Decent black tie dress - where??

[christmastreewithhairyfairy]

I need a black tie dress for an event next week. Long story but I need to look especially amazing!

I have had a look around online and in a few shops but cannot find anything that is not either:
Too cheap and young looking
Ridiculously expensive and a bit conservative
Boring and middle of the road (john lewis etc)

Also shops seem to be mostly full of coats and cardis, apparently we're not meant to be thinking of party dresses

Any recommendations? I'm a size 8 but pear shaped - need something forgiving on the thighs. I'm hoping to spend under £150. Colour wise I suit blue/grey/silver/pink, black at a push.

Have a search on Asos for bridesmaid dresses. They have a lot in your preferred colours including:

Pink floaty style

blue wrap dress

silver one shoulder

soft grey with a split

www.phase-eight.com/product/reese-jacquard-frill-dress-207256762.html#cgid=occasion&sz=60&pid=207256762&pos=6

Love this

Would hug your waist and be forgiving on your thighs.

I've found things occasionally in French Connection. This one?

www.frenchconnection.com/product/woman-collections-dresses-party-dresses/71mch/emille-sequin-plunge-neck-dress.htm

DD1's is from Debenhams, dd2's is from Quiz mine is from bravissimo. Mine is more conservative than my girls but I wanted to be able to wear an ordinary bra

All under £100

art deco style dress

Monsoon?

Oooh thanks everyone!

Asos - I like those and they are surprisingly good value. Will people think "she's wearing a bridesmaid dress" though? I'm never sure if it's a very obvious distinction iyswim

I like the style of the Phase 8 one but not the colour so much. I actually have a phase 8 dress that DH is trying to persuade me to wear but I've worn it to death and want something new (wah!). I did pop in there but wasn't inspired

I love that art deco dress but they only have it in a couple of sizes left.

French connection! I'd totally forgotten they existed. I love that dress - again not sure of the colour but it's prompted me to look at the site. Will have a look at bravissimo (thought they were just undies!) and Monsoon too.

I'll be back with some suggestions for your approval :)

Thoughts on this, is it a bit mad?

uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_1,mon_1.2/7418670110

Or this:
uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_1,mon_1.2/7450781912

Monsoon has loads!

Boden?

I love the raspberry one from Monsoon

I LOVE the first Monsoon one. Glam and fun at the same time.

Just check it's not a strict dress code first though, as some places might expect long dresses for black tie.

I like the colour of the second one, but I've been disappointed by a few velvet things looking a bit cheep recently (even when they're not!) so I'd be wary of buying it without seeing it in person first.

Agreed - tbh I want to see them all in person so will try and find my nearest big monsoon. Though they can't possibly have all of those dresses in stock, there are hundreds...

I like the first Monsoon dress but not the second .

www.hobbs.co.uk/product/display?productID=0219-5675-9845L00&productvarid=0219-5675-9845L00-MIDNIGHT-12&refpage=dresses/occasion-dresses this is nice but over budget

The first Monsoon dress is lovely but might not be formal enough (depending on the occasion)? I find Debenhams really good for occasion-wear at that kind of price-point.

I think you could do better than that dress hairyfairy.

uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_1,mon_1.2/7418740214

You got good legs?

Have you thought about doing something like this? chic-by-choice.com/en/dress-hire
I used them - when they were wish want wear, or maybe they were girl meets dress, anyway I went to the baftas and hired the most amazing black tie dress. Was brilliant. And now not stuck with a dress I’ll never wear again

I went to a black tie event recently and was surprised to be one of only two people not wearing full length dresses. Previously there would have been lots of cocktail dresses but this time I felt under dressed. I think black tie might be going back to meaning long dresses.

That Hobbs dress is lovely... but sadly I cant justify spending that much.

Collision I did look at that dress and love it. But my legs probably my worst feature! And that dress covers up the good bits.

Molton- that is my worry. Have just messaged a friend going to same event for verdict on long.
I like wearing full length but a) more expensive and b) feel like an overdressed tit if no one else is

Hadn't thought of hiring! What a great idea. Checking them out...

@christmastreewithhairyfairy I can’t speak for that company in particular as the one I used looks like it doesn’t exist anymore. But it was a great idea! Hope you find something special