Dress which works for meal out and pub drinks...

[SomeoneKeepsMovingMyChair]

My 40th birthday is coming up and DH and I are going to a nice restaurant, just me and him on the actual day, then the weekend after I am having drinks in a local pub with friends - an area reserved but in the actual pub, not a function room so not a party per se (if that makes a difference!)

I want a new dress for the occasions and am hoping I can buy one dress which works for both, maybe wearing sparkly heels to the restaurant and trainers to the pub 😂

I'm 5 foot nothing and a size 14 with a big tummy so nothing clingy and no maxi dresses that come in under the boobs as I just look short and fat (or pregnant!)

Budget isn't loads, I wouldn't normally spend more than £40 on a dress! Could stretch to £50 if it's perfect and I think I'll wear it multiple times in the future 😁

Not even sure where to start looking. I'm usually a New Look or H&M gal... obviously I need somewhere with a petite range

Any ideas, suggestions of shops or websites much appreciated. I've got 6 weeks 🙂

Thank you

Warehouse, sparkly.

Warehouse, sequins.

Cant find another one!

& Other Stories bargain!

Actual cotton … Very pretty.

Would work with trainers and heels https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-super-soft-flare-sleeve-jumper-swing-mini-dress-with-belt-in-black/prd/204909433?clr=black&colourWayId=204909434&cid=8799

Fabulous dress!

Ain’t it just!

i Know this sounds annoying - but I’m a lot taller than you and I long to be your size. We all want what we can’t have…or more to the point dream of being the opposite of who we are. Embrace your height if you can. (And I’ll try to embrace mine 🤦‍♀️) I’m sure you’ll look lovely on your birthday

izabel london which comes in several different designs of which I also like this one

very pink

gorgeous colour possibly a bit frilly but I think it would work

choice of colours

All polyester I'm afraid (I have cheap tastes)

I'm not sure exactly what I said which made you think I don't like my height? It just affects what dresses I can wear ie a lot will have the waist in the wrong place. And maxi dresses don't suit me at my size (I'm overweight) I'm not dreaming of being anything other than in the perfect dress for my birthday 🙂

Thanks for all the suggestions so far 🙂

I’m 5 foot nothing and a size 14 with a big tummy so nothing clingy and no maxi dresses that come in under the boobs as I just look short and fat (or pregnant!)

it was this - I guess I read into it as being said as a negative and projected my own feelings onto your post. Apologies

No worries! My height doesn't bother me, my fat does (a bit) 😂

So hear me out as it’s over budget… but I think this dress is perfect! https://www.very.co.uk/religion-abstract-print-midi-shirt-dress-blackwhite/1600915472.prd if not this one, maybe something similar would work.

(Also 5ft nothing and not a fan of my tum 😂)

Here is a selection of petite dresses in or around your budget
https://www.qvcuk.com/catalog/search.html?keyword=dannii+petite+dress&currentPage=1&sort=Top+Rated#plModule

How about this?

https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/dresses/mini-dresses/product.fitted-puff-sleeve-mini-dress-black.1115609001.html

Hard to know what to suggest as you haven’t commented on any of the dresses linked so far!

I really love this!! Thank you. I love a puffy sleeve!

Oh this is lovely!! But yeh I'm not sure I could justify the price... I like that style though 🙂

Thank you!

If you love a puffy sleeve you should browse the & Other Stories sale.

(Apologies if this sounds rude but I am curious about the wouldn't normally spend more than £40 on a dress! Could stretch to £50 thing. You may have noticed the things I’ve linked are all sale items. Did you mean you always buy dresses in the sales / pre-owned, or are you actually finding good quality dresses full price under £40?)

No idea where you are but I got a seasalt dress in the sale at my local independent boutique, they sell lots of brands and had an amazing sale - do you have somewhere similar. They had multiple dresses that would work for what you describe

Weirdfish has 100% cotton dresses below £50. they are decent quality. Starshine Organic Jersey Dress Green | Weird Fish

I generally shop sale, charity shop, or cheap shit 😁 my budget for new clothes is saddeningly small.

Am going to order the puff sleeve one! Thank you!

I love this but it would cling to my tummy I think 😞

I ordered one WeirdFish dress and it was not too clingy on the tummy. I don't have a flat tum either. It was too short for me, but would be about right for you. Worth trying, maybe size up.

Ooh thank you, good tip 😀

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions! I am feeling more confident I will find something to wear 😍

H&M have some very reasonably priced nice shirt dresses (and some awful ones!) I have one similar to this which i wore yesterday to a meeting at a very posh retail company HQ with nude heels, but have also worn with trainers. (I'm 5'1" and a bit and menopause shaped 🙄)

Tie-belt shirt dress - Dark brown/Patterned - Ladies | H&M GB (hm.com)