Black-tie dress for my Mum: please help!

[Catz]

Can anyone help me to find a dress for my mum for her first black tie event? She's nearly 60 (but looks quite a bit younger IMO). Size 8/10 and 5ft 2. She tends to go for quite simple styles. She wants to find something 'posh' enough for black-tie but is a bit worried that she'll look like 'mutton done up as lamb' if she goes OTT.

Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas of where to shop.

Thanks in advance.

not sure I can help, but just wanted to say ahhhhhhh.

Maybe Phase Eight? I have very glamourous aunts about your mum's size and age who shop there.

Does she want long or short?

Thanks for the replies. I'll have a look at Phase eight with her.

I'm not sure about long or short. I think she's worried that short wouldn't be posh enough (although I know technically short is OK for black-tie).

Do people think that a long plain colour simple dress in a nice material would be OK? She's got a great figure for her age and I want her to feel confident in the dress.

Thanks