Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Please help to dress me!

21 replies

Allthemissingsocks · 10/07/2024 14:41

I need your help please S&B people! I am looking for a dress that I can wear to a fancy-ish summer party (outdoors) and also more generally for nice meals out. In theory it should be easy because I am average height (about 5’6”) and very slim (size 4) and am happy to spend a good amount (e.g. £500). However, I am very self-conscious about my skin and I hate showing it. I’m therefore looking for long-sleeved maxis and I’m struggling for anything that won’t just look like a tent on me. I’m ok to show some back, but I really don’t want my arms or chest out, or much in the way of leg. I was looking at Malina but the ones I liked were out of stock. I normally wear black, but acknowledge that some colour would be important here. Might want to avoid anytime too pastel coloured though. Any ideas very gratefully received!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
19
CurlsnSunshinetime4tea · 10/07/2024 14:44

Maybe move from black to navy and/or grey? Incorporate color with shoes/purse?

Allthemissingsocks · 10/07/2024 14:59

CurlsnSunshinetime4tea · 10/07/2024 14:44

Maybe move from black to navy and/or grey? Incorporate color with shoes/purse?

Thanks for the suggestion. It’s more the actual dress I am hunting for. Everything that I feel would cover me up also looks like it would drown me. I’m looking for something not completely shapeless that still covers most of my skin. Maybe it doesn’t exist!

OP posts:
CurlsnSunshinetime4tea · 10/07/2024 15:09

Have you looked over the lk bennet site?
certainly many longer dresses and indeed some with long sleeves.

CurlsnSunshinetime4tea · 10/07/2024 15:11

This one caught my eye but not sure you could re-wear it often.
www.lkbennett.com/product/DRALAINAVISCOSEMultiRed~Alaina-Mixed-Print-Georgette-Maxi-Dress%EF%BF%BD-Red

Defiantlynot41 · 10/07/2024 15:31

Me + Em might work for you?

Please help to dress me!
Please help to dress me!
Please help to dress me!
Defiantlynot41 · 10/07/2024 15:32

A few more Me + Em

Please help to dress me!
Please help to dress me!
Defiantlynot41 · 10/07/2024 15:39

Or Alemais? (Shamelessly stole from another thread! )

Please help to dress me!
Please help to dress me!
Allthemissingsocks · 10/07/2024 15:59

Defiantlynot41 · 10/07/2024 15:31

Me + Em might work for you?

Me&Em was my first port of call as I have one of their dresses and love it, but I couldn’t find anything I liked this time around.

I will check out Alemais - thank you!!

OP posts:
Allthemissingsocks · 10/07/2024 16:01

CurlsnSunshinetime4tea · 10/07/2024 15:11

It’s very striking! As you say, maybe not one for rewearing amongst the same crowd 😀

I’ll have a browse, thank you!

OP posts:
Defiantlynot41 · 10/07/2024 16:32

John Lewis throws up plenty of the shapeless variety, but a few from Hush, Aspiga and Ralph Lauren might work. The Aspiga ones are lovely, possibly a bit out of your comfort zone colour wise but not flashy

Defiantlynot41 · 10/07/2024 16:33

Sorry, with images

Please help to dress me!
Please help to dress me!
Please help to dress me!
Defiantlynot41 · 10/07/2024 16:33

And the Hush one (terrible image they are using!)

Please help to dress me!
Defiantlynot41 · 10/07/2024 16:43

And a quick scoot through Wolf and Badger's offerings ... some of these come in multiple colours if you like the shape but not the shade

Please help to dress me!
Please help to dress me!
Please help to dress me!
Defiantlynot41 · 10/07/2024 16:44

W & B part 2

Please help to dress me!
Please help to dress me!
Please help to dress me!
desperatedaysareover · 10/07/2024 23:13

I love a challenge like this because I also only like black and full coverage. At this time of year, black and summery but not a widow tent is tough…

I was immediately thinking Vampire’s Wife but £500 doesn’t go far there 🤯. Which makes me think - Zimmerman!

Bandana black paisley with belt

Black belted floral Zimmerman

these are both described as midi despite being quite different lengths but since both models are three inches taller than you they might be maxi, I guess. Both also under-budget!

This Jigsaw dress is a thing of sheer beauty - so much so that I can forgive it not being black 😜 I’d want the trousers too though …

Another approach, being as you’re very slim, maybe bodycon - desigual, bright floral black? Maybe not really summer fabric but it’s not exactly warm here (could be good for transitional wear also?)

Sunray Long Sleeve Midi

https://www.zimmermann.com/uk/ready-to-wear/clothing/dresses/sunray-long-sleeve-midi-black-mockingbird.html

Allthemissingsocks · 11/07/2024 07:32

Defiantlynot41 · 10/07/2024 16:44

W & B part 2

Oh thanks - I remembered Wolf and Badger the other day, but promptly forgot again! I will take a look.

OP posts:
Allthemissingsocks · 11/07/2024 07:34

Defiantlynot41 · 10/07/2024 16:33

And the Hush one (terrible image they are using!)

Hush I can do for casual, when I don’t mind the tent look, but their size 4 is very much not what it says on the tin! I have never looked at Aspiga though. Will have a look and report back. Thank you!

OP posts:
Allthemissingsocks · 11/07/2024 07:39

desperatedaysareover · 10/07/2024 23:13

I love a challenge like this because I also only like black and full coverage. At this time of year, black and summery but not a widow tent is tough…

I was immediately thinking Vampire’s Wife but £500 doesn’t go far there 🤯. Which makes me think - Zimmerman!

Bandana black paisley with belt

Black belted floral Zimmerman

these are both described as midi despite being quite different lengths but since both models are three inches taller than you they might be maxi, I guess. Both also under-budget!

This Jigsaw dress is a thing of sheer beauty - so much so that I can forgive it not being black 😜 I’d want the trousers too though …

Another approach, being as you’re very slim, maybe bodycon - desigual, bright floral black? Maybe not really summer fabric but it’s not exactly warm here (could be good for transitional wear also?)

That Jigsaw dress is amazing 😍. But sadly not in stock in a small enough size. Zimmerman is new to me though. I’m off for a browse now! Thank you very much

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page