Dress for event

[AppropriateAdult]

I'm desperately seeking a dress for a work-related event next month, I feel I've been to every online outlet I can think of as well as spending hours trawling the shops, and I just can't find what I'm looking for. I want a knee-length, shift style dress, ideally with a defined waist/belt, and not black - blues/greens/purples look best on me. I don't want it to look completely plain, so either a pattern or some sort of textured material would be best. Has anyone seen anything remotely fitting the bill? Budget is about £100.

Size? Sleeves?

How tall are you? And boobs?

What sort of event? What industry? Day or evening?

I'm 5'6", size 8-10, boobs on the smaller side. It's an early evening event, the overall look will be more day than evening.

www.phase-eight.com/product/josey-pearl-dress-10005060287.html#isSecondPage=false&start=58&sz=60&is=true&imageType=model&cgid=dresses&pid=10005060287&pos=110

www.phase-eight.com/product/aileena-embroidered-bodycon-midi-dress-221499493.html#navAjax=true&imageType=model&is=true&sz=60&start=118&cgid=dresses&isSecondPage=false&pid=221499493&pos=142

Oh, and sleeveless ideally but will happily consider sleeves!

The style of this is perfect, I'd like something a little more colourful ideally.

I bought a dress from a brand called Maggy London the other week (bought in the US). I’d never heard of the brand before but the dress fits your criteria and loooks like they have a few in that style.

It’s knee length, shift style, short sleeves, and a fitted waist. It is plain, but the fit is excellent and I plan to dress mine up with good jewellery and interesting shoes. Not expensive!

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su093314/n62632#n62632 - quite fitted, colour looks nice

One or two on Monsoon. First one in greens/ blues

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/monica-lace-midi-dress-green-20000040140.html

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/garda-shift-dress-green-20000330008.html

I have a silk Reiss shirt dress for those sorts of things. It's knee length and has a belt. It is black but has some white stitching and I wear it slightly open anyway. Got it on Ebay I think.

Couple of modern equivalents

https://www.reiss.com/style/su523742/au4891?utm_content=search&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA8q--BhDiARIsAP9tKI2ma5LjAyjKvxgxToOfjBT_rCrEWxTfX0f5IdVh-uG3geqZsNFU64MaAntDEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#AU4891

https://www.johnlewis.com/reiss-reema-lace-insert-mini-dress-black/p112562601?size=10&s_ppc=2dx_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA8q--BhDiARIsAP9tKI1NSA3f4YRg16l72jb307AbRrJwBexL6U0_pBNdCWfcxAtYXHLEtWEaAnvUEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I don't suit black (paintbox spring) but I find it's okay for work dos.

What kind of green etc? Muted? Bright?
https://www.debenhams.com/product/principles-front-tie-shirt-midi-dress_pdd09423?colour=green&size=16&sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=626889&awc=22735_1741457603_6d209c219d18f4abaa1fc10de67a5800&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_source=awin&utm_campaign=UK_626889&utm_content=Comparison+Shopping+Service+%28CSS%29

https://www.johnlewis.com/hobbs-arianna-shirt-dress-regal-purple/p112504339?size=20&s_ppc=2dx_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA8q--BhDiARIsAP9tKI2xdpU3j7h_di9h9Q2mn-BsZjmHnD9gha4hiNnQMBGtIu3F6uhuT8EaAmQsEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/267064187746?var=0&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5339055774&toolid=20006&_ul=gb&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1Tbhwg_zrThO-JKq1HXQYgA10&customid=Cj0KCQiA8q--BhDiARIsAP9tKI038jyxtfJ7Pf90q-dfPbiFuVRlqfpXy8LHk7ht3mnByd8hYqGJS6IaAi16EALw_wcB|0AAAAAC5ena36vJT1OuYgCbLnBcvTqfzYt|Cj8KCQiAz6q-BhCEARIuANVKujr8snKxR_kBf4ZY8bhkLQ8OHl3UuDfbrHRlVqLkc0b1fLyTUvopoxJT9xoCfCo|v1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA8q--BhDiARIsAP9tKI038jyxtfJ7Pf90q-dfPbiFuVRlqfpXy8LHk7ht3mnByd8hYqGJS6IaAi16EALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAAC5ena36vJT1OuYgCbLnBcvTqfzYt&wbraid=Cj8KCQiAz6q-BhCEARIuANVKujr8snKxR_kBf4ZY8bhkLQ8OHl3UuDfbrHRlVqLkc0b1fLyTUvopoxJT9xoCfCo&gad_source=1

Defo worth a look at old Reiss dresses.

I'd spotted this one already - it's gorgeous, and I love the colour, but I think it might be a bit too low-cut? It is really nice, though...

Some of these are lovely, but it's the same problem I was having myself when shopping - everything is midi these days! Knee length is much more flattering on me, but it's slim pickings out there.