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?

https://shonajoy.com.au/products/emerson-gathered-maxi-dress-palmero-floral

I like this. Has the pattern you seem to be drawn to, a little bit of glitz in the gold fleck.

I've also seen it on an apple and she looked fab.

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?
I wear african prints casually and get some strange looks sometimes. Not sure if I'd wear them to an awards ceremony.
I wear tartan too, but I've no scottish heritage either.

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-x-a-w-a-k-e-mode-colour-block-pleated-midi-dress-green-turquoise/p113259055 Styled as per the model

https://lisou.co.uk/products/talitha-silver-plisse-maxi-dress With a bright colour clutch

https://www.desigual.com/en_GB/24WWVKXZ.html Would be flattering on an apple shape

The Adolf menedez dresses are amazing!!

So I was following this thread because I was in a similar boat and looking for a similar styles OP, commented a while back.

And I’m back, and I ended up wearing this! It was lovely, bright, so comfortable! Would definitely recommend but I did pin the bow with little safety pins which absolutely made a huge difference. Just 2 on each side, not a massive deal.

And… I won the bloody award!

Will you let us know what you wore and if your team won??? 🙏

Would be handy if I shared the link!!! And I got this on sale x

https://eu.tedbaker.com/products/ellisia-red?variant=50501263688001&country=DE&stkn=1690d4ad124d&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google+Shopping&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22790745042&gbraid=0AAAAADnUYDlNYhxongmRFUekyadMt1e-8&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrc7GBhCfARIsAHGcW5ViVWSh_m7_14-lUqJvZqzCGgiNsTZjflfmw-4g9zEc05dKpYiEuF0aAj8xEALw_wcB&shpxid=f517f55c-4880-4892-b41f-5aa209c35887

I did wear a very large statement silver necklace beneath the dress with the buttons open which I think really added to it as well!

Very pretty, and congratulations on the award!!