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Original poster

What on earth to wear to an awards ceremony?

94 replies

CleansUpButWouldPreferNotTo · 22/09/2023 19:55

My boss is up for a volunteer heroes award and has asked me to go to the ceremony as I've helped him out with admin / fundraising for his charity. What do I wear? I've a two piece dress - top with elbow length sleeves and calf length skirt in navy. I don't know anything about the ceremony, is it table seating or cinema seating. Trying to look at last year's but not much online.

It's next month, I've got three weeks. Size 18/20, don't like low cut as very booby. Suggestions gratefully received. Can go to £100, not much over.

I've seen this https://www.lightinthebox.com/en/p/women-s-dress-set-two-piece-dress-midi-dress-green-blue-gray-half-sleeve-floral-print-summer-spring-u-neck-casual-2023-s-m-l-xl-xxl-3xl_p9042089.html the red one.

I like this. Do you think I should buy it?

https://www.lightinthebox.com/en/p/women-s-dress-set-two-piece-dress-midi-dress-green-blue-gray-half-sleeve-floral-print-summer-spring-u-neck-casual-2023-s-m-l-xl-xxl-3xl_p9042089.html

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
custardlover · 22/09/2023 20:27

Buy something you will wear again

MerryChristmasToYou · 22/09/2023 20:28

What you have already sounds fine to me, but I've not seen it.
The dresses linked on here don't seem my idea of what was in the brief.
Maybe you could go to somewhere like John Lewis and ask there, or get a personal stylist appointment with them.

OP posts:
TigerDroveAgain · 22/09/2023 20:30

I'm a similar size to you : Cos are really good, also John Lewis plus size range (can't remember what it's called) has nice smart dresses

theduchessofspork · 22/09/2023 20:31

That patterned dress is not going to do anything for anyone.

Your two piece sounds nice. Have you got a nice pair of earrings and a lipstick?

I wouldn’t go buying anything new for the sake of it. It’s his event not yours.

Original poster
CleansUpButWouldPreferNotTo · 22/09/2023 20:32

MerryChristmasToYou · 22/09/2023 20:28

What you have already sounds fine to me, but I've not seen it.
The dresses linked on here don't seem my idea of what was in the brief.
Maybe you could go to somewhere like John Lewis and ask there, or get a personal stylist appointment with them.

Can you just book a personal stylist, does it cost for an appointment, never had one. What if I don't like their suggestions? Obviously I realise I'm not obligated to buy, but my free time's very limited as I'm carer to a disabled person.

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NatashaDancing · 22/09/2023 20:35

CleansUpButWouldPreferNotTo · 22/09/2023 20:30

The cos dresses are great @NatashaDancing

I like this one, could dress it up with a chunky necklace, wear it again over the holidays

https://www.cos.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/dresses/product.voluminous-maxi-t-shirt-dress-blue.1192479001.html

That dress is the sort of thing Tilda Swinton or Cate Blanchett might wear to an awards ceremony, and in Tilda's case with the type of jewellery that could pass as a lethal weapon, sweeping past us mere mortals.

And yes, you will be able to wear it again.

Cheeesus · 22/09/2023 20:35

Re the John Lewis personal shopper.

It’s free. If you don’t like anything that’s fine. You might not find an appt in time.

We had a similar awards ceremony recently and there was a mix of evening dresses and floaty evening tops with black trousers.

itsgettingweird · 22/09/2023 20:44

CleansUpButWouldPreferNotTo · 22/09/2023 20:25

I don't think it's formal, I think it's recognising people who give their time because they don't have money, if that makes sense, hands-on people not donors. Will have to ask boss for a look at the invite.

Loving the suggestions, thank you. I like arms, legs, and cleavage covered. Is there such a thing as elegant frump? 😂That's probably what I'm aiming for!

Think that's probably the look I went for with the dress I linked above! I teamed it with a blazer and luckily was very cool in the room so could legitimately keep it on 🤣🤣

Original poster
CleansUpButWouldPreferNotTo · 22/09/2023 20:46

Chuckling at the idea of wearing something Tilda Swinton or Cate Blanchett might wear but that dress would look very different on them, for sure!

Will get out my two piece and have another look, it's very easy to wear and suits average weather, I can try it with more stand-out jewellery than my usual modest gold chain and locket. I've got a pair of black boots that would suit any October weather other than a heatwave, they're comfy and inconspicuous.

OP posts:
LadyOfTheCanyon · 22/09/2023 20:47

To be fair all those COS dresses are lovely.

Original poster
CleansUpButWouldPreferNotTo · 22/09/2023 20:47

HamHand · 22/09/2023 20:41

I tried this on this week and I think it would suit. Am also very booby! Monsoon

In my next life I'm coming back flat-chested..

That dress is gorgeous!

OP posts:
MerryChristmasToYou · 22/09/2023 20:50

It's free and there's no obligation to buy, but that's all I know. A colleague who always looks just right recommended it to me. It would be worth a try.

The voluminous t-shirt doesn't do it for me, but it's not me who'll be wearing it.

MerryChristmasToYou · 22/09/2023 20:51

@HamHand , that's more like it!

OP posts:
Original poster
CleansUpButWouldPreferNotTo · 22/09/2023 20:58

NatashaDancing · 22/09/2023 20:24

I've got a week day evening, black tie, industry related awards dinner in a couple of weeks. I'm wearing this but in a dark blue.

Week day evening black tie award dress

This is lovely, makes me think of Audrey Hepburn. Too dressy for my event, but seems perfect for an awards dinner.

OP posts:
Original poster
CleansUpButWouldPreferNotTo · 22/09/2023 20:59

Speaking of dinner, it's time for the after-dinner evening meds. Thank you all for your suggestions, I'll check back later.

OP posts:
Wolvesart · 22/09/2023 21:07

My cousin got an award a bit like this and she wore a black dress that was midi but definitely a crossover outfit between an evening dress and office type dress. She’s a legal pa so has plenty of smart clothes. The dress had a slightly sparkly overlay on the body. The other person receiving an award wore a jumpsuit in navy that was stretchy and ruched and looked very like a Roman brand one I have

BeverlyBrook · 22/09/2023 21:22

Ok Ive done the JL shopper service twice. Both times she nailed it exactly. Free appointment. You tell em what you need & your budget. They bring you about 6 options. You try em on. Pick one or none. Done!
The most efficient time effective shopping I've ever done.

However cos stuff is gorgeous. I used to work with a marketing director who was quite large, and Ive never worked with anyone more stylish than her. She always looked amazing, must have been Cos, before I knew it was a thing.

faustina · 22/09/2023 21:31

Has anyone suggested you try renting something instead of buying? John Lewis do it so perhaps you could combine with a personal stylist session. I've never rented but it seems more and more popular - I'm sure a quick google would give you lots of options. I would definitely do it for something like your occasion, especially on a budget - you'd get something much nicer. Good luck OP - hope you find something!

ZolaBudd · 22/09/2023 21:31

Thus? Ok if you’re 8 months

Happyhappyeveryday · 22/09/2023 21:33

The green Monsoon dress looks perfect - so elegant.

Medlady · 22/09/2023 22:06

Damn. Have just ordered that black silk one