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.

That’s stunning. Would never suit me though.

I was going to suggest wolf & badger!

This
https://www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/cowl-neck-dress-in-green/
Has echoes of VW Saturday dress albeit less structured

@LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood I’m shorter and would consider having the Cos dress shortened at the dropped waist, so as not to lose the detail at the hem end.

In this weather (assume you're in England) I think you'll freeze in a dress. If there is any water anywhere nearby there are likely to be midges (I got caught at an evening bbq last week). I'd be looking at warmth, layers and covering as much skin as possible.

@IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle great minds think alike that was the one I linked to that I'm considering buying!

https://www.johnlewis.com/and-or-nirvana-embroidered-dress-black/p111497240

How about this from JL? If you scroll down they show it on 'real' people, not just models, and I think it's great! Loose but not baggy, has interesting sleeves, and you can rock it with chunky shoes and a wrap or kimono jacket for the evening.

Oh sorry, ladyM, I just read that you don't want black.... I will keep looking.

https://www.meandem.com/cheesecloth-maxi-dress-spring-green

I like this Me&Em green dress. Reckon it would be comfortable and give a nice shape and work well with DMs.

@EasterlyDirection i agree I might be cold in a dress. But as I said up thread the dress will be supplemented by fish nets (surprisingly warm), DMs and leather jacket. Also plentiful blankets as necessary. I only ever wear dresses.

@MayIDestroyYou I had not considered shortening at a different juncture. Worth considering. Though I assume more expensive.

@OMGsamesame I have actually ordered the wolf and badger dress now. Thsnk you. The drape is very Westwood. Thanks again. It’s a peach. Just hoping it will fit.

@TealQueen i love that but I fear I will look like a potato in it. Smashing pattern. But I think, despite being fat, I need it to go in a bit.

@Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain I shall have a look. Thank you.

I love looking at this site, though admit I have never ordered!

uk.toonzshop.com

Have a lovely time! Let us know the final outfit

@mdinbc actually although I said no black (just because that it my daily wear) I love this.

@Chewbecca i adore that too. Thsnk you

@pixieclothes love the website.

Ooh this is stunning.

If OP really wants a dress then nude or black fishnets and maybe thermal underwear (sleeveless vest but on glam side etc) and isn’t silk or eg linen and cotton warmer as natural fabrics?

If you like the Cos dress, a tailor could lift it at the shoulders instead of chopping the hem .

All Saints? I have this dress in a different colour and is is very flattering (and generously cut).

https://www.allsaints.com/women/dresses/fleur-asymmetric-hem-mini-dress/W236DA-4081.html?cid=22

More here https://www.allsaints.com/women/dresses

Nice dress - but you may want to read the brief again, @Comefromaway.

I did. I would absolutely wear any of these dresses for an outdoor opera concert with my DM's and leather jacket. I've been to quite a few opera/operetta/classical concerts in the past. I figured that if OP had a gothy vibe AllSaints fitted the bill. Their dresses are really flattering if, like me, you have a menopause belly.

If it's not to OP's taste then fine, but she was struggling to find other options that fitted etc.

Yes … But the OP wanted something Ankle or ballerina length.

(Actually, what is ‘ballerina length’? )

Yes, lots of the dresses in my link are ankle length. Ballerina length I think is like the length of a romantic tutu as opposed to a normal tutu perhaps.

Ba&sh have some lovely maxis at the moment:
https://ba-sh.com/ie/en/dresses/maxi-dresses/

I have this one and it is easy to dress up or down I think:
https://ba-sh.com/ie/en/p/dress-licia-rose-3664784765820.html

This one might be more goth:
https://ba-sh.com/ie/en/p/dress-baddie-noir-3664784762850.html
You'd definitely get a Christmas night out from it too.

im always renting for these occasions, Rixo are very flattering

https://rentwithswished.com/products/Dresses-rixo-Brown-4363

https://rentwithswished.com/products/Dresses-rixo--Multi-3481

https://rentwithswished.com/products/Dresses-rixo--White-3495
Or these!

https://rentwithswished.com/products/Dresses-rabanne-x-h&m-Multi-5155

https://rentwithswished.com/products/Dresses-alemais--Multi-5864

https://rentwithswished.com/products/Dresses-olivia-rubin-White-3560