Help - black tie awards dinner...

[Gigglebert]

Just before I logged off for the weekend I got a call to let me know I've been selected for a seat at our company's table for an awards dinner.... Which is great especially as I've not been there long BUT I live in athleisure and trainers... Apparently the dress code is cocktail dresses... Where do you even begin shopping for that these days? I'm 5ft10, size 14, relatively chesty, brunette with silver malkin streaks at the front and am feeling every bit of my 39 years, haven't dressed up since pre covid! I have around £200 to spend?

Help me?!

When I got a similar invite, I booked a personal shopper appointment at John Lewis. It's free, no obligation and they were brilliant. They found the perfect thing and made it really fun.

Oh, this is an excellent idea, thanks! I might see if I can get an appointment in time!

For something similar I hired a dress. There are lots of places with really fab designer dresses for reasonable rates. You can even hire shoes !

For cocktail dresses have a look at Silk Fred, and for floor length try Club L London - some of the dresses they have listed as black tie aren’t what I’d consider black tie but there are some really nice ones. Not ridiculous prices either so you’d be able to get alterations within your budget.

Surprisingly Lipsy also have some decent dresses for black tie events but I’m not particularly busty so not sure what the fit would be like.

you could also try Little Black Dress