Need a beautiful dress

[Treviarpelli]

I have a few special occasions coming up (graduation, wedding christening etc) all with different people so I figure I could splash out a bit (up to £400) on a beautiful dress.
trouble, I’m not sure where to look anymore.
I hate the websites like Debenhams or Asos with a million different choices as I get bored of scrolling.
I’m 57, size 12 quite short, big boobs and I like pattern and colour - any suggestions please?

Sleeves? Length? Shape? Any ideas of your preferences will help!

in the meantime, have a scroll of
Wolf & Badger
Self Portrait
My Theresa
Maje
Sister Jane (a bit “out there”)
Kemi Telford
The Fold (may be a bit workish /formal)
Jasper Conran- classic but length may need alterations

and good old John Lewis but do use the filters online , or book a personal stylist appointment - they will help, especially if you say you are up for being challenged not to buy the usual stuff

This with a wrap?

https://www.wolfandbadger.com/uk/sunset-bloom-blue-floral-dress-with-orange-belt/

That’s difficult, I wouldn’t tend to wear the same to a graduation as I would a wedding as I would a christening, but

I guess something like these could work.

https://www.meandem.com/contrast-stitch-midi-dress-hibiscus-pink

https://www.meandem.com/fringe-detail-fit-and-flare-midi-dress-rose-petal-red

https://www.meandem.com/fringe-detail-fit-and-flare-midi-dress-wildflower-purple

https://www.meandem.com/fit-and-flare-twist-cheesecloth-maxi-dress-poppy-red

Also try farm Rio

https://farmrio.uk/products/nature-green-maxi-dress

https://farmrio.uk/products/garden-scarf-soft-pink-midi-dress

https://farmrio.uk/products/beauty-bouquet-blue-long-sleeve-maxi-dress-1

RIXO might be a good option?

15% off for newsletter sign ups https://www.libertylondon.com/uk/floral-muse%C2%A0silk-satin-gala-maxi-dress-R639986006.html?utm_term=R639986006-b1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20031110607&gbraid=0AAAAAD4IbFHckUZK4b2TF-Hw-5kU3qB0w&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgr_NBhDFARIsAHiUWr5JS60di71QR7NM_56fnSEnEgZvC5CbzlUWaKHt4H4NR3YriHhwTxsaAtOtEALw_wcB

https://frontiers-woman.com/collections/dresses/products/siam-dress-tartan-print-navy-viscose-linen-satin?_pos=11&_fid=298aafaf7&_ss=c

Lovebirds is stocked by various UK stockists like Harvey Nicks, Lyst, Farfetch and independent boutiques but here's their own site

https://lovebirds-studio.com/collections/dresses

https://lovebirds-studio.com/collections/dresses/products/hariet-dress-blue

https://lovebirds-studio.com/collections/dresses/products/cherie-dress-black

Added a few images as you mentioned you liked colour and pattern.

That's gorgeous ...

https://rixolondon.com/products/karly-dress-cara-mix-blue
RIXO have beautiful timeless dresses. I like this style as it isnt cut too low at the neckline.

Good grief, @Treviarpelli - I can’t believe you mentioned that non-shop beginning with D In the context of buying a decent dress …

Not quite sure how you’re proposing to buy online without a lot of scrolling! Surely a good multi-brand platform like

Net-a-Porter

or

Collagerie

would be the obvious places to start? Then you would narrow things down to the brands you’re most attracted to.

Also, given the variety of occasions, are you sure you want to buy? Renting would give you the option of several beautiful dresses …

Best luxury fashion rental sites in the UK

https://www.thetimes.com/article/c9e97d96-760e-4dd6-a5b4-c1ede4c5f597?shareToken=ccf8ce6035ee382278050be2aff9773a

I've only found this out today, but Jasper Conran has closed down his clothing business. I'm a bit gutted as I have a couple of really lovely dresses by him.

OP, do you usually aim for clothing brands with a petite range?

I was looking here, as these LK Bennett ones WERE all £300-500 or so, but now reduced a lot on this site (as it's now in administration). Almost no bright ones in petite & 10/12 - but if you like any you might be able to get two or three dresses for your budget (& get tweaked if they need adjusted for your petite proportions)? Quite a lot of silk & cotton too.

https://www.otrium.co.uk/brands/l-k-bennett/women?sizes=uk-12&cat_slug=midi-dresses&cat_slug=maxi-dresses&cat_slug=shirt-dresses&colors=BLUE&colors=GOLD&colors=GREEN&colors=MULTICOLOUR&colors=ORANGE&colors=PINK&colors=PURPLE&colors=RED&colors=YELLOW

And some more on Otrium in 10/12.

Just as a 'wildcard', I am such a big fan of Seamstress of Bloomsbury and can vouch for the quality of their clothing. I have several items from them including a dress. It might be a little vintage but I am putting it out there!

theseamstressofbloomsbury.co.uk/collections/dresses/products/peggy-wrap-dress-in-navy-mayflower

Sorry, @Treviarpelli , I meant Size 12, not 10-12. Also more dress styles on LK Bennett's own site, again reduced hugely from £300-500 down to £100-200. Lots of silk-blends & pure silk or cotton, as well as some viscose crepe.

https://www.lkbennett.com/Clothing/Dresses

And more on the LK Bennett site.

These two are my favourites.

https://www.lkbennett.com/product/DRELOISESILKYellowFlan%20Multi~-Yellow

https://www.lkbennett.com/product/DRLAINEYVISCOSEMIXRedSalsa%20Red~Lainey-Red-Silk-Midi-Dress-Salsa%20Red

I love this Rixo one https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/rixo/dresses/midi-dresses/anela-floral-print-crepe-midi-dress/1647597359607444. Down to £100 from £300!!

The dresses on this site won’t use up much of your budget OP but they are fabulous if you like colour and pattern:

Katya Wildman 's website has some dresses that might suit you.

https://www.lyst.co.uk/clothing/diane-von-furstenberg-eloise-faux-wrap-midi-dress-4/?reason=search-product-image&link_id=918868539&previous_page_type=search&previous_page_sub_type=filtered&is_track_overlay=true

I am petite and have a couple of occasion dresses from the Whistles petite range. They have been great in terms of fit and quality. Lots in the sale at the moment.

I have also sometimes wondered about having something made by a local seamstress. Is this something you would consider?

If you want to splash it all on one dress, have a good look through The Outnet & also Net-a-Porter, filtered by price, size, occasion, colour etc.

https://www.theoutnet.com/en-gb/shop/product/roksanda/dresses/midi-dresses/talura-draped-washed-silk-satin-midi-dress/46376663162937670

https://www.net-a-porter.com/en-gb/shop/product/farm-rio/clothing/maxi-dresses/richilieu-sateen-maxi-dress/46376663162974328

Some others from The Outnet - various brands & styles, bright &/or patterned. They have a huge amount of Farm Rio dresses, which are always bright AND patterned, though I think some can be a bit dominant. I liked the dresses by a new brand, Hannah.