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Original poster

Dress needed for black tie wedding

16 replies

WineGetsMeThroughIt · 05/03/2022 08:28

My husbands best friend is getting married at the end of June. I'm looking for a dress. Something in a size 8, preferably £250 or under as I'll likely never wear it again. Ideally 3/4 length sleeves or longer, but could do short sleeve. Just no capped sleeves or sleeveless. . I'm an hourglass shape, bigger boobs. Black is ok, but I'd rather a colour. I am very pale. No bold colours like burgundy, red, bright blue, green etc as they will totally overpower me was me out. I wear soft colours like silver, pastels and muted golds.

Suggestions welcome, but also just looking for suggestions for shops that I can go to / visit online and look but I don't really know many places that sell black tie suitable dresses.

OP posts:
ElizabethinherGermanGarden · 05/03/2022 08:35

If you will never wear it again, you don't need amazing quality, just something that will look great for a day. I recently had a similar brief and although I think my style is the polar opposite of yours (I'm a 14 and needed Bardot neckline and strong colours) I would recommend Goddiva (spelt with two Ds for some reason) dresses (SilkFred carry them) as looking great in the short term for reasonable prices. I had a surprisingly classy and lovely frock for £68, recommended by someone brilliant on here.

I've spent months searching for black tie dresses so I would say the other websites that best fit your brief are Ever Pretty and Frock and Frill. Frock and Frill in particular have some beautiful knock-offs of Needle and Thread designs that, I have to admit, looked pretty horrendous on a size 14 but would be stunning on a size 8.

Sparticuscaticus · 05/03/2022 08:38

I appreciate you want to cover your arms but as someone also with larger breasts who wears evening dresses, I find a sleeveless large strapped fitted bodice works best with an organza type wrap or a bolero / small fitted jacket - as 3/4 length or capped sleeves can pull across chest area if not fitted extremely well (ie more expensive)

Wellthatsit · 05/03/2022 08:39

I am a petite but curvy shape too and have found Phase 8 clothes are often very flattering and within your budget. Lots of dresses on their website with sleeves, too, so worth a look.

Original poster
WineGetsMeThroughIt · 05/03/2022 08:44

Thanks ladies. Just running out to sons football practice so will reply more later.

Main reason why I was worried about phase 8 is because I'm worried someone else will show up in the same dress.

Sleeveless I could do in an absolute pinch, but I don't like my arms. Cap sleeves make them look wider and flabbier so won't compromise on those.

I'm very open to renting as well, but am worried I'd get the dress and it wouldn't fit or it would look terrible on me so don't want to be stuck in that situation. Has anyone had experience with renting?

OP posts:
Sparticuscaticus · 05/03/2022 08:49

Sorry some of the links I've accidentally put together in same paragraph do you need to look where the https starts as I found loads of dresses! Some with lovely loose sleeves ... the Evans site has many!!! Including longer sleeved ones

Original poster
WineGetsMeThroughIt · 05/03/2022 09:38

Thank you @ElizabethinherGermanGarden I'll look at those more when I have more time this evening. There are a lot of sequins, so would prefer something that's not too OTT. Some sequins I don't mind, but not the entire dress. But there was some nice ones there. Will look more later.

@Sparticuscaticus - I think you may have misunderstood. I'm a curvy size 8, so none of the links you sent me carry my size. But thank you anyway.

OP posts:
ElizabethinherGermanGarden · 05/03/2022 10:16

I'm anti-sequins too. There are some nice embroidered pieces on Frock and Frill but you're right, the selection could be considered a bit bridesmaidy.

Serenster · 05/03/2022 12:17

If you are a size 8 and would never wear a black tie dress again, I would seriously consider hiring a dress for the wedding. You’ll probably spend a lot less and have loads of choice.

Original poster
WineGetsMeThroughIt · 05/03/2022 21:32

So I've scoured Phase Eight, Karen Millan, The Outnet, Monsoon, Coast, John Lewis and the Goddiva sites and still not found anything that catches my eye.

Can anyone suggest a few other sites that would have something suitable? Where do people usually buy evening dresses from?

OP posts:
DSGR · 05/03/2022 22:23

Ted Baker? Ralph Lauren do beautiful dresses and some are under £300. You may well find one you’d love to wear again.

VenusClapTrap · 05/03/2022 22:35

Wolf & Badger

londonmummy1966 · 05/03/2022 22:49

Definitely hire something

www.elle.com/uk/fashion/g29187954/rent-dress/

I'm not a big fan of Carrie Antoinette but I did admire her for hiring her wedding dress.

Serenster · 06/03/2022 09:32

Do a search on the Outnet for size 8 evening wear and see if there’s anything you like in your budget?

Also search on John Lewis, Fenwicks and House of Fraser as they carry other brands as well as the ones you have already looked at.

Look for smaller brands (though some of them may push your price point a bit - Rixo, Wyse London has some dresses that are very “Vampires Wife” inspired - have a hunt on instagram for labels you might not have heard of?

waltzingparrot · 06/03/2022 10:51

Lyst
Hope and Ivy

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