Party dress for winter

[edemamequeen]

Please help me find something fabulous! I’m going to a wedding party this winter. Not black tie but quite glam. 49, size 10-12 but carrying more weight around the middle than I’d like and 5ft3 so lots of dresses are just ridiculously long on me. I love green and blue and brown and orange. I’m an autumn I think. I would like it to have a waist as empire line mostly doesn’t suit me. No puffed sleeves as they make me look like a large child. I can go up to £500.

How about this?

https://www.matchesfashion.com/products/Self-Portrait-Pleated-skirt-bouclé-and-chiffon-midi-dress-1549734

Could obviously be shortened if necessary. It’s festive but also quite chic and grown up, so could easily be worn again for any other smart events.

Thanks @MetaDaughter. I like the skirt part but not sure about the two piece style. Also not sure what I could put on top of a top as structured as that, because it’ll be cold so I think I need a wrap or jacket or something. But I’ll look at Needle & Thread some more.

Self portrait I mean! Not needle and thread.

is this nice?
https://www.self-portrait.com/products/green-cord-lace-midi-dress

Looks lovely. (Though I wouldn’t love the fabric.)

Here are five from MaxMara all roughly around your budget. Except the gorgeous yellow silk, which might be reduced in the next sale.

Thank you! Are they on the general Max Mara website? I can’t find them there.

I’m after a dress to cover a few occasions up to Christmas, including a black tie event, but also a Christmas cocktail party and a conference dinner. I’m a deep Autumn, so dark green/ blue is good here too and I also keep my winter fat reserves about my waist.

Be warned, I’m not an exciting dresser, but are a couple of things I like, so they might work for you too:
https://www.johnlewis.com/hobbs-christie-midi-dress-royal-blue/p110536887

https://www.johnlewis.com/hobbs-charlize-silk-midi-dress-meadow-green/p110457102?size=6

https://www.johnlewis.com/adrianna-papell-sleeveless-cocktail-dress-red-plum/p110664412

I also love this, but I’m not sure if the colours would work. https://www.johnlewis.com/adrianna-papell-jacquard-tea-dress-red-multi/p111050356

https://gb.maxmara.com/clothing/womens-dresses

Just scroll through all of them.

For me it's ruined by the lining stopping at the top of the thigh. I don't like the "see through" effect. It looks daft although I susppose it's supposed to be sexy to show your legs. Self Portrait do that a lot.

Not suggesting this one, but they've given this one a full length lining and it's much better.
Self Portrait pink lace lined dress

Thank you…although now can’t unsee that lining issue @Peggoty!
is this nice? (Wish it was silk not polyester):
https://www.harrods.com/en-gb/shopping/maxco-pleated-maxi-dress-20389323

This is silk. Could be wonderful with a jewelled belt and flat shoes, so it drapes to the floor. Very relaxed. (Again, not too obviously ‘party’, so could be worn elsewhere next year.)

https://www.harrods.com/en-gb/shopping/lagence-klement-midi-dress-19930261

Oh that’s lovely. Also £100 cheaper on netaporter (!)

Fabulous!

https://www.cefinn.com/products/jacquetta-short-sleeve-v-neck-maxi-dress-with-neck-tie-detail-green?variant=43057776787681&gclid=CjwKCAjwnOipBhBQEiwACyGLuiH3mfLvLQYWDPtzn6q_zTZ2WqkvcJzKtMmQyIELSLFgJ_zAmnS65hoC4-kQAvD_BwE#fo_c=2894&fo_k=e6b6d034743068b6db8dcf2b68ccaf3e&fo_s=gplauk

https://thefoldlondon.com/product/everleigh-midi-dress-gold-velvet-devore/?glCountry=UK&glCurrency=GBP&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwnOipBhBQEiwACyGLupRBvsH_8w_5cWu2qcyljth-AFMk8Y5SPjtSPCXCliwv5eguKyZZ4xoCpJEQAvD_BwE

That is beautiful - although it looks to be floor-length on the model and it says she's 5'10?

Green Maje dress

Lamé Maje Dress

Sau Lee Ombré Dress

Revolve Blue Satin Dress

Sabina Musayev Dark Ocean

Sabina Musayev Silver Dress

it looks to be floor-length on the model and it says she's 5'10?

🪡🧵❓

Thanks all. I would have to chop off a few inches of that Agence dress but will try it on and see. It’s my favourite of the ones so far.
i also found this which is way over budget but I love…
https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/roksanda/dresses/midi-dress/canvas-trimmed-pleated-color-block-silk-midi-dress/1647597304696960

Friendly local alterations service, @Trickedbyadoughnut!

(When I used to frequent actual physical shops they often had in-house seamstresses / tailors to alter things on site. Possibly one of the main things I miss now I shop mostly online.)

I was worried about the material being tricky to shorten (I am looking at this one for me too as it's sooo beautiful). And do you think the belt will mean you can get the waist to sit in the right place? I have a relatively short torso.

Maybe I'm just the wrong shape for the dress - hopefully it's perfect for you though OP!

Belt removable. + Move belt loops to suit? To me it looks like a dress that most people could wear - with a few adjustments.

Did you like that one best out of all the Roksanda dresses, @edemamequeen? I love everything except the hem - but think it would be wasted in Winter. The ice cream colours are crying out for a Summer event.

I love that it’s silk and the defined waist and that it’s not clingy and I like the mustard colour a lot @MetaDaughter. None of the others feel quite right. Agree about the hem. But it’s way over budget anyway.

I also love the yellow silk one upthread but I look terrible in yellow.