Dress for a summer evening event

[LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood]

I am looking for a dress to wear to an outdoor production of an operetta. With picnic.

I am 57 and a proper size 16 (but closer to an 18 not a 14). I am conscious of being much fatter than I would like to be but have an in proportion figure. A bit pear shaped. No a huge bust. A bit of a waist still despite the the size overall. My tummy is my weak spot. But because of an ankle injury my previous slim ankles are not when they were either (or one of then isnt') so I do need long. Ankle or ballerina length.

I was a goth in my youth and still like that style. But do not want to wear black to this event. I have pale skin, blue eyes and reddish light brown hair. I suit blue and green. I do not suit pink or red.

I love Vivienne Westwood but can neither fit into it nor afford it. I also like some of the Needle and Thread dresses (but only a few) and do not want to spend that money on a dress.

I will wear the dress with black DMs and fishnets and a leather jacket if the evening is cool. I have some nice jewellery with which to accessorise.

I have a wardrobe of really good suits for my professional life, nice casual clothes and a few decent evening outfits. But none suit this event. For added complexity I shall be attending with my family but work colleagues will also be there and they will not have seen me in anything other than a black or navy suit.

Please help.

You sound like a

Batsheva

person. Interesting clothes and a good range of sizes (American sizing). They have several different types of dress so don’t be put off if you don’t like the first you see. Only issue is that their sales are useless as no returns on sale goods. So I’d only look at the full price things. Often worth scrolling though for wonderful images of dresses on larger size models.

You can get Batsheva on UK sites like Coggles. I can't remember which sites I bought my Batsheva dress from. The first attempt was too small and whichever site it was didn't have it a size up, but there was no problem returning it.

I love those dresses @MayIDestroyYou and @IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle Love the vibe. Can’t find one in my size that actually fits the bill for this event. So if any one has a suggestion in the vibe I’d be grateful. Xx

I would either go for a blue gown with a hint of fun such as This or an evening wear wide leg jumpsuit.

If you like Batsheva you might like Klements. I'm a 14 /16 and I have Klements dresses in M, S and XS.

They are quite spectacular in real life.

Oh and they are 100% wearable with DMs and a leather jacket.

Klements

The gown is lovely @OatFlatWhiteForMe and I would wear it. But it’s too much for this event. I’d feel self conscious. I can’t do a jumpsuit at the moment (tmi probably but just to save others suggesting them, I was late to the menopause and the only symptom I seem to have is shy bladder. I really cannot wait when I need to go and cannot do jumpsuits; used to love them and I agree were flattering for me).

THis is elegant and comes in a huge range of colours - no idea how sizing and quality is but someone on here miht know https://www.jjshouse.com/a-line-v-neck-collared-asymmetrical-satin-mother-of-the-bride-dress-with-bow-008269027-g269027?currency=GBP&utm_term=269027&utm_size=10&country=GB&country=GB&currency=GBP&ggntk=x&ggkey=&ggtgt=8&ggplm=new&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIp4S_zprehgMVzZpQBh3EpwBwEAQYDyABEgLv1fD_BwE

If you like VIvienne Westwood you could try searching for "steam punk" dresses

Love the Klembents dresses. Sadly most are sold out.

I really loved Orpheus.

Agree Klements is an option.

Or how about:

Realisation Par

This one would be both louche and lush under a leather jacket … It’s a dress I’ve seen worn quite casually, day or night. And the silk is lovely.

(16 is the largest size but they may be quite generous.)

Thank you @londonmummy1966 that looks a lovely dress. I am looking for something less formal for this event. But that shape would suit me.

@MayIDestroyYou i adore that dress. Would be perfect. But maybe next year if I have succeeded in shedding the stone that will decrease my tummy. I fear at the moment it will not flatter (and might not fit). Please keep suggestions coming though. The style is perfect.

I was just looking at the unfolded camilla dress in black and white gingham. Bit not sure if it's too daytime for what you're going for?

Whereabouts is your outdoor production?

I only ask as I go to a lot of these sort of events and if you had paid out for a spectacular dress, you might find yourself sitting next to me who has turned up in jeans

I am picturing something outdoors in the grounds of a stately home where you bring your own picnic. So if I am way out please say so. And even then there is going to be a big difference between somewhere like Garsington/Glyndebourne and TBH everywhere else.

But my priority would be that I had as big a picnic blanket as possible, that I'd covered all weathers -hopefully it will be warm but then likely to be cold later so will need a jacket/cardigan/jumper. And shoes I can walk on the grass and a dress I don't mind getting covered in grass.

I think the Camilla Unfolded dress is the closest to what women tend to wear at these events.

@OMGsamesame i really like that dress but was hoping for something a little “extra”.

@AnnaMagnani the event is the garden of a colleague. A big garden though. Not a stately home. But quite grand. I am expecting that many attendees will wear jeans. I don’t wear jeans. It’s just not my style. I’m not looking for formal. Just a version of myself I don’t often have chance to showcase.

Maybe this https://uk.saintandsofia.com/products/darcey-flared-midi-dress-teal-jacquard?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIy-HC66PehgMVu4dQBh3ARwU_EAQYAiABEgJjdPD_BwE

Disturbia have a Westwood vibe but I don't know how good the quality is https://www.disturbia.co.uk/collections/maxi-dresses

This comes in a lovely shade of teal green that should suit your colouring. The style is a bit elaborate but the cotton fabric takes it down a level. https://www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/casual-maxi-dress/. I'm now toying with buying the black version....

Wow a garden big enough to stage your own operetta in! How lovely.

That dress from Wolf and Badger is gorgeous.

Cos? If not too obvious. This:

dress

could definitely be dressed down with boots and a leather jacket. It’s quite an extravagant cut, but casual fabric.

(There’s also an adorable long sleeved green plissé midi - but no sizes left.)

Completely understand the leaning towards the casually grand!

@londonmummy1966 thank you. I really like that Darcy dress. The reality is I have a similar one that will be my fall back if I find nothing else. And as for Disturbia, that and Violent Delights, is my go to. I was just looking for something here to bridge the gap between my goth instinct and a summery event. But you certainly have my style.

@AnnaMagnani yes. It is a tremendous garden. The event is for charity. The garden is not huge. But it is grand compared to mine for sure. My Colleague is a lovely man and will not trouble at all what I wear. I just want to feel a bit special (I have had a tricky time of things lately).

I like this but I'd happily wear that as a day dress.

Wolf and Badger

@MayIDestroyYou that dress. Oh that dress. It is so me. But too long for this event. And if I had it chopped I’d have the best bits chopped off (I am 5f 5in which although not short in old money is short these days I find).

Thank you all so much for your interest.

The reality is I am an overweight middle aged woman with ideas of an alternative, exciting dress and you have all been very patient with me. Do keep them coming.

@IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle that is definitely a contender. I am a bit worried I might be too hot if it turns out warm. But I love it.

https://www.simplemoderne.com/en-gb/collections/dresses

This is from Jaeger, with an elegant summer vibe.

I have a large tummy and have found dresses with a pleat from the bust gives loads of room for tummy

www.marksandspencer.com/printed-funnel-neck-maxi-shift-dress/p/clp60653429#intid=pid_pg1pip48g2r3c1|prodflag_New

One of my ex colleagues wives used to be a goth model but with 2 young DC she’s really busy now.

Her name is Lady Amarynth if you Google, she might still do some modelling.