Dress for Dinner & dance with DH’s work

[Mudonstairs]

Please accept this challenge wise style and beauty gurus! I’ve obviously left it very late to be looking but I have had a lot going on with my son and been so busy, but DH and I will be going to his work dinner and dance next Saturday. It’s at a posh hotel in a cold part of the UK. All dresses I like are not posh looking enough but I really am not a posh sort of person so am struggling.

I am 5ft 5. Size 8. In my late thirties. Brown hair and eyes, olive complexion. I am a pear shape and small/empty breasts so low cut or v necks don’t suit me as they tend to gape or not sit right and accentuate my pear shaped silhouette too much. I prefer dresses that are not too short as I am chunky of thigh and buttock! I would prefer not a maxi dress as I find they are always too long and I’m not going to have the time nor the money to have it taken up (side question - can anyone explain why maxi dresses always have a 5ft11 woman modelling it on the website when the average woman is not this height?! Just puts me off buying maxi dresses completely).

I don’t wear heels as I can’t walk in them so if you could post the link of a dress and a shoe suggestion that I won’t break my neck in you get bonus points! I like shirt dresses but again they are never dressy looking enough. I would like to look dressed well but also not in an attention grabbing kind of way. Understated and classy is the look I want but can’t seem to find. I would like to wear a normal bra so no dress that needs any multiway contraption type bra or any chicken fillet style sticky ‘solution’ please, and dresses that show a lot of skin aren’t my style anyway, hate cutout or spaghetti straps or back on show. Just a ‘normal’ dress if that makes any sense. Would prefer sleeves of some kind. As you can see none of that sounds particularly dressy does it but that’s what I like 🤷🏻‍♀️

Also prefer to shop in Next, ASOS, M&S, River Island, New Look as they are easy to get a return/refund from my local stores or lockers near me. Not necessarily loving what is available in those shops but the returns process usually stresses me out with online shopping so I like to be able to just return in store. Budget is less than £100, cheaper the better without it looking cheap.

I basically need help with the whole outfit as well so jewellery and jackets or cover up suggestions are also welcome x

Thank you. I like the green one. I know satin isn’t the most forgiving for showing lumps and bumps though. I could try it on I guess.

I don’t like this dress but can’t put my finger on why. Maybe it’s the fabric. I don’t like slip on type shoes. I call them slip offs as they usually slip off as I walk 😂

I really like this one but just the sleeves I am not too sure about. Perhaps too wizardy. I have saved it as an option though, thank you.

Thanks. I think this is my favourite so far in terms of shape of the dress and sleeves etc. Just the satin fabric is potentially not going to look nice on my mum tum but maybe the ruching will disguise it.

Thanks. This is too much arm/shoulders on show for me. I am the type of person that is always cold.

I'd definitely try it @Mudonstairs it says crinkle too, so I think it will be very forgiving! Some nice gold shoes and clutch, it'll look Christmassy and classy.

I have not come across anyone going to one in about 20 years. Companies cutting back, not wanting to make it difficult for single people or those not in male-female couples, more remote working, for example.

It’s true the words ‘dinner dance’ do take me back to pretty much the only occasions when my parents arranged a babysitter for me and my sibling, way back in the 60s / 70s. How I used to love the annual ritual of my mother shopping for a new evening dress, and seeing them leave all glammed up.

But S&B is currently full of threads on what to wear for ‘the work do’ - so they obviously are still happening?

I have this dress and it's lovely on...

Heist do amazing smoothing out shorts. I hate shapewear generally but these are fantastic for creating a smooth line with no digging in or rolling down. The high waist tights are good as well.

Dresses | Beaded Mesh Midi Dress With Flutter Sleeve | Coast

Dresses | V Neck Ruffle Wrap Wedding Guest Dress | Coast

Dresses | Ruffle Skirt Drape Neck Midi Dress | Coast

Dresses | Floral Printed Metallic Midi Dress | Warehouse

It's obviously what you like that counts but the Next "Laura Ashley" one to my eyes is by far the nicest suggestion.

I’ve been real life shopping and just bought this. I think it looks much nicer in person than the photo. It’s gorgeous.

oops I think I’ve quoted the wrong post. It’s the green river island dress I’ve just purchased

It's lovely. But very popular I imagine there will be many people with this dress. I would hate to have a dress twin.

Have you considered renting?

Monsoon crushed velvet

M and S velvet

Did you not read the OP? Does this sound like a woman who could tolerate the unpredictability (and any possible returning hassle) of dress rental?

Especially if the venue is going to be chilly I would try a slip like the M&S cool comfort slip.

Others swear by shapeqear but I've never got on with it.

Do be fair to Doggymummar
I'm not sure the OP sounds like someone who will navigate her way through the &Other Stories party selection, which was your suggestion,in less than a week.

The Savoir Collection has some great stuff but it's not perhaps the easiest to wear.

How about Finery London? Lots of different styles, meets your price point, different neck and sleeve options.

This is just one of their styles. https://www.finerylondon.com/products/camille-navy-chiffon-midi-dress-1

Pinched from another thread but this Tu dress is amazingly good value, assuming it looks as nice in real life.

Could be dressed up with metallic shoes, heels or flats, and OTT charity shop costume jewellery

Tu Ballerina dress

Or Apricot for more "obviously" party clothes? May not be the best quality, but they have lots of sparkly / satin dresses and separates.
https://www.apricotonline.co.uk/lace-trim-satin-midi-dress/Am1598-Grey.html

Roman has a massive range of dresses
Eg
www.roman.co.uk/velvet-side-twist-diamante-stretch-dress-14446595

I saw this dress yesterday and it is surprisingly nice, looks expensive, very Carolina Herrera

www.reserved.com/gb/en/dress-with-decorative-rose-detail-700du-33x

I asked a similar question last year and ended up with a stunning Lipsy London dress.

There seems to be loads there that would suit your needs.

www.next.co.uk/style/ls418047/e52463