40th birthday dress challenge anyone?

[captainflash]

Hi- it’s my 40th birthday soonish and I would like to find a knockout dress. (My divorce will have come through by the time of my party and want to look awesome to all the naysayers in my family!)

I have some info to help:
-I’m 5ft 7- size 12/14. I carry the weight around my tummy. My legs, arms and boobs are ok.

• I would prefer not to wear strapless or anything Bardot. Also not too tight.
• I am most comfortable in a dress that looks like a giant t’shirt! Short is ok. Failing that, I wear numerous versions of that Zara spotty dress!
• I love animal print. I usually have something animal on. Otherwise, red is another favourite. Pastels wash me out. I’m quite pale.
• Design wise, I like Rixo, Ganni, Vivienne Westwood (my dream dress). I don’t really like 50’s style but have short hair and can do 60’s / short/ Peter Pan collars.
• Budget up to £100

I think I’m going blind looking and haven’t found anything ‘WOW’ yet. I would be so grateful of any help. Thank you

biba had a couple of gorgeous shirt dresses on house of Fraser last time I looked.

How about this: www.johnlewis.com/numph-irene-ribbed-velour-dress-caviar/p4769042 with....
any of these earrings: www.johnlewis.com/brand/toolally/_/N-1z092gr?suggestion=true%3a%3atool#_search_suggestion_referral
(I’m a bit obsessed with this earring brand, very very light and so many compliments)

Love & found section of John Lewis has ‘numerous versions of that Zara dress’ or Oliver Bonas has a coral pink animal print version but it might not be dressy enough

Biba is a really good shout. I’d forgotten about them. I’m in London today so will pop into House of Fraser to look. There are a good few on the website that I like but sizes are limited.

Thanks Thinkle too. That dress is the exact shape I like. John Lewis is right next door to House of Fraser after all

@postercaptainflash I have the Biba 'Lilly' shirt dress (pink with black down the middle) and the rose gold sequin on with the black satin sash (both reduced online)

The rose gold one is very heavy though!

Also...The pink shirt dress is really quite thin, I wore a nude longline vest top under mine.

Had a good look at the Biba dresses in House of Fraser in Oxford Street. There were some possibles but the fabrics were nothing special for the money. Came away disappointed.
Back to the drawing board!