Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Unsure what to wear to party

55 replies

Char65 · 13/11/2023 19:12

DH and I are going to quite a formal showy Christmas event in mid-December. It starts at 2pm and goes on into the evening in a hotel, its organised by one of DH’s ex colleagues (who likes to flash the cash) and will be a Christmas party plus a 55th birthday party for his wife (and I think his daughter's birthday too). I imagine there will be quite a lot of people there of mixed ages and no expense will be spared! There be a buffet and dancing but not a sit down meal so not unlike a wedding reception. I’m stumped over what to wear I would love to wear something like this
https://www.mytheresa.com/de/en/women/giambattista-valli-jacquard-a-line-midi-dress-gold-p00851724
but wonder if I’m too old for it and if its too OTT I’m 58 and 5 foot 8 and a size 10/12 so quite slim but have a largish bust (36D), what do others think? Should I play it safe with a more traditional dress?

OP posts:
MargotBamborough · 15/11/2023 09:34

Char65 · 14/11/2023 10:51

My reservations are the same as yours @Katrinawaves in regard to the décolletage and upper arms - I don't normally like so much flesh being on show and agree @sweetpickle23 about the bra size - sometimes these tight bodices don't look good - I think you need to be a certain shape to pull them off. I was going to wear it with a pair of black strappy sandals with a moderate heel (I have loads of shoes to match it up with!)

I think I may rethink it - I got carried away by the design and skirt but think I will go for something a little more conventional as below.

https://www.mytheresa.com/de/en/women/diane-von-furstenberg-borris-floral-midi-dress-multicoloured-p00855820

Thanks for suggestions/comments.

Surely you can find something in between those two dresses?

That second one looks like dresses I have bought in the Hobbs sale for a tenth of the price. I'd wear that to the office, not a fancy black tie party.

VanityDiesHard · 15/11/2023 10:09

How about buying the first dress in larger that your usual size, to accommodate the bust, and then having it taken in? I feel your pain, I am a size 8 with a somewhat large bust and it can make dress shopping a real pain because if it fits my waist it is often too small on the bust, and vice versa.

Hadjab · 15/11/2023 13:28

Char65 · 14/11/2023 19:41

OMG I have just come back from a day out with DH and seen all these messages and I’m even more confused! I only put the DVF dress as an example of what I might wear (and often wear similar) as it was in my MT favs and I was writing this in a rush this morning as DH was in a rush to leave the house and not got MN on my phone but don’t think it is glam enough. I like the sputnik dress but I still love the gold dress and like @GonnaNeedABiggerBag suggestions – don’t know what to do now! Thanks for suggestions - I can see you point @Flyinggeesei234 that its 2 totally different looks but I can never make my mind up and don't know whether to play it save or be daring. Thanks anyway.

WEAR THE GOLD DRESS!!!

Life is far too short to play it safe.

Notcontent · 15/11/2023 14:05

The gold dress is stunning but agree it would be good to wear with a cashmere cardigan to tone it down a bit.

I recently ordered a gold leather skirt and was just about to return it but this thread is making me think again…

Whataretheodds · 15/11/2023 14:11

Def don't do the DVF. The 1st dress is gorgeous, I agree with the cardi/jumper styling.
M&S have some surprisingly nice stuff in this season. I like the black brocade puff sleeve dress.

Wolf and Badger also have the kind of thing that might suit your vibe.

If you can't dress up for a posh December do when can you?

sensationalsally · 15/11/2023 16:35

My question is - would Helen Mirren wear it? If no, then give it a bypass. And tbh, I don't think she would.

Myfabby · 15/11/2023 17:29

sensationalsally · 15/11/2023 16:35

My question is - would Helen Mirren wear it? If no, then give it a bypass. And tbh, I don't think she would.

How utterly ridic!

Who appointed Helen Mirren style queen?

For one OP is 20 years younger and sounds like she has an amazing figure.

gotomomo · 15/11/2023 17:39

Much prefer the gold dress, there must be something in between, the other dress looked like a work dress

Mummyoflittledragon · 15/11/2023 17:49

I’m glad you’re going to buy the first dress. The second looks like the sort of dress anyone would wear to work. I have one like that I wore parent’s evening and cost peanuts in comparison.

Original poster
Char65 · 15/11/2023 19:31

Notcontent · 15/11/2023 14:05

The gold dress is stunning but agree it would be good to wear with a cashmere cardigan to tone it down a bit.

I recently ordered a gold leather skirt and was just about to return it but this thread is making me think again…

Yes if the fit is Ok I am going to team it up with a cardi - I have loads to choose from and agree the dress needs toning down and don't like showing too much flesh!!

You should certainly keep the gold leather skirt it'll never go out of style - I'm glad the thread has made you rethink - metallics are big at the mo.

OP posts:
Original poster
Char65 · 15/11/2023 19:33

Trickedbyadoughnut · 14/11/2023 15:32

I agree, or even a fitted cashmere jumper.

Show quote history

This is good advice which I'm going to follow thanks @GonnaNeedABiggerBag

OP posts:
Original poster
Char65 · 15/11/2023 19:34

sensationalsally · 15/11/2023 16:35

My question is - would Helen Mirren wear it? If no, then give it a bypass. And tbh, I don't think she would.

to be honest I'm not sure what Helen Mirren has to do with it!

OP posts:
JW13 · 15/11/2023 19:45

100% agree with @GonnaNeedABiggerBag's excellent advice. If the gold dress fits, definitely wear it, it's gorgeous and special and it sounds like a special dress kind of event.

If it doesn't fit, don't wear the DVF dress. Perfectly nice but not special.

Enjoy the shopping!

MaliciaKeys · 15/11/2023 20:53

Helen Mirren is 78 and hardly a style icon. OP, go for gold. Be the belle of the ball!

Original poster
Char65 · 17/11/2023 14:25

Hadjab · 15/11/2023 13:28

WEAR THE GOLD DRESS!!!

Life is far too short to play it safe.

Show quote history

Thank you soooo much I have ordered it today! A size larger as recommended, i have time to get it taken in.

OP posts:
VanityDiesHard · 17/11/2023 16:43

sensationalsally · 15/11/2023 16:35

My question is - would Helen Mirren wear it? If no, then give it a bypass. And tbh, I don't think she would.

I kind of agree with your litmus test but disagree with your verdict! I think she would wear it, and look smashing in it.

VanityDiesHard · 17/11/2023 16:44

Also, while Helen Mirren is a fantastic example of a stylish woman, the OP doesn't have to copy what someone else would wear.

PollyIndia · 17/11/2023 19:10

I love this dress. Life is short, wear the dress!! If it arrives and it doesn’t feel right, you’ll know. But I’d definitely order and try it on.

Original poster
Char65 · 10/12/2023 11:40

Well I did wear the gold dress! I had it altered slightly to fit my bust and then I teamed it up with a simple black waist length cardi, Gianvito Rossi shoes which were black with a slight gold haze, a black YSL handbag, and as @GonnaNeedABiggerBag suggested I had my hair put up in a bun and wore gold chandelier earrings and a gold pendant necklace and OMG the comments and compliments I got were AMAZING. When I came downstairs wearing it my DH was so complimentary and he kept saying the nicest things about me at the party too. He said the dress was worth every penny! I love it when he’s like that. I felt a million dollars. The dress felt perfect and so nice to wear with the full skirt and when we got home I went to my dressing room and (very vain I know!) just kept looking at myself and smiling – I didn’t want to take it off! I felt fantastic so thanks everyone you gave me the confidence to be bold and wear gold!

OP posts:
Myfabby · 10/12/2023 13:32

Ah, i'm glad you did and i'm sure you did look stunning- nothing vain about acknowledging that.

BarbaraWoodlouse · 10/12/2023 14:10

I love this update. It makes me smile and want to dress up and go somewhere now. (I shan’t, I’m still in my PJs but I can dream…)

JW13 · 10/12/2023 14:35

Amazing update! Glad you wore the dress and had a great time!

NashvilleQueen · 10/12/2023 14:38

Any photos OP? Would love to see.

worryingalot · 10/12/2023 17:18

I think that dress would be great OP

worryingalot · 10/12/2023 17:19

oops just saw the update!