I need a stunning party dress

[wondabar]

I'm having a 50th birthday in a few weeks and want a gorgeous dress to wear for it. I'm 5ft7, Size 16 and have a budget of up to £250. I love Farm Rio and La Double J style but they are out of my budget. I want something to cover my upper arms and nothing skin tight. Maybe a swing dress or something that flows nicely. Something special!

This dress?
John Lewis Yuma ombré sequin dress

Each to their own , all subjective etc, etc but that's awful.

How about this beautiful dress to rent? Looks gorgeous to me!

www.hurrcollective.com/listings/venus-dress

Re Yuma, sorry it was this one. It's awful too. (Usual disclaimer)

Yuma sequin dress

This is pretty and special

https://shrimps.com/collections/dresses/products/freya-dress-pink-brown

Check out never fully dressed. They have some lovely dresses, lots of options but here are a few that could be suitable

https://www.neverfullydressed.com/collections/party/products/turquoise-sundazed-summer-vienna-wrap-dress

https://www.neverfullydressed.com/collections/party/products/sequin-jem-dress

https://www.neverfullydressed.com/collections/dresses/products/pastel-palm-ceryes-wrap-dress

Try Brand Alley (you need to sign up to view their stuff) for bargains.

Wolf & Badger is also a great place to look for something a bit different, eg:

Satin Middlemist Dress In Black And Pink Print | Frock Tales | Wolf & Badger (wolfandbadger.com)

Tima Midi Dress In Teal Velvet | Frock Tales | Wolf & Badger (wolfandbadger.com)

I've just got a gorgeous emerald green dress from Ghost. £179 on
John Lewis website but also available from ghost website itself.
Rixo has also got stunning dresses. Slightly over budget at around £270 but really beautiful.
I'm 53 so around same age x

https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/department/women/clothing/dresses/ - bit over budget but I think there is a new customer sign up code for discount.

https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/pink-banana-leaves-maxi-dress-000808651.html#pos=22

Sorry - this one

Hi Op, have you looked at Rixo or Needle and Thread? Maybe over budget but you could also look on Vinted. I posted a similar thread as I am also about to turn 50 and wanted a stunning dress. I had few suggestions along the lines of what I had in mind, and I don't think most of yours are stunning enough!

But what I will say is, I tried on many dresses and searched online for weeks. I have ended up with what I think is a really wow dress, and guess what, it's from Lipsy at Next! Honestly, the last placeI thought I'd find one, and a quarter of my max budget, so keep an open mind! I'll keep looking for you.

this is fabulous!

https://rixolondon.com/products/rose-glitter-feather

What about this OP? the ruching is very in and flattering!

https://www.karenmillen.com/premium-embellished-caped-maxi-dress/BKK16585-2.html?color=535

https://www.karenmillen.com/tulle-corseted-woven-midi-dress/BKK11142-2.html?color=157

There are some fabulous ones on Karen Millen if you can up your budget a little.

Joanie have some lovely maxi dresses, many of them in the sale, I love this peacock feather one https://joanieclothing.com/bryce-peacock-print-v-neck-midaxi-dress.html

I have this one which is more summery colours, but comes in different colour ways https://joanieclothing.com/dawn-o-porter-x-joanie-sunrise-vintage-tile-print-midaxi-dress.html

Hope you have a fabulous 50th OP! Now, because you mentioned Bombshell, not too short and you like to have your arms covered, this silk Jasper Conran dress might fit the bill (and it's currently available in a size 16 in 4 of the 7 colours) BUT you'd have to up your budget - well, you're only 50 once! 😉www.jasperconran.com/products/celia-silk-full-skirt-shirt-dress-with-belt?variant=44008403435754

I don’t normally comment on clothes, but thought I’d drop in Scarlett & Jo; I got this dress fairly recently and it’s just very elegant & nice to wear. They also do lots of other options… https://www.johnlewis.com/scarlett-jo-isabelle-plain-maxi-dress/

I think this could work!

lola-adu.com/products/banke-pleated-midi-dress

That dress is lovely, but OP said she's a size 16 and that size is sold out.

Have a look at Roman (formally Roman Originals. They have some gorgeous occasion dresses and often have some little jackets too

https://www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-mallory-off-the-shoulder-midi-dress-raspberry/p109786132

Flowey, sequin, totally OTT kaftan joy. Not for the faint hearted
shopfumbalinas.com/collections/fumbalinas-f-label
Otherwise RIXO is good for a party dress
rixolondon.com/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADh6VNZZBjbirvB6mnZv6T-E-FZJ4&gclid=CjwKCAjwiaa2BhAiEiwAQBgyHrtLpDdvjx3D8tOrReLbUM3g6uhBtI2VSBz-4i1-T9KMeEdlnRDXUxoCwVMQAvD_BwE

Not sure if this has been said OP re renting but if you have a store that stocks the designer you're renting, you can try on a dress from them to find out if it fits and then rent it via Hurr, By rotation etc. depending on their returns policy you could also buy one, then return it and rent it when you know your size. Bit cheeky but it works!

Any of these?

Kitri

Kate Spade mini

Joe Browns

Aspiga

Me + Em

Chesca or Gina Bacconi maybe?