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

Jolie Moi

Oasis

Wallis Sequin Top

Gold Metallic Cowl Neck Maxi Dress | River Island https://share.google/7rUxpk5uYeh1kE7MS

Liquid Metallic Grown On Sleeve Ruched Midi Dress | JD Williams https://share.google/FcT6SH17NP57cByR3

Lucy Locket Copper Sequin Dress | Me & Thee | Wolf & Badger https://share.google/oZImK9vQFdGO0g1oQ

Mila Drape Metallic Jersey Midi Dress Gold https://share.google/QPU9jCnA3lLXLXuby

How about the same dress in Sage green

I like that

Sorry no
Not at all keen

I did look at that but its a bit pale

Like the bronze colours but high necks do me no favours
Also I planned to spend a bit more than some of those, I worry they could look a bit cheap IRL
Some possibles though

The Reiss dress wins. I’m 57 and they are my absolute go to for dresses.

I think I need a bit of boob on display if the shoulders are fully covered

I love this but I feel it would be wrecked by a shrug or something
Reiss Velvet Drape Strapless Jumpsuit in Burgundy - REISS

How about this and I pull it up my shoulder if anyone objects?

Reiss Velvet Off-Shoulder Top in Chocolate Brown - REISS

I think this would look great with a very cropped cashmere cardigan

Just double checked and I have to wear a dress so jumpsuit or similar no good😒

Buy Phase Eight Brown Verra Midi Dress from the Next UK online shop
Anyone like this?

You might like this at John Lewis:
https://www.johnlewis.com/scarlett-jo-elizabeth-velvet-maxi-dress/p114146818?s_share=jlappdroid

https://www.hobbs.com/product/eltham-sequin-dress/0224-5540-9045L00-DEEP-BROWN.html

You might like this at John Lewis:
https://www.johnlewis.com/alie-street-cruise-cowl-neck-maxi-dress-glitter-blue/p114346620?s_share=jlappdroid

https://www.debenhams.com/product/adrianna-papell-beaded-mesh-long-dress_p-b4d49c51-90eb-42fe-8342-da934f13654e

Thank you
I like the Hobbs one but Reviews say it is very long

The Ro+Zo is lovely but not for military black tie sorry.
There are some lovely other ideas through. I tried the Whistles one in blue and it was lovely on.

That green Odessa dress is stunning!

36D is not very big. (I don't mean that to be rude, btw, I just think it's a lot easier to dress D cup boobs than bigger cup sizes, so I wouldn't discount high necks if I were you... unless you're actually a 34F or something!)

I think this one has potential - looks very classy and elegant on the model. Not usually a colour I'd go for but the fact that it's velvet (and the buckle detail) really elevates it. Definitely worth trying on to see how it suits you!

Have only been to one military black tie do (as a civilian) but most women were wearing long dresses that were fairly traditional in style - shoulders, backs, knees very much covered. Do you have anyone that’s familiar with the event that could advise what people usually wear? One of the Monsoon dresses linked above (the navy one) was probably closest.

Not saying that you have to dress to fit in but you might find that it’s rather more on the conservative side.

I’m in exactly the same situation and need a dress and looked at this one. But I’ve got a bit of a tummy on me and am concerned about it being too clingy across my lumps.

I’m 49 and also worried about looking frumpy!

Why are posters still recommending that place beginning with Dee ee bee? I can only assume it is done in bad faith …

You just need a wrap to cover shoulders during dinner, once the port is served shoulders were revealed (was navy but same rules)