Help! I need a party dress!

[WhatWouldTheDoctorDo]

It's a nice problem to have, but after losing some weight, all of my party frocks are too big. I have a couple of special occasions coming up and desperately need to find something to wear.

Coast would have been my go to before it went into administration and got taken over, but I'm not keen on their stuff at all now.

I'm hoping some of you S&B Mumsnetters might be able to point me in the direction of stores I might not have thought of or find dresses I haven't come across!

I'm a size 10, but curvy with it (hips and boobs). Medium height, but my legs are short and chunky. My middle is a bit wobbly.

Usually I'll only wear above the knee if I can wear opaques, and I prefer something fitted at the waist usually. I tend to shop in mint velvet, hush, Zara, mango, & other stories, but I mostly feel uninspired by today's high street!

Budget - ideally up to about £150-ish, but could stretch that if I don't need new shoes...

Have you had a look in Monsoon? They’re good for party/occasion dresses and I find their fit good for curves and wobbly middles!

I bought some Oasis dresses in the summer and was very impressed at how flattering they were - would this be too out there? Would look good with black opaques or a sock boot, not sure how tall the model is, so it could be longer on us mere mortals....

www.oasisfashion.com/animal-sequin-short-sleeve-t-shirt-mini-dress/BAA04744.html

There’s some nice ones in the Hobbs sale, especially in velvet. I’ve just ordered a couple to try for a high end works dinner / party next week.

Thanks all. I had a look at a monsoon but it was a bit floaty/maxi dress for me.

Thanks for oasis link - I would look massive in that straight up / down kind of dress though, I need a waist.

Had a look at Hobbs. Nothing quite right for me I don't think, some nice dresses though.

Try ASOS, there's such a good selection and lots of brands, you can also filter down to party/occasion wear.

Thanks for posting @Rina66 - I know I'm being ridiculously fussy but I can't bear shopping on ASOS. By the time I've looked at the first 100 of the 6000 party dresses I just want to weep.

I think I've just become really fed up and uninspired by internet shopping. And so many of my high street staples have disappeared. I might go into town tomorrow to see what I can find.

Have you tried Reiss?

Some of their non sale dresses might be a bit over budget but there are few occasion dress options in their sale that aren’t.

I’ve had a few good buys from there in the past - might be worth a look.

Oh Reiss is a good shout, I will have a look there.

Dancing leopard has some lovely dresses.
Silk Fred can be good for a range of brands
Frock and frill
Phase eight

This is really unhelpful but I looked for ages and ages before Christmas for something and there is just nothing nice. In the end I got a dress from Anthropologie that I don’t love but is quite flattering and simple. Worth a look?

Thanks both, I will have a look. The shops are so uninspiring just now @Farawayfromhere !

Warehouse is worth a look.

Loads of Coast dresses on ebay

I found it so hard clothes shopping in the uk and Ireland, samey., boring, bad quality mass produced shite

try and find some smaller, independent labels.

Try Chi Chi Clothing - good for fitted at the waist party dresses