Help me find a "cocktail dress"

[comoatoupeira]

Dear mumsnet,
I'm going to an evening summer party (40th, big evening do with a band) and the dress code is "cocktail dresses", which makes me think of my aunt on a cruise in the 80s eating a maraschino cherry from a martini glass.
I think they mean "evening gown but not floor length, probably colourful". It's quite posh, and indoors and evening, so not your average summer party where you would expect to be outdoors and wearing something floral, realistically covered up with a jacket.

Budget: about £300, ideally (much) less, would go upwards for the perfect dress.

Because it's indoors I don't need to worry about warmth, can be skimpy in theory but I'm not sure how good that would look. I want something fun to dance in that feels elegant but not too high fashion.
I am early thirties, size 10, need to wear a bra but it could be a light one. Definitely a bra though.
Hourglass but waist isn't what it was. Even though I'm slim it's not a "looks good in anything" situation, I like clever structuring and draping and good fabrics and proper underwear. I don't want anything that's like a slip dress or a nightie.
Short-ish legs, long torso.

Necklines that suit me:
boat neck
cowl neck
v neck if the straps are wide
strapless with strapless bra works well
sometimes spaghetti straps but it's hit and miss, and I don't want to look too Gen Z trying to do the nineties.

Colours that suit me (dark blonde, blue eyes):
oranges, pinks, reds
navy
yellow
probably others if I tried them, I'm a bit set in my colour ways.

Thank you for your help and I'll answer any questions quickly.

Here are some ones I found on Pinterest for inspiration. I don't think you can get these exact ones in the UK, either that or they are those unethical fake shops that make them up in a sweatshop and when they arrive they look nothing like in the picture and you can't return them.

https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/774124930175108/ - worried about bingo wings
https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/70437489654925/ - I love this look but it's the opposite colouring to me (apart from the earrings)
https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/70437489340435/ - a bit too out there and again, I keep getting drawn to dresses worn by brunettes
https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/914862420772574/ - could do a top and skirt like this in a less daytime fabric?
https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/3448137209580078/ - this is more my colouring and I like the pink one but it's a bit too blowsy for me
https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/140806233810347/ - I like the idea of wearing gold shoes with it
https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/492649952538471/ - I think this orange outfit would be perfect but no idea where to buy it

As you have time, why not start with an in-depth browse of Net-a-Porter’s dresses and dress brands. £300 is at the lower end of what they stock, but half of what’s there now will probably be on sale before your event. And you can work out what sort of thing appeals to you.

https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/clothing/dresses?pageNumber=2

A trawl of John Lewis (either website or in person with a personal stylist appt which would be my preference)

The strappy one is actually dark blue and the Reiss one also comes in a dark blue too. The red be might be a bit middle-aged?

Thanks @Defiantly41 I like the coral one but I think I need something a bit brighter, I think there's a reason they've chosen a model with darker skin.

@MetaDaughter thanks, that's a good idea. How long is stuff up there before getting reduced? I've never used it before, always assumed it was £££££

Agree with PP suggestion of Net a Porter. Also worth trying The Outnet, especially as many cocktail dresses will be on clearance now, or Wolf & Badger for something more edgy

Couple of ideas from The Outnet, both well within budget and you get 15% of for signing up to their mailing list. The orangey one is Badgely Mischca and the pink is Rotate Berger Christensen

Some nice bright colours over at Wolf & Badger

Get on eBay or Vinted and search Coast cocktail dress and the world will be your oyster.

I’ve got several in my Weddings and Awards Evenings stash doing exactly this. Not paid more than £40 for any of them.

For trousers, search Silk co ord. Like this one from Next:

www.next.co.uk/style/su426067/ah1341?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADm_5UVm8twcyAOms1__x_EFA63kN&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwMXozKfVjAMVyZlQBh3ffhquEAQYESABEgIDmfD_BwE#AH1341

How about this orange and pink set?!

https://www.silkfred.com/womens/clothing/co-ords/skirt-and-top-co-ords/cy-boutique/full-pleated-long-sleeves-vest-top-and-skirts-in-orange-pink-color

One of these maybe? From your description the pink would look great. I know the red is long but as it’s sheer hoping that would still work?

www.theprettydresscompany.com/new-arrivals-c12/new-arrivals-c14/the-pretty-dress-company-anais-bustier-pencil-dress-p410

This is the orange top (Zara): https://www.vinted.co.uk/items/6080829063-zara-high-neck-top

And I suspect the trousers are from here too, or somewhere else Inditex.

I'd be tempted to go for massive palazzo pants and maybe a waistcoat, but I don't know whether that feels true to the dress code. I suspect you'll see quite a range of outfits and styles tbh.

I think trawling NAP for inspiration is probably a good start, as others have suggested. My favourite ever cocktail-appropriate frock came from Whistles, and that's probably as good a bet as any, but personally I'd look on Vinted as I think it's overpriced nowadays.

I love the second Pinterest link you posted (but that chartreuse wouldn't suit me either!)

Generally though, I think a co-ord set feels a bit more modern than a dress - is it an option to have anything made, btw?

Net-a-Porter sales are seasonal, as they are everywhere, @comoatoupeira, so there’s usually one between Spring and Summer.

You can sort Dresses (or anything you want) from lowest to highest price - the cheapest there right now is £78.

(On their opening pages they do tend to lean in to the heaviest hitting big designer brands. It’s understandable but probably does put off people with less to spend. I’ve bought plenty from them over the years, and had ridiculous bargains in the sales.)

Put yourself on the mailing list - then you’ll know.

https://www.revolve.com/mobile/bardot-jamila-corset-dress-in-dusty-rose/dp/BARD-WD609/?d=Womens&vn=true&vnclk=true

NB - if it really is a smart event I would try to get hold of something chic and contemporary. (Assuming you don’t have vintage Versace in your wardrobe.) Slightly faded and outdated pre-owned High St brands won’t really cut it.

On Browns Fashion, another multi-brand platform, the cheapest dress is currently £115, and the good stuff seems to start beyond £400. It’s worth a look:

https://www.brownsfashion.com/uk/shopping/woman-clothing-dresses?pageindex=1&sort=price&sortdirection=asc

This is similar to your Pinterest image with all the pink outfits

Link didn’t work first time or are MN HQ still checking links?..

Thank you, I really like this one. It's almost 100% viscose though so I would be worried about the dancing effect on the armpits. I will keep it in my list and maybe buy to try.
Really appreciate you finding it, thank you.

I think this is wise. And fits with the trousers/top or skirt/top suggestion above.

lots of cool stuff here, thanks

it's hard to tell if it would suit because the model's vibe is very not me, but I love it, also the burgundy one. I think I'll get it to try, thank you.

yes it could be! any suggestions for having something made?

Amazing detective work. Is this your job?? If so you have a customer.
I think I'll just get it anyway for the summer.