Challenge: dress for Friday, lost all confidence

[saturdaydressmare]

Hi wonderful kind people

I have a school reunion (20 yr!) on Friday night, I have only just read the instructions and it's Black Tie dinner in a London hotel!! What!

I need dress recommendations quickly!

• Size 16, c section tum but suit things with a clear waist as once upon a time was an hourglass
• Needs bra so no backless, some sort of sleeve even if cap / short
• Midi or maxi or ankle grazer
• Need to feel WONDERFUL as have lost all confidence. When I last saw these people I was a size 10!
• Could spend up to £250 for something amazing
• Brown hair. Like black, navy, red but open minded.

Anyone got an ideas? Yours eternally great full,
Friday Dress Lady (yes I got the date wrong on my burner username!)

Choices for me are:

• folkster
• phase 8
• rental redemption

May do all 3 and return what doesn't work

Folkster & phase 8 are beautiful. Order both and report back x

It would be the first Phase 8 one for me. Screams classy elegance.

https://www.next.co.uk/style/st270237/d09280
https://www.mintvelvet.co.uk/products/vicky-black-platform-heels

Bit late but throwing a slightly more fitted-on-top phase 8 dress into the mix, that I'd wear with velvet heels (if I could still wear heels!).

https://www.phase-eight.com/product/donna-maxi-dress-22112873110.html?istCompanyId=c38fe7a0-ffd0-4925-94b3-cff8df449484&istFeedId=5a41320b-c741-4d1e-b90d-1091450d147c&istItemId=paqaarqpm&istBid=t&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=19651720071&gclid=Cj0KCQjwho-lBhC_ARIsAMpgMocF4-ddcJplItNm8cfTDmUCfLyCQ-ukAcMBa1W3Qpr8wSpeDaPRbAgaAo-oEALw_wcB

Think this is a good shortlist.

All the people suggesting the Me+Em dress are either on glue, or commission! It's totally inappropriate for black tie and pretty much the opposite of what OP asked for.

Completely agree!

Agree with this!
Love the Phase 8 one.
The monsoon one is AWFUL! Really mumsy tea dress. Not suitable at all IMO

I didn't suggest the Me+Em but for me it's miles better than the Phase 8 or Needle and Thread dresses.

Those types of dresses, to me, just look as if they are trying to copy full on red carpet but unless you're willing to spend red carpet prices (or a minimum of high hundreds) you just get a copy made of polyester or nylon. So I'd go for something like the Me+Em or something like these

Klements 2

Klements 1

I LOVE this

www.net-a-porter.com/GB/en/product/11452292646767739

This is amazing also

https://www.matchesfashion.com/products/1514507?utmsource=google&utmmmedium=cpc&utmcontent=1514507000005&utmmterm=2058071120821&gbraid=0AAAAADg3ZyaaBMURUz1-DIKMeNMH2NpS&gclid=Cj0KCQjwho-lBhCCARIsAMpgModKAOoshekI4xyh4YxXcB-k8U2dJr6T0bzpgxlZhvJKlLGRhXmUdYaAluOEALwwwcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

OMG, that red Phase8 is elegant sex on wheels! Wear with skims type underwear to smooth any lumps and bumps and it will be sooo flattering.

How about ghost? Lots of colours. Shoe wear and a slip under. With lovely jewellery and shoes. They’re so classic and quite understated sexy.

https://www.johnlewis.com/ghost-meryl-satin-button-dress/p5810094?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlappios_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5LkNvcHlUb1Bhc3RlYm9hcmQ=

I also really like it - better than any of the other options!

I'm really enjoying the diversity of taste illustrated on this thread.

This is stunning - not my personal style but I am now enjoying looking at the Self Portrait dresses ;)

I'm too big of bust / generally too fat for the Klement ones, they'd look tenty sadly. And not bombshell enough for the club London!

A couple on order, still searching for the elusive perfect one.

I don't know why it feels so hard to feel wow when you're larger. I really really don't want to give off apologetic fat vibes, I'm not apologetic about being fat.

https://www.coastfashion.com/sleeveless-tux-wrap-fluid-midi-dress/BCC05484-148-16.html?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwho-lBhC_ARIsAMpgMoetc2gMpZs5lU9aIiAl2Quvhip17Rdcgz2Sry8p-QX2DenL8L2ualAaAoA4EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.coastfashion.com/tiered-hem-ruffle-maxi-dress/ACC00191.html?color=148

https://www.coastfashion.com/embroidered-long-sleeve-maxi-dress/ACC99223.html?color=148

https://www.next.co.uk/style/ls378666/K59265#K59265

How about something from "Never Fully Dressed" - a lot of the dresses you could glam up to make black tie, but they're not so black tie you could never wear them again

eg very chic , will need gold jewellery https://www.neverfullydressed.com/collections/dresses/products/black-shell-foil-zsa-zsa-dress

I am a 14 but with ridiculous 32H knockers, and I could wear something like I just posted without feeling Page 3 at the event.

Another vote for scarlet and Jo. I have one. Good fit, comfortable and felt very comfortable at black tie function.

fgswhywouldIdothat The Zsa Zsa dress is youthful and lovely, with a hint of daring. Love it!