Little black dresses

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Do 'nice' little black dresses still exist? Shortish, not too tight, sleeves, not too high or low necked, to be worn with black tights and heeled boots? The sort of thing that every shop used to do coming up to Christmas party season, often in velvet or with sequins.

I feel like every year I want one, and every year I never find quite the right thing/s.

Oh dear. As I thought then? They don’t exist? Bugger.

Final plea! I want an ‘out out’ dress. Budget up to £150.

Yes I am with you about wanting the return of the LBD! It’s time. I pulled out my old go-to one from the loft (black silk Miu Miu I found in an amazing sale years ago) but it’s been ravaged by moths.

Stories have got a few but I haven’t seen them in real life. I’m not always convinced by their cut for more dressy dresses.

Marking place.

Sorry about your dress. Gutting.

I will have a look at Stories, but must admit I generally find their stores disappointing.

Have you tried Vinted? I find that's quite good for finding "old" (or should I say classic?!) styles. If you're pretty confident in your sizing and know what brands and styles you like you can get some brilliant finds. If I'm after something special I filter it to brand new with tags.

Yes I hear you re: stories. Thanks for the commiserations, Remus. DH thought something really bad had happened when I found it.

I bought this one last year…easy to wear and looks good with boots and heels.
www.thewhitecompany.com/uk/Velvet-Cocoon-Dress/p/A03263
The White Company usually have nice black dresses, and velvets and silks nearer Christmas. Mint Velvet and Monsoon also worth a look - and John Lewis, to browse brands. Sympathy re dress.

Take a look on the John Lewis website and filter option for black dresses where there’s 1590 across many price ranges and brands.

Boden? They always seem to have a load of black dresses, some are fitted and knee length

Thanks all.

I’ve already done the John Lewis search.

I don’t want body form or knee length. I want short but not too tight. The White Company one is nice but out of stock and I try to avoid there and Boden because they fund the Tory party.

Can’t be dealing with Vinted. I want to walk into a real shop and walk out with a nice dress.

So bloody sick of midis and frills and bright orange monstrosities.

The nearest I've seen have been a couple of knitted ones (not in real life). They're not exactly out-out but if you're struggling....
Whistles

Uniqlo U - coming out next week.

But yeah they do seem to have slipped off the radar for the moment although I'm sure they'll be back.

I recently got a beautiful one from French Connection in the sale. I love a LBD, a wardrobe classic.

Soz I forgot about this other Whistles one It's a bit frilly but not too monstrous (at least I don't think so) and maybe a bit more out out than the other 2 I posted.

Thanks, both. I love a knitted mini dress, but too hot for possible dancing! I haven't looked in French Connection for years - will do so immediately!

I like the Whistles one and it's not too frilly. I'll try that one - their stuff tends to have hugely long arms though, and I think I might have a bit of Tyrannosaurus Rex in my DNA.

I bet you could chop the sleeves down if needed - I've seen your skills on the dressmaking thread

Skills is probably not the word I'd use, but yes, I could probably manage a sleeve chop!

I ordered this one from Zalando. Didn't suit me as the sleeves were too puffy for my frame but it was a lovely dress otherwise. It was knee length on me.

Oh oh oh Me and Em have got a few (which did surprise me, I thought they were all death-by-frills). These 2 are in the sales:
down to £118

£112 though knitted again.

They've got more but they're over budget, although a couple are under £200 - they're here if you want to check

Both those Whistles dresses are so nice. I am ready for shorter, more streamlined dresses myself. My legs are my best feature.

I love the first M&E one and was looking at it last night - somebody recommended it to me on a thread ages ago and I didn't buy it. And now, of course, it's not available in my size.

Oh that White Company one is gorgeous! No longer in stock 😫

Sister Jane have a few.

Sister Jane black dresses

Thanks for these @NatashaDancing and @HiGunny . I'm so over big/flouncy/fussy/flamboyant sleeves though and they never suited me anyway.

The selection at All Saints has a few options which seem in the ballpark.