Smart 40th Birthday Dress

[GingerKombucha]

I'm going to a smart 40th birthday this weekend - think home counties, big marquee in garden, champagne but also bouncy castle and children's entertainer for the children, all afternoon affair. Only problem is, life has been super hectic and I've not thought about what to wear at all. I need an outfit (probably a dress) and have no idea where to start. I'm feeling pretty rubbish about myself as I've let my weight slide and am now a size 12/14, really self-concious about my tummy. There will be lots of waif like women who are incredibly well dressed there. Budget about £300, maybe a little more for something really beautiful. I want something classy, elegant and easy to wear rather than something fashion-y or hard to pull off. Has anyone seen anything beautiful? Happy to order a few things today and return.

Wiggy kit or Boden dresses. Long ones as it's in the summer in a garden.

Or this says its a kaftan but it looks a lot more structured. There's a few more nice ones on the Cleverly Wrapped site.

https://www.cleverlywrapped.com/product/elma-kaftan-pink-city-prints/

There's some nice ones on Wyse..This one is a bit more fancy but could looks gorgeous on a sunny day although maybe not too.hot, looking at the material.

https://www.wyselondon.com/products/caley-dress-gold?_gl=1ymghk3_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjwv5zEBhBwEiwAOg2YKM8tlO5JmdKCtCjH3m5efNaaW2yBrDLoNb6PueNzkdold6Gxgzr0vBoCV04QAvD_BwE

I'd look at Me and Em. They are my go - to for this sort of event.

I absolutely love Me+Em but they are a bit ubiquitous these days. Which is really annoying as their stuff always looks great.

This shape would likely be quite flattering. High waist to lengthen legs and skim over tummy you are self conscious about. Wear with espadrille wedges (easy to walk on uneven garden surfaces).

https://www.monsoon.co.uk/amari-floral-midi-shirt-dress-green-20001710078.html

Farm Rio

I like this but I think it's a bit too out there for me. It would be flattering but I think the colours are a bit much.

Me & Em is my go to as well and I've got 4 dresses in my online basket but I was just wondering if there was anything else I should look at as I wouldn't mind branching out.

That is really not the kind of thing I'd usually go with but I do like it, I might give it a try.

Would you do one bright colour? This is lovely. I might get it myself actually...

https://www.boden.com/products/mae-linen-blend-shirt-dress-royal-purple?_pos=31&_fid=98c05df6d&_ss=c

https://www.mytheresa.com/gb/en/women/diane-von-furstenberg-belted-printed-minidress-green-p00798747?dplink=true&pub_name=2936164&chn=aff1&src=cj&cmp=aff_cj_uk&tarea=uk&ptyp=dlg&pub_id=3852549&utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=affiliate_cj_uk&utm_content=3852549&cjevent=4f7cf9666c5f11f081bd00460a18b8fc&slink_id=ce0453fb-e36e-4469-8331-2923a718dcea

Boden have some great dresses this summer. With your budget I’d look at NRBY, Aspiga and Brora as well - if you don’t want anything too fitted they have beautiful dresses in natural fabrics, and lovely prints.

Thank you. This is a sweet dress but I definitely don't want anything mini - thinking more a midi or maxi vibe.

These all have gorgeous dresses but I'm trying to move away from floaty print dresses to something a bit more sophisticated and grown up. It's quite an international crowd with a number of Swiss and Italian bankers so I want something a bit less clasically English.

Something like this? If not they have a few options that could fit, all in your budget normally but with added bonus of being on sale 😉 https://www.adolfodominguez.com/en-gb/ramie-midi-dress-with-bow-woman-291051924151.html?_gl=1upp1i7_upMQ.._gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4qHEBhCDARIsALYKFNMZf4BkNoyjyoHXUrjpd7K4MVTrEWdSelV6vxgFuO70diyZSJ-MQtQaAjA-EALw_wcB

I love that dress - it's 6/7 working day delivery so won't arrive in time but I'm going to order it anyway.

Ooh I'd forgotten about Adolfo Dominguez - didn't they use to have a shop in Covent Garden? Perfect for an international /Euro-chic wedding.

The website's a hoot. Every dress name has 'woman' on the end, so you face a wall of 'Cotton striped shirt dress woman' and 'Linen dress with frayed ruffle woman'. With each 'woman' trying to look more sour-faced and bored rigid than the last. But sadly, no 'Couldn't give a flying one dress woman'

@GingerKombucha have you looked at Dissh?

Everyone’s definition of elegant/classy is different. To me it means “Classic” and a bit retro - think 1940s/1950s.

If that sounds like it might float your boat, have a look at The Pretty Dress Company and The Seamstress of Bloomsbury - their Peggy Wrap Dress in particular is, for me, the epitome of “classic elegance”.

https://www.theprettydresscompany.com

https://theseamstressofbloomsbury.co.uk

What height, @GingerKombucha ?

I wore this to a work summer party when a big 14 and it is very flattering as it's bias cut and gorgeous fabric.

https://www.ghost.co.uk/delphine-button-satin-maxi-dress1-d08g048-k81

A midi version.

www.marksandspencer.com/satin-v-neck-button-through-midaxi-tea-dress/p/clp23019721?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

Completely different, but I think this is so pretty.

https://www.johnlewis.com/alie-street-florence-floral-maxi-dress-purple-haze/p113740723

Also love this: rixolondon.com/products/abi-dress-layla-dot-blue

You can’t go wrong with Stine Goya in my opinion https://uk.stinegoya.com/collections/midi-dresses/products/flowy-short-sleeve-midi-dress-dress-melting-flowers

https://www.soeur.uk/products/robe-ella-bronze-rob1640ella25sbro01 - this is lovely

https://www.endource.com/product/toteme-knot-front-v-neck-satin-cape-dress/Yu6IfcnnfAABdgH5