Dress for a ball

[Styledesert]

Stylish MNetters help please. I’m going to a ball at the end of July. It’s a large multicultural event and the women tend to wear brightly coloured showstopper dresses or colourful national dress. I’ve been before and felt drab in comparison in my standard navy or black evening dress. So this year I’d like to ramp it up and take the opportunity to wear something different. I’m 60, size 14, don’t mind showing legs, cleavage, arms but tummy is always a problem as apple shape. As I want to buy something different to usual I may not wear it again, so looking for cheap and cheerful. Up to £200 but hopefully less. TIA

Why not hire something?

https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/clothing-rental-sites

John Lewis have some nice evening dresses on sale at the moment, like this one in the pale green or pink:

https://www.johnlewis.com/anaya-with-love-halterneck-sash-belt-tulle-maxi-dress/p112714294?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlappios_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5Lk1haWw=

Or this one:

https://www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-cherene-metallic-ombre-maxi-dress-green/p113616767?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlappios_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5Lk1haWw=

What kind of style are you after?

Also lovely in the pink:

https://www.johnlewis.com/monsoon-monica-lace-bodice-maxi-dress/p112709925?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlappios_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5Lk1haWw=

Didn’t the OP specifically say she did not want a standard black or navy dress?

Would you be confident in a one shoulder, this lovely and also colourful...https://www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/by-anthropologie-lucinda-one-shoulder-maxi-slip-dress?color=041&inventoryCountry=GB&countryCode=GB&utm_content=Must+win/High+priority&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_kxconfid=vx65edeg7&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22523685090&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpf7CBhCfARIsANIETVpDh1O0OhsztQrszFrXCxKIJ91h_BO7Gik9Cwjt9ryOlR9iVtSsWuMaAulyEALw_wcB&type=REGULAR&quantity=1

Or this? https://www.anthropologie.com/en-gb/shop/kachel-lurex-spot-ruffle-maxi-dress?color=000&inventoryCountry=GB&countryCode=GB&utm_content=Must+win/High+priority&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_kxconfid=vx65edeg7&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22523685090&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpf7CBhCfARIsANIETVqE0t7WkstII9p6lbzDEpwjEbFaUzZT_XCqlYpIuKCZgnrgRGDd5vcaAhOKEALw_wcB&type=REGULAR&quantity=1

Not sure what you mean - the ones I posted are all available in pink or green.

https://www.jjshouse.com/a-line-v-neck-floor-length-satin-evening-dress-with-pleated-017264228-g264228?currency=GBP&utm_term=264228&utm_size=24&country=GB&is_plus_size=1&ggntk=g&ggkey=&ggtgt=17&ggplm=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22459303386&gbraid=0AAAAADmGZzQLw9wxbmsLNglXYO4AS9i5X&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpf7CBhCfARIsANIETVrv3mo6s6ipC7aWeCMHTse964Qw7IWQtmXaZ-7DR1MWjDO9JE1eiukaAirUEALw_wcB#/

https://goddiva.co.uk/products/goddiva-cowl-neck-one-shoulder-a-line-chiffon-maxi-dress-magenta

https://goddiva.co.uk/products/goddiva-scalloped-lace-bodice-pleated-chiffon-a-line-maxi-dress-red

This one comes in a selection of lovely colours:

https://www.johnlewis.com/maya-deluxe-halterneck-embellished-sequin-maxi-dress/p112715278?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlappios_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5Lk1haWw=

https://www.johnlewis.com/jolie-moi-asymmetric-drape-midi-dress-rosewood/p113629923?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlappios_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5Lk1haWw=

https://www.johnlewis.com/alie-street-sophia-maxi-dress-plum-wine/p112273987?tmad=c&tmcampid=7&s_share=jlappios_Y29tLmFwcGxlLlVJS2l0LmFjdGl2aXR5Lk1haWw=

Any of these in the right ballpark, OP?

https://www.jjshouse.com/a-line-v-neck-floor-length-sequin-prom-dresses-with-sequins-018310575-g310575?currency=GBP&utm_term=310575&utm_size=26&country=GB&is_plus_size=1&ggntk=g&ggkey=&ggtgt=3&ggplm=formal&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22604531162&gbraid=0AAAAADmGZzSVoDhKAXtGsBVVodRhKAvPN&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpf7CBhCfARIsANIETVpq22Y9NYYWtsE4FgyblcXccr4FNKeyP8KM202HpkhUnZIk2juhpQ0aAqevEALw_wcB#/

Thank you! I’ve just got in so will scroll through

https://www.jjshouse.com/a-line-v-neck-floor-length-satin-evening-dress-with-pleated-017264228-g264228?country=GB&currency=GBP&gad_campaignid=22459303386&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADmGZzQLw9wxbmsLNglXYO4AS9i5X&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpf7CBhCfARIsANIETVrv3mo6s6ipC7aWeCMHTse964Qw7IWQtmXaZ-7DR1MWjDO9JE1eiukaAirUEALw_wcB&ggkey=&ggntk=g&ggplm=&ggtgt=17&is_plus_size=1#/ I love this one but delivery could be up to 23 July which doesn’t leave much room for error.

I like the Godiva ones too thank you. I feel happier with more of a flared skirt cos of my tum. Has anyone ordered from Godiva? I’m like the look of this one goddiva.co.uk/products/goddiva-sunray-sequin-a-line-sleeveless-maxi-dress-blush-pink

Thank you. They’re nice dresses but I’m looking to take it up a notch this time because lots of people will be in really fabulous out there outfits

Good shout. I’ll have a look

Isn’t jj’s house one of those awful Chinese retailers which churn out tat looking nothing like the website image?

What about something like this? https://www.quizclothing.co.uk/en-GB/sage-sage-drape-front-maxi-dress-p-286745

id also check out Vinted - should be easy to find something only worn once, possibly twice.

I was worried JJ might be because of the delivery times!
That Quiz dress is beautiful but I’m not sure I could carry it off with my big tummy. I’ll have a look at Vinted too.
There does seem a lot of options on Godiva but I’ve not heard of them. Hopefully someone will be along who has ordered from them.