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Help me find a stunning, head turning dress!

178 replies

Violettaaa · 27/03/2025 23:09

This is the brief:

  • Long/maxi dress (black/white tie dress code)
  • Summer (weather should be hot/very hot)
  • Body type: the plus: tall/very slim, the minus: no boobs
  • Age: mid 40s
  • as an absolute must the dress should be 1) very fitted at least around the upper body and waist all the way down to the thighs (not ruling out see through parts), then bottom part can be a bit looser. (no loose dress) and 2) allow me to wear a push up bra. 3) neckline - slightly plunging or not at all, both can work but an overall balance should be achieved
  • colours: fairly open but no sequins/glitters. Ideally no black but navy ok. Summer colours welcome
  • not too fussy, not too much unnecessary fabric
  • context: this is not a wedding, more like a summer party for a special occasion with friends (I won’t know everyone, far from that). My husband will wear a tuxedo.
  • need to be high quality/classy. Price not really an issue but unlikely to spend >£2k

thank you!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
44
GarlicStyle · 28/03/2025 15:30

Rfeormation has a good collection of pure silk dresses, amazingly priced at £400-£700. Here are just some of them.

https://www.thereformation.com/search?q=silk+dress&lang=en_US

Help me find a stunning, head turning dress!
Help me find a stunning, head turning dress!
Help me find a stunning, head turning dress!
Help me find a stunning, head turning dress!
Help me find a stunning, head turning dress!
NeoName · 28/03/2025 15:34

Love the wolf and badger one

Camilla has the advantage of being an Australian brand and so good for heat I think - but maybe it's a bit too statement

CHAIN DETAIL SLIP DRESS CALL ME CLEOPATRA

Shop The Call Me Cleopatra Chain Detail Slip Dress. Designed in Australia by CAMILLA. Easy returns.

https://uk.camilla.com/products/00031968-chain-detail-slip-dress-call-me-cleopatra

SonK · 28/03/2025 15:44

JustBec · 28/03/2025 14:15

No dress suggestions but with regards to bras, have a look at Boomba stick on bras. They’re not like the usual ones and are very uplifting (if you want; here are various options). I’ve worn them and they stayed put through a night of dancing. Boomba inserts
They would open up a lot more dress options.

Ooh I am definitely interested in these as well, can you please advise if these would be good for larger breasts as well? X

Violettaaa · 28/03/2025 15:45

Some brilliant ideas! Thanks so much, haven’t had time to look at everything as busy at work, just clicked on a couple of additional links, really love the Karen Millen one @greylamp

Thanks again all, incredibly helpful as sadly don’t have much time to spare for this search, as swamped with work atm.

Will check all of them when I have a moment tonight or this weekend, so feel free to keep on suggesting 😅🙏

OP posts:
GarlicStyle · 28/03/2025 16:03

Selkie:

Silk tartan plunge ruffles £400 + taxes

Silk mint plunge ruffles

Sheer silk circle skirt £313 + taxes

Silk gauze roses £392 + taxes

Silk floral slip £312 + taxes

Help me find a stunning, head turning dress!
Help me find a stunning, head turning dress!
Help me find a stunning, head turning dress!
Help me find a stunning, head turning dress!
Help me find a stunning, head turning dress!
GarlicStyle · 28/03/2025 16:11

Ooh, that pleated Torrent dress comes in gold and metallic red!

Help me find a stunning, head turning dress!
Help me find a stunning, head turning dress!
CertainUncertain · 28/03/2025 16:47

This might not be body con enough, but I keep eyeing this up as something I'd love to wear if I wasn't a D cup

https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/product/dries-van-noten/clothing/gowns/gathered-floral-brocade-gown/1647597358062418

Alex Perry also does a lot of formal body con dresses, so might be worth a look.

Help me find a stunning, head turning dress!
Gymbunny2025 · 28/03/2025 17:32

I also like this but slightly (!) over budget

https://www.mytheresa.com/gb/en/women/tom-ford-one-shoulder-gathered-gown-pink-p01024496

bigkahunaburger · 28/03/2025 17:43

If I had money and needed a showstopper, without doubt I would get a Vampires Wife dress. God they are soooo gorgeous. I almost want to get married again, just so I can wear one. Almost. LOL.

GarlicStyle · 28/03/2025 17:49

They've gone bust, @bigkahunaburger 😢 TVW dresses are still being sold and rented, but they're becoming scarcer.

JustBec · 28/03/2025 17:57

SonK · 28/03/2025 15:44

Ooh I am definitely interested in these as well, can you please advise if these would be good for larger breasts as well? X

They do come in multiple sizes. I’m about a c cup and they worked. They kind of go under the boob, just covering the nipple and then push them up. I’m not sure how they’d work on larger than a c cup, just because I don’t have experience of that.

GarlicStyle · 28/03/2025 18:16

I've been trawling Farfetch. Thanks, OP, you've killed my entire day with your invitation to go virtual dress shopping!

Silver viscose mesh column £241

Black cotton sheer stripes £716

Black cotton all sheer £825

Lime green viscose £1,724

Impressive red but the lining's polyester £913

Search page (it updates continually)

Help me find a stunning, head turning dress!
Help me find a stunning, head turning dress!
Help me find a stunning, head turning dress!
Help me find a stunning, head turning dress!
Help me find a stunning, head turning dress!
GarlicStyle · 28/03/2025 19:00

Also by Silvia Tcherassi, creator of the lime green dress:

Torgiano knot dress, viscose, pink, blue or yellow, £1,839

Daniela flower dress, viscose, red, £1,967

Lua flower bodice dress, silk & viscose, black, £2,082

Help me find a stunning, head turning dress!
Help me find a stunning, head turning dress!
Help me find a stunning, head turning dress!
Help me find a stunning, head turning dress!
Help me find a stunning, head turning dress!
GarlicStyle · 28/03/2025 19:55

That's a striking gown, @Gymbunny2025 (the red rosette one) but I'd baulk at paying a grand for a polyester frock made in China! For OP's event, I'd avoid polyester entirely as she says it will be hot. Even floaty, gauzy poly can feel sweaty in a warm atmosphere - a full-length, solid dress would be like wearing a heated blanket 😬

Aworldofwonder · 28/03/2025 20:00

I wish I could go backless just so I could wear this

hookeywole · 28/03/2025 20:23

@Aworldofwonder I know 😭

Needtosoundoffandbreathe · 28/03/2025 20:30

Comefromaway · 28/03/2025 09:49

Flannels have got it in dark red or teal. I bought it last weekend for a black tie ball. It's lovely.

https://www.flannels.com/lauren-by-ralph-lauren-jersey-off-the-shoulder-gown-332748#colcode=33274808

Edited

Wintry colours though. Beautiful dress, but I can't help thinking it's more conservative than the others suggested on this thread.

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