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Original poster

Which dress for my fancy 40th?

130 replies

BonneMamanIsMyJam · 22/11/2023 14:19

Hello!

I’m turning 40 next month and my husband has a surprise ‘fancy’ (apparently) night organised.

I’d like to buy a beautiful dress I will wear lots of times again, and am torn between these 2. Is the red too short? Is the black too Christmassy?

help!

FWIW I am 5 foot 7, size 10.

Option 1:
https://saloniworld.com/products/rina-b-dress-in-brandy-red

option 2:
https://saloniworld.com/products/camille-velvet-embellished-bows-dress

Camille Velvet Embellished Bows Dress in Black

Description Item is on Pre Order. Expected to ship November 4. The best selling Camille shape is re-imagined in a luxury liquid velvet, accented with jewelled bows in silver crystal and pearl. It’s cut to a round neck with a V back and a gathered waist...

https://saloniworld.com/products/camille-velvet-embellished-bows-dress

OP posts:

Thread gallery

App13 · 22/11/2023 21:03

Oops perhaps yes, I shop from both and so often get confused.
That said, I haven't worn it again since! It's a playsuit not dress

CharlotteBog · 22/11/2023 21:12

It's hard to advise w/o seeing what your body shape is.
When I look online I am drawn to what I would like!
What sort of neck line do you want?
Fitted or flared fit?

CharlotteBog · 22/11/2023 21:15

Whistles - Velvet Pleat Sleeve Mini Dress

Black Velvet Mini Dress With Pleated Long Sleeves | Whistles |

Buy the black velvet mini dress with pleated long sleeves at whistles.com. Get free delivery when you spend over £150. Free returns. Shop now.

https://www.whistles.com/product/velvet-pleat-sleeve-mini-dress-37639.html#navAjax=true&is=false&cgid=Clothing_WW&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&prefn1=category0&prefv1=Dresses&pid=velvet-pleat-sleeve-mini-dress-37639&pos=1

FelicityBennett · 22/11/2023 21:18

With your budget have you looked at the reformation or rixo? I drool over these sites fairly frequently
https://rixolondon.com/products/cissi-sequin-gold?nosto_source=cmp&nosto=161572663

Cissi - Sequin Gold

The RIXO Cissi sequin dress with boat neck, long sleeves, mini skirt and gold embellishments. Party and going-out dress. Wedding guest idea.

https://rixolondon.com/products/cissi-sequin-gold?nosto_source=cmp&nosto=161572663

Moveoverdarlin · 22/11/2023 21:33

The red is sexy. The black is sensible. If you’ve got the figure for it, the red looks really fun and out there.

Jasmin1971 · 22/11/2023 21:44

They are both a bit meh!

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 22/11/2023 21:51

ManateeFair · 22/11/2023 15:33

Oh, and if you like the black velvet classy vibe of the black one, but the more partyish length of the red one ... they do a short version of the black one which is lovely and a lot more versatile:

https://saloniworld.com/products/camille-bows-mini-dress-in-black-1

I quite like the short version of the black dress which has been linked here .

I think if you are going to go with a high neck and long sleeves then you need a shorter length dress .

I'm not sure you would want to keep wearing it with the bows on though and it's rather expensive for one wear (although you could have it altered if you wanted a slight restyle).

JMAngel1 · 22/11/2023 21:53

SandyWaves · 22/11/2023 15:55

https://www.allsaints.com/dw/image/v2/BHHD_PRD/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-allsaints-emea-master-catalog/default/dw9cf3112d/images/large/W002DZ/7079/W002DZ-7079-1.jpg?sw=837&sh=1046&sm=fit&q=70

https://xcdn.next.co.uk/Common/Items/Default/Default/ItemImages/3_4Ratio/SearchTP/678x904/C29708.jpg?im=Resize,width=450

https://images.selfridges.com/is/image/selfridges/R04169059_PINK_ALT10?defaultImage=R04169059_PINK_M&$PLP_ALL$

This All Saints is stunning.

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 22/11/2023 21:55

Mumblechum0 · 22/11/2023 17:46

https://www.sosandar.com/emerald-green-velvet-embellished-scoop-back-dress?glCountry=GB&glCurrency=GBP&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiOr2tpTYggMVhYpQBh1tYgP8EAQYAyABEgJwl DDBwE#241=450&fo c=2425&fook=9987d0edd974bd6a7ed2084d92c1c1a6&fo_s=gplauk

I wore this on Sat to my own party and got lots of compliments (size 10, 5 ft 5)

I like that.

Lovethatforyouhun · 22/11/2023 21:56

Love the black one but needs taking up just a tad.

ooops! Read the thread!!!! Yes the short version is great. All Saints is always a safe bet too.

Sosander is a bit old for 40th. More like 60th ( nothing wrong with being 60! Before I’m flamed!)

Vanillalime · 22/11/2023 21:59

Red red red!!! I love it OP. I think it’s quite a classic dress and it will date slower than the black, so you will get more wear from it.

Although I don’t like the shoes they have styled it with, so maybe some killer heels instead!

Happy birthday when it comes & have a great night out 🥳

seagull82 · 22/11/2023 22:03

Definitely the Black one, The Red looks cheap.

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 22/11/2023 22:06

@Lovethatforyouhun
That was a bit of a rude comment regarding the Sosandar dress considering a poster has said she has the dress and wore it to her own party .

Fannyfiggs · 22/11/2023 22:10

I do love a sparkly number...

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/bash/dresses/mini-dress/divina-wrap-effect-metallic-fil-coupe-chiffon-mini-dress/1647597328795823

Autumnleavesarefallingdownagain · 22/11/2023 22:12

I think they’re both horrible in different ways tbh. If that’s your sort of budget, How about this one:
https://www.wiggykit.com/collections/party/products/glitterball-dress-gold

Glitterball Dress Gold

Discover our Glitterball Dress from the official Wiggy Kit website. The swing baby doll proportions have been tempered with a high neck back tie and long fluted sleeves which allows for a more flirty length. 100% Viscose with Liquid Gold Sequins. Shop...

https://www.wiggykit.com/collections/party/products/glitterball-dress-gold

tolerable · 22/11/2023 22:13

oh red was my one outta the two....is long sleeves same neckessential?also...somepeopleis so rude

Fannyfiggs · 22/11/2023 22:43

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/retrofete/dresses/mini-dress/gabrielle-velvet-trimmed-sequined-chiffon-mini-wrap-dress/1647597305908119

Fannyfiggs · 22/11/2023 23:05

Now this would make a statement. There would be no mistaking you were the birthday girl 😁

https://www.harveynichols.com/rotate-birger-christensen/bow-sequin-embellished-mini-dress--977879-purp-purple-magic-168369/?utm_medium=display&utm_source=display&utm_campaign=4641

SD Sequins Bow Mini Dress_977879_PURP

Luxury department store, Harvey Nichols, offers designer fashion, beauty, food & wine both online and in-store including Knightsbridge, Leeds & Edinburgh.

https://www.harveynichols.com/rotate-birger-christensen/bow-sequin-embellished-mini-dress--977879-purp-purple-magic-168369

Rocket1982 · 22/11/2023 23:10

How about this if you want something red, mini, with sleeves and not highstreet?

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/redvalentino/dresses/mini-dress/wrap-effect-pleated-crepe-mini-dress/1647597331373905

Fannyfiggs · 22/11/2023 23:27

100% silk and sexy...

https://www.harveynichols.com/gauge81/gravia-draped-silk-satin-mini-dress--957291-redd-scarlet-138654/

SD Gravia Silk Dress_957291_REDD

Luxury department store, Harvey Nichols, offers designer fashion, beauty, food & wine both online and in-store including Knightsbridge, Leeds & Edinburgh.

https://www.harveynichols.com/gauge81/gravia-draped-silk-satin-mini-dress--957291-redd-scarlet-138654

hopsalong · 22/11/2023 23:32

I like the red one! Wear that!

berrypop · 23/11/2023 00:22

Here are a couple of long sleeve minis...

https://www.hugoboss.com/uk/slim-fit-dress-with-sequin-embellishments/hbeu50498573 001.html?gadd_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADCiHW2b kk3pabdQqlzczDWnOO0l&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6vaqBhCbARIsACF9M6lfPaUI cJxK6mu53LRbOJuBPXiKbLCddCqHZ Qpl9smQ3Qhe9w9J0aAiZyEALww_wcB

https://ba-sh.com/uk/p/dress-flavie-noir-3664784695301.html?black-friday-FW23-priceoff&gad source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6vaqBhCbARIsACF9M6lvjYU-MyZAwlUKtN3raYqYcHP1c-ZMcMMd1MLuKfh rXOM9ZEJoywaAnOaEALwwwcB

https://www.revolve.com/mobile/house-of-harlow-1960-x-revolve-shawna-dress-in-cobalt/dp/HOOF-WD399/?d=F&currency=GBP&countrycode=GB&deeplink=true&gad source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD9qhJj3zbRv0k-pM1vNVKrgOpGKt&gclid=Cj0KCQiA6vaqBhCbARIsACF9M6mVH6v00ncm4GWTP3AOYQOnxkiiJppxjy7ll-rmOCxeozt9rgVo8n0aAlK9EALwwcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

SEMama2022 · 23/11/2023 05:41

I have the black dress and it is gorgeous on! Always get lots of nice comments when I wear it! Have a lovely birthday x

MrsDotCotton · 23/11/2023 08:27

You are going to be 40! Definitely not the black dress - you have years ahead of you with a dress like that.

App13 · 23/11/2023 08:33

FelicityBennett · 22/11/2023 21:18

With your budget have you looked at the reformation or rixo? I drool over these sites fairly frequently
https://rixolondon.com/products/cissi-sequin-gold?nosto_source=cmp&nosto=161572663

That's a beautiful dress !

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