Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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.

Help me find a beautiful dress?

10 replies

litereally · 03/10/2022 12:40

I've had a hard two years, which included dropping out of my PhD programme, and I always planned on buying a dress of dreams to graduate in as a real memento of the day/the achievement. Happily, I've now got another event I can use as a proxy, so can you help me find something special?

I'm 36, 5'5", size 18/20, with big boobs and a long waist. Look good in colour, look bad in grey. Adventurous dresser generally.

I like: full skirts or bias-cut skirts, either knee or midi length, dresses that fit on the natural waist (not empire line or that weird mid-point around the second to last rib), I basically am open to any colour or print other than black and white. I want something that ideally I can wear after the event for nice dinners or client meetings with a blazer. Don't really care about the sleeve situation, though I do like a fancy/statement sleeve.

I'm not into: deliberate 'aesthetic' dressing, so I don't want to look like I'm cosplaying a 1950s housewife or teeny bopper. I don't like high necklines, pencil skirts, and I'd ideally not like to look like a bridesmaid.

My budget is £350 as an absolute max, and I'd like something 'worth' it for that money, if you know what I mean? I was considering ghost, but not sure they do my size.

OP posts:
MuddlerInLaw · 03/10/2022 14:04

Sorry about the Ph.D Googled Ghost for you … GrinThey don’t seem to go above a 16, but most of their dresses seem to be high waisted anyway. And not exactly adventurous.

But neither are these first two dresses. Nice fabrics, versatile cut. Both £300 + and size 18 available. Do you want something dressier?

Help me find a beautiful dress?
Help me find a beautiful dress?
MuddlerInLaw · 03/10/2022 14:23

If more formal - you might find something here at Reformation. (In case wrong page comes up, search ‘Extended sizes’.)

litereally · 03/10/2022 14:41

I was considering Reformation, but nothing really grabbed me in their extended sizes and it always looks like it is for the flat of tummy. I do like those Max Mara dresses though! I didn't realise they did 18s. Will investigate some more.

OP posts:
MuddlerInLaw · 03/10/2022 14:48

Great! For future reference MM’s sister brand (?) Marina Rinaldi goes from size 12 to … infinity. Essentially aimed at Plus Size. Occasionally they have something cool (for want of a better word) but too much of the stuff is a bit questionable.

Have you tried ASOS? Not really on my radar but I know they have a ‘Curve’ section.

Hope you find something wonderful.

litereally · 03/10/2022 15:29

Asos was always and forever my go-to shop, but they've lost their mojo the last couple of years. I had a look last night and there was one dress that caught my fancy, but everything just looked oversized and lumpy.
I was excited to try Marina Rinaldi but yeah, it was all a bit boring or questionable. Ditto Anna Scholz, occasionally amazing stuff, but not this season.
Have fallen in love with this dress (gb.maxmara.com/p-5226052906006-orata-oil), but Max Mara led me to looking at The Outnet and Yoox, which reminded me that Ganni also do up to a 24, and I am seriously considering this dress (www.flannels.com/ganni-seersucker-maxi-dress-651321#colcode=65132103) or this dress (www.flannels.com/ganni-georgette-wrap-midi-dress-651270#colcode=65127018), and Never Fully Dressed, which have a good selection of chic-ly bonkers dresses.

Thanks so much for the tip with Max Mara! I felt like I'd hit the wall this morning.

OP posts:
haribonoyoudont · 03/10/2022 16:35

How about this from Rixo? rixo.co.uk/collections/midi-dresses/products/camellia-coral-dress

Or this - lots of prints but I like the blue: rixo.co.uk/collections/midi-dresses/products/maddison-green-abstract-shells

litereally · 04/10/2022 10:42

Oh yes, I've never heard of Rixo but those are perfect!

OP posts:
CaveMum · 04/10/2022 12:01

Have you looked at Bombshell? A lot of their stuff is occasion wear but they do have a few nice “day” pieces:

www.bombshellhq.com/collections/dresses/products/navy-roses-bombshell-edge-of-the-shoulder-midi-dress

www.bombshellhq.com/collections/dresses/products/grace-tie-front-shirt-dress-in-liberty-archive-lilac-jade-print

JLQ1020 · 04/10/2022 12:10

Perfect dress company is amazing. Loads of different style of dress, dresses are lined and really good quality and most have pockets.

litereally · 04/10/2022 13:20

Oh Bombshell is really promising! Definitely saving a few of those.

Perfect dress company look high quality but they're a bit boring for this specific dress, but will remember it for if/when I end up in a really fancy office one day.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread