Dress needed - any ideas?

[Hoppinggreen]

Hi All
would anyone like to help me find a dress (or similar) for an event?
Must cover knees and shoulders - says this on the invite
Black tie
Size 16 hourglass, don't love my legs but good boobs
5 ft 5
I am in my 50's
I like colour
Brown hair and olive skin
Have a dread of looking "matronly" or "frumpy"
Have dodgy feet so will have to wear reasonably comfy shoes
Willing to pay up to £200
I like the below but think it might be for someone thinner
Petite Joanna Gold Open Back Sparkle Dress – Ro&Zo

Thank you in advance

That's a lovely dress but it isn't shoulder covering. What is the event? I'm wondering if "shoulder cover" could be taken to mean back covered too. Is it a religious thing? I suspect the invite means sleeves and flesh mainly covered up.

Its a military black tie so not religious, no idea why the British Army would implode over a bit of knee but there we go.
I love it but I m certainly not slim so not sure if its for someone slimmer, might have to order and try it on

Are you looking for a bit of bling or something simple?

This would focus attention on your top half, I think the colour would go well with your skin tone as well.

www.johnlewis.com/monsoon-mona-maxi-dress/p112709921

Something like this?

Either really.
I don't like to go too "quirky" but I am happy not to fade into the background either

Not a fan of blue

Nice colour but a bit frumpy I think

https://www.reiss.com/style/su792038/h75610

https://www.whistles.com/product/satin-twist-waist-midi-dress-40717.html

Ghost have some lovely satin dresses, I''d also look at Monsoon, Hobbs, Phase Eight, LK Bennet. At the cheaper end Finery, YAS, ICHI.

I like that, I had spotted it before

OK - what do you consider to be frumpy? i.e. what is to be avoided!

Love the colour, not sure its black tie enough

Thanks to everyone so far

High neck mostly I think
Frills

I love that!

The sage version is very pretty and would be lovely for a wedding as well.

Very long according to reviews and at 5ft 5 (ish) and an inability to wear very high shoes I don't think it would work
Navy not great for me either

https://www.meandem.com/fluid-velour-draped-dress-deep-ruby-red

I like that but its floor length on the 5ft 8 model
I think I need something petite if Maxi length

This https://www.johnlewis.com/reiss-vivienne-cut-out-knitted-midi-dress-red/p114299564

or this https://www.johnlewis.com/jolie-moi-amira-cape-maxi-dress-merlot/p112973439

No one who is 5’5 needs petite anything.

If a dress is too long you get it altered by a seamstress or alterations service.

I have never looked at this brand before but followed a link from Collagerie - would either the Rucci or Odessa dresses appeal to you?

Odessa dress

Rucci dress

Well maybe I am 5ft 4 then because I sure as hell do, all my trousers are short length
I could get a dress altered but if I don't have to that would be better

I love red but the first one is unavailable in XL and the sleeves on the 2nd would drive me nuts