Help! Elegant summery ‘black tie’ dress

[Veeta]

I’m going to Glyndebourne later this year and I’m trying to avoid the last minute dress panic by getting something now. I’ve been once before, and thought that the ladies in more summery dresses looked nicer in the gardens etc. I never wear dresses and always feel awkward in them, particularly very ‘feminine’ dresses, but I’m trying to overcome this.
I’m 40, in reasonable shape, petite (5’2” and size 8). I tend to find I look best in simple tailoring (probs because I’m so short). I’d like to move beyond my usual black or navy blue. It’s black tie, but I found that many women were not in floor length gowns last time, so ideally midi or maxi length. Budget I guess £100-300 range.
If you’re still with me after that essay, thank you. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I know you said tailored, but I think this is divine.Karen Millen

Also Karen Millen 2

Those are both gorgeous, I hadn’t looked at Karen Millen at all. I believe I may never have worn these colours in my life, and I’ve certainly never tried on a prom style dress- I feel like I need to live a little! Thank you for these suggestions- maybe I should take a trip to my local Karen millen, didn’t know they had a petite range

https://www.riverisland.com/p/cream-fringe-cardigan-908084

The dress under the cardigan comes in petite and I think it's 65 quid. I have seen it in real life and it's very nice indeed.

(Also bias cut, so will drape nicely)

Oh that’s also lovely, in a totally different way. It’s nice and relaxed so it could be worn for other things. Last time I went I was so worried about not being dressed up enough but to be honest I ended up looking a bit like a bridesmaid in the dress I chose.
Also, ashamed to admit I had to look up what bias cut is. You can see how clueless I am with this stuff.

I’m going too and am wearing this. It’s longer on me but flattering and I love the colour. I don’t like being too dressed up and a dress that works with flat shoes is a must! https://www.jasperconran.com/collections/dresses/products/blythe-full-skirt-shirt-dress-1?variant=44303570665706

If you feel more comfortable in something tailored then perhaps this? https://www.whistles.com/product/161971.html?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=19164074637&cq_term=&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&cq_plt=gp&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=19164074637&utm_content=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhOOpyKTHhAMVaI9QBh1kCghpEAQYBiABEgIgS_D_BwE

If its a bit of a one off to wear lon then you could always get it taken up to mid calf afterwards.

Tailored yet floaty Reiss

Phase 8

My old neighbours and their friends used to go each year (different lifestyle to myself). The ladies used to wear beautiful long floral garden party style dresses. Very pretty so I think that’s the look you are after myself, I always used to think if I was going I’d not have a clue where on earth to find something 😳

@LaChienneDesFromages
Thats very chic actually, I can see Kristen Scott Thomas in that which is the highest praise I can bestow. This is where my dress fear starts setting in because I feel the very opposite of chic. Which opera are you going to attend by the way? I’m going to Tristan und Isolde, excited even though it’s in august!

Ooooh yes, I like that! Do Reiss dresses come up long? I assume they do looking at the statuesque models. Although that dress is midi on her so probably would be a maxi on me, could maybe still work?

I also like this one! Mumsnet always delivers, so many good suggestions, I need to order a whole bunch and have a trying on session.

This is very similar to what I would usually choose - simple silhouette and dark blue, perfect :)
My partner would roll his eyes if I buy another blue clothing item, but then again he only ever suggests red dresses so I’ve given up asking his input.

@Tbry24 yes, this is exactly my problem - I see women looking elegant in these beautiful dresses and think ‘where on earth do you shop?!’ Whilst I’m wearing a polyester bridesmaid dress!!

https://www.roman.co.uk/premium-stretch-floral-print-dress-14358308

I am a size 8 and 5’ 3” I wore this with a little net skirt under it. I felt a million dollars, and I live in my jeans.

Veeta we are seeing Carmen, with teen DDs which will be a treat. DH is a huge Wagner fan and has tickets for Tristan with his brothers. It would have been my first choice but it’s such a short run we couldn’t match it with childcare. Enjoy! 😊

https://www.thereformation.com/products/kallie-dress/1314254ATI.html?dwvar_1314254ATI_color=ATI&quantity=1

I’m similar size to you and my go-tos for a nice dress would be Ba&sh, Karen Millen, Ted Baker and possibly Reiss. I think a midi length would be easier than maxi for Glyndebourne and other summery events anyway which gets round the length issue.

this is a lovely Karen Millen option.

Reformation does a petite range now - I love the shapes but I think their prices are too high for their (polyester) fabrics

You can always add a little colour to a plainer coloured dress ie a navy one (I wear lots of navy) with jewellery/wrap/shoes! Particularly if you don't feel bold enough to wear something more patterned or brighter colours over all!

How about this, also Reformation. It’s quite neat, but also red, working on the assumption that your dp suggests it because you suit red!

Doh

Well finally.

https://www.lkbennett.com/product/DRERNSTSILKMIXCreamIvory%20Multi%7eErnst-Cream-Poppy-Print-Silk-Blend-Shirt-Dress-Multi?currency=GBP&istCompanyId=337c91ab-deea-4ab6-998e-03ece089da1f&istFeedId=8eb3370f-e730-40e5-89c0-e499b9e47d89&istItemId=rrpmmwxta&istBid=t&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAC5tE8dhIAD0TftcwLoKiEjff86GV&gclid=CjwKCAiAivGuBhBEEiwAWiFmYXb3XcZVoM7UKsJ3g6fctoj75UBQJzB7pPRJH0XSc5U1o_prvzHmTRoCC4MQAvD_BwE

I did four nights at Bayreuth last year- two nights I work ‘black tie’ jumpsuits (a black Kate Spade and navy Phase Eight), one night I did all out evening dress (Adriana Pappell from John Lewis) but my absolutely favourite was wearing this LK Bennett silk dress!