Please help me find a 'wow' dress :)

[Gravitatio]

I'm catching up with friends next week and am looking for a new dress as I've lose some weight since they last saw me so want to look my best 😁

It's smart casual dress code, although I would rather be too smart than too formal!

I've dropped down to to a 12, I have a small waist but my hips/but are a large 12, as are my upper arms... bingo wings. So nothing sleeveless please, I need at least short sleeves!

I tend to prefer block colours rather than prints but I'm open to all suggestions really! Thank you!

I am surprised at the surprise, though!

Another mint velvet, this time with sleeves!

And the link

www.mintvelvet.co.uk/products/green-tiered-maxi-dress-1

Have a look at House of CB. They tend to cater for that nipped in waist, hourglass look. It will be a bit over budget. Here are a few options...

www.houseofcb.com/freyja-green-gathered-corset-midi-dress.html

www.houseofcb.com/tallulah-blue-white-floral-midi-dress.html

www.houseofcb.com/misty-cornflower-bandage-thigh-split-midi-dress.html

Alternatively, I would hire a dress. I often hire now, if I need a "wow" dress as I know I'm unlikely to want to wear it more than once or twice so it's a waste of money and wardrobe space. Have a look at Hurr, Hirestreet, Rotaro, and By Rotation. I've used all of those and rented beautiful dresses for special occasions.

I think, with your aim of showing off your weight loss/small waist, you could hire a Skims dress. The dress will pull you in and smooth you out, it is quite an understated dress that kind of looks like you've not made too much effort, but your figure will do all the talking. You can dress it up with your shoes/makeup/accessories etc.

byrotation.app.link/XVCRvrlQyBb

I’d suggest Hope & Ivy, a few nice ones below:
https://hopeandivy.co.uk/collections/new-season/products/the-karen

https://hopeandivy.co.uk/collections/new-season/products/the-claire

https://hopeandivy.co.uk/collections/new-season/products/the-suki

Yes. Most linen trousers, shorts, shirts by cheaper manufacturers are a linen-viscose blend . I have a lot of these. I was questioning if this was what the other poster meant.

@Beeonmyeyelash
I think you are missing the sarcasm in @Middlelanehogger's post !

@Gravitatio what about something like this

Love that Joanne Hynes dress🌅

Lots of different styles represented here 🕺

I can see Grayson Perry in those Sister Jane dresses 😂

Why's is everyone recommending cool, shift dresses and massive suits and linen? She wants to make the most of her slim waist and new figure not cover it up completely in fabric 😂

Same, dresses linked are hideous!

Vinted!

Obviously some people prefer to be seen to be wearing "fashion", as opposed to dressing to suit their body and image. Some people are also incredibly snooty about that. Each to their own. How boring it would be if we all dressed like sheep.

@SurpriseSparDay Oh my! I have neither the budget nor the lifestyle, but it would be sheer joy to dress in Alémais to play in the world. It makes me happy just to picture this parallel existence.

That's hideous and will do nothing to showcase OPs trim waist

They are indeed incredibly beautiful. You could rent this for £100:

https://www.hurrcollective.com/listings/seeker

The others on that site are cheaper to rent; this happens to be one of the more expensive, and from a current collection - which puts up the rental price.

I’m sure it’s possible to find Alemais on pre-owned sites too. I’ve never used Vinted or Deepop, but have once or twice found my heart’s desire on Vestiaire.

Hurr and Vestiaire look interesting, lots of lovely things, thank you.

https://alemais.com/collections/collection-10-pre-fall-23/products/jerome-shirtdress

https://alemais.com/collections/collection-10-pre-fall-23/products/lou-balloon-sleeve-midi-dress

https://alemais.com/collections/collection-10-pre-fall-23/products/seeker-shirtdress

Aren't they beautiful. I've subscribed to their mailing list.

I'm dying to know what OP has gone for (I suggested fit & flare for style, Closet London for beautiful dresses but using Vinted to find one cheaper)

I'm shocked at some of the prices mentioned here. I guess a 'wow' dress for me would be for a wedding & I wouldn't mind paying £100ish but I couldn't justify it any other time nor could I pay that much to hire a dress. Crazy!

Agree with a poster earlier about how people likely choose fashion over what suits their body shape- I am definitely the latter & wear dresses that are years old. Wouldn't have a clue about fashion ever

I don’t really understand why you’re shocked, @DaddysGirl36? You obviously know there’s huge disparity in the homes people live in, the cars they drive (if at all), the schools they send their children to … Some people spend all their money on travel, others invest in art or eat in Michelin starred restaurants every week. Some perfectly normal people care enormously about clothes and design and innovation and find joy in seeking out, thinking about, maybe buying and wearing the loveliest things they can access.

Obviously clothing is a vast, hungry industry, and I don’t credit every design house with being motivated purely by the urge to theorise about the contemporary world, but I still find satisfaction in discovering brands that seem to be trying to do something honest and exploratory and beautiful.