Stylish midi/maxi dress help

[needlesandhaystacks]

In my 30s, size 16, very conscious of my tummy. Peter midi/maxi length, at least short sleeved.

I need a dress for a 30th birthday celebration in a swanky bar in central London for next month.

No idea where to start looking. Budget £100

Any advice where to look? TIA

Sahara and East

I think this style fits what you’ve mentioned re wanting to flatter the ‘c-section pouch’ and having sleeves etc and also well within budget. LOADS of colour options also depending on what palette suits you best. This would be flattering and perfect for a swanky London bar. Some simple elegant jewellery and barely-there type heels and perhaps your hair back in a low ponytail or bun depending on what you feel suits you best x
@needlesandhaystacks
https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-satin-flutter-sleeve-asymmetric-hem-midi-dress-in-pine-green/prd/205823001?ctaref=more+colours+swatches&featureref1=more+colours+swatches&_gl=17el3is_up*MQ..&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIs6aCuMz5hQMVTpNQBh0TKAJ4EAQYBSABEgIlDfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

These dresses are lovely, do you mind me asking what size you are as these are one size and I would love to order one.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I ordered a load of dresses but didn't find anything I loved. Feel like I'm a bit lost with my style with turning 40 and being overweight. Thought I'd post one I was unsure of, may still wear and see some responses.
Please be kind! TIA

The shape looks nice, but it says 'wedding' rather than swanky bar to me. Unless you're the type of 40 year-old who makes a pretty dress look edgy?

However, I've not been to a swanky bar in many years so I may be totally off with my thinking.

Yes I had that thought too!!

Looks gawj, really suits your body shape I think.

The print is possibly a little “weddingy” but i think it depends what accessories you style it with. could you make it more suitable to swanky bar by adding a leather jacket? I think it will look good tbh, it really suits your figure, if you feel good in it, go for it. Hope you have a fab time xx

I'd be tempted to look at this? It looks chic (I think) and fairly classic, but with some interest on the back to stop it being boring? https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1234519001.html

Also, this caught my eye too. Again, nothing to crazy, but the slit makes it a bit more 'going to a bar' in my opinion, without flashing everything.

https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1238220002.html

I’ve had a belly since menopause. I find dresses cut on the bias work best for me.

Not too keen on the dress, I think you can do better. How about this in one of the colours? I saw it in the shop and it is gorgeous.

https://www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/dresses/midi-dresses/product.pleated-midi-dress-blue.1162601007.html

great shoes and accessories and you will
look 👌

https://www.izabel.com/products/d507183

Izabel London are good and reasonably priced. The cut is usually very empire line and very flattering.

Just looking at the Monsoon website and it says that their size is based on someone who is 5ft 6” but they don’t show what the dress looks like on someone who is 5ft 6”

I am looking at the models who it says are 5ft 9”
If that hem length is going to be 3” lower

I don’t think some of their clothes would work on someone shorter than 5ft 9”

I feel it’s quite outdated and a bit frumpy pattern-wise if I’m honest, especially for a young woman (which 40 is!) shape is great on you though so maybe still to looking at those shapes/styles but I’d say a solid/block colour would be far more fitting for a swanky London bar x

*stick not still!

I think that you can find better option Look at it https://www.izabel.com/products/d168420 or this https://www.izabel.com/products/d169904they also have nice discounts

https://www.next.co.uk/style/ls407489/670656#670656

you’ve got a great figure- I’d go for something like this if the colour works for you.

This one is gorgeous.

D'you like this, or is it too fluffy? https://joanieclothing.com/havisham-high-neck-lace-midi-dress-black.html

Nice print, flattering neckline https://joanieclothing.com/natural-history-museum-x-joanie-candi-botanical-floral-print-midi-dress.html (and reduced to £45!)

Absolutely love this. Really tempted to get the blue one

OP I would stick to one colour as I think busy patterns can make you look bigger than you are. If you wear black or navy you can then play around with really bright accessories

Wonderful suggestion!

8 bought this, it is ..not great. The body is too short ( and I have short body ratio) and it just doesn't translate to style in RL

Some nice options on here, and such a broad church of stylish frocks! I have to say, I always think Nobody's Child dresses look sooo much better on the model than on me - they're very low cut, generally, and as a pp said, the Starlight style is quite blowsy.

What shoes do you want to wear, OP? That might help you make a choice.

Scarlet and Jo have some lovely dresses OP