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Original poster

Is this ok for an awards ceremony?

137 replies

Woahtherehoney · 18/10/2023 22:07

Hi all, some advice needed please.

I’ve been invited to an awards ceremony at work - the dress code is ‘dress to impress’ and it’s at a ballroom. It’s not an actual ball and my workplace is corporate but more like casual corporate if that makes any sense at all!

it’s definitely not as formal as black tie and so I’m struggling a bit with what to wear. I feel very meh about myself at the moment and was wondering if something like this might be ok? I’m 5ft6 and a 14-16.

I don’t have a huge budget (ideally under £50 which this is)

Is this ok for an awards ceremony?
OP posts:
Thread gallery
15
Myfabby · 19/10/2023 11:24

FrancisFriedFish · 19/10/2023 11:15

Those Joannie dresses are something like a desperate mum would wear to school sports day. Stick with your original outfit OP.

not to my son's school sports day😂

lots of zimmermann and ruffled marant mini skirts

I'm so baffled by joanie. looks like the hideous dresses in a particular section in BHS. I always wondered who bought those!

AllTheWeatherAllTheTime · 19/10/2023 11:47

I think your jumpsuit looks perfect already OP, but also this is exactly the sort of situation that dress rental is perfect for - you could get something a bit more special than usually in your budget because you aren't buying outright. Maybe try HURR Collective, Rent The Runway and a lot of the fancier retailers are doing them too - John Lewis, Selfridges etc. Good luck!

Antst · 19/10/2023 12:06

I really like your choice, OP. It fits your description of the event and your workplace perfectly. It's elegant and also interesting, but won't raise any eyebrows at work. Also, you'll be able to style it differently and wear it again and again.

Frasers · 19/10/2023 12:39

Some of the joanie dresses do look comfy, I’d feel self conscious though I think in most. Like this one, I can’t fathom what sort of special occasion you’d wear it to other than a fancy dress party where you’re pretending to be Margot from the good life. So definitely a very niche taste. 😄

the op clearly likes clean lines and elegant, so any recommendations should be in that vein.

https://joanieclothing.com/dawn-o-porter-x-joanie-sunrise-retro-optical-print-midaxi-dress.html

Dawn O’Porter X Joanie - Sunrise Retro Optical Print Midaxi Dress

Dawn says: Don’t tell the others, but this guy is my favourite. This is the dress that will see you through from summer garden parties to Christmas Day celebrations. It’s for all occasions, whether it's about you or not. Who am I kidding? It’s ALWAYS...

https://joanieclothing.com/dawn-o-porter-x-joanie-sunrise-retro-optical-print-midaxi-dress.html

ThanksItHasPockets · 19/10/2023 12:44

NatashaDancing · 18/10/2023 22:36

It'll do but that's about the best that can be said.

Second recommendation tonight for Joannie. I really don't have shares in Joannie but for dresses under £100 they are exceptionally good.

If you're a new customer you can get 10% off which takes you near your budget on full price items.

Joannie Dresses size 14 -16

Is this like when people reply to the baby names threads to suggest Balonz?

Lakeyloo · 19/10/2023 12:49

NooNakedJacuzziness · 19/10/2023 07:43

Some of the Joanie dresses are perfect (if you're hosting Tom and Barbara Good for Christmas and Jerry is taking care of the cooking)

😂I was thinking more Abigail's party !

Creamteasandbumblebees · 19/10/2023 13:41

Howmanyroses · 19/10/2023 03:08

OP what you have attached is much more appropriate for an awards ceremony at work than any of the printed Joanie dresses. Print is out of style right now so it will look out if place. I think those dresses are hideous..

Edited

This!!

Myfabby · 19/10/2023 13:46

Frasers · 19/10/2023 12:39

Some of the joanie dresses do look comfy, I’d feel self conscious though I think in most. Like this one, I can’t fathom what sort of special occasion you’d wear it to other than a fancy dress party where you’re pretending to be Margot from the good life. So definitely a very niche taste. 😄

the op clearly likes clean lines and elegant, so any recommendations should be in that vein.

https://joanieclothing.com/dawn-o-porter-x-joanie-sunrise-retro-optical-print-midaxi-dress.html

Featuring an all-over ‘70s wallpaper-inspired optical design in olive hues..

says it all really😂

MichaelAndEagle · 19/10/2023 13:46

I think on the whole people are a lot less dressy. The person who goes all out, evening dress or cocktail dress will probably be more unusual than someone in what is essentially an outfit for a nice evening out.
I like your choice OP and would put it with nice heels, bright clutch bag, nice hairdo and jewellery.

mangochops · 19/10/2023 13:52

I far prefer your outfit OP to those absolutely bloody hideous frumpy Joanie dresses- they do look like something a geography teacher from the 70s would wear, Yuck.

Goodluckanddontfitup · 19/10/2023 13:56

OP’s original jumpsuit outfit looks great. Echo the sentiments of some great sparkly earrings and bag, a great blow dry or up do, and perhaps a bright lipstick and some added glittery eyeshadow, would look great and perfect for the described occasion

Mamabear487 · 19/10/2023 14:02

Wow the Joannie dresses are horrendous please do not listen to those posters and get one of them 🙈

Smurfmurf · 19/10/2023 14:11

I like your choice OP. I wouldn’t clean my house in those Joannie monstrosities. Bloody awful and totally not suitable for an awards ceremony.

BrakeLights · 19/10/2023 14:17

Normally S & B is one of the more supportive boards but I'm really surprised.to see the pile on in this one. So someone likes Joanie and thought the OP might too. Most people don't. Looks like people are just commenting now for the opportunity of saying something horrible about Joanie rather than something useful to the OP.

Not that I've got anything more useful to say ironically..

OP, I've got no dress sense whatsoever but I do like the outfit you posted. Seems exactly right for a work award ceremony. A bit sparkly but not over the top.

ThirdDressStress · 19/10/2023 14:22

egowise · 19/10/2023 08:53

www.asos.com/prd/203526970?acquisitionsource=com.google.android.gm

I think something like this would be more appropriate. It's a little over budget, but they have 20% off at the moment and you can usually get codes through honey and cashback.

Those dresses in that link are far from 'dress to impress'

I agree ASOS have some lovely stuff and if you use the code TREATME a lot of it is 50% off today.

MelanieSal · 19/10/2023 14:26

I like your original choice OP - it looks perfect for the occasion to me 🙂Very elegant.

teenysaladandsniffofarose · 19/10/2023 14:27

Wish I hadn't clicked on the Joanna dresses link...they're probably the most horrific things I've ever seen 🫣😂

I like your choice OP, it's classy.

MetalFences · 19/10/2023 14:33

BrakeLights · 19/10/2023 14:17

Normally S & B is one of the more supportive boards but I'm really surprised.to see the pile on in this one. So someone likes Joanie and thought the OP might too. Most people don't. Looks like people are just commenting now for the opportunity of saying something horrible about Joanie rather than something useful to the OP.

Not that I've got anything more useful to say ironically..

OP, I've got no dress sense whatsoever but I do like the outfit you posted. Seems exactly right for a work award ceremony. A bit sparkly but not over the top.

But...that's not what has happened here at all. @NatashaDancing is the one who started tearing apart the OP's link. She's said some outrageous things.

Growlybear83 · 19/10/2023 14:36

I think the outfit in your first post is elegant and will look good. I've always liked floral prints, but those Joanie dresses are in a different league - they are like the curtains my Grandma had in the 1970s. 😆😆.

Myfabby · 19/10/2023 14:36

BrakeLights · 19/10/2023 14:17

Normally S & B is one of the more supportive boards but I'm really surprised.to see the pile on in this one. So someone likes Joanie and thought the OP might too. Most people don't. Looks like people are just commenting now for the opportunity of saying something horrible about Joanie rather than something useful to the OP.

Not that I've got anything more useful to say ironically..

OP, I've got no dress sense whatsoever but I do like the outfit you posted. Seems exactly right for a work award ceremony. A bit sparkly but not over the top.

How is it a pile on because people are agreeing that a brand is hideous. There is a whole thread about how people find dryrobes hideous..

allhellcantstopusnow · 19/10/2023 14:46

NooNakedJacuzziness · 19/10/2023 07:43

Some of the Joanie dresses are perfect (if you're hosting Tom and Barbara Good for Christmas and Jerry is taking care of the cooking)

Jerry never cooked!

mrsbyers · 19/10/2023 15:00

The Joannie dresses are hideous , I like the jumpsuit apart from the flared bottoms with heels - I think it would look better with a much lower heel or even sparkly flats

hobbledyhoy · 19/10/2023 15:01

BrakeLights · 19/10/2023 14:17

Normally S & B is one of the more supportive boards but I'm really surprised.to see the pile on in this one. So someone likes Joanie and thought the OP might too. Most people don't. Looks like people are just commenting now for the opportunity of saying something horrible about Joanie rather than something useful to the OP.

Not that I've got anything more useful to say ironically..

OP, I've got no dress sense whatsoever but I do like the outfit you posted. Seems exactly right for a work award ceremony. A bit sparkly but not over the top.

It is, and usually one of the nicest areas of Mumsnet boards, but I think the way in which the OP was spoken to initially has set the tone for the responses as a way to defend the OP.
There's just no need for it, as a human race we're all nasty enough to each other in general as it is, let's not bring that shit here.

HollywoodTease · 19/10/2023 15:09

Can I suggest you have a browse on Roman Originals? They do a decent range of lace/sequin/sparkle on a budget.

Like this www.roman.co.uk/leaf-lace-sequin-midi-dress-14292308

Or this www.roman.co.uk/sequin-cowl-neck-contrast-midi-dress-14330792

Or a jumpsuit www.roman.co.uk/metallic-overlay-stretch-jumpsuit-14248954

Drcrafty · 19/10/2023 15:15

iI like some of the Joanie dresses, but some of them are too loud even for me. However I don't think they are awards do-worthy - and if you are alredy feeling a little self conscious they are not going to help! your original idea woud be fine with some lovely jewellery. If you do fancy a dress - have a look on ebay or vinted for some older Monsoon or East dresses - you can get beautiful ones fro a reasonable amount and they tend to last very well. I have a few 'special occasion' dresses from Monsoon via ebay that I have had for 15 years, and they were second hand when I bought them. whatever you wear, hold your head up and smile and enjoy yourself. You will be beautiful, and we only get one go around. May as well enjoy it!