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!

I agree @Molly499its a great find but I wouldn’t wear it, especially to a fancy evening do. I’d feel really uncomfortable if everyone else was more covered up. I’d also worry about boob malfunction 😂

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/marchesa-notte/dresses/gowns/off-the-shoulder-floral-print-embroidered-tulle-gown/1647597308422857

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/marchesa-notte/dresses/gowns/strapless-embellished-tulle-gown/1647597318792311

www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/marchesa-notte/dresses/gowns/one-shoulder-embroidered-duchesse-satin-gown/1647597329084362

Without a doubt you are an attention seeking person, I feel sorry for you, are you not happy in yourself?

There is probably some truth in this statement. Most likely due to some insecurities tracing back to childhood/teenage years. Never had any therapy, “all is good now” but maybe I should think about it.
If possible can we pls stick to dresses in this thread?
Doing some short listing, already ordered one to try, will revert back!

That's right OP, you should be wearing a paper bag over your head, or perhaps a gown made of sackcloth with a trimming of ashes. God forbid you wear something nice that makes you feel good about yourself. Back to your attic, Cinderella!

Oh no! A woman has the audacity to want to look gorgeous and stand out? We must alert the church elders at once. Ready the stocks!

I feel sorry for you @1mabon. A secure person wouldn’t feel the need to make that comment.

Attention seeking. What a cunty response.

We all like it when friends say we look amazing. Or dh/oh. And I'm always giving random strangers compliments in the lav 🤣 even when sober.

Op you'll look fabulous no matter what you wear by the sounds of your figure.

What on earth is wrong with wanting to look stunning for a big event?! I thought that was pretty standard!! I love people complimenting me on my look and I also love complimenting other people’s.

Of course everyone wants to look stunning for a big event but some people seem to think tits out, splits and most of the body on show is the answer, it really isn't and is just tacky. Sophisticated and stylish is so much better and there are loads of great suggestions. I think the OP will nail it in the end.

What did you think of the Roberto Cavalli one, OP?

You have the height and shape to look stunning in this one, in my opinion.

https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/product/roberto-cavalli-halterneck-rose-print-silk-maxi-dress_R04385465/#colour=ROSSO

I love all of these

I agree the Casedei dress is a bit much - plunge neck, cut outs, split, sheer bits AND sequins. To me it definitely has “trying to upstage” vibes”. Sorry.

I've just trawled The Outnet, too (again, lol) filtered to under £2k in size 10. Working on the basis of your stated requirements, OP, plus a sense that you want a "Who was that woman in the ..?" effect, I picked these. Hope you enjoy 'em!

1. MARCHESA NOTTE Off-the-shoulder silver sequined guipure lace gown
2. RHEA COSTA White Athena off-the shoulder draped satin gown
3. BALMAIN Mint Embellished mesh gown
4. VICTORIA BECKHAM Ruffled metallic georgette gown
5. JENNY PACKHAM Ruffled crystal-embellished tulle gown (OK, this one's for a laugh)

Talbot Runhof did Rosamund Pike’s blue dress in Saltburn.

I could link every single one of these dresses!

www.talbotrunhof.com/en/clothing/long-dresses/?p=3

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/designers/oscar-de-la-renta/clothing/dresses?orderBy=6

And discounted Oscar de la Renta!

I’d take a look at Amanda Wakeley, you could be even get one from Vinted.

I have never felt the need or want to "stand out and be head turning" and hate flashy clothing.All my friends tell me I am always well turned out. There is a huge difference between style and fashion, I am stylish.

Whatever you think of me ,I never use crude language. I am always well turned out but never showy, I am stylish, always have been and still am at 83 years of age. I have always purchased the best I can afford and am prepared to save for expensive stylish clothes. -huge difference between style and fashion All my friends say I am exceptionally well dressed, when working the same remarks. I hate flashy and head turning, stand out clothes.

That’s your preference @1mabon and others will have their own. I’m surprised you’ve got to 83 and not realised that people like different things.

And you may well be stylish and well turned out but your first comment on this thread was very ugly, indeed.

I love these ones:

https://www.revolve.com/mobile/bronx-and-banco-zinna-embroidered-gown-in-navy-multi/dp/BROR-WD723/?d=F&currency=GBP&deeplink=true&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=UK_EN_PLA_ALL_MAX_Low+Income&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwwLO_BhB2EiwAx2e-31PPFtv49GI0LvphKm5NLyoWBgXIGt9YdGWrF0mKrQyQZN9h5rGocBoCjfUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.nakeddresses.com/products/scarlett-gown?variant=54858038739317&country=GB&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=21868345119&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwwLO_BhB2EiwAx2e-33oGzKR4MtXsTbfEkPqyJsogzTlOfgLCD1T6h0xEtzXCxpo3aDVy7RoCEUwQAvD_BwE

https://www.nakeddresses.com/products/zarna-gown

Can I suggest that you take advantage of your flat chest and wear one of those knockout dresses that can only be worn bra-less?
Took me a long time to realise that my flat chest was great for those kinds of dresses and that small (ahem… practically zero) boobs are still sexy.
Ditch the push up. Lean in to your fiigure. You may realise it’s actually your super power.
(sadly I can’t wear them much anymore cus i’m no longer super slim. Still no boobs though 😖)

Lots of lovely suggestions (and a few strange comments). Your brief was perfectly reasonable and as a pp's pointed out, no-one has to reply!

I'm strangely drawn to the Revolve Zinna gown posted above (not m'y usual style but I think it's just unusual enough), and also like the bias cut slinky satin ones posted early on but agree they'd be a bugger in the heat.

Am I the only person that thinks The Vampires Wife dresses are a bit overrated though? Maybe they're much nicer in person?

Those reformation silk dresses are stunningly fabulous.

I might add though, that if its really hot I would suggest a dress that is not skin tight,
Sheer silk is beautiful until the condensation runs down the champagne glass & drips on it.
Strapless, you know it won't be comfortable all day & dancing.
Some of those gowns are sweeping on the floor, not good either.

I live in a really hot climate. What skin type do you have? if there's more skin than fabric will you get burnt?

You will need a spray tan !

🤮

Do you have any dress in mind @CuriousEgg or any style that you think would be particularly suitable? I’m feeling pretty low about it at the moment so I would either want to hide them or “pretend” with a push up bra but I realise many of these dresses won’t work with this type of bra.
I used to not care about it and even enjoyed being able to wear anything, but a close one made a comment recently along the lines of me looking androgynous and I can’t help thinking about it!