Tricky one - awards outfit that is wow but not too wow?!

[Badlypaintedrose]

My team is nominated for an award. It will be a big and glitzy ceremony and they stand a good chance of winning. I say ‘they’ because I was off sick for most of the project they’ve been nominated for. So I will be there, will be celebrating and cheerleading my team, but also really want them to be in the limelight as it’s their moment.

I only have about £200 as a budget and it’s an arts industry thing so everyone is quite cool. It’s not black tie, just dressy

I’m 46, apple shaped size 12. I would love a dress from toast or gudren sjoden but they make me look frumpy somehow. I need something fitted and that shows I e made a MASSIVE effort but also that can blend into the background a bit for photos!!

it’s a tricky one - any recommendations?

Sounds like you could find something at

Sister Jane

I’m 46, apple shaped size 12. I would love a dress from toast or gudren sjoden

If I wore Toast or Gudren Sjoden I wouldn't wear anything from Toast or Gudren Sjoden to something like this. They're casual day dresses.

Ha ha, I was just going to post that. On a budget of £200 for a party frock Sister Jane would be my go to.

Although they're not generally intended to be blend into the background. My Sister Jane party frock is definitely "look at me"

Is red your colour? www.monsoon.co.uk/patricia-ruffle-sleeve-midi-dress-red-20002610006.html

Sister jane fabric is really poor quality which lets the design down. In real life they look cheap and nasty

Don’t know if these are any good, but had fun looking.

www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-janessa-sequin-bodice-dress-navy/p113616762

https://www.johnlewis.com/alie-street-annie-wrap-over-bodice-midi-dress/p6169293

https://www.johnlewis.com/scarlett-jo-victoria-spot-print-angel-sleeve-midi-dress-black-flock/p111013988

https://www.johnlewis.com/alie-street-sophia-maxi-dress-plum-wine/p112273987

https://www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-carina-sequin-maxi-wrap-dress-purple/p111599803

https://www.johnlewis.com/hope-ivy-the-grace-floral-embroidered-wrap-maxi-dress-navy/p113294360

https://www.johnlewis.com/gina-bacconi-rae-wrap-dress-black/p114124514

https://www.johnlewis.com/phase-eight-arabella-satin-wrap-maxi-dress-latte/p111599806

www.johnlewis.com/reiss-eloise-stripe-dress-navy-brown/p113445882

Not all of them. I’ve seen women look wonderful in the cotton dresses, in particular. (Though some of the cheaper ones carried by John Lewis look rather disappointing.)

And I’m sorry to say, even if disappointing close up, their silhouettes make them fantastic in photos

Phase Eight has a sale on at the moment. Some nice dresses on there.

You’re quite wedded to the wrap dress,, @Silverbirchleaf! They’re not exactly cool, which I understood is the vibe the OP is aiming for. (Although her favoured brands don’t suggest that!)

How about a

Kemi Telford dress?

I @Faineante

i thought they were good for apple shapes, which is why I selected some.

https://www.zara.com/uk/en/long-polyamide-dress-p03641704.html?v1=483728749&v2=2420897

not sure if this is your style but I’ve got this dress and it’s stunning but also quite casual

My one isn't. It's fabulous. None of their dresses I've seen in Harvey Nicks look cheap and nasty either.

Ooh wow, thank you for all the suggestions while I was making dinner!

Sister Jane looks very cool but might be a bit too much. Will have a good browse though!

Thank you! I love the Gina bacconi Rae one in particular but unfortunately I’m the kind of apple that looks pregnant in wrap dresses so I have to choose wisely! Some lovely ideas though. It’s made me think that maybe I want something I can really dance in

Love that. Envy your body if you can pull it off!

I love love LOVE these dresses! Wow. But unfortunately the high neck big pattern will make me look like a pile of socks.

I wonder if I should go for a black dress and a fabulous scarf? Or is that too ageing?

https://www.roman.co.uk/ombre-pleated-luxe-stretch-midi-dress-14549076

Any good?

Ok, serious question: can I wear this if I’m white?
https://kemitelford.com/products/helen-cotton-midi-skirt-structured-dutch-wax-print

I ask because I wore a zuri dress to a work function a few years ago and another attendee (that I didn’t know) asked me about my African heritage. I’m white and she obviously meant she didn’t think i should be wearing that kind of fabric.

I know I can wear whatever I want in my own time but would you - if you were a white woman working in the media / arts - wear something like this to a work do?

https://www.adolfodominguez.com/en-gb/midi-printed-dress-woman-29102120710351.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=AD_UK_PMAX_GEN_MIX_AON_GADS&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20499599661&gbraid=0AAAAADlVNdLezy88S1kYyyrnN4p4p8mrP&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqqDFBhDhARIsAIHTlkuGLVTenRiOqV0qsB3M-_4cH1dq_ZA7CFg3ch4ZFnk7-sZUobEe-1caAqNREALw_wcB

What about this? Would it work on an apple shape?
https://www.adolfodominguez.com/en-gb/cotton-printed-dress-woman-292302590151.html

(thank you for introducing me to this brand @waltzingparrot !)

https://queensofarchive.com/collections/sale-1/products/skye

https://queensofarchive.com/collections/all-dresses/products/delilah - over budget though

https://lisou.co.uk/products/gigi-midnight-blue-velvet-maxi-dress?variant=43173855297772&country=GB&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=uk+-+pmax+-+catch+all&utm_campaign=21388795375&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=&utm_term=&adgroupid=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21378462174&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqqDFBhDhARIsAIHTlkvCX_74YCnDHgjfUn4kviB2ilyD2_Z6TvaSFp_UXCjsVqZQJm_UFSoaAiAfEALw_wcB

LOL:
https://sisterjane.com/collections/sister-jane-exclusives/products/helen-bib-jacquard-midi-dress

Serious answer; I think maybe this one:

KT pink skirt

or this one:

KT blue and white skirt

might be a wiser choice. They’re both fabulous and would give presence at your event.

https://www.neverfullydressed.com/products/sequin-jem-dress

I love this.

Those are great. By far the best suggestions.