Buying a dress for a friend

[ImperialBlether]

My friend is having a big event in May and I said I'd buy her a dress to wear. She doesn't normally wear dresses - uniform for work and jeans etc at home. She's a size 14, about 5'3" and has dark hair and pale skin. She'd like something in silk and she's also like it to be a ruby red colour. She's in her 50s and isn't comfortable in dressy clothes or high heels.

I know it's a difficult situation but I also know you lot are great! Any ideas?

What sort of budget? Is it for day or evening? Length? Sleeves? Will have a rummage.

I don't mind paying up to £150 or so. She'd use it again and again and I really want to treat her.

She said she'd prefer not to show too much arm, but then it's May and I don't want to get anything too warm for her.

Lengthwise - knee length or longer. I just think full length will be too fancy for her. Basically she's still that punky girl she used to be and doesn't buy herself a lot of clothes.

I'd suggested this Phase 8 dress, but she was worried about it being sleeveless.

Oh, so it doesn't have to be real silk? Ah. That makes it easier.

this is a nice cut
this could easy be a bit punky

too formal?

Lindy Bop do some lovely dresses, you could get shoes too with the budget you have

Nice dresses, thanks, but they're scarlet rather than ruby red. She wants a red wine colour, but I think she's more likely to get that in the winter.

I thought of the lindy bop dresses - thanks, will go and have a look now.

She'd like real silk, but it doesn't really matter.

better?

That took me to a skimlinks message, MrsLettuce, sorry. Which site?

Oh got it now, thanks.

That's a really nice one, thanks. Will send it on to her for approval!

Maybe too red? great shape more sleeve
better colour, probably. Too fussy I fear
this a grreat dress. very flattering on. Maybe too red again

They're really nice. I love the shape of the first one. I'll send them all off to her to see what she says. It's hard buying at a distance, but I know she'd never go into the shops with me.

I love Pretty Eccentric dresses. How about this one? www.prettyeccentric.co.uk/clothing-c3/dresses-c4/liza-dress-in-stretch-crepe-p2242#attribute%5B1%5D=69 Not silk, though...

Ooh, some lovely dresses in the there Tubbs!