So who can find me a dress for a ball (yes Cinderella you shall go)

[Clary]

I am going to a black tie event next month and I have suddenly reaslied that it is really soon.

Of course I have nothing at all suitable to wear.

So, if any style gurus dare venture out in the wake of the Franny skirt debacle, I would appreciate your help.

I don't really want black, as I have eliminated it from my wardrobe and don't think it suits me. Plus everyone will be wearing black. I am a size 12-ish (if generous) but it must be possible to wear a bra with the dress, I cannot emphasise this enough. So no skinny straps or backless styles, however alluring. Although strapless if well upholstered might work.

Ideally I would like to try it on and can find most shops locally or witha trip afield. When I say "ball", it's a school black tie do, so not long frilly ballgowns really. Actually I'm not at all sure what people do wear to black tie dos now. Had a look at Hobbs website and the dresses there seemed a bit, well, cocktaily, but maybe that's what I'm aiming for.

The budget is not high but I guess I could stretch to £150 if I really loved the dress.
TIA
Cxx

Ooh - I've always wanted to say:

You're BARRED

(but MrsBadger is the boss, so up to her really)

Oh blimey

I might be barred

I shall await the Decision of Her Eminent Badgerosity

The red one is lovely and would be v flattering (I'm a 12 and it would look great on me - unfortunately no black tie dos looming)

Oh franny, I meant debacle in the sense of Very Interesting and Thought-provoking Thread and Very Funny Too (which may however have irritated a few people just a tiney weeny bit...)

When we are sayign we like the red one btw do we generally mean the Debenhams red one?

I like this

Also what about Coast?

Monsoon has some lush dresses at the moment.

Have had cocktail dresses from: Debenhams, Coast, Monsoon.

Clary, go for the red Debenhams one - it would look fab with your colouring.

JackieNo is rapidly becoming a style topic guru

(fran I could never bar you )

yes because you know I would come back and stage a sit in with my lactivist wnaky pals

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L love one of the dresses on the littlewoods website, I would never have thought of looking there and so reasonable. Is there a store that you can go to to try on or is mail order only?

Paula, Ive been on this website this morning and just love the Cavalli dresses. Just a shame I cant afford them

Whats your budget?

high street prices

I have this and it is gorgeous

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here

I particularly like the black one - thanks

Oooh thanks for more thoughts, PPB those are lovely but a bit pricey!

GB thanks for that thought, I love that red one too, may go a nd try on this lunchtime oooerrrr

OMG went out at lunchtime (Don't normally take a lunch break and this is clearly why!) and bought the debenhams red one! It's nice as is kind of shot effect so not flat red, very long and really glam. Ooo-er £100 (well £90 as I opened an account to save 10%) I blame you GB and JackieNo of course

Still at least as it's long I don't have to spendextra and new strappy sparkly sandals...

Clary is it the wine taffeta one?

It's the red one in jackie no's first post, £100 from Debenhams

Yay - glad it worked. You're all set then (jewellery? make up?)

Well Done Clary! ...
I am only jealous because unless debenhams have started selling taffetta tents, there is No Way On Earth that I will get into anything vaguely ballgown-like at the moment.

Sorry, not been online all day.

Jackie, yes, jewels have short pearl necklace (real pearls ) and long Victorian gold locket so can choose between those (sum total of my jewellery h/ever!).

Make-up is OK but I need to have hair done and eyebrows shaped before the day..

GB - but just think, ever so soon you'll have a lovely new baby. I know which I'd prefer

How are you anyway? How long now???

Locket sounds lovely - pearls (although very at your having real pearls) possibly could look a bit Princess Diana with ball dress? Not sure, though. Or you could invest in something cheap but sparkly from M&S or Accessorise (or Tesco, or East, etc).

Yeah I wondered about pearls being a bit sloaney.

Also quite short and dress is low cut, hence long locket might work.

Honest, that's all my jewels. Think my mum bought them for me (cultured as well so not really valuable??)

Will try out and then maybe be forced to do further shopping foray