Long evening dress help (on a budget) - HELP!

[BonjourCrisette]

I have a family member who is getting married in September. The dress code is black tie for men and long evening dresses for women. I love clothes but my style is much more jeans and trainers etc. Everything I've seen is just awful.

I am a size 8/10. I would ideally like my stomach to be flatter but I am 50ish and we are where we are. The dress has to be long. I never wear heels so I reckon ankle length will be fine. I like green, blue, navy, yellow, orange, teal, cool dark brown - very possibly a cool red but not sure. I can't stand pink and it makes me look dead. Prefer muted shades and darker shades. I think I might be a dark autumn. Nude colours don't work on me, and nor does beige, cream or white.

I want to find a reasonable dress for under ~£150 that doesn't make me feel like I want to die - hopefully a dress that someone who lives in jeans and T-shirts could feel comfortable in but would also pass as an evening dress.

No lace. Not convinced on chiffon. I feel like I might just rule out all the fabrics so I don't have to wear the awful dress.

Can anyone suggest anything?

Appreciate this is a bit of a wide brief but some suggestions would be really welcome.

Do you like Coast's dresses? Or maybe a dressy jumpsuit? Maybe these are too fancy, but they have a huge selection of "occassion" wear.
https://www.coastfashion.com/v-neck-sheer-over-layer-fishtail-maxi-dress/BCC01207-3.html?color=148

https://www.coastfashion.com/embellished-cape-detail--jumpsuit/BCC01195.html?color=148

Have you thought about renting a dress? I'd also consider looking on Vinted too.

Absolutely go for rented, 150 will get you a lot in rented, less in buying. Given its not something you'll wear again there's little point buying one.

Play around here to get some ideas
https://www.hurrcollective.com/collections/dresses

Just to give an idea, here are options at the top and bottom end of your budget
Cheap and would skim tum https://www.hurrcollective.com/listings/olivia-dress-15788
The top end of your budget, but then it's Vampires wife https://www.hurrcollective.com/listings/falling-poppy-confessional

Or actually, this skirt from Sezanne with a gorgeous silk blouse https://www.hurrcollective.com/listings/sophie-skirt

Not full length, but if you're not comfortable with length, I'd argue this would be glam enough to be fine at a black tie wedding
https://www.hurrcollective.com/listings/venus-sequin-dress-12275

I'd start looking on rental sites to get an idea of what you like and then compare what you could buy for the same money versus renting

PP beat me to it, but hire from Vampire's Wife, look amazing, job done

I think I would charity shop maybe.

I tend to do maxi dresses and I've had some good items from ebay. I would try ebay and vinted. On ebay put in 'bridesmaid dresses' and 'prom dresses' the prom dresses might be a bit 'young'.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185898329065?hash=item2b486763e9%3Ag%3AalMAAOSwkGJkWRxu&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwFKdZHT%2FTLWoWokuf0oqGqZyWjwsFPiC0zMYP0kRKD1hBny9s1f51UKmwUfMY5nzGIrxloF3ES%2F5VH36EaZEaXlchOhxbbS2hHDrj0i0TgMi4j%2FxtlIxiSKQxGaDUHJmZKnHpTFmzlGzzpUySChX8nUQHmPsi8NullUohPVEtOdUwEmUazueNDu%2BFbqO8cfZ%2BhwhrFjhEGQzAe%2BdY1F3s49mm4R2RIrkhv1mSjQgisQux3ydvIMe6if101vCLZSWrA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-Ca7qiEYg&LH_Auction=1

This one is less evening dress but could be dressed up with a glittery belt and a nice wrap / stole - for shoes - I have some silver glittery hi top style boots, comfy but can be worn dressed up if the dress is lower than your ankles.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166098810133?hash=item26ac42b515%3Ag%3AgvUAAOSwaHZkND9f&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwB%2F0sK3rHewsI1WPHL7V2IK33IuLkNAIWu33h0s09PKI6KDsieoN2VO2RW29ItetqDphOq8AXbc1xlNpV%2FoLlrmNR2NRbuYSRt3kMf35lO26ot3X6F22lyNn%2FxrO8ySnWAmWIeQmLbRBB1Zq%2F1pVhyaNFnUuovMlB4BEhi7tGYfkWqI%2BJSXLD9gNdWwmJl7YDhm4x8HIrfXMoMMkupd%2F3iHhs9LPl0T6cT%2FbDjuWkg3s6KgGTDf3C0hYSGpGkeaAdQ%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-yhlKmEYg&LH_Auction=1

Another thing to search on ebay is 'cruise' it's normally things people have worn for a formal night on a cruise.

If you live in jeans are are only going to wear the dress once I don't see much point spending a lot of money on something new.

TK Maxx

I’ve bought several Adrianna Papell dresses from John Lewis and my last one was from Amazon US. I’m size 8-10 and not very tall so always have to chop the length! They do various styles - I like the column ones as they have no waist so fit various shapes. They often have them marked down to within your budget. Lots via the link below in all sorts of colours and styles.
https://www.johnlewis.com/brand/adrianna-papell/maxi/_/N-1z13u5hZ1z0ropc?search-term=Adrianna+papell&chunk=3

My daughter who lives in jeans bought this for prom. It's gorgeous £110. Really flattering and she feels really comfortable in it. She got it from Bentalls.

I am 50 and would wear it if I was slimmer!

I haven't seen this irl but I love it on Susannah Constantine: shop.mango.com/gb/women/dresses-and-jumpsuits-long/satin-draped-dress_47085135.html?c=43

My DD and her friends wear these sort of dresses to parties so have gone for more extravagant dresses for Prom

I'd look st the Prom threads though because this dress looks lovely and you'll find lots of similar suitable evening wear

Try Club L and JJs House

There are a lot more evening dresses in the shops at the moment geared towards Prom I've noticed and weddings etc compared to a couple of months ago

Adrianna Pappell

Have a look at JL website there's loads in there to give you an idea of what styles might suit you

byrotation.com/designers/the-vampire's-wife

If I had an event to go to and needed to look fancy i would totally rent one of these.

You can also rent from John Lewis
https://johnlewisfashionrental.com/

Also see if you have a second dress agency locally, ours is stuffed full of evening gowns ready for prom season. Lots of opportunity to try on, good prices and also expert advice !

I got a fab black tie dress for a gala dinner for £35

Thank you SO MUCH, everyone!

I am especially grateful to those who recommended The Vampire's Wife. This is exactly my style and gives me a starting point on rental sites.

This dress in particular is just the type of thing I was after: https://www.hurrcollective.com/listings/falling-poppy-confessional