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?

Love the pink

@Fairyvocals - I’m afraid you don’t have the last laugh, as I would look completely magnificent in that gold Sister Jane dress. How have they managed to make tiers look wearable again, long after I’d decided they were definitively over?

But it’s a lot of cloth for so little money. That’s what would make me hesitate.

https://www.roman.co.uk/ombre-halter-neck-pleated-maxi-dress-14549517

This?

https://www.desigual.com/en_GB/25WWVK37.html

Sorry, forgot photos need to be approved!

I also like these colourful NRBY dresses and they are silk.NRBY ikat silk dresses

Love that.

I was just looking for myself this evening OP and am thinking about this one… might suit what you’re looking for too!

https://jaki.co.uk/collections/dresses/products/estelle-ruffle-midi-dress-black

I love this. If it were above the knee I’d buy it. Personally I think it’s a bit shapeless for the midi length.

Yes you can.

Is this a W1A episode?

https://www.thehippieshake.co.uk/products/blue-floral-embroidered-maxi-dress

https://www.belledivino.co.uk/products/desigual-paradise-dress-by-m-christian-lacroix-23wwvw72

Helpful

Some lovely dresses on here.

I had a terrible experience with Sister Jane dresses. The sizes were huge and fabric stiff and synthetic. They refused to refund a return as they said I had left makeup on the neckline. I don’t wear foundation or lipstick. They relented in the end.

This is fabulous and I’m very tempted to buy it for a wedding next spring!

I added Sister Jane in my next post. What is your contribution ? Oh you didn't make one- how helpful.

raishma.co.uk/collections/sale-beaded

@MeyerBennett I must say I’m confused by your comment. This is a thread to give opinions on suitable clothes and to make suggestions. If someone thinks a particular brand would not be suitable for an event then surely it is helpful to say so - and entirely in keeping with what S&B is for?

Forgot to say I absolutely love the burgundy high collared Adolfo Dominguez dress but it is very dark. Might it not bring down the mood of the evening?

I’d say it was designed to flatter pretty much any figure.

This dress is seriously pretty. This brand is often on Andrea's Fashion Galaxy and she has really interesting ways of styling the so they don't look OTT frilly

https://fancifuldoll.com/products/chinoiserie-paradis-calling-card-dress

I think this is absolutely stunning! I imagine it would be very flattering - it gives waist definition without being skin tight. If I had anywhere to wear it, this would be in my pay-day basket!

How about this, OP?
https://www.jigsaw-online.com/collections/sale-dresses/products/silk-maxi-cape-dress-navy

Or this:
https://www.jigsaw-online.com/collections/sale-dresses/products/sequin-mesh-dress-black

Or this might be a bit OTT but I think the ruching would work well with your shape:
https://www.jigsaw-online.com/collections/sale-dresses/products/sequin-high-neck-dress-gunmetal

All in the sale, all good prices. Good luck!