Please help me find a dress!

[BorisJohnsonsHair]

I'm off to an afternoon garden party. The hostess is very stylish (think simple, classic French look).

So my criteria for a dress is this:

Ankle length
No frills, fussiness or puff sleeves
Slightly fitted
No belt
Not high-necked
Not sleeveless

I am a size 16, 5'7 with large bust.

I prefer black, navy or small floral pattern, no garish colours.

Happy to pay up to £120ish.

I know someone out there will come up with some great ideas!

I like this. Or do these count as puff sleeves?

Hi Op

Something like this? I've actually got this & wore it to a garden party last summer with a little black bolero/shrug.
Felt comfortable & smart.

A few suggestions

hopeandivy.co.uk/products/the-catalina

hopeandivy.co.uk/products/the-avery

www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/belted-jersey-maxi-dress/sty-d0176

@BorisJohnsonsHair
Why ankle length? That cuts out lots of really good dresses in my view and takes you away from a classic look to more of a “I wore this in Ibiza” look.

My really stylish DD likes a pale blue/white striped shirt dress for this type of occasion. Expadrilles and a straw/wicker bag. She has a Loewe but you get the idea. I think small floral prints look good at a garden party. Ditch a bolero. It’s Mother of the Bride from 20 years ago. There are better options for a cover up. Cream suede jacket being one.

M&S have a superb selection of Broderie dresses and several are black. I would lighten up with gold jewellery and shoes and bag as I suggested above. There are lots of ditsy small florals but the best navy based one is the Jaeger one for £199. It’s classy and stylish. Cos have several navy cotton dresses and these are a generous length.

Not sure if these quite meet your criteria
www.phase-eight.com/product/brogan-lace-skirt-maxi-dress-220952287.html#isSecondPage=false&start=0&sz=60&is=false&cgid=dresses&prefn1=knee&prefv1=Maxi&prefn2=size&prefv2=16&pid=220952287&pos=46

www.phase-eight.com/product/emmaline-floral-maxi-dress-220797492.html#navAjax=true&imageType=model&is=false&sz=60&start=58&cgid=dresses&isSecondPage=false&prefn1=knee&prefv1=Maxi&prefn2=size&prefv2=16&pid=220797492&pos=58
www.phase-eight.com/product/fredrika-floral-pleated-maxi-dress-220928493.html#navAjax=true&imageType=model&is=false&sz=60&start=-2&cgid=dresses&isSecondPage=false&prefn1=knee&prefv1=Maxi&prefn2=size&prefv2=16&pid=220928493&pos=27

Hobbs

www.wearethought.com/collections/all-dresses/products/marlett-organic-cotton-poplin-fit-and-flare-midi-dress

How about this? Good to see it on more than one nice model too.

Over budget
www.johnlewis.com/ghost-madison-satin-maxi-dress-navy/p6229195

This is nice too.

www.wearethought.com/collections/all-dresses/products/atlantis-organic-cotton-printed-maxi-dress?nosto_source=cmp&nosto=62811bea285377688a6a6b60

Last one (I've never bought anything from this shops though).

muthahoodgoods.com/collections/dresses/products/meadow-dress?variant=39704831295591

Wow thanks for all those ideas - off to check them out now.

@tizerofizz, it doesn't have to be long, but I want to avoid the frumpy mid-length, which doesn't suit me at all. Thanks for your advice.

monsoon 1

monsoon 2

monsoon 3

How about this one.. They have your size..
www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/halston/dresses/knee-length-dress/cold-shoulder-satin-trimmed-crepe-dress/3059655421247950

Kin at John Lewis have some simply-cut dresses like this and this which could be lifted with the right jewellery. Length would depend on your height, I guess.

Mid length is not frumpy. It’s the majority of day dresses now. Long looks a bit Ibiza holiday vibe if you are not careful. Mid length should be substantially below the knee though. I’m not seeing these dresses as frumpy at all. It’s a great length.,