Another “please find me a dress” thread

[Confuzzleduzzled]

I have 2 parties this summer. One is the evening bit of a wedding, no dress code. The other is an evening bar mitzvah party. Dress code is dress to party. No issues with modesty as it is not the religious bit.

I am looking for a maxi dress with a belted, wrap or otherwise defined waist.
I’d like it to be bright or dark, no pastels. Preferably patterned or embellished.
Thick straps or short sleeves. I need to wear a proper bra so nothing sleeveless/one shoulder or spaghetti straps.
Budget up to £150.

Thank you

Checl out Me and Thee...
Spring / Summer 2025
There is some fabulous stuff on this site! I have a few things from them and the design and material just absolutely beautiful. Lots of choice for a defined waist and some that would give full shoulder coverage so your bra straps wouldn't show. They also have amazing co-ords so if you fancied, you could go for wide leg trousers and matching top instead of a maxi dress.

That’s a very low budget, you will struggle to find anything half decent.

https://www.boden.com/products/maya-kimono-jersey-maxi-dress-multi-paradise-parrot?variant=42562767290577&tc_ch=ps&tc_ve=goog&tc_so=pmax&tc_me=cr&tc_ca=drop-offer&tc_au=&tc_cr=na&tc_campid=UK+-+Performance+Max+-+Priority+-+Active&tc_adgroupid=&tc_kwid=&tc_matchid=&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21662153007&gclid=CjwKCAjwgb_CBhBMEiwA0p3oOEumcmudoG6N-7qZRTUdwb5u2sX5zAT1Acl-vjtFs6dd1uNwXUaLjRoCHdAQAvD_BwE

https://www.roman.co.uk/floral-ruched-waist-midi-dress-14499032?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17428120031&gbraid=0AAAAACsLkkK4bs2iuFlJltZ605ygfOFD8&gclid=CjwKCAjwgb_CBhBMEiwA0p3oOF7D2cvI4psH9g7CkMNv9jWfGQTSuQVFx9CM3SVsVmXATxJ-tRgTxBoC9dgQAvD_BwE

https://www.roman.co.uk/paisley-print-boho-maxi-dress-14492632?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17428120031&gbraid=0AAAAACsLkkK4bs2iuFlJltZ605ygfOFD8&gclid=CjwKCAjwgb_CBhBMEiwA0p3oOJAiQvNh__Aay8NzbWGh2jNWe6KRzTDqNoALlOj0UdGOFB_peN07AxoCCxQQAvD_BwE

Thank you both. I didn’t realise the budget was that low.
I'm not keen on the Boden or Roman ones. They just seem a bit casual/summer holiday to me.

What do you think of this?

https://religionclothing.com/products/crest-orange-printed-maxi-dress

That’s a very low budget, you will struggle to find anything half decent.

Bloody hell, all my clothes must be indecent 🤣🤣

OP, I get most of my dresses from Nobody's Child (or ebay, but that's a hassle). They might not be 'dressy' enough for your needs, though?

I mean it’s not ‘very low’ is it? But you know that really.

Dressier:

https://clubllondon.com/products/yvonne-plum-sequin-open-back-bodycon-maxi-dress-cl128856163

https://clubllondon.com/products/parina-hot-pink-strappy-volume-hem-maxi-dress-cl135424073

https://clubllondon.com/products/lula-champagne-metallic-plunge-neck-maxi-dress-with-bow-straps-cl135401059

https://clubllondon.com/products/stila-lemon-floral-print-plunge-neck-maxi-dress-with-high-front-split-cl135553342

https://clubllondon.com/products/cleopatra-gold-sequin-split-maxi-dress (£180 but you'll get 25% off)

https://www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/by-anthropologie-gracie-cowl-neck-maxi-slip-dress?category=clothing-wedding-guest&color=520&type=REGULAR&quantity=1
Any good?

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/ester-satin-ruffle-midi-dress-green-20002360140.html
This?

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/sandra-puff-sleeve-midi-dress-teal-20003400174.html
This?

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/monica-lace-midi-dress-green-20000040008.html

https://www.whistles.com/product/lace-tie-back-maxi-dress-34434.html#cgid=Occasion_Dresses_Clothing_WW&is=false&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=lace-tie-back-maxi-dress-34434&pos=51

I feel like most of these dresses require a flatish stomach. I need a wrap style or a belt at the right place with a flared skirt to hide my stomach and give me a defined waist.

£150 is ample...especially with the sales starting on many sites....not sure about your size but this beautiful 😍 if not this have a look on Reiss, sale on at the moment
https://www.reiss.com/style/su445071/b53714

How about looking at The Outnet?
https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/clothing/dresses/maxi-dresses?orderBy=8&pageNumber=1

You may find a special dress within budget that was a lot more originally? I have picked up some great deals on the site. Lots of sales on at the moment too

Farm Rio do some great midi/maxi dresses:
https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/farm-rio/dresses/maxi-dresses/draped-floral-print-crepe-maxi-dress/46376663162912808

or And Other Stories have a sale on at the moment:
https://www.stories.com/en-gb/product/frilled-satin-maxi-dress-black-1270907001/

Ba&sh have a sale on too. This one's a bit over budget but fits some of your criteria:
https://ba-sh.com/uk/p/dress-cala-gold-3664784860839.html

This independent online boutique has some lovely things:
https://www.ozzieandclementine.com/collections/dresses/products/marlene-dress

With the And Other Stories dress above, you could add a glam belt to accentuate your waist?

lol at £150 not being enough for anything decent.

I'm in my sixties and it's only in the few years that I've been able to afford anything over that price point. It's lovely to be able to do it but I always looked nice and got compliments wearing less expensive things too. In fact the outfit I get most compliments on atm is a floaty co-ord I bought for about £30 in a Spanish chain store.

Looking good is about knowing what suits you and shopping wisely, not about how much money you can throw at an outfit.

That's lovely and £150 is a decent amount for 1 item. Enjoy your events.

On a budget of £150 I'd look at Sister Jane, Joannie and Nobody's Child.

might like this at John Lewis: www.johnlewis.com/lace-beads-sydney-off-shoulder-tulle-tiered-maxi-dress-dusty-blue/p113544852?s_share=jlappdroid Tiered maxi dress

Pink jumpsuit

Desigul dress

This is total bollocks.

And I'd rather wear a bin bag than that parrot thing.