What on earth to wear to an awards ceremony?

[CleansUpButWouldPreferNotTo]

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.

Oh and JM can take almost 2 weeks to arrive as I think it’s a relatively small business so don’t delay too long.

To add, I go to quite a few awards things and always go pretty dressy! Like a ball vibe. Usually it's a smart do.

Hi

I like that Oliver Bonas dress.
I agree your own outfit sounds nicer than the Jolie Moi dress, which is polyester again.

Gorgeous

See that's what they are good for - everyday wear or at a push an emergancy help I need a generic wedding guest dress.

This is flattering:

https://www.asos.com/asos-curve/asos-design-curve-burnout-button-through-shirred-waist-pleated-midi-dress-in-black/prd/203624658?clr=black&colourWayId=203624661&cid=9579

I agree the Oliver Bonas dress is lovely. Not sure it’s good for larger boobs though with the high neck and puffy sleeves but I’m not sure op would use that as every day wear. I would btw but I’m not the op and she specially said she wanted something she would wear again, not just clutter up her wardrobe.

Her options are thus to rewear the something she has as detailed upthread or buy something that will suit her within budget, which she will deffo wear again. I chose the plain dress as this, I was thinking would probably suit the event better and cover her legs as she spoke about them. So those were my thoughts.

A little bit of stretch imo is more flattering for a larger figure and I am sure there are plenty of other dresses, which will fit the bill.

https://www.next.co.uk/shop/gender-women-category-dresses/use-occasionwear?p=11#1140.734375

so many on here are suitable. Always dress up rather than down if you're unsure but I'd assume black tie.

Christ on a bike do not buy that LIAB dress. £100 is a decent budget. Check out Warehouse - loads of nice dresses in budget there.

Phone the organisers and ask what people usually wear, ie is typically full length evening dress or cocktail dress. Look at renting if it”s full length. And if cocktail, choose something in a nice rich colour(plain not patterned) that you can wear for any Christmas events, then wear the heck out of it over the festive period. Nice heels for the awards ceremony, and boots for other events.

I went to one which was a mix of smart day dresses and over the top mother of the bride type outfits with an ott hat. And a few women were very casually dressed.

I wouldn't go too "evening-y", at the end of the day you're not the recipient, so I'd say it doesn't really matter!!

I'm the guest of a potential recipient - I'm not even sure if my boss is getting the award or is just up for it as a finalist. Must get more details! Some of the dress selections are gorgeous, love the Oliver Bonas green dress just not the tie in the middle.

We've had torrential rain recently - real long-lasting downpours, so I've decided to stick with my old faithful navy outfit and spend my dress budget on a hair appointment in the morning and a taxi to the event. There's a vintage market on every first Saturday, planning to attend October's and have a look for a chunky necklace. If I don't see anything I like from the £10-and-under lady, my usual gold chain and locket will do nicely.

Thanks for all your responses, it's the first time I've posted something like this and I'm touched by all the helpful advice. Regretting the Jolie dress though... but have taken the Light in a Box comments on board and learned something useful.

Best wishes to you all!

@CleansUpButWouldPreferNotTo , you sound really lovely and I hope you have a great time.

I’m glad you have come to a decision. The dress or something similar will be there when you’re ready to buy it. Have a lovely time op. 😊

Quick update in case anyone's interested - went last night and had a great time. Wore the navy two-piece with dangly gold earrings, chunky bracelets and my hair in an updo. Some were in sparkly cocktail wear with outrageous stiletto heels but most of the ladies were in outfits similar to mine or trousers and sparkly tops. Only one man was in black tie, the others wore suits, some without ties.

I felt comfortable and appropriately dressed. Boss said I looked lovely and that he hadn't seen me in a dress before - his wife agreed, she was in a calf-length silk shirtdress with pearls and heels. A good evening, and lots of prosecco and little hors d'eouvres being served in a reception area (standing, no seats), then moved into a theatre type room for the actual ceremony, was glad of my comfy boots and ready for a sit-down by then! My boss won the award and was very complimentary about his team, pointing at me and the others.

Ended at ten and boss paid for uber to the station. I made egg on toast when I got home! The fancy canapes were lovely but no substitute for dinner 😁but I'm glad I went. Thanks to all you lovely lot for all the advice..

Glad you had a nice time. Your outfit sounds perfect actually.

Thanks for the update and congratulations to your boss and his team.
Glad you had a lovely time.

I would try Vinted .Look for a good quality brand (I am size 18 with big boobs and like Bombshell ,vintage Coast and Damsel in a Dress ).occasion wear is great as most of it has only been worn once or twice .
You can wear it ,clean it and sell it on if it's not something you would wear again .