as am so stressed!

OP posts:
Orangebird69 · 30/03/2017 12:42

This?

Coldhandscoldheart · 30/03/2017 12:43

Bother, just seen its navy. This?
www.houseoffraser.co.uk/JS+Collections+Cap+sleeved+lace+cold+shoulder+dress/251922639,default,pd.html

Original poster
SirVixofVixHall · 30/03/2017 12:45

The Alice and Olivia one looks ok, but not glam enough. It needs to be black tie type affair. I had no idea it would be so tricky, I suppose it is the wrong season, lots of lovely pale colours about but not much black.

OP posts:
MOISTOWLETT · 30/03/2017 12:46

m.houseoffraser.co.uk/Adrianna+Papell+Lace+sequin+shift+dress/241828998,default,pd.html how about this? I'm not great with fashion I'm afraid!

FlorenceandtheWashingMachine · 30/03/2017 12:47

Loads here. Specialist site for female classical musicians! blackdresscode.com/women/