Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

Help me choose a dress

87 replies

MonsteraCheeseplant · 28/06/2020 22:00

While the milestone party has been postponed until further notice, I have lost weight this lockdown, feeling fiiine and am fantasising/shooting the breeze.

So i'm tall (now!) slim with sizeable boobs, mid 30s. Buying all to return most still feels an eye wateringly expensive way of shopping and of course I'd rather be trying dresses on in a shop but there we are. I've just looked on The Outnet and John Lewis so any other ideas welcomed.

What do you think of these dresses?

OP posts:

Thread gallery

gopuff · 29/06/2020 16:04

have you looked at the net a porter sale?

MyFavouritePlace · 29/06/2020 16:40

Sorry agree they do look too old for someone in their 30s (I'm mid 50s and I think they're too old for me.

@excelledyourself those Folkster dresses are beautiful.

Have a look at www.revolve.com - they usually have some lovely dresses.
Good luck with the hunt :)

oooompa · 29/06/2020 16:45

I don't like the last one, and I don't think it would bd suitable for a black tie event. Of all the others my favourite is number 2, but to be honest I think they are ALL stunning. Wish I had the figure to pull those off!

Original poster

MonsteraCheeseplant · 29/06/2020 16:53

Alright I've find several shorter options on Asos but I don't think I'll post them on here cos you'll probably say they're too young for me now!

OP posts:

NewtonWasRight · 29/06/2020 17:22

The first 4 would be fine for a genuine black tie event (albeit some of them, 3rd and 4th really) are a bit.. frilly, over-the-top.. to be chic.

I don't agree that the first 4 are old or frumpy, for mid 30s... it really depends on the event and attendees.

The final dress is completely inappropriate for any black tie event I've been too, it's more like a cocktail party dress, and the colours are so loud - honestly, any black tie event I've been to (which admittedly is corporate/fairly staid rather than (say) a fun black tie wedding or something)... this would be seen as totally inappropriate in terms of material, cut, colour... but only you know the event itself... just bear that in mind, and the folk telling you it would be fine on here, how many black tie events have they attended? use your own knowledge of the event to steer you, and if in doubt, i'd suggest caution...

NewtonWasRight · 29/06/2020 17:24

wait, shorter options?

you did say it was black tie right?/

notgreenfinger · 29/06/2020 17:34

I thought black tie meant long?

Roominmyhouse · 29/06/2020 17:36

Sorry I think the first 4 are a bit frumpy and boring. I love the 5th one though!

Not sure how you feel about these sorts of styles and colours but I think they are very pretty and a bit more modern?

uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_20/8426811808
uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_1.2/8426826108

These are more plain but look like flattering shapes?
www.tedbaker.com/uk/Womens/Clothing/Dresses/MELODI-Pleated-sleeveless-midi-dress-Navy/p/244355-NAVY
www.tedbaker.com/uk/Womens/Clothing/Dresses/POHSHAN-Keyhole-detail-midi-dress-Navy/p/241931-NAVY

I’m not really a pink fan but I also quite like this one
uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_20/8425131016

Mascotte · 29/06/2020 17:38

Black tie for a dinner could include cocktail length.

peppathepirate · 29/06/2020 17:59

If you're going for glam I think you should try the forest green Folkster dress

GuiltyBark · 29/06/2020 18:09

The second one would flatter a bigger bust I think. Congrats on your weight loss! Hope you have a lovely celebration.

NewtonWasRight · 29/06/2020 20:19

It "could" include going naked on the back of a white horse... But probably shouldn't.

Op,if doesn't matter what you like or what anyone else advises - black tie typically means a certain style, length etc and it doesn't mean cocktail dress. It's as simple as that. You can choose to go against the grain but your choice is the key part; many of the dresses people are suggesting here simply aren't appropriate for a standard black tie event.

Admittedly my experience is more corporate, older, wealthy crowds as a plus one... So I have on occasion chosen something shorter but classy (example: www.tedbaker.com/uk/Womens/Outlet/Clothing/Dresses/CELEYST-V-neck-georgette-midi-dress-Navy/p/154600-NAVY ... But that was my choice, and I was comfortable flouting the rules because I judged the crowd.

DianaT1969 · 29/06/2020 21:07

Agree, I'm early 50s and I would feel overdressed and dated in them. Why not look in stores which aren't John Lewis? Reiss, Ted Baker, Whistles, Zara and some French stores online.

HairyToity · 29/06/2020 21:19

www.figleaves.com/uk/figleaves-singita-leopard-print-maxi-dress/FIG-014139.html

I'm a size 14 with big boobies and 5'11" tall. I recently bought this dress and it looks fabulous. Love it!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 29/06/2020 21:19

Did you have a thread before?

Sorry, but I think all of the long, sequin or lace ones are horrible. I can't imagine any event I've ever been to in my life, or am likely to go to, in which anybody would turn up in such a dress.

I don't like the purple and orange thing at all, either.

Is it your birthday? How old will you be? The long glitzy ones all feel a bit, "Joan Collins" to me.

poupeediop · 29/06/2020 21:57

Is black tie that unusual? white tie yes but I thought black tie was pretty common. Imo it generally requires a long, very dressy dress & lots of the options linked on here are too casual.

Kate Moss is good inspo

Original poster

MonsteraCheeseplant · 29/06/2020 22:02

Some comments are a bit harsh to be honest, calling the dresses horrible is a bit much.

OP posts:

poupeediop · 29/06/2020 22:08

my fave out of your links is no 1 op

NewtonWasRight · 29/06/2020 22:19

@HairyToity that dress is for an evening sipping wine at the poolside.. it's a bit cat print maxi dress ffs lol.
not black tie

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 29/06/2020 22:25

It's not black tie-black tie though, it's a dinner with family and friends in a private room. OP clearly wants it to be glammed up and dressy, and indeed why not, but she's using black tie as shorthand for that isn't she? It's not an actual law soc hop.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 29/06/2020 22:53

'Horrible' is harsh, but "Old lady cruise ship" isn't?! :) It's an opinion, that's all, and you are, of course, perfectly at liberty to ignore the opinion of some random woman on the internet. I still think you could find something better than any of the ones so far.

poupeediop · 29/06/2020 23:00

@LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett is black tie ever a legal requirement? It's a dress code & I assume the OP didn't make it up & the rest of the guests are going smart/cas?

LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett · 29/06/2020 23:30

it's all in the OPs responses @poupeediop It's a private party and it's her dress code...

mamalicious3030 · 29/06/2020 23:44

I'm in my 30s and I hope you don't mind my saying so, I think I would go for something younger and cheaper if it's for family. I attached some dresses from SilkFred.

VenusClapTrap · 29/06/2020 23:44

Wolf & Badger have gorgeous evening dresses that are rather more cutting edge. Worth a look.

Flip

1 2 3 4

Swipe left for the next trending thread