Dress for a midday concert

[notimeforregrets]

I need a dress that I could wear to a midday school concert (kids). Needs to be flattering but simple.
I'm 5'6, size 14, aged 44. Need to cover upper arms but the neckline can be low (I like sweetheart neckline shape and I suit V-neck too). I haven't Good boobs and good legs but need camouflage the tummy.
Budget up to £200. I have the time to ship from Vinted too.

Has anyone seen anything that would fit the description?

Thank you!

Not quite understanding about it needing to be flattering? I mean - we all buy clothes because we think we look good in them, that goes without saying. But it’s a children’s school concert - are you hoping to snag a house master or head of games or something?

Erm I try to only buy clothes that are flattering, as you said what's the point otherwise?
Might be a cultural difference as I live in the country where "flattering" is never considered when buying clothes so that's why I added it.
I'm not going there to pull no worries.
Still need some suggestions though.

I see!

Have you looked at

Me and Em?

Several similar dresses on the site that combine relaxed and ladylike vibes.

Or

Hill House Home

Both excellent suggestions, thank you! I forgot about Me and Em and didn't know Hill House Home!

I must have gone to dozens of these concerts over the years- general school concerts and more specific ones where children were specialising in music.

Unless there's something very special about this one it would never have occurred to me to wear, or buy, anything special. They would have been in the working day, so whatever I was wearing for work. But surely any day dress/ non jeans trousers (if you feel you have to be smart) top and jacket is all that's needed?

These are all available in size 14.

Sweetheart neckline and sleeves (a bit above budget):
https://www.johnlewis.com/ro-zo-yasmin-spot-puff-sleeve-dress-navy-white/p112993909

Some V necks with sleeves from Nobody's Child (they have more):
https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/green-linen-blend-floral-embroidered-nicky-midi-dress-d251964grn

https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/blue-watercolour-floral-anya-midi-dress-d250605mlt

https://www.nobodyschild.com/products/black-spot-print-anya-midi-dress

I think I didn't explain the occassion properly. For the concerts you mean yes, I wear whatever I'm wearing on the day. This one is at the weekend and at a different location. But midday (not evening) and tbh I haven't bought anything new in ages and this is a good excuse

Glad to be of help, @notimeforregrets!

It’s true that most people wear whatever their working, or gym and coffee day demands - but I can imagine that if, for instance, your 7 year old has just joined a prep where the other parents seem terrifyingly well dressed and your own clothes are either a uniform or Primark, you might feel inclined to add a couple of new things to your wardrobe. (I am not saying this is @notimeforregrets scenario - how would I know?) And if a summer dress works best for you, why not?

I recall at one school the mothers’ daytime concert clothes varied between nurses’ uniforms and muddy riding gear. And then at the next school there was a smattering of exquisite women in Chanel, alongside those whose entire income was clearly going on school fees, leaving no money at all for irons or hairbrushes … 😄

@Shetlands Both of those polka dot dresses would be way too … loud for any of the daytime school concerts I’ve attended. They’re not meant to be dressy events - at all.

(Sorry, missed your update, @notimeforregrets.)

What about a Dove shirt dress from Dancing Leopard? Comes in a variety of designs. I've got a couple and wear them dressed down with trainers for daytime.

www.dancingleopard.co.uk/collections/dresses/products/dove-dress-in-peach-meadow-on-black

That's also nice, thanks! I'll have a look :)

The Nobody's Child Anya dress would be OTT as well.

I’m sure Boden, M&S, John Lewis etc have lots of dresses suitable for yhe occasion.

@deeahgwitchof course they do but I'm always on the lookout for the brands I don't know or never heard of :)

👍
Yes. I have to say Mumsnetters have introduced me to so many brands I had never heard of before

Jasper Conran? https://www.jasperconran.com/collections/dresses

Looking for something similar. I found this one.

www.nobodyschild.com/products/orange-sleeveless-starlight-midi-dress-d243283org?variant=54019447882113&utm_source=criteo&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=WebConversion&utm_id=293798&cto_pld=CoSGTKXGAAB5Kyv1qvaqow