Need a cocktail dress whatever that may entail

[Polkadot1974]

I’m going to a sales meeting (yawn) and one night entails s posh dinner. Men suited and booted (easy for them), ladies in cocktail dresses. I’ll be skint after Christmas and need something cheap but ok enough for one wear. I’m dumpy size 12 and short. Decent boobs in a bra; disastrous without. Big tummy. Can anything be done or should I get room service and stay in pjs?!

Phase eight have a sale on at the moment, what is your budget?

Would you eBay shop for 2nd hand?

Vinted or mercari?

Ideally up to £30. What shape should I go for with my delightful figure? Thanks all

Omg, search on eBay for monsoon velvet dress. There are 2 that are stunning! Both size 12. Vintage twilight dresses. I have the long one which I've just had altered to be knee length and it is STuNNING on!

eBay item no. 182945832917

This is the short one. I wear a strapless bra but you could pin the straps to the top part.

eBay item no.372156692243

Long one. This was floor length in me (I'm 5 foot) but I had it altered t be knee length. The straps don't sit like in the pic. The velvet is really luxurious and thick and the bones in it will give you s Jessica rabbit figure

Are you the seller, MrsMaud?

This is also nice
391940355560

Haha, nope, I was just looking to see if I could get it in another colour, and I need a 14.

They are the most amazing dresses!

Ahh, here is a better pic of how you look in the long one
https://www.google.co.uk/search?rlz=1CDGOYIenGB745GB745&hl=en-GB&biw=375&bih=591&ei=d34pWsCBOMHxauLvmKAI&sjs=4095&q=monsoon+vintage+velvet+dress&oq=monsoon+vintage+velvet+dress&gss_l=mobile-gws-serp.3..0i22i30j33i22i29i30l2.17160.21536..22062.......75.1181.19............mobile-gws-wiz-serp.......0i71j35i39j30i10j0i13i30j0i30j33i160.yUws%2BkywYvY%3D#imgrc=w5G1b45ZeJ-BOM:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?rlz=1CDGOYIenGB745GB745&hl=en-GB&biw=375&bih=591&ei=d34pWsCBOMHxauLvmKAI&sjs=4095&q=monsoon+vintage+velvet+dress&oq=monsoon+vintage+velvet+dress&gsl=mobile-gws-serp.3..0i22i30j33i22i29i30l2.17160.21536..22062.......75.1181.19............mobile-gws-wiz-serp.......0i71j35i39j30i10j0i13i30j0i30j33i160.yUws%2BkywYvY%3D#imgrc=w5G1b45ZeJ-BOM:

Pic

Ooh nice. Was thinking velvet might work.
Shoes- what style?

Cocktail dress just means short, knee length type, rather than full length ball dress. Wear dress/ skirt and top/ trousers and top combo. Or a jumpsuit?!

Am I too short for jumpsuit? I’ve bid on one frock but it’s longer. Fail!