Help me find a dress for my 40th

[MistyMinge2]

My 40th is looming on the horizon and I'd like to buy a new dress to wear. I'm off to a hotel for a couple of nights with DH and will probably do a small family meal on my actual bday. I don't want anything too fancy or sparkly. Ideally something that could be worn in the day and dressed up a bit in the evening. I'm a size 14 and about 5ft5 with a bit of a mum tum, so nothing too clingy. Don't mind having my legs out if wearing tights.

I don't know where to start looking. I'm hoping you guys will kindly provide some inspiration!

There are some lovely non clingy midi dresses around this year. Depending upon your budget you could look at H&M and Other Stories - they have some lovely ones this year. Alternatively somewhere online like John Lewis that has many brands to look through. Hush or some of the other JL own brands have nice dresses this year that could be worn with nice white trainers in the day and boots or heels in the evening.

Coast have some really nice dresses in the sale. I’ve just ordered one from there which has a fitted black top section with 3/4 sleeves and a midi length a-line flared skirt. I’m hoping for a kind of Audrey Hepburn-ish look with high black pointed heels and a chignon!

Coast also have a lace shirt dress that is lovely. I’ve ordered the dark green one to wear with gold heels but the classic black is lovely too. Coast sizes are on the small side - just to bear in mind. I think it would work well for what you want with some lovely heels and a clutch bag.

www.coastfashion.com/belted-lace-shirt-dress/ACC99857.html

Extra 15% off sale at the moment too!!!

That coast shirt dress is lovely but think I want something that more daytime than evening as I'll probably get more wear out of it. Especially at the moment 😕

I did end up ordering this one today www.johnlewis.com/sosandar-spot-print-ruffle-neck-dress-black/p5189780?size=8&sku=239073565&s_ppc=2dx92700058143912271&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=Cj0KCQjw59n8BRD2ARIsAAmgPmJtEnHUoeFAvA5QPIcqYakNRKlXuqn0i2XabCwkOeRdQsdjSsVSHpAaAmofEALw_wcB

Yes that’s nice, I like Sosandar stuff. Or how about something in a luxe fabric like velvet but in a relaxed shape. A velvet smock style dress works well in winter - you can add a chunky cardie in the day and dress it up at night. This is nice:
www.missselfridge.com/en/msuk/product/clothing-299047/dresses-299060/midnight-blue-velvet-smock-dress-10179449?&cmpid=ppc_pla_UK_ip&utm_medium=cpc&istCompanyId=ef628c1f-3888-4f51-9f35-cff6febf8eb3&istFeedId=bd472435-2586-4e9d-af28-998cb18ee68d&istItemId=imlqlmwiq&istBid=tztx&gclid=Cj0KCQjw59n8BRD2ARIsAAmgPmLeEuDVkmNl-mPs96x2ybjwQuoE-N6451jkcfARyLj3oDERiDjO-j0aAsUEEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I'm going to watch too - 40 soon at Christmas - was hoping to be pregnant (and therefore not buy a nice dress yet) but I'm not so going to get a dress - I quite like a velvet midi dress from boden this year for Christmas Day but won't get a chance to wear it anywhere!

Ps lovely dress! I've not tried sosander before. What is the fit like?

I have just discovered Joe Browns. They have some lovely dresses, pretty and flattering.

I have this dress in about 4 prints. Love it. So flattering and wouldn't be difficult to dress up with heels and accessories www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/amelie-jersey-dress-red-paradise/sty-j0326-red

Love that @Blahblahblah99

Can't beat a pocket dress

I've the Abigail ones and a few other jersey boden dresses which as you e said you can dress up and down. Love that you can sometimes get away with not ironing them too

Tkmaxx if you drive, go to one not in the city. I've got some fab stuff. Or Boden do lovely dresses

Masai nice too

Second Joe Browns. Lovely fit and really good quality.

John Lewis have loads of sale stuff on their website, If you search Day to Evening Dresses. I quite like this simples Whistles Navy dress which would look great with chunky silver bangle & earrings and then diamond showstoppers in the evening.

I love midi length dresses but unfortunately most of the time they do nothing for me. I do think you need to be over a certain height and slim to carry them off.

So, the sosandar dress has arrived and I really like it. Luckily I read their size measurements and sized up, glad I did. I'd say their sizes come up small. I need to try it on properly with tights and boots but think it's a keeper.

Good for you, I know what you mean about midi dresses. I wear mine with pixi boots so looks ok, I thinks