Help me find a stunning, head turning dress!

[Violettaaa]

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!

Love it!!

Great suggestions, I didn’t know, thanks. Will look at it in more details tomorrow on my computer.

Oh, l really like the Jenny packham petunia one as well

I have a similar figure to you OP and would also need some form of push up bra in a dress. Totally get that.

@Violettaaathis dress is under £500 if you go direct to the designers website rather than via W&B!! Bargain!

You can get really gorgeous Vampire’s Wife dresses on second hand sites like Vestiere for a fraction of the price. You would look gorgeous! The long Cate dresses are beautiful.

https://www.vestiairecollective.com/women-clothing/dresses/the-vampires-wife/multicolour-cotton-the-vampires-wife-dress-52825422.shtml

https://www.vestiairecollective.com/women-clothing/dresses/the-vampires-wife/black-cotton-the-vampires-wife-dress-53766865.shtml

https://www.vestiairecollective.com/women-clothing/dresses/the-vampires-wife/black-silk-the-vampires-wife-dress-45421239.shtml

I have the last one and it is stunning! I feel so beautiful in it. It feels quite structured but comfortable and my posture is always better when I wear it.

Oh gosh! The last one is not what I have! Didn’t notice the price. Mine was £500 new when I bought it years ago. Looks similar but different material and length.

I do think you need to bear in mind the weather. If it’s hot to very hot (so not UK??) then anything with loads of beading is going to feel heavy and hot, and man made fibres can feel sweaty (viscose may be ok). Satin as I said before shows sweat.

No point in a stunning dress if you are uncomfortable in it and/or visibly sweaty

Silk is a good bet or a silk/linen mix would be lovely

@minipieim assuming if the men are wearing tuxedos it will be air con?!

It’s not in the UK but it’s an evening party, I believe starting outside and finishing inside for dining/dancing. It will be hot but we won’t really be staying under the sun and yes I believe there will be air con inside.

checked on W&B and it’s out of stock anyway, good idea to go direct to the designer, I just did and it’s in stock in my size. I might order and see. Price is quite reasonable as well!!

Was this one a joke

haha… Nice color to be fair but way too much fabric and too fussy for my liking, and needs to be figure hugging

Have a look at Adrianna Papell. Found 2 for DDs wedding. John Lewis stock some them plus a few other stores. Ordered one of mine from the US via Amazon of all places!

https://www.self-portrait.com/products/ss25-pink-georgette-flower-maxi-dress

love self portrait

do may lovely dresses on club London - I went to a very high society function lady year - black tie. Spent thousands ordering dresses to find the ‘one’ which I sent back I found my perfect dress on club London which budget wise is cheaper than I was looking at however I had at least 8 compliments asking where my dress was from and yet was an £85 dress but spent more on a bag shoes etc

not the dress I wore but here is a link to their website and if you use the tab black tie event it will list so many dresses to choose - sort a look - 14 days return so worth a try if you like something

clubllondon.com/products/love-letters-powder-blue-puff-sleeve-maxi-dress-cl135174312

To answer your questions -

1. I don’t see how you could wear any type of bra with this because of the slit down the front. I’m overly booby and envious of anyone who can even contemplate wearing something like this, so I’d say just tape yourself in and go for it!

2. I think the black version is absolutely fine, but the see-through one is probably a bit too attention seeking if you’re not sure about that aspect of it / other women might get funny with you, because you will look like you’re practically naked under the mesh.

3. think it totally fits for the posh event description.

How about a Vivienne Westwood one?

This kind of style. (You mentioned push up bra which I think would be good with this.)

www.viviennewestwood.com/en-gb/women/clothing/dresses/long-ginnie-pencil-dress-gold/1101034V-W0128--GOLD.html

Your brief is absolutely crackers 😆😆 yes to this no to that, expecting everyone to click as personal shoppers.

but equally enjoying everyone’s dresses! The first is gorgeous.

To be fair, nobody is obliged to respond!

Let's not forget the glorious Galvan gown.

What?

The Navy is stunning.

Yes I prefer the navy too

Personally I think you might regret this, there have been so many stylish beautiful suggestions but I do think the first dress does look a bit cheap, tacky and just too try hard...sorry. Cut and fabric are everything, you don't need to have everything on show, less is so myuch more stylish.