Eeek, need black tie outfit for event in 3 weeks

[RogersRoget]

Unexpected invite to 50th birthday, black tie. Am an hourglass Boden size 12. Never wear black or pastels, warm colours best. Suit a fitted style, like 50s, but have small shoulders so off the shoulder or wide neckline styles don't work. Budget £100ish.

Oh, should say lace or frills are a no no, and arms not my best feature.

Lots of options on Pretty Kitty of you're ok with online

Bombshell HQ have a lot of dresses reduced to under £100 in the sale!

www.bombshellhq.com/collections/dresses-under-100

Bumping for you OP.

Zara has some gorgeous party dresses, and they are all in the sale now.

Thanks, I know PK and will try them again, there are a few options. I have tried Bombshell in the past and found them a bit matronly somehow. The Zara dresses seem to be about showing your legs or arms, neither of which is very me!

Did you see anything you like if it was longer/had arms/less fitted? Do you have any particular colour in mind? Just to narrow things down a bit. People are so helpful finding things that are similar. Have you got anything at home you'd wear if it was new/you were a different weight, or could you describe a dress you have that suits you but isn't dressy enough?

prettykittyfashion.co.uk/collections/cocktail-dresses/products/emerald-green-vintage-3-4-sleeve-embroidered-lace-swing-dress

Is that the kind of thing?

I've discovered www.blonde-and-wise.co.uk/ on another thread. Lots of halter/ish styles that might work and some pieces in the sale would be under budget.

Some suggestions which aren’t necessarily 50s style as I’m not 100% sure that style works all that well for black tie. All under £100 (all Asos as their delivery and returns are soo easy for these kind of situations):

www.asos.com/prd/12921796?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

www.asos.com/prd/13314289?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

www.asos.com/prd/13024459?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

www.asos.com/prd/11072680?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

www.asos.com/prd/12338110?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

www.asos.com/prd/12961062?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

www.asos.com/prd/13542235?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

www.asos.com/prd/12996139?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

www.asos.com/prd/13069355?acquisitionsource=pasteboard

I suit dark green, navy, wine, that sort of thing, as I said never black, or grey or silver etc. Would not have bare arms, definitely not one shoulder or halterneck. The PK dress is a lovely colour, but is lace which is a no no and a swing style which I also don't suit. When I say 50s I mean wiggle style, and definitely nothing wafty at all! This www.phase-eight.com/product/sady-sparkle-wrap-dress-208319351.html#q=sparkle&sz=60&start=0&pid=208319351&pos=27 is the sort of thing that works on me.

prettykittyfashion.co.uk/collections/cocktail-dresses/products/red-velvet-sequin-wiggle-dress?variant=11004804803

That's the nicest PK one I can see with long sleeves.

I think we might have a similar figure, I have small shoulders too. I don't mind my arms but don't like my legs, and have to be very careful about gathers, flares anything like that or my hips and arse look even more out of proportion i.e. huge (not strong this is the case for you at all).

www.zalando.ie/closet-drape-skirt-wrap-dress-day-dress-cl921c0li-m11.html?size=42

Seems more like an evening dress to me...